Abstract  High particulate lead (Pb) levels can be measured in tap water, but the hazard linked to particulate Pb ingestion is unknown. An in vitro test was developed to determine the bioaccessibility of Pb particles from tap water, based on the Relative Bioaccessibility Leaching Procedure validated for soils, and applied to lab-generated particles and field particles collected behind the aerator tap. Field particles were found in 43% of the 342 taps investigated equipped with an aerator, and contained significant amounts of Pb (0.003-71%, median 4.7%). The bioaccessibility of lab-generated particles ranged from 2 to 96% depending on the particle type (Pb(II) > Brass > Pb(IV) > solder), while that of field particles was distributed between 1.5 and 100% (median 41%). The hazard of particulate Pb ingestion depends on the amount and concentration ingested, and the bioaccessibility of the particulate Pb forms involved. Using the Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic model, the impact of particulate Pb on the exposure of children aged 0.5-7 for the distribution system studied was the most significant when considering a fraction of the exposure from large buildings.

Abstract  The concentration of airborne and blood lead (Pb) was assessed in a Pb acid battery recycling plant and in a Pb acid battery manufacturing plant in Kenya. In the recycling plant, full-shift area samples taken across 5 days in several production sections showed a mean value ± standard deviation (SD) of 427 ± 124 μg/m(3), while area samples in the office area had a mean ± SD of 59.2 ± 22.7 μg/m(3). In the battery manufacturing plant, full-shift area samples taken across 5 days in several production areas showed a mean value ± SD of 349 ± 107 μg/m(3), while area samples in the office area had a mean ± SD of 55.2 ± 33.2 μg/m(3). All these mean values exceed the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's permissible exposure limit of 50 μg/m(3) as an 8-hr time-weighted average. In the battery recycling plant, production workers had a mean blood Pb level ± SD of 62.2 ± 12.7 μg/dL, and office workers had a mean blood Pb level ± SD of 43.4 ± 6.6 μg/dL. In the battery manufacturing plant, production workers had a mean blood Pb level ± SD of 59.5 ± 10.1 μg/dL, and office workers had a mean blood Pb level ± SD of 41.6 ± 7.4 μg/dL. All the measured blood Pb levels exceeded 30 μg/dL, which is the maximum blood Pb level recommended by the ACGIH(®). Observations made in these facilities revealed numerous sources of Pb exposure due to inadequacies in engineering controls, work practices, respirator use, and personal hygiene.

Abstract  We evaluated the presence of lead in varnish and factors predicting lead exposure from floor refinishing and inexpensive dust suppression control methods. Lead in varnish, settled dust, and air were measured using XRF, laboratory analysis of scrape and wipe samples, and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 7300, respectively, during refinishing (n = 35 homes). Data were analyzed using step-wise logistic regression. Compared with federal standards, no lead in varnish samples exceeded 1.0 mg/cm(2), but 52% exceeded 5000 ppm and 70% of settled dust samples after refinishing exceeded 40 μg/ft(2). Refinishing pre-1930 dwellings or stairs predicted high lead dust on floors. Laboratory analysis of lead in varnish was significantly correlated with airborne lead (r = 0.23, p = 0.014). Adding dust collection bags into drum sanders and HEPA vacuums to edgers and buffers reduced mean floor lead dust by 8293 μg Pb/ft(2) (p<0.05) on floors and reduced most airborne lead exposures to less than 50 μg/m(3). Refinishing varnished surfaces in older housing produces high but controllable lead exposures.

Abstract  The extraction of oil sands by in-situ methods in Alberta has expanded dramatically in the past two decades and will soon overtake surface mining as the dominant bitumen production process in the province. While concerns regarding regional metal emissions from oil sand mining and bitumen upgrading have arisen, there is a lack of information on emissions from the in-situ industry alone. Here we show using lake sediment records and regionally-distributed soil samples that in the absence of bitumen upgrading and surface mining, there has been no significant metal (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V) enrichment from the Cold Lake in-situ oil field. Sediment records demonstrate post-industrial Cd, Hg and Pb enrichment beginning in the early Twentieth Century, which has leveled off or declined since the onset of commercial in-situ bitumen production at Cold Lake in 1985. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Sediments quality assessment is of priority concern to provide a comprehensible overview of ecological and chemical state of an ecosystem. The Marennes-Oleron Bay, hosting the largest oyster production in France, is influenced by the historic polymetallic pollution of the Gironde Estuary. Despite, management efforts and decreasing emissions in the Gironde watershed, Cd levels in oysters from the bay are close to consumption limit (5 pig g(-1) dw. EC no. 466/2001). In this context, the aim of the study was to assess the priority metal (Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb and Th) concentrations in sediment within the Bay, by investigating spatial and temporal distribution variations and the role of hydrodynamic forcing. For that we selected three sites (east, west and south) characterizing different environments of she Bay and we observed metal concentrations, grain size distribution, bed elevation and wave activities during a year survey. The sampling strategy pointed out both spatial and temporal metal concentrations variability in sediment. In general, metal enrichments were close to geochemical background. The eastern part of the Bay, largely influenced by the Charente river particulate deposition, presented constant concentrations over the survey. In contrast, in the western part, bed elevation was strongly influenced by hydrodynamic forcing especially wave activities, and metal distribution showed constant metal concentrations except very located Cd minor enrichment related to the Gironde influence via the Antioche Strait (north). The southern part was disconnected from the rest of the Bay and showed minor to very located moderately severe Cd enrichment, related to the Gironde water discharges via the Maumusson Strait (south). Thus, the multi-disciplinary approach was relevant to characterize the interactions between hydrodynamic forcing on the environment and sediments and their metal quality state which (i) were close to geochemical background over a year for Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Ng and Pb (i) which presented enrichment of Cd in the western and southern part. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Six specific types of surface dusts were collected from different e-waste disposal areas in Shanghai, China for the determination of toxic metals including Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr and Cu. These samples were obtained from interior of home appliance, second-hand household appliance maintaining store, open manual dissembling yard, enclosed electronic waste warehouse, enclosed dissembling workshop, as well as outside yard of plant. ICP-AES analyzing results revealed that metal concentrations in dust from home appliance interior and second-hand household appliance maintaining store were obviously higher than the soil background values. And the metal concentrations of dusts from open manual dissembling yard were similar to enclosed electronic waste warehouse. The concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cu in dust from enclosed dissembling workshop were about 3646.10, 3485.23 and 4049.70 mg/kg, which were respectively 9, 19 and 45 times higher than outside yard of plant. The potential ecological risks of metal pollution in these dusts were analyzed by estimating the distribution characterization of samples and the heavy metals. The results showed that potential ecological risk of Cu was the highest, and then was the Cd, Cr was the least. The ecological risk indexes of metals in dusts from enclosed dissembling workshop, home appliance interior and second-hand household appliance maintained store were considered to be significantly healthy harm, while those from open manual dissembling yard and enclosed electronic waste warehouse were relatively less harm.

Abstract  Besides organic pollutants, coke production generates emissions of toxic heavy metals. However, intensive studies on heavy metal emissions from the coking industry are still very scarce. The current work focuses on assessing the emission characteristics of heavy metals and their behavior during coking. Simultaneous sampling of coal, coke, residues from air pollution control devices (APCD), effluent from coke quenching, and fly ash from different processes before and after APCD has been performed. The total heavy metal concentration in the flue gas from coke pushing (CP) was significantly higher than that from coal charging (CC) and combustion of coke oven gases (CG). Emission factors of heavy metals for CP and CC were 378.692 and 42.783 μg/kg, respectively. During coking, the heavy metals that were contained in the feedstock coal showed different partitioning patterns. For example, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, and Cr were obviously concentrated in the inlet fly ash compared to the coke; among these metals Cu, As, and Cr were concentrated in the outlet fly ash, whereas Zn and Pb were distributed equally between the outlet fly ash and APCD residue. Ni, Co, Cd, Fe, and V were partitioned equally between the inlet fly ash and the coke. Understanding the behavior of heavy metals during coking processes is helpful for the effective control of these heavy metals and the assessment of the potential impact of their emissions on the environment.

Abstract  Fine and ultrafine metallic particulate matters (PMs) are emitted from metallurgic activities in peri-urban zones into the atmosphere and can be deposited in terrestrial ecosystems. The foliar transfer of metals and metalloids and their fate in plant leaves remain unclear, although this way of penetration may be a major contributor to the transfer of metals into plants. This study focused on the foliar uptake of various metals and metalloids from enriched PM (Cu, Zn, Cd, Sn, Sb, As, and especially lead (Pb)) resulting from the emissions of a battery-recycling factory. Metal and metalloid foliar uptake by various vegetable species, exhibiting different morphologies, use (food or fodder) and life-cycle (lettuce, parsley and rye-grass) were studied. The mechanisms involved in foliar metal transfer from atmospheric particulate matter fallout, using lead (Pb) as a model element was also investigated. Several complementary techniques (micro-X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry) were used to investigate the localization and the speciation of lead in their edible parts, i.e. leaves. The results showed lead-enriched PM on the surface of plant leaves. Biogeochemical transformations occurred on the leaf surfaces with the formation of lead secondary species (PbCO(3) and organic Pb). Some compounds were internalized in their primary form (PbSO(4)) underneath an organic layer. Internalization through the cuticle or penetration through stomata openings are proposed as two major mechanisms involved in foliar uptake of particulate matter.

Abstract  Metals released to the environment from various natural and anthropogenic sources accumulate in lake sediments, providing a record of metal emissions over time. Metal concentrations (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sr, V, Zn) in sediments were measured across Lake Simcoe, replicating a study conducted 25 years earlier. The highest metal concentrations were found in sediment cores from Kempenfelt Bay where concentrations peaked in the 1950s through to the 1970s. Metal concentrations generally decreased from peak levels, except for Cu and Zn whose concentrations have since returned to peak levels. In recent years, concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn were still more than double their early industrial (pre-1900s) concentrations. Across the lake, concentrations of metals in the surface sediments were generally highest in Kempenfelt Bay and the main basin, and decreased with distance away from shore and towards the lake outlet. Metal concentrations in several tributaries in the watershed were highest at locations downstream from urban areas. The temporal and spatial trends in sediment metal concentrations are consistent with a shift from point source metal pollution to diffuse sources of metals including urban runoff and atmospheric pollution. (C) 2011 International Association for Great Lakes Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Environmental impact of the mining activities in the Mahd Adh Dahab gold mine was examined through detailed chemical analyses of a number of samples represent the gold-bearing rocks, soils, dust, and plants from inside and outside the mine area and within the Mahd City as well as the surrounding areas. The obtained data were compared with the standard values of heavy metals concentrations in order to evaluate the pollution levels of these activities on the different systems around the mine area. The data of rock samples shows relatively high concentrations of Cu (up to 11.9%), Pb (up to 4.1%), and Zn (up to 14.2%), which attributed to the outcropping of the sulfide-bearing veins on the surface of the mine area. Soil samples inside the mine area show high concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, and As compared to those from outside the mine indicating pollution impact of the mine activities on soils from inside the mine with these elements. Dust samples collected from inside the mine have considerably high concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Pb compared to those from outside the mine. Values of heavy metals in the collected dust from outside the mine are comparable with those from many big cities including Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, indicating contaminations with heavy metals to the dust from inside the mine at Mahd Adh Dahab City. Heavy metals concentrations in the stems and leaves samples of the various types of plants inside and outside Mahd Adh Dahab gold mine area show that they have relatively higher concentrations of Cu and Zn compared to other metals. Stem samples show relatively higher concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cr, and V compared to the leaves samples. Although values of most heavy metals in the plants, both stems and leaves, are comparable with those of the typical levels of heavy metals in plants, Co and Cr show relatively higher concentrations suggesting a pollution impact of the mine activities in plants with Co and Cr. As a conclusion, results indicated that the contamination effect of Mahd Adh Dahab gold mine activities are clear in soils and dusts inside the mine area with some metals such Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb due to their relatively enrichment in mineralization. Therefore, careful treatments of the waste dump materials inside the mine area are recommended to protect soils and air contaminations and to prevent the extension of pollution outside the mine in the future.

Abstract  The atmospheric concentrations of nonsea-salt (nss) SO42- and trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, V, and Zn) were measured for aerosol samples collected concurrently at ten sites across Japan during winter (December to February in 2004-2006), when the contribution of Asian outflow to their concentrations would have been maximized. The sulfur isotope ratio (delta S-34) of nss SO42- was also measured and used to identify the sources of nss SO42- in the aerosols. Sites in urban and industrial areas tended to have high concentrations of nss SO42- and trace elements. In other sites, however, the concentrations of nss SO42- and trace elements decreased with increasing longitude. On the basis of the delta S-34 values of nss SO42- and the results of air trajectory analysis, it is likely that the regional variations in the concentrations of nss SO42- and trace elements are strongly related to their emissions in the regions over which the air mass passed, particularly in the 30-40 degrees N region, which has the highest emissions in China. To evaluate the relative contribution of Asian outflow to the concentrations of nss SO42- and trace elements at each site, for convenience we assumed that the fraction dominated by Asian outflow (referred to as the Asian outflow fraction) corresponds to the concentrations expected from an exponential concentration-longitude relationship among three sites that are far from major emission areas in Japan. For nss SO42- and As, much higher contributions of the Asian outflow fraction (93% and 83% on average, respectively, at 10 sites) were observed, whereas for the other trace elements, only average contributions were observed at all the sites, i.e., within 50-67%. The high contributions of Asian outflow to the concentrations of nss SO42- and As are attributable to a marked difference in their emissions from coal combustion between China and Japan.

Abstract  Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is a pollutant composed by various metals, that when accumulated in the respiratory system may cause serious health problems. Methods IO-3.1 (metal extraction in PM) and IO-3.4 [metal determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES)] are the recommended by the United State Environmental Protection Agency. With the intent to evaluate the performance of the method developed in our laboratory for the extraction of metal in PM with HNO3 p.a. bidistilled and determination by ICP-OES of Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Ti, V and Zn, validation was executed according to the criteria established by the INMETRO determining the parameters: selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, limits of detection and quantification, as well as the comparison of the efficiency and precision with IO-3.1 method. The results show that our method meets all validation criteria established by the INMETRO; furthermore, it shows to be equivalent to IO-3.1 method.

Abstract  Leaves and fruits of Ricinus communis (castor oil plant) were studied as potential biomonitors of atmospheric pollution in urban areas. The concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in samples collected in the city of Catania (Italy) and compared with a pristine area. This study showed that the fruits of R. communis act as better biomonitors of element concentrations in the atmosphere as compared to the leaves. In particular, this pattern was evident for Cu, Pb, and Zn, typical atmospheric pollutants. Fruits proved especially sensitive to Pb accumulation; thus, all products derived from them, such as castor oil and biofuels, should be obtained in places where the exposure to Pb is low to avoid potential contamination. The plant R. communis seems a promising species as a biomonitor of atmospheric pollution, and given its wide distribution, may be used for large-scale networks of biomonitoring.

Abstract  Total suspended particulates were collected from the marine boundary layer of Bay of Bengal (BOB) as part of the Integrated Campaign for Aerosols gases & Radiation Budget (ICARB) conducted under the Geosphere Biosphere Programme of Indian Space Research Organisation during pre-monsoon period. These samples were analyzed to quantify various chemical species and to bring out a comprehensive and quantitative picture of the chemical composition of aerosols in the marine environment of Bay of Bengal. Almost all the species showed highest mass concentration over north/head BoB. On the other hand, their mass fractions were high over mid/south BoB which has implications on the radiative forcing in this region. The source characteristics of various species were identified using specific chemical components as tracers. Presence of significant amount of non-sea-salt aerosols (similar to 7-8 times of sea-salt) and several trace species like Ni, Pb, Zn, etc were observed in this marine environment indicating significant continental/anthropogenic influence. An approximate estimate of the contributions of anthropogenic and natural aerosols to the total aerosol mass loading showed prominence of anthropogenic component over mid and south BoB also. Based on this study first-cut aerosol chemical models were evolved for BoB region.

Abstract  During a dry period, many kinds of pollutants are accumulated on the surface of paved roadways, and these are swept into nearby waterways when rain falls. Particularly when the pollutants are toxic heavy metals, the damage they cause to the water system could be significant. This study evaluated the removal efficiency of vortex-type treatment facilities in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, over a 2-y period from 2006 to 2007. Grain-size analyses of Zn, Pb, and Cd, which are particulate materials and heavy metals, were also conducted. Monitoring results showed removal efficiencies ranging from 9% to 65% for TSS, 0-55% for BOD, 1-58% for TN and 1-68% for TP. In addition, analyses of the correlation between removal efficiency and precipitation characteristics by pollutant type showed that particulate materials have a high correlation with nutrient materials and heavy metals, while organic materials and nutrient materials also have a high correlation. A grain-size analysis of 1-100 mu m diameter particles showed that fine particles contain large amounts of Zn and Pb, which are heavy metals.

Abstract  Hourly concentrations of heavy metals in PM10 samples were continuously measured using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to determine the metal distribution among Asian Dust (AD) events, local pollution events, and nonevents. Quantification of metals was performed by establishing a calibration line between 24 h average data determined by the ICP-MS after filter sampling and LIBS intensity data. It was found that in AD and local pollution events, significant anthropogenic heavy metals, such as Pb, Cr, Ni, and Zn, were detected compared to a nonevent, and that crustal elements (e. g., Al, Ca, Mg) were more abundant in the AD events than those in a local pollution event or nonevent. The AD events were further classified into "nonpolluted AD" and "polluted AD" events, depending on the air mass transport pathways. During "polluted AD" events where the air mass passed over industrialized zones, both crustal (Al, Ca, Mg) and anthropogenic (Cr, Ni, Zn) metal elements simultaneously increased with time, suggesting that the AD particles could not only include crustal elements but also have a significant quantity of anthropogenic heavy metals. The concentration of anthropogenic heavy metals (Cr + Pb + Zn) was the highest in the AD3 event in order of AD3 (polluted) > AD1 (polluted) > local pollution > AD2 (nonpolluted). However, the PM10-weighted value (Cr + Pb + Zn/PM10) was the highest in the local pollution event where concentrations of only anthropogenic heavy metals increased. Also, the hourly LIBS data was successfully used to discriminate metal contributions between AD events and local pollution events or among AD events by employing a chemometric method.

Abstract  Contemporary environmental challenges have emphasized the need to critically assess the use of bivalve mollusks in chemical monitoring (identification and quantification of pollutants) and biomonitoring (estimation of environmental quality). Many authors, however, have considered these approaches within a single context, i.e., as a means of chemical (e.g. metal) monitoring. Bivalves are able to accumulate substantial amounts of metals from ambient water, but evidence for the drastic effects of accumulated metals (e.g. as a TBT-induced shell deformation and imposex) on the health of bivalves has not been documented. Metal bioaccumulation is a key tool in biomonitoring; bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of various metals in relation to bivalves are described in some detail including the development of biodynamic metal bioaccumulation model. Measuring metal in the whole-body or the tissue of bivalves themselves does not accurately represent true contamination levels in the environment; these data are critical for our understanding of contaminant trends at sampling sites. Only rarely has metal bioaccumulation been considered in combination with data on metal concentrations in parts of the ecosystem, observation of biomarkers and environmental parameters. Sclerochemistry is in its infancy and cannot be reliably used to provide insights into the pollution history recorded in shells. Alteration processes and mineral crystallization on the inner shell surface are presented here as a perspective tool for environmental studies.

Abstract  Historical and active mining has adversely affected the geochemistry of the Jiehe River in the Jiaodong Peninsula, which has the largest gold ore reserves in China. Water and sediment samples were collected along the 37.8 km long river during the critical low flow season. Samples were analyzed for their geochemical properties, total concentrations of As, Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in the sediment, and dissolved/particulate concentrations of trace elements in filtered/unfiltered water samples. Our results demonstrate that substantial amount of these elements have been released into the Jiehe River during the processes of extracting, selecting, processing, and smelting at the many historical and active gold mining sites in the watershed. High concentrations of potentially toxic elements (1.9-1,004 mu g L-1 As, 4.2-210 mu g L-1 Cr, 7.9-9,529 mu g L-1 Pb, 2.0-855 mu g L-1 Cd, 47.4-8,494 mu g L-1 Cu, and 105-11,336 mu g L-1 Zn) have seriously affected water quality in the region. In addition, these contaminants have accumulated in the bed sediment (7.7-181 mg kg(-1) As, 24.1-726 mg kg(-1) Cr, 9.9-1,100 mg kg(-1) Pb, 0.1-51.8 mg kg(-1) Cd, 22.1-1,524 mg kg(-1) Cu, and 53.5-5,484 mg kg(-1) Zn). Spatial distribution of these contaminants in water and sediment is controlled by the discharge from point and non-point sources as well as the reactive transport processes. Spatial analysis conducted on the sediment and stream concentration of As, Pb, Cd, and Zn suggests that two mining-related sources, at 4.3 and 17.6 km downstream of the headwaters, contributed most of the As, Pb, Cd, and Zn load as particulates. In contrast, high levels of Cr and Cu in the sediment are not related to the current loading pattern and may be due to historical sources. As the first comprehensive study on the pollution caused by intensive gold mining in this area, this research has provided much needed information to establish effective management and remediation strategies.

Abstract  The overwhelming proportion of the mass of lead (Pb) is stored in bone and the residence time of Pb in bone is much longer than that in other tissues. Hence, in a metabolic model that we used to solve the differential equations governing the transfer of lead between body compartments, three main compartments are involved: blood (as a transfer compartment), cortical bone (tibia), and trabecular bone (calcaneus). There is a bidirectional connection between blood and the other two compartments. A grid search chi-squared minimization method was used to estimate the initial values of lead transfer rate values from tibia (λTB) and calcaneus (λCB) to blood of 209 smelter employees whose bone lead measurements are available from 1994, 1999, and 2008, and their blood lead level from 1967 onwards (depending on exposure history from once per month to once per year), and then the initial values of kinematic parameters were used to develop multivariate models in order to express λTB and λCB as a function of employment time, age, body lead contents and their interaction. We observed a significant decrease in the transfer rate of lead from bone to blood with increasing body lead contents. The model was tested by calculating the bone lead concentration in 1999 and 2008, and by comparing those values with the measured ones. A good agreement was found between the calculated and measured tibia/calcaneus lead values. Also, we found that the transfer rate of lead from tibia to blood can be expressed solely as a function of cumulative blood lead index.

Abstract  The Kozani-Ptolemais-Amyntaio basin constitutes the principal coal field of Greece. Approximately 50 % of the total power production of Greece is generated by five power stations operating in the area. Lignite samples, together with the corresponding fly ash and bottom ash were collected, over a period of 3 months, from the power plant of Amyntaio and analyzed for their content in 16 trace elements. The results indicate that Y, Nb, U, Rb, Zr, Ni, Pb, Ba, Zn, Sr, Cu, and Th demonstrate an organic affinity during the combustion of lignite, while V has an inorganic affinity. Three elements (Co, Cr, and Sc) show an intermediate affinity.

Abstract  Six soil profiles located near Mufulira (Zambian Copperbelt) were studied to evaluate and compare the extent of environmental pollution of Cu-ore mining and smelting in both forested and grassland areas. The highest metal concentrations were detected in the uppermost soil layers with the following maxima: Co 45.8 mg kg(-1), Cu 8,980 mg kg(-1), Pb 41.6 mg kg(-1), and Zn 97.0 mg kg(-1). Numerous anthropogenic metal-bearing particles were detected in the most polluted soil layers. The spherical smelter-derived particles were mainly composed of covellite (CuS) and chalcocite (Cu2S), while the angular mining-derived particles were mostly composed of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). Additionally, Fe-Cu oxide particles predominantly corresponding to tenorite (CuO) and delafossite (Cu(1+)Fe(3+)O2), along with hydrated Fe-oxides corresponding to secondary weathering products, were detected. In contrast to smelter-affected soils in temperate climates, where forest soils are significantly more enriched in metals than tilled soils due to high canopy interception, our data indicate a higher proportion of metal-bearing anthropogenic particles and higher metal concentrations in soils from unforested sites. This phenomenon is probably related to the more frequent and intense bushfires in forested areas, leading to the mobilization of pollutants contained in the biomass-rich surface soils back into the atmosphere.

Abstract  This study aimed at: (a) providing information on the occurrence and concentration ranges in urban stormwater for a wide array of pollutants (n = 77); (b) assessing whether despite the differences between various catchments (land use, climatic conditions, etc.), the trends in terms of contamination level are similar; and (c) analyzing the contribution of total atmospheric fallout (TAF) with respect to sources endogenous to this contamination. The studied contaminants include conventional stormwater contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Zn, Cu, Pb, etc.), in addition to poorly or undocumented pollutants such as nonylphenol and octylphenol ethoxylates (NPnEO and OPnEO), bisphenol A (BPA), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a wide variety of pesticides, and various metals of relevance (As, Ti, Sr, V). Sampling and analysis were performed using homogeneous methods on three urban catchments with different land use patterns located in three distinct French towns. For many of these pollutants, the results do not allow highlighting a significant difference in stormwater quality at the scale of the three urban catchments considered. Significant differences were, however, observed for several metals (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sr and Zn), PAHs, and PBDEs, though this assessment would need to be confirmed by further experiments. The pollutant distributions between dissolved and particulate phases were found to be similar across the three experimental sites, thus suggesting no site dependence. Lastly, the contributions of TAF to stormwater contamination for micropollutants were quite low. This finding held true not only for PAHs, as previously demonstrated in the literature, but also for a broader range of molecules such as BPA, NPnEO, OPnEO, and PBDEs, whose high local production is correlated with the leaching of urban surfaces, buildings, and vehicles.

Abstract  Background: While exposure to ambient fine particles <2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) has well-established health effects, there is limited quantitative evidence that links specific sources of PM2.5 with those effects. This study was designed to examine the risks of exposure to chemical species and source-specific PM2.5 mass on mortality in Seoul, Korea, a highly populated city. Methods: We compare daily mortality counts with PM2.5 chemical speciation data collected every 3 days, as well as nine sources of PM2.5 mass resolved by a positive matrix factorization receptor model, from March 2003 through November 2007. A Poisson generalized linear model incorporating natural splines was used to evaluate associations of PM2.5 chemical species and sources with mortality. Results: PM2.5 mass and several chemical species were associated with mortality. Organic carbon, elemental carbon, and lead were associated with mortality outcomes when using multipollutant models adjusted for other chemical species levels. Source-apportioned PM2.5 derived from mobile sources (ie, gasoline and diesel emissions) and biomass burning was associated with respiratory mortality and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. There were moderate associations of industry and of roadway emissions with cardiovascular mortality. Conclusions: Local combustion sources may be particularly important contributors to PM2.5, leading to adverse health effects.

Abstract  Detailed scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy of metal-bearing particles in snow deposits and stream sediment from a steelworks area was performed. Identified metal-bearing phases were apportioned according to their chemical and morphological characteristics to anthropogenic phases and secondary weathering products. Anthropogenic metal-bearing phases are the most abundant in both media and are represented by various irregular ferrous oxides, ferrous alloys, spherical ferrous oxides, and ferrous silicates with variable contents of Cr, Mn, Ni, V, W, and Mo. Secondary weathering products are Al silicates, Fe oxy-hydroxides, and Fe oxy-hydroxy sulfates with minor contents of transition metals, resulting from weathering of anthropogenic phases and Pb-Zn ore minerals from a closed Pb-Zn mine located upstream from the study area. Comparison of anthropogenic metal-bearing phases in both media showed agreement in their compositions and morphologies and indicated their sources are high-temperature processes in steel production. It also showed that spherical metal-bearing phases were transported by the same transport medium, which is the atmosphere, while other phases were transported into stream sediment mostly by other pathways, such as precipitation runoff over contaminated surfaces.

Abstract  Urban environmental quality in brownfield redevelopment sites is of vital importance after most of former industrial areas were replanned or changed into residential and recreational areas. Hence, it is necessary to rethink if those brownfield redevelopment sites have been cleaned up so that there will be no negative health impacts to local residents. Under such a circumstance, this paper aims to evaluate the contamination level of heavy metals within a brownfield redevelopment site in China, namely, the Tiexi old industrial zone in Shenyang. Surface soil and dust samples were collected from local industrial sites, residential/commercial sites, traffic sites, and recreational sites, respectively. Our analysis results revealed that although the soils in the brownfield redevelopment sites had been treated and remediated, heavy metal pollution still exists in certain sites, especially in the current industrial sites that will be planned into residential/commercial or recreational zones, and the current residential sites where the former industrial sites located, showing that past industrial activities did and will continue to influence the soil quality. Further health risk assessment indicates that As and Pb generated from industrial sites and traffic sites has a potential to pose serious health risks to local residents, especially children. The hotspots with more serious health risks to children are mainly concentrated in the areas close to the former Shenyang Smelting Plant. After one decade of redevelopment, the Tiexi old industrial zone has become a new urban area which is not suitable for large-scaled soil remediation efforts. Thus, the phytoremediation by trees or herbs in heavy-metal-contaminated land is more appropriate and should be embedded into urban green land planning. This study provides innovative policy insights on urban brownfield redevelopment to both governmental officials and related stakeholders so that they can make appropriate remediation actions.