Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Maga-Pouss Rice Fields (Far-North Region, Cameroon) and Transfer to Rice Grains

Monitoring of heavy metals contamination of agricultural products and their transfer and bioaccumulation in crops like rice has become a hot topic worldwide over the last two decades. The present study was carried out to determine the accumulation of heavy metals in rice fields and their transfer to rice grains. Soil, irrigation water and rice grains samples were gathered in Maga-Pouss, Far-North, Cameroon. Concentrations of six heavy metals (lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, iron and mercury) were evaluated by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Mercury was not detected in this study. Average concentrations of metals were in this order (in mg/kg): Fe (188.60 ± 97.06) > Pb (63.63 ± 7.11) > Cd (2.59 ± 0.29) > Zn (1.10 ± 1.05) > Cu (0.80 ± 0.73) in water and Pb (105.50 ± 31.11) > Fe (105.50 ± 31.11) > Cu (45.93 ± 14.39) > Zn (22.52 ± 6.40) > Cd (3.15 ± 0.49) in soil. Water in Maga-Pouss rice fields appears to be more harmful than the soil, notably for lead, cadmium and copper. In rice grains, heavy metals were found in this order (mg/kg): Fe (188.01 ± 82.62) > Cu (27.20 ± 0.00) > Zn (23.61 ± 12.42) > Pb (19.50 ± 19.91) > Cd (2.02 ± 1.05). The mean bioconcentration factor (BCF) of metals from soil to rice grains was in the following order: Fe (2.60) > Zn (1.05) > Cd (0.64) > Cu (0.59) > Pb (0.18). From water to rice grains, the order is: Cu (37.26) > Zn (22.49) > Cd (6.97) > Pb (2.74) > Fe (1.94). Rice field pH and electrical conductivity favored the uptake of lead, copper and cadmium by rice grains. The findings of this study will be good documentation for risk assessment, and decision-making by environmental managers in this region.

The Effect of Lanthanide and Transition Metal Ions on the Fluorescence Spectra for the Anticoagulation Factor of Snake Venom

The effect of lanthanide and transition metal ions on the fluorescence spectra of the anticoagulation factor(ACF)of snake venom has been studied.It is postulated that the quenching of tryptophan residue fluorescence by lanthanide and transition metal ions is caused by the metal ion-induced conformation change of ACF.

Distribution of heavy-metals in the Grand Canal(Hangzhou section)and its contributing factors

The Grand Canal (Hangzhou section), People's Republic of China, has been highly contaminated by heavy metals from both industrial and municipal sources since 1950s. This study investigated the distribution of heavy metals including As, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The results showed that these metals are largely accumulated in the top 0 3 meter layer of the river sediment.Despite the contamination, heavy metal concentrations in solution are increased in some locations only. The only exception is Zn whose concentrations are extremely high both in solution and in the top layer sediment. The top layer sediment appears to have reached almost its sorption capacity with respect to aqueous Zn. The extent of contamination is in the sequence of Zn>Cu>Pb>As>Cd. It is speculated that Cu distribution has been significantly affected by its binding to organic matter in the top layer sediment. Based on Pb distribution in both water and sediment, it is suggested that Pb transport in the canal is associated with colloids or particles suspended in water. The study showed that the top layer sediment in the Grand Canal serves as a sink to anthropogenic contaminants consisting of heavy metals as well as organic compounds.

Evaluation of Nutrients and Trace Metals and Their Enrichment Factors in Soil and Sugarcane Crop Irrigated with Wastewater

The study was conducted to investigate enrichment factor of wastewater (WW) irrigation to agricultural soils and the bioconcentration factor of trace metals uptake by sugarcane and to determine the concentrations of nutrients in sugarcane by growing the same on a contaminated soil, during the growth period of crop in Vidyaranyapuram area in the South West of Mysore, Karnataka. The concentrations of macronutrients and trace metals in the soil sampled sugarcane crop were found highly significant in Ca, Mg, K, Na, N, Mn, Cu, Ni and Cr. The enrichment factor was maximum for N and Na, and the values of N and Na were in the significant enrichment category. Whereas the values of following elements (K, P, Ca, SO4, Cu, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ni, Cd, Fe, Pb, Cl, Co and Zn) in soil irrigated with WW were in moderate enrichment category. The mean concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn, and Pb in sugarcane leaves in wastewater treatment crops were significantly higher than those with ground water (GW) treated which showed the lowest concentrations. Calculation of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) indicated that the accumulation of heavy metals in sugarcane crop was in the order Cd > Zn > Co > Pb > Mn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Fe. Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated the relationship between different elements content in soil and plant. The results showed that the elements, Ca, Mg, Na, K, N, P, Mn, Zn and Cr, were significantly positively correlated, between the soil and the plant.

Kinetic Factors for Intensive Reaction of Magnesium-Based Spheroidiser in Hot Metal

The spheroidiser is a necessary additive to manufacture ductile iron.Sometimes with the same hot metal,spheroidisers and treated technology,reactions differ greatly from each other.The reaction may be quite normal in one case,but very intensive for another one.The effects of kinetic factors such as size,surface area and morphology o f spheroidiser on the reaction of spheoidization are studied.

Temporal variations of heavy metals in coral Porites lutea from Guangdong Province, China: Influences from industrial pollution, climate and economic factors

The eight heavy metals Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb have been determined in samples of coral Porites lutea collected from Dafangji Island waters (21°21′N, 111°11′E), Dianbai County, Guangdong Province, China, by the ICP-MS method. The samples represent the growth of coral in the period of 1982-2001. The results showed that the waters were polluted by the heavy metals Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb in certain years, but not by other metals. The contamination may have come from industrial sources, including electroplating, metallurgy, mining, and aquatic industries in the coastal areas.; The correlation coefficients among the metals and climatic and economic factors indicate that the metals Ni, Zn, and Cd behave similarly. Copper and Mn are positively correlated, and cobalt is negatively correlated with Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cd. Lead is not correlated with any other metals but is correlated with sea surface water temperature, air temperature, GDP and industrial-agricultural production in Dianbai County. Lead in corals is related to the enhanced pollution level of ocean waters as a result of increased industrial activities.

FACTOR ANALYSIS ON IMPROVING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE NONFERROUS METALS INDUSTRY (1)

The productivity of China’s nonferrous metals industry during 1980-1990 has been analysed. The important factors which constrain the productivity of the nonferrous metals industry have been studied, the methods of improving the productivity of the nonferrous metals industry have been discussed.

Predictive factors for the failure of endoscopic stent-instent self-expandable metallic stent placement to treat malignant hilar biliary obstruction

AIM To investigate the factors predictive of failure when placing a second biliary self-expandable metallic stents(SEMSs). METHODS This study evaluated 65 patients with an unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction who were examined in our hospital. Sixty-two of these patients were recruited to the study and divided into two groups: the success group, which consisted of patients in whom a stent-in-stent SEMS had been placed successfully, and the failure group, which consisted of patients in whom the stent-in-stent SEMS had not been placed successfully. We compared the characteristics of the patients, the stricture state of their biliary ducts, and the implemented endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) procedures between the two groups.RESULTS The angle between the target biliary duct stricture and the first implanted SEMS was significantly larger in the failure group than in the success group. There were significantly fewer wire or dilation devices(ERCP catheter, dilator, or balloon catheter) passing the first SEMS cell in the failure group than in the success group. The cut-off value of the angle predicting stent-in-stent SEMS placement failure was 49.7 degrees according to the ROC curve(sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 61.2%). Furthermore, the angle was significantly smaller in patients with wire or dilation devices passing the first SEMS cell than in patients without wire or dilation devices passing the first SEMS cell. CONCLUSION A large angle was identified as a predictive factor for failure of stent-in-stent SEMS placement.

Investigating the Distribution of Selected Major and Trace Metals in Lithogenic Environment near Cement Factory, Mekelle, Ethiopia

Sixteen physicochemical parameters including four major and ten trace metals were analyzed for seven top soil and six top stream sediment samples collected around the vicinity of cement factory in Mekelle, Ethiopia. Water and aqua regia extraction techniques were deployed to determine the water soluble and near total concentration of the metals in the samples. Water extraction results verified the magnitude of loading of the metals from anthropogenic sources. The mean values of the water soluble metals are found to exceed the reference values except for Ca and Zn in both lithogenic media indicating the severity of pollution. Spatial distribution of the metals suggested that cement factory dust and traffic emissions represent the most important pollutant sources for the investigated area.? The mean proportion of the major and trace metals in the water soluble phase of soil can be put on a descending order as: Mg (57.76%) > Fe > Ca > K > Na > Mn (3.77%) and Mo (53.17%) > Cu > Co > As > Ni > Zn > Pb > Cr (5.02%) respectively. The order of major metals is almost reverse in the case of the stream sediment with slight difference in the order of the trace metals. Factor analysis has revealed that the first factor represents the contribution of metals (Mn, Cr, As, Co, Zn, Na, K, Cu, Pb and Ni) from local anthropogenic activities, whereas the second factor represents the contribution of metals (Na, Fe, Cu, Pb, Ni, Ca, As, Co, Zn and Mo) from both lithogenic and anthropogenic origins. Third factor consists of Ca, Mo, Mg, and Fe from geogenic source of the local geology. It is spatially evident that the cement dust emission has an impact on the soil’s Cr, Co, Mo and Ni content which drastically decreases downstream. The spatial pattern of Cu, Pb, As, Zn and Co shows significant association with the cement dust and loadings from the traffic movement on the road.

Factors Controlling the Distribution of Trace Metals in Macroalgae

This paper presents the concentrations of trace metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in macroalgae from five areas. Significant differences were noticed in trace metal concentration in macroalgae, and a large range of variations between the minimum and maximum concentrations of trace metals was found. Trace metals detected in macroalgae generally occur in adsorbed and absorbed forms. Environmental and biological factors jointly control the trace metal compositions and concentrations in macroalgae. The complexity and variation of these factors cause significant differences in trace metal concentrations in macroalgae. Environmental factors play a more important role in controlling trace metal compositions and concentrations when external available trace metals are beyond requirement for algal metabolism and growth, especially for non-essential trace metals; however, when the external available trace metals just satisfy the needs of algal metabolism and growth, biological factors would play a more important role, especially for essential trace metals. Interactions among the trace metals can also influence their compositions and concentrations in macroalgae. It is also discussed how to make macroalgae as an excellent biomonitor for trace metals.

An Assessment of Heavy-Metal Contamination in Soils within Auto-Mechanic Workshops Using Enrichment and Contamination Factors with Geoaccumulation Indexes

Soil characterization and heavy metals in different layers (0 - 15 cm;15 - 30 cm and 30 - 45 cm depth) of automobile mechanic waste dumps were studied. The soils showed remarkably high levels of all the metals above background concentrations with most (Ni, Cu, Fe, Cr and Cd) decreasing with soil depth. The distribution pattern were in the following order Fe > Cu > Zn > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cd. Across all the sampling locations and profiles, Fe and Cd showed the highest (476.4 μg·g-1) and least (37.5 μg·g-1) mean concentrations respectively. Pollution load index (PLI) and index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) revealed overall high and moderate contamination respectively but the enrichment factors (EFs) for Pb Ni and Cd are severe. The inter-element relationship revealed the identical source of elements in the soils of the studied area. The accuracy of the results has been cheeked using the standard reference material;SRM (PACS-2). The mechanic waste dumps represent potential sources of heavy metal pollution to environment. The elevated levels of heavy metals in these soil profiles constitute a serious threat to both surface and groundwater.

Assessment of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal Polluted Mine Tailings—A Case Study of Nampundwe Mine Tailings Dam, Zambia

Mining activities have led to a generation of large quantities of heavy metals laden wastes which are released into the environment in an unsustainable way causing the contamination of the ecosystems and posing a risk to human health. Most mining companies have not employed any rehabilitation or remediation program of the heavy metal laden waste. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of sunflower for phytoremediation of heavy metal polluted mine tailings. Phytoremediation is an emerging technology in the remediation of mine tailings that uses tolerant plant species to clean up contaminated sites. It uses plants with high biomass and sunflower has been identified as such. These plants can extract, transfer, sequester and stabilize a variety of metals through mechanisms such as phytoextraction, phytostabilization, phytoaccumulation and phytovolatilization. Pot experiments were conducted by growing sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in pyrite mine tailings and in agricultural soil as a control. The study showed that the concentration of Cu reduced from 40.76 mg/kg to 36.59 mg/kg, Zn reduced from 3.58 mg/kg to 3.49 mg/kg and Fe reduced from 23.70 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg respectively in the mine tailings after 6 weeks. Analysis of harvested sunflower (roots, stems, leaves) showed that sunflower could remove heavy metals from the tailings and the highest removal efficiency was 53.7% and the highest translocation factor was 0.25. It was concluded that sunflower has the potential to remediate contaminated mine tailings and that phytoremediation is a viable and efficient technology to treat soils contaminated with heavy metals.

Effects of environmental factors on corrosion behaviors of metal-fiber porous components in a simulated direct methanol fuel cell environment

Abstract： To enable the use of metallic components in direct methanol fuel cells （DMFCs）, issues related to corrosion resistance must be considered because of an acid environment induced by the solid electrolyte. In this study, we report the electrochemical behaviors of metal-fiber-based porous sintered components in a simulated corrosive environment of DMFCs. Three materials were evaluated： pure copper, AISI304, and AISI316L. The environmental factors and related mechanisms affecting the corrosion behaviors were analyzed. The results demonstrated that AISI316L exhibits the best performance. A higher SO4^2- concentration increases the risk of material corrosion, whereas an increase in methanol concentration inhibits corrosion. The morphological features of the corroded samples were also characterized in this study.

Contamination and Potential Risks of Heavy Metals in the Sediments of the Chari and Logon Rivers in N’Djamena, Chad

The pollution of sediments by inorganic pollutants requires particularly important attention because of their toxicity, their persistence in the environment and their bioaccumulation by animal and plant life. The pollution of sediments by inorganic pollutants requires particularly important attention because of their toxicity, their persistence in the environment and their bioaccumulation by animal and plant living beings. This study focuses on the pollution of sediments of the Chari and Logon rivers in the city of N’Djamena by heavy metals. The objective of this study is to evaluate the degree of contamination, the geo-accumulation index and the degree of the Pollutant Loading Index of some heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn and Cd) and iron in the sediments of the sampled sites. The average concentrations of heavy metals and iron in the sediments are: Pb (10.00 ± 00 μg/Kg to 126 ± 16.52 μg/Kg);Cr VI (0.13 ± 00 mg/Kg to 0.21 ± 00 mg/Kg);Cd (trace);Cu (0.08 ± 0.02 mg/kg to 3.23 ± 0.64 mg/kg);Fe (0.25 ± 0.00 mg/kg to 5.79 ± 0.00 mg/kg);and Mn (0.2 ± 0.00 mg/Kg to 1.1 ± 0.00 mg/Kg);in order of highest to lowest abundance: Fe > Mn > Cd > Cu > Cr VI > Pb for the Logon;Fe > Cu > Mn > Cd > Cr VI > Pb for the Chari and Fe > Mn > Cu > Cd > Cr VI > Pb for the Confluent. The contamination factors for all heavy metals range from no contamination to low contamination for the sediments analyzed. The geo-accumulation indices indicate that the sampled sites are not polluted. The same is true for Er and RI which confirm an absence of ecological risks in the analyzed sediments.

基于环境因素法和标准金属法的大气腐蚀性等级评价与分析

本文采用环境因素法和标准金属法对我国南海某地进行大气腐蚀性等级评价与分析,详细阐述了两种评价方法的分析过程,探讨了两种方法的特点,对比分析两种评价方法推测的结果。本文最后基于环境因素法和标准金属法测定结果定量评估了金属材料大气环境腐蚀性严酷程度,对评估某个地点的大气环境腐蚀性严酷程度,采取该地区使用产品采取相应防护措施具有重要意义。

基于变论域模糊PID的金属热处理过程温度控制方法

为高效且安全地提取金属合金内的可用材质并分析其性能,利用变论域模糊PID技术,实现对热处理过程的温度控制。设定在金属规则状态不变的情况下,论域会随着偏差的缩减出现伸缩,即需要增添新的规则。若偏差率能够支持模糊量化取整,控制器的伸缩因子可能会陷入无法取值的情况。此时,通过二元函数分片双一次插值法计算伸缩因子,在临近分档之间填充新规则,确保伸缩因子取值的连续性。然后,在模糊PID控制过程中加入变论域,依靠控制器实现对金属热处理过程温度的控制。根据实验验证情况可知:该方法有效提高了控制效果,在应用该方法后,缩短了温度控制时间,在100s内就可以是加热温度到达拟定值。

金属矿山井巷建设工程碳排放智能测算方法

深入研究金属矿山井巷建设工程的预算定额编制特点,提出基于矿山建设直接系统和辅助系统的双路径碳排放测算架构和计量模型,以实现井巷工程建设期全流程智能碳排测算统计、碳排路径分析及碳排放大户筛分等功能.结合现场工段施工台班表,深度分析多级剖分下各层级最小单元过程的物质名录清单,总结归纳金属矿山井巷建设工程特有的碳排放因子数据库.利用MySQL关系型数据库形式搭建金属矿山井巷工程十大碳排放基础数据表,同时各数据库由唯一标识码进行标记.最后,利用MATLAB app designer为十大基础数据表建立高效的索引调度机制,并利用整合的双路径碳排放计量模型对金属矿山井巷建设工程开展精细化碳排放测算分析.案例结果显示,本方法能够为金属矿山井巷建设工程在施工前期提供细粒度碳测算分析数据,为后续施工组织设计、低碳技术部署提供具体的数据依托.

水产品中典型重金属的含量分析及评价

为了解居民经常食用的水产品重金属污染状况,分析市售水产品的重金属含量,并采用单因子污染指数和金属污染指数法进行评价。结果表明,24种水产品中铅含量为0.0008~0.3422 mg·kg^(-1),铬含量为0.0009~0.2053 mg·kg^(-1),镉含量为0.0004~0.7682 mg·kg^(-1),汞含量为0.0031~0.1072 mg·kg^(-1),无机砷含量为0.0021~0.0538 mg·kg^(-1),5种重金属含量均未超过国家安全标准限量;铬和无机砷属于正常水平,铅、镉、汞元素存在轻度污染;双壳贝类中花蛤对重金属的富集能力最强。

原油与柴油泄露影响海洋飞沫气溶胶中重金属与多环芳烃分布的实验室模拟研究

海洋泄漏原油中的重金属和多环芳烃等污染物会因为破碎波进入到海洋飞沫气溶胶中,造成更大范围的环境生态风险,而目前其具体机制和影响因素尚未充分探究。本研究以从长庆油田、新疆油田和渤海油田采集的原油以及中国石化的成品油为研究对象,设计了一套模拟产生海洋飞沫气溶胶的实验室装置,模拟了海洋表面浪花裹挟原油后再释放到大气的过程,并进行海洋飞沫气溶胶的粒径分布、多环芳烃和重金属的浓度及富集因子(EF)分析。研究发现,轻质油中的部分低分子量多环芳烃更易于从覆油海面迁移到海洋飞沫气溶胶中并发生富集(EF≥10);尽管油品本底值中的重金属浓度很低,但无论是柴油泄漏还是原油泄漏,重金属均会富集到在海洋飞沫气溶胶中,且浓度水平与多环芳烃相差较小,在300~1800μg/m^(3);油膜厚度对海洋飞沫气溶胶中的重金属有十分显著的影响,随着油膜厚度的降低,海洋飞沫气溶胶中的重金属呈现“减少增多减少”的变化趋势。

静电场作用下航煤氧化结焦过程分析

航空发动机燃烧室工作环境恶劣,导致燃油组分同溶解氧反应引发氧化沉积.通过对金属平板表面沉积的研究,分析电场对氧化结焦过程的影响.搭建了金属平板氧化结焦实验系统,对不同物理条件和电场性质下的结焦情况进行分析.研究表明:随着温度升高、表面粗糙度增加,结焦量增多;金属对焦体有催化作用而改变结焦形貌;电场的加入使焦体颗粒的粒径和融并现象发生变化,采用负电场时,表面结焦量大幅降低,焦体内部元素含量和结构发生改变,电场强度使结焦颗粒间排斥作用增大,抑制结焦过程,采用正电场时由于电场方向的改变促进了沉积向壁面的移动,使结焦量增加.