Transport of Heavy Metals between Soil and Rice in the Jiulong River River Basin

Diet is one of the main pathways for heavy metals to enter the human body,so studying the content of heavy metals in agricultural products and evaluating them is of great significance.When farmland soil is contaminated with heavy metals,the heavy metals accumulated in the soil will be absorbed by the roots of rice plants growing on it,and will migrate and transform between different tissues and organs of rice plants.There is a significant correlation between heavy metal pollution in soil and the content of heavy metals in rice.The migration and enrichment of heavy metals in the agricultural soil rice system is a complex process that is influenced by many factors,such as the physical and chemical properties of the soil,the content and occurrence forms of heavy metals in the soil,and the physiological characteristics of rice plants.In actual field environments,these influencing factors have significant spatial differences and are relatively complex.Therefore,it is necessary to conduct practical analysis of the various influencing factors in actual field environments.Based on actual data analysis,studying the heavy metal content in rice and the characteristics of heavy metal accumulation and migration in rice plants is of great significance for improving the food safety of rice.

Distribution and Migration of Heavy Metals in Undisturbed Forest Soils:A High Resolution Sampling Method

The vertical distribution and migration of Cu,Zn,Pb,and Cd in two forest soil profiles near an industrial emission source were investigated using a high resolution sampling method together with reference element Ti.One-meter soil profile was sectioned horizontally at 2 cm intervals in the first 40 cm,5 cm intervals in the next 40 cm,and 10 cm intervals in the last 20 cm.The migration distance and rate of heavy metals in the soil profiles were calculated according to their relative concentrations in the profiles,as calibrated by the reference element Ti.The enrichment of heavy metals appeared in the uppermost layer of the forest soil,and the soil heavy metal concentrations decreased down the profile until reaching their background values.The calculated average migration rates of Cd,Cu,Pb,and Zn were 0.70,0.33,0.37,and 0.76 cm year-1,respectively,which were comparable to other methods.A simulation model was proposed,which could well describe the distribution of Cu,Zn,Pb,and Cd in natural forest soils.

Migration and accumulation of heavy metals in disturbed landscapes in developing ore deposits, East Kazakhstan

This paper studied the contents of heavy metals and their accumulation in the disturbed landscapes in ore deposits of East Kazakhstan. A total of 14 sites were examined in Zyrynovsky and Tishinsk deposits and Ridder town, and 50 soil samples were taken. Results indicated that the contents of heavy metals in the soil reached the maximum permissible concentration. Emissions of the zinc plant negatively affected the soil of nearby territories. In the remediated areas, a high concentration of heavy metals was observed at a depth where the bulk soil borders the rock. Accumulation of heavy metals on the surface of the remediated areas occurred due to biological accumulation in the plant. Plants transmitted heavy elements through the root system to the upper vegetative organs, making them accumulate in the upper layers of the soil. The heavy metals migrated and accumulated from the lower layers to the surface layers of the soil. The absence of soil meso-fauna resulted in the contamination of soil by heavy metals. The analysis of water samples, taken from the waste storages and the waste waters with heavy metals in the Zyryanovsk deposit and Ridder town, revealed severe water contamination.

Enrichment of heavy metals in coal gangue by puff balls and mechanism research

Coal gangue with/without wild puff balls growing on or covering up were analyzed by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry(ICP-AES) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry(AFS) to detect the contents of heavy metal elements in the plants. Seven heavy metals were chosen to do the experiments, which showed that the puff balls have strong enrichment capacity for heavy metals(As, Pb, Mn and Ni). The highest enrichment level was Mn, 220.3 mg/kg(dry weight) for puffball fruiting bodies, and the highest As, Cr and Pb enrichment levels for puffball mycelium were 111, 265.3 and 86 mg/kg, respectively. Cd, Mn and Ni could transfer from puffball mycelium to its fruiting bodies, while As, Cr, Pb and Co mainly accumulated in the mycelium. The contents of five organic acids(tartaric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid and malic acid) in puffballs were determined with high performance liquid chromatography. With water, ethanol and ethyl acetate as solvents, the puffball extracts performed dissolution reactions with coal gangue, in which the water extract(containing a large amount of organic acids) was most effective in releasing heavy metals, especially As, Pb, Cr, Mn, Co and Ni from coal gangue. As a pioneer species, puff balls absorbed the hazardous trace elements in coal gangue matrix to reduce its eco-toxicity, on the other hand, it raised the p H value of coal gangue, improving the vegetation growing conditions for coal gangue matrix to a certain extent and laying the foundation for ecological restoration of coal gangue dumps.

Distribution, Enrichment and Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Soil and <i>Trigonella foenum-graecum</i>L. (Fenugreek) after Fertigation with Paper Mill Effluent

The aim of the study was to investigate distribution, enrichment and accumulation of heavy metals in soil and Trigonella foenum-graecum (var. Pusa Early Bunching) after fertigation with paper mill effluent. Doses of paper mill effluent viz. 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% were used for fertigation of T. foenum-graecum along with bore well water (control). The results revealed that paper mill effluent had significant (P +, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, TKN, PO3-4, SO2-4, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn of the soil in both seasons. Insignificant (P > 0.05) changes in WHC and bulk density of the soil were observed after irrigation with paper mill effluent. The agronomical performance of T. foenum-graecum was increased from 5% to 25% concentration and decreased from 50% to 100% concentration of paper mill effluent as compared to control in both seasons. The heavy metals concentration was increased in T. foenum-graecum from 5% to 100% concentrations of paper mill effluent in both seasons. Biochemical components like crude proteins, crude fiber and crude carbohydrates were found maximum with 25% paper mill effluent in both seasons. The enrichment factor (Ef) of various heavy metals was in order of Cd > Mn > Cr > Cu > Zn > Fe for soil and Mn > Cu > Cr > Cd > Zn > Fe for T. foenum-graecum plants after fertigation with paper mill effluent. Therefore, paper mill effluent can be used as a biofertigant after appropriate dilution to improve yield of T. foenum-graecum.

Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration and Enrichment Levels in Soils around Quarries and Barite Mine Sites in Part of Akamkpa and Biase Area, Southeastern Nigeria

Geochemical investigation of the soils around quarry and barite mine sites in part of Akamkpa and Biase area of Southeastern Nigeria, was carried out to assess the concentration and enrichment levels of some heavy metals and trace elements in the soils. The investigation involved the collection of fifteen (15) soil samples between the depth of 15 - 30 cm. The samples were dried at room temperature, prepared and analyzed for heavy metals using inductively couple plasma mass spectrometer. The result shows that the concentration of Co, Cr, Nb, Pb and Sn were higher than the average shale values around the quarries while Ba, Pb and Sn were higher around the barite mines. The contamination factor indicates low to minimal contamination and low to considerable contamination around the quarries and barite mines respectively. While the Enrichment factor indicates minimal to significant enrichment around the quarries and minimal to extremely high enrichments around the barite mines. The result of the factor analysis and spatial distribution of the heavy metals suggests that the metal concentration and enrichment were controlled by the rock types, weathering and anthropogenic activities around the mine sites.

Harmful evaluation of heavy metals from soil layer to the groundwater: Take the Jilin Hunchun Basin as an example

The continuous enrichment of heavy metals in soils has caused potential harm to groundwater.Quantitative methods to evaluate the harm of heavy metals in soil to groundwater are lacked in previous studies.Based on the theory of groundwater circulation and solid-liquid equilibrium,a simple and easy-touse flux model of soil heavy metals migrating to groundwater is constructed.Based on groundwater environmental capacity,an innovative method for evaluating the harm of heavy metals in soil to groundwater is proposed,which has been applied in Hunchun Basin,Jilin Province,China.The results show that the fluxes of soil heavy metals into groundwater in the study area are Zn,Cu,As,Pb,Cd,Ni,and Hg in descending order.The content of heavy metals in groundwater(As,Hg,Cu,Pb,Zn,Ni,and Cd)in most areas has not risen to the threshold of environmental capacity within 10 years.The harm levels of soil heavy metals to groundwater in the most townships soils are at the moderate level or below.This evaluation method can quantify the flux of soil heavy metals into groundwater simply and quickly,determine the residual capacity of groundwater to heavy metals,evaluate the harm level of soil heavy metals to groundwater,provide support for relevant departments to carry out environmental protection of soil and groundwater,and provide a reference to carry out similar studies for related scholars.

Non-Destructive Detection and Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution in Tailings Reservoir

Heavy metal pollution is a negative effect generated in the process of utilizing non-ferrous mineral. Studies about heavy metal migration detection are very important. A new method for rapid detection of heavy metal migration based on ground penetrating radar (GPR) was provided. Comparative tests were studied from field to lab with GPR and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF). A tailings reservoir in the Xiangjiang River basin at Hunan Province was taken as experimental site. The downward transfer rule of heavy metal migration was confirmed through tests on systematically arranged survey lines and sampling points in tailings site. Results showed: 1) Through GPR image recognition, tailings reservoir had 3 layers. Reclaimed soil layer (the first layer) and tailings layer (the second layer) had a clear interface. However, tailings layer (the second layer) and subsoil layer (the third layer) had an obscure interface on radar images. It was concluded that heavy metal component had migrated downwards. 2) Chemical component analysis verified image recognition conclusions. Concentrations of As, Cd and Pb were significantly out of limit, while concentration of Cr was under limit according to analysis results on samples from different depths. 3) Pollution degree was evaluated. Downward migration was the main form of heavy metal migration in tailings site, upward migration occurred through adsorption at the same time.

Vitrification of MSWI Fly Ash by Thermal Plasma Melting and Fate of Heavy Metals

Municipal solid waste incinerator （MSWI） fly ash with high basicity （about 1.68） was vitrified in a thermal plasma melting furnace system. Through the thermal plasma treatment, the vitrified product （slag） with amorphous dark glassy structure was obtained, and the leachability of hazardous metals in slag was significantly reduced. Meanwhile, it was found that the cooling rate affects significantly the immobility of heavy metals in slag. The mass distribution of heavy metals （Zn, Cd, Cr, Pb, As, Hg） was investigated in residual products （slag, secondary residues and flue gas）, in order to analyze the behavior of heavy metals in thermal plasma atmosphere. Heavy metal species with low boiling points accounting for the major fraction of their input-mass were adsorbed in secondary residues by pollution abatement devices, while those with high boiling points tended to be encapsulated in slag.

Distribution and sources of heavy metals in the sediment of Xiangshan Bay

Heavy metals in the surface sediments and sediment core from the Xiangshan Bay, a mariculture base on the coast of the East China Sea, were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry（ICP–MS） in order to evaluate their levels and sources. The results showed that the levels of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cr in the sediments of the bay have been generally influenced by anthropogenic inputs since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. In particular, Cu and Zn were polluted to some extent, as evidenced by high enrichment factors. Organic matter, grain size, wastewater discharge, and low energy hydrodynamic environment played dominant roles in the heavy metal enrichment in the sediments. The ratio of terrigenous source to marine biogenic deposit of trace metals in the sediments was calculated, revealing that terrigenous inputs were the main source of Cu, Pb, and Zn, while biological pellets contributed much more to the enrichment of Cr and Cd. Considering the influence of biological sources on the enrichment of Cd and Cr, and the fact that the sediment has been polluted by Cu and Zn, the development of mariculture and discharge of wastewater into the Bay should be restricted

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.

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.

Migration of Heavy Metal Elements in Reclaimed Irrigation Water-Soil-Plant System and Potential Risk to Human Health

[Objectives]To study the impact of heavy metal pollution of soil and plants during the process of reclaimed water for irrigation of green land in arid areas and the potential health risks to humans during use.[Methods]Taking Zhongwei City in Ningxia,a typical arid area,as the research area,the irrigation water,soil and green grass in the reclaimed water irrigation region and the original green water irrigation region were sampled,the heavy elements Hg,As,Zn,Pb,Cd,Cr were detected,and the Nemerow method,biological absorption coefficient,and health risk assessment were employed to evaluate the degree of soil pollution,plant absorption capacity,and human health risks.[Results]Compared with the original green water,the Hg,Cd,and Cr pollution of the reclaimed water irrigated green land was higher,the As,Zn,Pb pollution was lower,and the content of Hg and Cd was higher than the environmental background values of soil in Ningxia;the Cr content exceeded the risk intervention values of the first type of land in the Soil Environmental Quality—Risk Control Standard for Soil Contamination of Development Land(GB 36600-2018).Compared with the original green water irrigation region,it is found that the reclaimed water irrigation reduced the heavy metal pollution of the soil to a certain extent.The heavy metal content of tall fescue grass(Festuca arundinacea)in the reclaimed water irrigation region was Zn,Cr,Pb,As,Cd,and Hg from high to low;the order of the biological absorption coefficient was Cd>As>Zn>Pb>Hg>Cr;irrigation water exerted a certain effect on the content of heavy metals in plants and the biological absorption coefficient through the soil.Using the health risk assessment method recommended by Environmental Protection Agency of the United States of America(USEPA),it was found that the reclaimed water has the highest risk through the inhalation route,and the occupational population has a higher risk of skin contact with soil and plants.[Conclusions]This study is intended to provide data support and theoretical basis for the environmental safety risk research of the application of reclaimed water in arid areas to urban greening.

Migration and transfer of chromium in soil-vegetable system and associated health risks in vicinity of ferro-alloy manufactory

Study was carried out to analyze the distribution and migration patterns,soil-to-plant transfer and potential health risks of chromium in soil-vegetable system in areas near a ferro-alloy manufactory in Hunan province.The results show that soils near sewer outlet,sewer channel and in control area are averaged 2 239.5,995.33 and 104.9 mg/kg,respectively.The total Cr has a relative accumulation in soil depth of 200-400 mm near the sewer outlet,mainly enriches in the surface layer（0-200 mm） near the sewer channel and decreases gradually in unpolluted soils.The differential concentration level of enrichment between layers is little.The results also indicate that the three vegetables of celery,lettuce and Chinese cabbage are able to convert the potentially toxic Cr（Ⅵ） species into the non-toxic Cr（Ⅲ） species,and the chromium contents in the edible parts of the vegetables are averaged 11.95 mg/kg.The transfer factors of the three vegetables follow the order：Chinese cabbage lettuce celery.The estimated total daily intake of chromium substantially exceeds the dietary allowable value,which may pose health risks to local population.

Heavy metal distribution patterns and environmental quality assessment of the mariculture areas in Nanao,Shantou

The Fe, Zn, Mn and Pb concentrations in the seawater dissolved phase were investigated in the sea-surface microlayer （SML）, subsurface water （SSW） and bottom water （BW） samples collected at of three mariculture areas of the Nanao Island ocean zone. The results showed that the SML and the BW were important compartments for these heavy metals in the mariculture areas and the concentrations varied from 23.0 μg/L to 268.0 μg/L（Fe）, 11.0 μg/L to 82.2 μg/L（Zn）, 1.5 μg/L to 11.0 μg/L（Mn） and 6.0 μg/L to 40.5 μg/L（Pb） in SSW, while a clear enrichment is observed in the SML, where these ranged from 27.5 μg/L to 286.5 μg/L（Fe）, 13.5/lg/L to 89.0μg/L（Zn）, 3.0μg/L to 12.0 μg/L（Mn） and 7.0 μg/L to 46.0μg/L（Pb）. The enrichment factors were in the range of 1.07 - 1.39 which showed a slight enrichment. The average enrichment factors of Fe, Zn, Pb and Mn were 1.18, 1.13, 1.12 and 1.30, respectively. The average enrichment factors in shellfish, fish and gracilaria lemaneaformis farming areas were 1.26, 1.19 and 1.11, respectively, which showed that the surface activity was highest in the shellfish farming area. Furthermore, the heavy metals concentrations were lowest in the gracUaria lemaneaformis farming area. The results of single factor contamination index showed that the investigated areas were slightly contaminated with Zn, while the partial farming areas were seriously contaminated with Pd during a certain period of time.

Comparison of Absorption Capacity of Different Flue-cured Tobacco Cultivars for Six Kinds of Heavy Metals

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the differences in absorption capacity of different flue-cured tobacco cultivars for chromium （Cr）, arsenic （As）, cadmium （Cd）, lead （Pb）, mercury （Hg） and copper （Cu）. [Method] With 4 flue-cured tobacco cultivars as the experimental materials, their absorption capacity for 6 kinds of heavy metals was compared by pot experiment. [Result] There were great differences in absorption capacity of different flue-cured tobacco cultivars for the six kinds of heavy metals. According to the absorption capacity of different flue-cured tobacco cultivars for the heavy metals, the six heavy metals could be classified into three categories. The first category included only Cd with average enrichment coefficient of 8.564; the second category included Hg with average enrichment coefficient of 0.753; and the third category included Cr, As, Pb and Cu with average enrichment coefficients below or equivalent to 0.114. [Conclusion] The absorption capacity of different flue-cured tobacco cultivars for heavy metals was grasped by this study, thereby providing reference data for screening of high-yielding and high-quality flue-cured tobacco cultivars.

A Comparative Study on Pb Tolerance and Enrichment Characteristics among Different Species of Compositae

In order to find landscape plants purifying Pb pollution of soil,a pot experiment was conducted to study Pb resistance and enrichment characteristics of six species of Compositae plants( Aster ageratoides,Rudbeckia hirta,Cosmos sulphureus,Gynura bicolor,Calendula officinalis,Bidens pilosa) in different soil Pb concentrations. The results showed that the dry weight of aboveground part in the six plants decreased with the increase of soil Pb concentration. The tolerance index( TI) of C. sulphureus,G. bicolor and C. officinalis was greater than 0. 5 in all concentrations,and the root tolerance index( RTI) was greater than 0. 9,which were better resistant to Pb stress. The maximum Pb content in aboveground part of R. hirta was 1 783 mg/kg,and the enrichment and transport coefficients were all greater than 1. When the soil Pb concentration was 500 mg/kg,the total Pb accumulation in the aboveground part of R. hirta was 2. 507 mg/plant. Finally based on the integrated observation of the enrichment coefficient,transport factor and repair potential index,it believed that R. hirta can be used to restore Pb contaminated soil at low concentration.

Heavy metal(loid) pollution in mine wastes of a Carlin-type gold mine in southwestern Guizhou, China and its environmental impacts

Mercury pollution resulting from artisanal gold mining is a serious environmental problem in many developing countries. In this study, we analyzed heavy metal(loid) contamination in mine wastes from a Carlin-type gold mine in southwestern Guizhou, China. Highly elevated levels of As, Hg, Tl, Sb, and Cd—up to 5844, 28,29, 581 and 3.0 mg/kg, respectively—were observed in the mine wastes, but no significant accumulation of Cr, Ni, Cu,Zn, and Pb was found. The smelting process of gold ores had significant impacts on the enrichment of As, Tl, and Hg in the mine wastes. Due to the significant metal(loid)pollution in this gold mine, the ecological risks are classified as ‘‘very high.'' Hg and As are the major pollutants with a relative contribution of 55.9 % and 24.2 % to the risk index, respectively. Phytoremediation could be used to reduce heavy metal contamination and recycle the gold simultaneously. Hg–As–Tl pollution should be considered in gold extraction at Carlin-type gold mines.

The Geochemistry of Heavy Metals in the Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro Lagoon, California, USA

Sediment core samples were collected from the Salinas de San Pedro to assess the pollutant deposition processes in response to extensive human activities. Analysis of the sediment samples for heavy metals and some trace elements was conducted with ICP-OES for 20 sites showing enrichment for some of trace and heavy metals. The results demonstrated that heavy metal concentrations in mud varied greatly for each metal, with concentration values (mg/g) ranging from 1.05 - 4.8 (Al);0.003 - 0.011(As);0.001 - 0.005 (Cd);0.02 to 0.82 (Cr);0.085 - 0.47 (Cu);5.98 - 14.22 (Fe);0.06 - 0.19 (Mn);0.03 - 0.67 (Ni);0.05 - 0.38 (Pb);- 0.069 (Se);0.18 - 0.63 (Ti);0.040 - 0.091 (V) and 0.149 - 0.336 (Zn). The Index of Geo-accumulation factor showed highest values for Pb, Mn, As, and Cu. Enrichment factors >1for these elements suggest anthropogenic inputs for most metals. The bioavailability of metals in lagoon sediments has the potential to be highly dynamic with local waste and natural H2S discharge from existing fault line.

Ecological risk assessment of surficial sediment by heavy metals from a submerged archaeology harbor,South Mediterranean Sea,Egypt

A protected semi-enclosed embayment,the Eastern Harbor(EH),is situated in the central sector of the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria,Egypt.It is a famous fishing dock and water-sport center and its importance arose after the discovery of the Ptolemaic royal quarter of ancient Alexandria.To protect this national treasure and improve its environmental health,the untreated anthropogenic effluents,which continued for decades into the EH since 1992,must be totally stopped.Accordingly,it is an important issue to continually monitor and asses the environmental status of the EH.The sediment texture,total organic carbon,and the accumulation,distribution,and ecological risks of Cd,Cr,Pb,As,Hg and A1 were determined with a total of 14 surficial sediments samples collected in the EH during 2010.Metal contents were compared to the literature data to assess the pollution status of sediments.Enrichment factors,Degree of contamination(mCd)and potential ecological risk were calculated as a criterion of possible contamination.Since mCd calculation produces an overall average value for a range of pollutants,in the present study the contamination factor that provides a measure of the degree of overall contamination in the surface layers in a particular sampling site may provide a better indication of the state of pollution in the EH sediments than other indicators.