Assessment Of Pollution Levels Research Articles

Assessment of pollution levels of groundwater in parts of Imo River Basin, South Eastern Nigeria

Twenty five samples of groundwater were obtained from various boreholes in the study area and subjected to physico-chemical analysis using standard laboratory techniques. The study was aimed at the assessment of the pollution status of the groundwater supply in parts of Imo River Basin and its environs using some pollution indications namely: electrical conductivity, phosphate (PO4), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate (NO3--), sulphate and turbidity. The values of the physico-chemical parameter were correlated with the World Health Organisation (WHO) values. The result shows that the level of pollution is relatively high in Owerri. The highest concentration of electrical conductivity and nitrate were obtained at Owerri. The highest concentration of phosphate was observed at Mbaise area. The most saline part is the southern part proximate to the delta area. Moderate to higher values of TDS were observed at the densely populated areas of Owerri, Umuahia and Aba. Electrical conductivity in Owerri ranged from 101 to 181.6 NS/cm which exceed the WHO standard of 100 NS/cm. Phosphate levels exceeding the WHO standard of 5 mg/L were observed at the Mbaise axis. No borehole location exceeded the required maximum standard for TDS which show general stability. Key words: Groundwater, physico-chemical analysis, pollution status, Imo River Basin, borehole.

Evaluation of water quality pollution indices for heavy metal contamination monitoring: a case study from Curtin Lake, Miri City, East Malaysia

An integrated approach of pollution evaluation indices and statistical techniques was employed to assess the intensity and sources of pollution in Curtin Lake water, Miri City, East Malaysia. Fe, Pb and Se concentrations in most of the water samples exceed the maximum admissible concentration. The heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) shows strong correlations with heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and degree of contamination (C d), and gives a better assessment of pollution levels. Samples from all the 25 locations in the lake were classified as high in C d and low in HPI compared with the respective critical values. The modified schemes of HPI and C d show comparable results with HEI and indicate that about 48 % of the samples with values lower than mean were classed as low contamination and the remaining samples (52 %) with values greater than the mean were classed as medium contamination. Cluster analysis, principal component analysis and pollution indices reveal that the quality of water is mainly controlled by natural/geogenic processes with minor anthropogenic input. US Salinity Laboratory plot and EC classification were also been used to assess the suitability of lake water for agricultural purpose. The current distribution level of heavy metal in the lake water is of environmental and health concerns and needs attention.

An Integrated Approach to the Assessment of Pollutant Delivery Chronologies to Impacted Areas: Hg in the Augusta Bay (Italy)

Assessing pollution levels and trends in heavily impacted environments is important but hardly achievable due to the difficulty of recovering suitable undisturbed sediment records. An integrated approach is here presented to solve this kind of problem. It was adopted in the Augusta Bay (Italy) for the study of Hg historical inputs and present trends. Archive information on dredging and mud disposal, together with bathymetry and high-resolution seismic profiles, were used to identify suitable sampling sites. Undisturbed sediment cores were collected in the port and bay. Sediments were analyzed for depth distributions of radiotracers ((210)Pb and (137)Cs), Hg, and main sediment parameters (magnetic susceptibility, grain size, dry bulk density, mineralogy, and organic carbon and nitrogen contents). Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was also analyzed as an additional time tracer, since its production history in the area was well-known. Results show that peak Hg contamination (up to 575 mg·kg(-1)) was reached in the 1970s. Technological improvements and waste treatment in the following years determined a consistent decrease, but high concentrations still affect surficial sediments (0.25-92 mg·kg(-1)). Hg-HCB correlation suggests that this situation is likely the effect of resuspension and redistribution of deep sediments by dredging and naval traffic.

Geochemistry and environmental assessment of major and trace elements in the surface sediments of the Wei River, China

The development of western China in the past decade has led to increased discharges of wastewater and river pollution. The Wei River is the largest tributary of the Huang He River, but its geochemistry has not been thoroughly investigated. Sixty-three bed-surface sediment samples were collected from the Wei and analyzed for 24 elements by WDXRF; objectives for the study were to investigate the geochemical properties of the sediments; identify sources, and assess pollution levels and environmental risks. Major and trace element concentrations were comparable with those in other large rivers in China, but potentially hazardous trace elements (PHTEs) were lower than in the Yangzi or Pearl Rivers; most likely due to dilution of contaminants by the large sand inflows into the Wei and a lower level of industrialization. Nonetheless, pollution and risk analyses demonstrate slight contamination of Cr, Mn, Nb, Ni and Zn, moderate contamination of Cu and Pb, and strong contamination of As at some locations. Adverse biological effects from Ni and Cu are possible and are likely from As. Statistical and spatial analyses indicate that agriculture runoff and industrial wastewater discharge contribute to the contamination of this river. A comprehensive environmental management strategy, realistic national standards for wastewater discharge, and rigid enforcement are needed to address river pollution in China.

Abundance of sulphate-reducing bacteria in fish farm sediments along the coast of Japan and South Korea

The abundance of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was investigated in the coastal marine sediments along the coast of Japan and South Korea. Sediment samples were collected from fish and shellfish farms between 2006 and 2008. As non-fish farming reference sites, sediments were also collected from highly eutrophic bays, a highly sulphidogenic saline lake, and the deep sea. A quantitative real-time PCR analysis that targeted the gene coding for a portion of the α-subunit of dissimilatory sulphite reductase (dsrA) was performed to assess the abundance of the SRB in the sediments. Between 2.8 × 107 and 2.5 × 109 copies of the dsrA gene per gram dry sediment were detected. There was no relationship between dsrA gene copy number and total bacterial count in the sediments, whereas organic matter contents (particulate organic carbon and nitrogen, ignition loss and chemical oxygen demand) and acid-volatile sulphide contents were significantly correlated with the dsrA copy number. The data presented demonstrate that organic enrichment of sediment may influence the abundance of SRB communities in coastal marine sediments and that the cell density of SRB may be used as a biological indicator for assessing pollution levels in sediments of marine fish farms.

Elemental contamination in urban parks of Rawalpindi/Islamabad—a source identification and pollution level assessment study

The soil quality of urban parks is of vital importance as the children playing in the parks get themselves easily contaminated. A study was conducted to assess the level of elemental pollution caused by constant urbanization and industrialization, in various parks of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The soil samples, collected from 14 urban parks of Islamabad and Rawalpindi areas, were analysed for their elemental concentrations. In each sample, 32 elements were quantified using semi-absolute k (0)-instrumental neutron activation analysis and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The quality of analysis was assured by analysing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reference material IAEA-S7 (soil). The pollution level was assessed by enrichment factor, pollution load index and our suggested indicator called "average toxic element concentration". The elemental concentrations measured in the parks of two cities were compared by t test. Four sources of different elements in the soils were identified by employing principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The results of multivariate techniques grouped all parks into four classes. The use of enrichment factor indicated the presence of Ni at slightly higher level in all parks while the pollution load index revealed that the parks of Rawalpindi were relatively more polluted as compared to that of Islamabad. The hot spot areas of elemental concentration were closely related to high traffic conditions.

Comparison Between Two Bivalve Species as Tools for the Assessment of Pollution Levels in an Estuarian Environment

Estuaries are semi-enclosed marine areas with water short residence times. Estuary ecosystems show a higher susceptibility to contamination, as historically these sites are linked to urban and industrial development. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous contaminants present in high quantities in these marine environments. Chemical analyses of sediments provides information regarding PAH pollution levels but not a direct measure of the toxicological effects attributed to these contaminants. Samples of sediments and of two bivalve species, Cerastoderma edule and Mytilus galloprovincialis, were collected from two locations (Corcubión and A Concha) in an estuary from northwestern Spain. The PAH levels in sediment and bivalve species and possible sources were determined. A moderate level and a low level of pyrogenic PAH contamination were observed in Corcubión and in A Concha, respectively. Genotoxic damage was evaluated in gills and hemocytes from mussels and cockles by means of the comet assay. DNA damage measured as DNAt values showed a reliable relationship with pollution load levels of the two sampling sites. The higher sensitivity of C. edule compared to M. galloprovincialis enables one to recommend including another species coupled with mussels for biomonitoring estuarine environments.

Assessment of Soil Heavy Metal Pollution with Principal Component Analysis and Geoaccumulation Index

Abstract The assessment of pollution levels of heavy metals soil contamination is significant to human health and environmental management. The purpose of this article is to apply two methods, which are Principal component analysis (PCA) and Geoaccumulation index ( I geo ), to assess heavy metals contamination levels in the area around copper mine tailing, and to compare the results with Hakanson potential ecological risk index techniques (RI). The rank of soil Cd pollution levels, which is assessed using I geo , is consistent with the one by RI, while the PCA assessments result of comprehensive contamination level in soil discrepancy with RI and I geo . PCA concerned with the distribution of all elements in soil, while I geo and RI are mainly determined by the elements with high concentration or big Toxic Response Factor value. The combined application of PCA and I geo can effectively identify the comprehensive and single pollution levels of elements in soil, thus important to the extent determination of heavy metals pollution in soil.

Atmospheric chemical element pollution in an urban water-associated environment

Nowadays, sustainability has become a complicated issue mainly in urban centres. Owing to the atmospheric emissions, the incorporation of toxic chemical elements is still not well known for urban water-associated ecosystems. Tillandsia bromeliads were employed as passive biomonitors of air pollution. Otherwise, the tank bromeliad Canistropsis billbergioides, native to the Atlantic Forest, was employed for assessing pollution levels since the tank, unlike atmospheric epiphytes, also accumulates chemical elements from water and litterfall. The present study aimed at using leaves of the native epiphytic bromeliads (passive biomonitoring) from riparian areas and the species C. billbergioides (active) to evaluate the atmospheric input of chemical elements for wet ecosystems from the Piracicaba City, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Chemical elements determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), such as As, Cr, Hg, Ni, Sb and Zn, were accumulated in leaves of bromeliads. By combining passive and active experimental designs, hotspots for chemical atmospheric pollution were identified in the Piracicaba River Basin.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution of Urban Roadside Soil with Set Pair Analysis and Geoaccumulation Index

The assessment of pollution levels of heavy metals soil contamination is significant to the health of human kind. Two methods, Set Pair Analysis (SPA) and Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), are applied to assess the urban roadside soil heavy metals pollution levels and compare the assessment results with Fuzzy Comprehensive Analysis (FCA). The assessment results of SPA are inconsistent with the FCA. The ranks of roadside soil heavy metals, assessed by Igeo, indicate that the result of FCA is determined by most contaminated heavy metal, the SPA is determined by the contents distribution of all elements. The mean and standard deviation of heavy metal content in research soils are applied to establish an assessment standard and this method is also applicable if there is lower differentiation rate or no uniform standards.

Evaluation of hazardous metal pollution in irrigation and drinking water systems in the vicinity of a coal mine area of northwestern Bangladesh

An integrated approach of pollution evaluation indices, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) was employed to evaluate the intensity and sources of pollution in irrigation and drinking water systems of northwestern Bangladesh. Temperature, BOD, chemical oxygen demand (COD), Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Pb levels in most of the water samples exceed the Bangladesh and international standards. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and degree of contamination ( C d) yield different results despite significant correlations between them. The heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) shows strong correlations with HPI and C d, and gives a better assessment of pollution levels. Modifications to the existing HPI and C d schemes show comparable results with HEI, and indicate that about 55% of the mine drainage/irrigation waters and 50% of the groundwaters are moderately to highly contaminated. The CA, PCA and pollution indices suggest that the mine drainage water (DW) is contaminated by anthropogenic (mining operation and agrogenic) sources, and the proximal parts are more contaminated than the distal part. The groundwater system in the vicinity of the coal mine site is also heavily polluted by anthropogenic sources. The pollution status of irrigation and drinking water systems in the study area are of great environmental and health concerns.

Stable isotopes and metal contamination in caged marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Metal concentrations and isotopic composition were measured in different tissues of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in waters of the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean) in order to assess pollution levels. The isotopic composition was correlated with lead, cadmium, selenium and nickel obtained from the digestive gland and foot of the mussels. Significant negative correlations were found between cadmium, selenium and zinc and the mussel foot, mainly for 13C. Significant correlations were also found between lead and cadmium and the digestive gland. Pearson correlations indicated that the 13C isotopic signal in foot is a good proxy for the concentration of metals such as lead, cadmium, selenium and zinc. Similarly, 15N isotopic signatures in the digestive gland reflected the lead and cadmium concentration.

Long-term pollution by chlordecone of tropical volcanic soils in the French West Indies: A simple leaching model accounts for current residue

Chlordecone was applied between 1972 and 1993 in banana fields of the French West Indies. This resulted in long-term pollution of soils and contamination of waters, aquatic biota, and crops. To assess pollution level and duration according to soil type, WISORCH, a leaching model based on first-order desorption kinetics, was developed and run. Its input parameters are soil organic carbon content ( SOC) and SOC/water partitioning coefficient ( K oc ). It accounts for current chlordecone soil contents and drainage water concentrations. The model was valid for andosol, which indicates that neither physico-chemical nor microbial degradation occurred. Dilution by previous deep tillages makes soil scrapping unrealistic. Lixiviation appeared the main way to reduce pollution. Besides the SOC and rainfall increases, K oc increased from nitisol to ferralsol and then andosol while lixiviation efficiency decreased. Consequently, pollution is bound to last for several decades for nitisol, centuries for ferralsol, and half a millennium for andosol.

Magnetic Properties and Size of Microscopic Pollutant Particles in the Urban Area of Coimbra

Pollutant particles of small size are produced and resuspended every day as a result of traffic. These particles, identified as particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), can affect human health when inhaled, mostly the respiratory and cardiopulmonary systems. Some of these particles are ferromagnetic (s.l.) and their magnetic properties indicate their sources, composition and size. Coimbra is an inland city situated in the center of Portugal at a distance of 40 km from the coast. Coimbra has a total area of 320 km2 and a population of about 168.000. Motor vehicle traffic is the main source of air pollutant in the city. The main goal of this research is to assess pollution levels in the urban area of Coimbra using the magnetic properties of microscopic pollutant particles on Nerium oleander leaves.

Assessing pollution levels in sediments of a harbour with two opposing entrances. Environmental implications

The harbour of Ceuta, North Africa, differs substantially from conventional harbours with only one entrance since it has two opposing entrances and a channel which increases water renewal and local currents, with implications for sedimentary processes, levels of pollution and oxygen concentration. The distribution of heavy metals, nutrients and total hydrocarbons was investigated in sediment samples from this particular harbour. The grain size effect, a normalization technique using Fe concentrations and different sediment quality guidelines are discussed, and the data from the harbour of Ceuta are compared with other harbours worldwide. In spite of the water renewal, sediments inside the harbour of Ceuta were characterised by moderate levels of pollution, mainly hydrocarbons (496–6972 μg/g), P (282–1350 μg/g), N (100–2600 μg/g) and heavy metals Cu (5–865 μg/g), Pb (10–516 μg/g), Zn (296–695 μg/g), Cr (13–381 μg/g) and Ni (8–671 μg/g). Taking into account that there is no industrial activity around the harbour of Ceuta, the major sources of contamination are the sewage effluents of urban influence, antifouling paints and accidental oil spills during loading and dumping involved in shipping operations. The design of Ceuta harbour should be taken into consideration in the design, construction and management of future harbours.

Distribuição de metais pesados em sedimentos do sistema estuarino da Ilha de Vitória-ES

Heavy-metal concentration in sediment is an important parameter for identifying pollution sources and assessing pollution levels in aquatic ecosystems. In this context, the present study aimed at determining concentrations of heavy metals in sediments from the Vitoria estuarine system, Brazil. Twenty nine stations were surveyed to assess the spatial distribution of heavy metals. The metals for silt-clay fractions (<63 µm) were analyzed through atomic absorption spectrometry. A discriminant analysis segregated the stations in four groups representing four areas within the estuarine system. The Espirito Santo Bay showed the lowest metal concentrations, while the Vitoria harbor canal showed the highest. We concluded that concentrations of heavy metals reflect natural conditions and the contribution of human activities from sewage and industrial effluents. It was not possible to directly associate metal concentrations to specific pollution sources.

Air pollution assessment of Salé's city (Morocco)

Four sites were selected in Sale's city in Morocco in order to contribute in air pollution level assessment and determination of its effects on public health. The sites were selected so that they are close to the most important industrialized areas, they have a very high demographic density and they cover a heavy traffic. Two approaches of air sampling and subsequent analysis methods of elements in atmospheric aerosols have been performed. The first is a classical approach, which consists in sampling total airborne materials with a High Volume Sampler and analysing the samples using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The second is having its interest for studies relating effects of particles on human health. It consists in employing a Dichotomous Sampler to collect inhalable particles and the X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for elemental analysis. With such system, it was possible to collect separately respirable and inhalable aerosols. The ED-XRF analysis method used is appropriate for monitoring airborne polluants in living and working areas with advantage of simple preparation, non-destructive nature, rapidity and suitable limits of detection. Using this method, it was possible to identify and quantify S, Ca, Cl, Fe, Cu, and Pb. With Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Analysis Method, we quantified Cd. This study have been completed by measuring NO x-y SO 2 and solid suspended particles or airborne particulate matter (APM).

Infrared optical sensors for water quality monitoring

In-situ monitoring of water quality with particular emphasis on organic pollutants is a global priority topic in water analysis. Recent developments in optical sensor technology provide advanced analytical tools for continuous assessment of pollution levels in the liquid phase and in the gas phase. Infrared sensing schemes are among the most promising concepts due to inherent molecular specificity provided by absorption patterns of fundamental molecular vibrations of organic molecules. The advent of mid-infrared transparent optical fibers and waveguides, appropriate light source technology, such as quantum cascade lasers, and the potential for the development of highly integrated analytical devices based on microfabrication technology substantiates the trend towards spectroscopic sensing techniques. Chemical modification of the waveguide surface leads to enhanced analyte recognition based on tunable properties of enrichment or (bio)chemical recognition layers. Discussion of fundamental sensing technology is complemented by recent examples, highlighting the state-of-the-art in this dynamic research field.

General prevention and risk minimization in LCA: a combined approach.

Methods for life cycle assessment of products (LCA) are most often based on the general prevention principle, as opposed to the risk minimization principle. Here, the desirability and feasibility of a combined approach are discussed, along with the conditions for elaboration in the framework of LCA methodology, and the consequences for LCA practice. A combined approach provides a separate assessment of above and below threshold pollution, offering the possibility to combat above threshold impacts with priority. Spatial differentiation in fate, exposure, and effect modelling is identified to play a central role in the implementation. The collection of region-specific data turns out to be the most elaborate requirement for the implementation in both methodology and practice. A methodological framework for the construction of characterization factors is provided. Along with spatial differentiation of existing parameters, two newly introduced spatial parameters play a key role: the sensitivity factor and the threshold factor. The practicability of the proposed procedure is illustrated by an example of its application. Providing a reasonable data availability, the development of separate LCA characterization factors for the respective assessment of pollution levels above and below environmental threshold values seems to be a feasible task that may add to LCA credibility.

Evaluation of water quality pollution indices for heavy metal contamination monitoring. A study case from Akpabuyo-Odukpani area, Lower Cross River Basin (southeastern Nigeria)

Two documented methods, Contamination index (Cd) and the Heavy metal potential index (HPI) were evaluated for their suitability for contamination monitoring of surface water in parts of southeastern Nigeria. Results show that despite the significant correlation between the data generated from these indices, the final classification gave two extreme results. Thus a third model (Heavy metal evaluation index, HEI) was developed to accommodate this deficiency. The HEI values show significant correlation with Cd and HPI but categorised into semi quantitative classes for proper assessment of pollution level. The HEI values show that 65.5% of the sites are classed as low with values lower than the mean and the remaining 34.5% with values greater than the mean are classed as medium. In contrast, water samples from all the 32 locations were classified as high and low using the Cd and the HPI respectively. However, a reclassification of the Cd and HPI categories using the mean values as a criteria show good comparison with the HEI. The differences in the former can be attributed to the variations in the concentrations of the heavy metals used for the different evaluation schemes.