Chemical Pollutants In Soil Research Articles

Soil and water pollution and cardiovascular disease.

Healthy, uncontaminated soils and clean water support all life on Earth and are essential for human health. Chemical pollution of soil, water, air and food is a major environmental threat, leading to an estimated 9 million premature deaths worldwide. The Global Burden of Disease study estimated that pollution was responsible for 5.5 million deaths related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 2019. Robust evidence has linked multiple pollutants, including heavy metals, pesticides, dioxins and toxic synthetic chemicals, with increased risk of CVD, and some reports suggest an association between microplastic and nanoplastic particles and CVD. Pollutants in soil diminish its capacity to produce food, leading to crop impurities, malnutrition and disease, andthey can seep into rivers, worsening water pollution. Deforestation, wildfires and climate change exacerbate pollution by triggering soil erosion and releasing sequestered pollutants into the air and water. Despite their varied chemical makeup, pollutants induce CVD through common pathophysiological mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammation. In this Review, we provide an overview of the relationship between soil and water pollution and human health and pathology, and discuss the prevalence of soil and water pollutants and how they contribute to adverse health effects, focusing on CVD.

Environmental Risk Assessment of Combined Radioactive and Chemical Pollution in Soil

The purpose of the study is to define the level of combined radiological and chemical contamination from the activities of soil and moss samples collected from the Eastern Black Sea region in Turkey and to assess the risk caused by the environmental radioactivity and chemical pollutants. The gamma, gross beta and gross alpha activities were measured in the soil and moss samples. The 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs activity concentrations in the soil samples were measured in the range of 7.0 and 72 Bq kg-1 for 238U, 8.1 and 86 Bq kg-1 for 232Th, 203 and 1190 Bq kg-1 for 40K and 0.71 to 66 Bq kg-1 for 137Cs. In the moss samples, the 137Cs, 40K, 232Th, and 238U activity concentrations were found in the range of 1.03�0.27-24.23�1.39, 137�7-1340�68, 3.58�0.32-5.93�0.44 and 0.88�0.09-2.25�0.23 Bq kg-1, respectively. Contamination from toxic metals in the soils is categorized into enrichment factor, geo-accumulation risk, potential ecological risk and pollution load index. Co, Ni, As and Pb enrichments were determined in the extreme category in the 6 sampling sites. The pollution load index for the selected metals was found to be greater than 1. The geo-accumulation index in one sampling site showed contamination from heavy to severe levels of arsenic and lead.

Assessment of Some Chemical Pollutants in Soil and Watermelon Samples Cultivated in Benisheikh, Borno State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, Zn and Co); ions (NO3 – , NO2 – , PO4 3- , SO4 -2 , K+ , Na+ , Ca2+ and Mg2+); in seed, pulp, leaves, stem and root of watermelon (sugar baby and crimson sweet) and physical parameters (pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon and Organic Matter) in soil at different depth (0-10cm, 10-20cm and 20-30cm from Benisheikh, Kaga LGA, Borno State, for the period of three months. Atomic Absorption and UV visible smart spectrophotometer were used to analyse the samples obtained for this study. The results of this study showed that the pH of the soil samples ranges from 4.30 ± 0.15 to 6.40 ± 0.56, revealing that the soils were slightly acidic. Organic carbon values ranges between 0.23 ±0.11-1.55 ±0.10 % and organic matter values ranges between 16.30 ±2.45-4.15 ± 0.25 %. Organic carbon and organic matter showed the lowest. The concentration 0.86 ± 0.12 µg/g of iron is the highest in the leaves and least in the stem (0.13±0.02 µg/g). Lead showed the least concentration of 0.02±0.01 µg/g in pulp. The levels of Heavy metals increased significantly (p <0.05) based on depth. The ions, calcium and potassium showed the highest concentration in leaves with values 57.14±0.02 µg/g and 52.22±0.04 µg/g while nitrite, phosphate and sulphate showed the lowest concentration in pulp and seed samples analyzed. The concentration of all the parameters analyzed was below the threshold limits set by World Health Organization. Thus, watermelon samples from Benisheikh may not constitute possible health hazard.

Forestry products as renewable energy sources

Forestry products as renewable energy sources

Suitability of Agricultural Land of Jajmau Area, Kanpur Uttar Pradesh Ganga’s Riverine Cities

Background: In this paper, study about the agricultural Land suitability at the Jajmau area in Kanpur Uttar Pradesh to find out the chemical pollution in soil due to industrial waste. The tanning industry in the Jajmau had been established since 1940, now the impact of such industries on the Landis a severe threat to human life. Methods: The soil sample for three different seasons gets collected and stored, After wards with the help of leaching process and ICP- MS test, to find out the traces of heavy metals present in an agricultural field near the banks of Ganga River, namely Jajmau area. Result: It is find that the traces of different elements of Soil samples for pre-monsoon are in parts per million (ppm) As 25-55 ppm, For monsoon season soil sample, the traces of elements like As 25-42 ppm Similarly, for the post-monsoon soil sample, the traces of elements are such as As 67-109 ppm. Toxic elements like Fe, Mg and as are the elements, Having exceeded value is very at most of the sample. It can hurt an ecosystem like human health, Environmental condition, aquatic life and life food cycle.

Alluvial Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in A River Stream—Rutsiro Case Study (Rwanda)

Artisanal and small-scale mining is a significant economic sector in Rwanda. Mining activities often use a watercourse, in which secondary extraction takes place and minerals are washed. Mining thus greatly affects the geomorphological conditions in the area. The aim of this paper is a digest of environmental impacts of alluvial artisanal and small-scale mining with a focus on anthropogenic influences on topography with regard to the methods used in raw material mining. The author draws on a case study from the mining site of Rutsiro district in Rwanda. Main findings of alluvial artisanal mining in a riverscape are changes in landscape structure, deforestation, intensification of geomorphological processes, new relief shapes (suffosion depressions, check dams, gravel benches, anthropogenic channels) and hydrological river regime, chemical pollution of soil and watercourses. Artisanal and small-scale mining may lead to a significant change and acceleration of fluvial processes. This paper covers a broad understanding of environmental impacts of alluvial artisanal and small-scale mining with a focus on anthropogenic influencing.

Analysis of some chemical indicators of soils of industrial-oil-polluted territories

The object of the research is the territory of the military unit (Technical missile base). The subject of the research is chemical pollution of soil and structures on the territory of the former military unit. There remained destroyed structures for various purposes on the territory and there is visible soil pollution with various chemicals, presumably oil products and rocket fuel components. Methods of instrumental and titrimetric analysis of water extraction of soil samples were used to assess the pollution. A total of 13 soil samples and a control sample were analyzed. All samples were subjected to multicomponent complex analysis, during which acidity - Ph, salinity, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, Ca, Mg, Cl ion content were determined in each sample. An attempt is made to answer the question about the composition and danger of such anthropogenic pollution, as well as about the possibility of further use of these lands.

Influence of a Commercial Biological Fungicide containing Trichoderma harzianum Rifai T-22 on Dissipation Kinetics and Degradation of Five Herbicides in Two Types of Soil.

Biological crop protection is recommended to be applied alternately or together with chemical one, to protect human health from the excessive use of toxic pesticides. Presence of microorganisms can influence the concentration of chemical pollutants in soil. The aim of this study is to estimate the influence of a commercial biological fungicide containing Trichoderma harzianum Rifai T-22 on dissipation kinetics and degradation of five herbicides belonging to different chemical classes: clomazone, fluazifop-P-butyl, metribuzin, pendimethalin, and propyzamide, in two types of soil. Results of the study revealed that T. harzianum T-22 influences pesticide degradation and dissipation kinetics of the non-persistent herbicides: clomazone, fluazifop-P-butyl, and metribuzin. In soil with a higher content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter, degradation increased by up to 24.2%, 24.8%, and 23.5% for clomazone, fluazifop-P-butyl, and metribuzin, respectively. In soil with lower organic content, degradation was on a low level, of 16.1%, 17.7%, and 16.3% for clomazone, fluazifop-P-butyl, and metribuzin, respectively. In our study, the addition of the biological preparation shortened herbicide dissipation half-lives, from 0.3 days (2.9%) for fluazifop-P-butyl, to 18.4 days (25.1%) for clomazone. During the degradation study, no significant differences were noticed for pendimethalin, belonging to persistent substances. Biological protection of crops can modify pesticide concentrations and dissipation rates. On one hand, this may result in the reduced effectiveness of herbicide treatments, while on the other, it can become a tool for achieving cleaner environment.

Typology of Environmental Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in African Great Lakes Region

Artisanal and small-scale mining is a widespread economic sector in the African Great Lakes Region, where it has an adverse impact on the population’s environment. The purpose of this paper is to summarize and consider the typology of the environmental impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining, in particular, the anthropogenic influences on topography with regard to the methods used in raw material mining. Among the most significant environmental aspects related to artisanal and small-scale mining are deforestation, changes in landscape structure, influence over geomorphological processes and hydrological river regime, chemical pollution of soil and watercourses, influencing soil production capacity. The aforementioned factors can cause health problems such as silicosis, poisoning by methyl orthophosphate, or injury during the mining activity itself. Artisanal and small-scale mining could initiate new geomorphological processes or modify naturally occurring geomorphological processes. These dynamic processes are influenced by the topography of the relief, soil properties, and rock composition. Anthropogenic activity in these cases may lead to faster reshaping (degradation or abrasion) of soil shapes. This study covers a broad understanding of environmental impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining with a focus on anthropogenic influencing.

Enhanced biodegradation of PAHs by microbial consortium with different amendment and their fate in in-situ condition

Microbial degradation is a useful tool to prevent chemical pollution in soil. In the present study, in-situ bioremediation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by microbial consortium consisting of Serratia marcescens L-11, Streptomyces rochei PAH-13 and Phanerochaete chrysosporium VV-18 has been reported. In preliminary studies, the consortium degraded nearly 60–70% of PAHs in broth within 7 days under controlled conditions. The same consortium was evaluated for its competence under natural conditions by amending the soil with ammonium sulphate, paddy straw and compost. Highest microbial activity in terms of dehydrogenase, FDA hydrolase and aryl esterase was recorded on the 5th day. The degradation rate of PAHs significantly increased up to 56–98% within 7 days under in-situ however almost complete dissipation (83.50–100%) was observed on the 30th day. Among all the co-substrates evaluated, faster degradation of PAHs was observed in compost amended soil wherein fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene and pyrene degraded with half-life of 1.71, 4.70, 2.04 and 6.14 days respectively. Different degradation products formed were also identified by GC-MS. Besides traces of parent PAHs eleven non-polar and five polar products were identified by direct and silylation reaction respectively. Various products formed indicated that consortium was capable to degrade PAHs by oxidation to mineralization.

Characteristics of Soil Pollution Caused by Mining in Ion-Absorbed Rare Earth Mines and Crucial Issues of the Polluted Soil Restoration: A Case Study of Longnan Rare Earth Mines, South China

Environmental problems have been caused by mining of ion-absorbed rare earth in South China, where chemical pollution in soil has been the most serious issues. There are rare earth mines in Longnan, Jiangxi Provence, South China as study object, where the investigation, sampling have been carried out and all samples were tested and analyzed. The results supported that key problems of polluted soil restoration in rare earth mining area are soil bad acidification and serious NH4+-N,NO3--N,NO2--N pollution. Limited factors of polluted soil restoration of rare earth mining area are presented. It is believe that adjusting pH values and denitrifying of the polluted soil in rare earth mining area and revegetation are feasible plan for soil restoration in rare earth mining area.

Microencapsulated fertilizers for plant nutrition improvement

Given the need to reduce the impact of the use of chemical fertilizers on the quality of food crop production, it is necessary to make fertilizer formulas, with gradual and controlled release of the active substance achieved by encapsulation, so that it can be almost completely metabolized by plants. This paper is intended to test such fertilizer compositions with controlled release, achieved by encapsulation in polymeric structures, by monitoring the biological activity of the new products, using maize and sunflower crops as target plants, crops with major impact in the agricultural sector. To achieve this objective, we obtained solid microstructures, which allow, on one hand, the incorporation of fertilizing composition, and, on the other hand, a controlled release of the active components in a period of time chosen so that an advanced absorption in the plants can take place. Based on the findings presented, the tested fertilizers can ensure high quality fertilization in terms of nutrient recovery in a greater extent, lower doses and without reducing plant productivity and reduce chemical pollution of soil.

Uptake of Heavy Metals by <i>Jatropha curcas</i> L. Planted in Soils Containing Sewage Sludge

Problem statement: The chemical pollution of soil has become a major source of concern and has posed serious health problems within the last few years in many developed nations. A variety of organic and inorganic pollutants, including heavy metals, are being mixed in with the cultivated soil and water. Sewage sludge was one of the major sources of enrichment of heavy metals. These pollutants are eventually transported to the natural vegetation and cultivated crops and concentrated in food chains, with possible detrimental effects on human health and wild-life. Thus, soil contaminants need to be cleaned up to improve environmental safety. Approach: Research was conducted to elucidate the potential of Jatropha curcas L. to clean toxic heavy metals derived from sewage sludge. J. curcas seedlings were planted on six different planting media T0 (100% soil-control), T1 (80% soil and 20% sewage sludge), T2 (60% soil and 40% sewage sludge), T3 (40% soil and 60% sewage sludge), T4 (20% soil and 80% sewage sludge) and T5 (100% sewage sludge) for a period of three months. The growth performance, including height and diameter, of J. curcas was measured using diameter tape, while the basal diameter was measured using a venier caliper every two weeks. Plant samples were collected after harvest and soil samples were collected before and after planting. The ICP-MS was used to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the planting medium and plant parts. Results: According to the growth parameters, the composition of 60% sewage sludge mixed with 40% soil was suitable for achieving optimum J. curcas growth. This plant was able to remove heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd and Cu) effectively from the medium containing 100% sewage sludge and after harvesting, the concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd and Cu in T5(100% sewage sludge medium) were decreased by 67.7, 78.3, 77.2, 78.5 and 75.0%, respectively from the initial values. The highest levels of Zn (29.5 mg kg-1), Cu (0.44 mg kg-1) and Cd (8.35 mg kg-1) accumulation were found in the roots, whereas the highest Pb and Cr concentrations were observed in the leaves and stem, respectively. Conclusion/Recommendations: The roots of J. curcas were found to be suitable for the uptake of heavy metals in sewage sludge, especially Zn. Cr was also adsorbed effectively by the leaves. Thus, J. curcas was a suitable plant to use as a phytoremediator to clean heavy metals, in particular Zn, Cu and Cr. However, a study determining, the short term effects of the large scale use of sewage sludge on trees /-field crops/-leafy vegetables and environmental its impact needs to be carried out.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils at Jajmau (Kanpur) and Unnao industrial areas of the Ganga Plain, Uttar Pradesh, India

Environmental geochemical studies were carried out in and around Jajmau (Kanpur) and Unnao industrial areas (80°15′–80°34′E longitude and 26°24′–26°35′N latitude), of Uttar Pradesh to find out the extent of chemical pollution in soil due to industrial waste. Jajmau and Unnao are prominent centers for leather processing clusters of tannery industries (about 450) along the banks of river Ganga, besides other industries. Geologically the study area is beset with alluvium of Quaternary age consisting of older alluvium of middle to upper Pleistocene and newer alluvium of Holocene. The climate of the study area is semi-arid type. Fifty-three soil samples were collected from Jajmau and Unnao industrial areas from top 15 cm layer of the soil and were analyzed for heavy metals by using Philips MagiX PRO-PW 2440 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The data reveals that the soil in the area is significantly contaminated with heavy metals such as chromium varies from 161.8 to 6227.8 mg/kg (average of 2652.3 mg/kg), Ba varies from 44.1 to 780.9 mg/kg (average of 295.7 mg/kg), Cu varies from 1.7 to 126.1 mg/kg (average of 42.9 mg/kg), Pb varies from 10.1 to 67.8 mg/kg (average of 38.3 mg/kg), Sr varies from 46.6 to 150.6 mg/kg (average of 105.3 mg/kg), V varies from 1.3 to 208.6 mg/kg (average of 54.4 mg/kg) and Zn varies from 43.5 to 687.6 mg/kg (average of 159.9 mg/kg). Soil contamination was assessed on the basis of geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor and degree of contamination. Indiscriminate dumping of hazardous waste in the study area could be the main cause of the soil contamination, spreading by rainwater and wind. Distribution and correlation of heavy metals in soil along with possible remedial measures are discussed.

Enzymatic Oxidation of Some Substituted Phenols and Aromatic Amines, and the Behaviour of Some Phenoloxidases in the Presence of Soil Related Adsorbents

When considering phenoloxidases as agents in treating chemical pollution in soil and groundwater environments, possible effects of the specific soil constituents and environmental factors on these enzymes should be investigated. In our invitro experiments various aromatic amines and alkyl or halogensub-stituted phenols were oxidized by a laccase and a tyrosinase. Oxidation of the latter compounds was accompanied by partial dehalogenation. However, the activity of phenoloxidases was differently inhibited by the presence of clays and clay-humus complexes. Also pH and temperature exerted different effects on the phenoloxidases.