Elements In Surface Soils Research Articles

N-nitrodimethlyamine in natural and drinking water of high cancer incidence regions of Guangdong, China

The Guangdong province of China contains the most clearly described high-incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) areas in the world. The geographical heterogeneity of cancer incidence in the region suggests that many carcinogenic risk factors might be present in the regional geochemical environment. This paper presents the concentrations of a wide range of known carcinogens in two high cancer incidence areas in Guangdong and compared them to a low cancer incidence area in the same province. N-Nitrosamines, NO3−, NO2−, and ammonium were detected in groundwater, surface water, and drinking-water. The concentrations of the 7 trace metal and metalloid elements As, Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg were determined in surface soil samples and all water samples. The results show that, compared with the guidelines or limit values for drinking-water quality in the world, the high cancer incidence areas have hazardous high levels of N-nitrodimethlyamine (NDMA) in all kinds of water. Oppositely, the low cancer incidence area has a safe low level of NDMA in water bodies. The levels of NO3−, NO2−, and ammonium in water have the same character, although they have different expression between the two high-risk areas. The distribution of the 7 tested trace elements in surface soil has no significant correlation with cancer incidence. On the other hand, high concentrations of carcinogenic N-Nitrosamines in drinking-water and natural water bodies were identified for the first time in the high NPC and HCC incidence area.

Spatial distribution and sources of trace elements in surface soils, Changchun, China: Insights from stochastic models and geostatistical analyses

Trace elements As, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb in soils originate from both natural and anthropogenic sources, and intense anthropogenic activity can lead to excessive trace element levels, which are harmful to the environment. We investigated the trace elements in the topsoil of Changchun, China, using stochastic models and the indicator kriging method. The influence of anthropogenic and natural variables on the distribution of trace elements was evaluated, with the proportions of background and anthropogenic sources identified using stochastic models. High-risk maps were constructed using indicator kriging. The results showed that the anthropogenic variables significantly influenced the spatial variations of trace elements. The relative influence of natural variables differed for the different elements. The median values of background As, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb were 10.55mgkg−1, 0.114mgkg−1, 21.80mgkg−1, 0.036mgkg−1, and 25.88mgkg−1, respectively; while the threshold values were 12.90mgkg−1, 0.200mgkg−1, 29.40mgkg−1, 0.046mgkg−1, and 29.49mgkg−1, respectively. The relative contributions of background values to total values of As, Cd, and Cu were greater than 95%, while those for Pb were 91%. In contrast, Hg showed serious pollution, with less than 75% of the total Hg derived from background sources. The geographically extensive Hg pollution is likely influenced by emissions from coal-fired plants and boilers, while other trace elemental pollutants primarily originate from factory emissions. Furthermore, the atmospheric diffusion of Pb and Hg is significant, resulting in their migration to agricultural areas.

Rare earth elements in surface soils of the Davarzan area, NE of Iran

Rare earth element (REE) abundances, Ni–Cr content and physico-chemical characteristics in different topsoils and bedrocks of Davarzan area, NE of Iran, were determined to understand the relationships of theses parameters in an ophiolitic region. Resulted data show that REE geochemistry could be a suitable proxy for parental materials of surface soils. The soils derived by serpentinite and peridotite rocks display REE properties similar to these ultramafic rocks. They have low light REE (LREE), negative Ce anomaly (δCe=0.51–0.82) and positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu⁎=1.17–1.35). The REE concentrations of ultramafic-derived surface soils are significantly higher than parental rocks because of clay minerals. There is positive correlation between REE content and clay% and organic matter of these topsoils indicative of direct effect of such factors in REE abundances.The surface soils of low elevation samples in the studied area have been formed by weathering and transportation of different lithologies. Therefore, REE geochemistry is more sporadic and differs in various land uses. Agricultural surface soils have the highest organic matter and REE content (∑REE>100ppm). Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of agricultural samples depict fractionated appearance with steep LREE and flat high REE (HREE) [(La/Yb)N=15.31–16.41]; while other samples have lower REE content (∑REE=31.89–58.3ppm) and lower LREE/HREE. P-fertilizers are the major factor that produces REE enrichment in agricultural soils. Since these rocks are composed of mixed sources, there is no regular relation between REE content and other parameters such as organic matter and clay percentage.The concentrations of heavy metal elements such as Ni and Cr in surface soils of Davarzan area (693–1513ppm) are higher than all threshold standards defined for environmental assessments. The Ni–Cr concentration increases with REE content in ultramafic-related topsoils; but the relation of REE content and heavy metal composition is more complicated and influenced by other factors in the low elevation soils with mixed parental materials.

Geochemical properties of topsoil around the open coal mine and Oslomej thermoelectric power plant, R. Macedonia

The results of a first systematic study of spatial distribution of different elements in surface soil over of the Kicevo region, Republic of Macedonia, known for its coal mine and thermal power plant activity are reported. The investigated region (148 km2) is covered by sparse sampling grid of 2×2 km; but in the urban zone and around the thermal power plant the sampling grid is denser (1×1 km). In total 52 topsoil samples (0–5 cm) were collected. Inductively coupled plasma – atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was applied for the determinations of 18 elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg,Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn). Based on factor analyses three natural geogenic associations of elements havebeen defined: Cr-Ni-Li-Co-Fe-As; Al-Ca-Mg-Sr; Ba-K-Cu and Ba-K-Cu). Even the distributions of typical heavy metals such as Pb and Zn which are not isolated into anthropogenic geochemical association by multivariate statisticalmethods but they still show trends of local anthropogenic enrichment. First of all the distribution of Pb is influenced by the coal open pit and thermal powerplant “Oslomej” but also by river transport of eroded material from the ironmine “Tajmiste” in alluvial sediments of the river Zajaska. The distribution of Zn is influenced by the “Metal industry Kicevo” operation and this distributionis result of atmospheric transport.

Heavy metal contamination of topsoil around a lead and zinc smelter in Kosovska Mitrovica/Mitrovicë, Kosovo/Kosovë

The results of a study on the spatial distribution of different elements in surface soil (0–5cm) in the former Pb―Zn mining Kosovska Mitrovica/Mitrovicë region, in Kosovo are reported. It proved very difficult to organise this geochemical investigation, because of the complex political situation and issues related to the two main ethnic groups. The investigated area (301.5km2) was covered by a sampling grid of 1.4×1.4km. Soil samples were collected from 156 sampling sites. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine 36 elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W and Zn). Parametric and non-parametric statistical methods were used to evaluate the data, and factor analysis was employed to reduce the number of variables to five factors. The data were interpolated by using a GIS universal kriging technique; maps for particular elements, as well as for factor score values in topsoil, were constructed. Elements such as Ag, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, Cd, As, Cu, Hg, Au, Tl and Mo in soil samples appeared as an anthropogenic association due to the Pb―Zn ore mining and processing activities. In the investigated area, the average content of Pb in soil is 20-fold higher than the European median; Cd 11-fold, Hg 5.5-fold, As 4.6-fold, Zn 4.2 and Cu 3.2-fold higher. In the narrower vicinity of K. Mitrovica/Mitrovicë and Zvečan/Zveçan, the content of the aforementioned elements is even higher than the intervention values, according to the New Dutch list, and were exceeded in 152km2 of the investigated area.

Factors affecting the distribution of potentially toxic elements in surface soils around an industrialized area of northwestern Greece

In order to investigate the factors influencing the distribution of 32 potentially toxic elements in the Ptolemais–Kozani basin, northwestern Greece, 38 soil samples were collected and analyzed. Concentrations of Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Ti, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Li, Ni, Pb, Sc, Sr, V, Y, and Zn were determined by ICP-AES and concentrations of As, Bi, Cd, Cs, Mo, Rb, Sb, Th, Tl, and U by ICP-MS. Bivariate analysis, principal component analysis, and geostatistical analysis were employed to investigate the factors influencing the distribution of the elements determined in the study area. The results indicate that the distribution of the majority of elements determined, especially for Cr, Ni, and associated elements, is greatly influenced by the geology and geomorphology of the study area. Principal component analysis has yielded four factors that explain over 77% of the total variance in the data. These factors are as follows: lithophilic elements that are associated with Al silicates minerals of K (factor I: 29.4%), ultramafic rocks (factor II: 20.5%), elements that are coprecipitated with Fe and Mn oxides (factor III: 18.0%), and anthropogenic activities (factor IV: 9.3%). The anthropogenic activities that influence the distribution of several potentially toxic elements (i.e., Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) are agricultural practices and the deposition of fly ash in the vicinity of the local power stations.

Distribution of some elements in surface soil over the Kavadarci region, Republic of Macedonia

The results of a first systematic study of spatial distribution of different elements in surface soil over of the Kavadarci region, Republic of Macedonia, known for its nickel industrial activity are reported. The investigated region (360 km2) is covered by a sampling grid of 2 × 2 km2; whereas the sampling grid of 1 × 1 km2 was applied in the urban zone and around the ferronickel smelter plant (117 km2). In total 344 soil samples from 172 locations were collected. At each sampling point soil samples were collected at two depths, topsoil (0–5 cm) and bottom soil (20–30 cm). Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied for the determination of 36 elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, La, Mn, Na, Mg, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Th, Tl, Ti, U, V, W and Zn). Data analysis and construction of maps were performed using the Paradox (ver. 9), Statistica (ver. 6.1), AutoDesk Map (ver. 2008) and Surfer (ver. 8.09) software. Four geogenic and three anthropogenic geochemical associations were established. Within the research, natural and anthropogenic enrichment with heavy metals was determined. Principally, the natural enrichment is related especially to Ni. Pollution by As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Pb and Zn is basically insignificant.

Marcadores metálicos como avaliação do impacto crônico de emissões petroquímicas em zona urbana

Nickel and vanadium were tested as tracers of oil refinery emission distribution in populated area of Rio Grande-RS. The anomalies of these elements in surface soil are considered a long-term reflection of the emissions in low atmosphere. The spatial distribution of Ni and V in the soil corresponded to the pattern of local winds. The threshold of 1.5 backgrounds of these metals markedly outlined the area of petrochemical emissions. Anomalies of Ni and V in surface soil have a rather different configuration in comparison with other metal tracers of urban impact: Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn.

Heavy metal contamination of topsoils around a lead and zinc smelter in the Republic of Macedonia

The results of a first systematic study of spatial distribution of different elements in surface soil over the Veles region (50 km(2)) known for its lead and zinc industrial activity in the recent past are reported. A total of 201 soil samples were collected according to a dense net in urban area and less dense net in rural area. The total of 42 elements were analyzed by epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) and by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The content of elements such as As, Au, Cd, Cu, Hg, In, Pb, Sb, Se, Zn in soil samples around the lead and zinc smelter and in the adjacent part of the town of Veles has appeared to be much higher than in those collected in the surrounding areas due to the pollution from the plant. Thus, the content of Cd (three times); Pb and Zn (two times) is even higher than the corresponding intervention (critical) values according to the Dutch standards. The results obtained by two complementary analytical techniques, AAS and ENAA, are discussed in terms of multivariate statistics. GIS technology was applied to depict the areas most affected by contamination from the lead and zinc smelter.

Heavy metal distribution in soils near Palapye, Botswana: an evaluation of the environmental impact of coal mining and combustion on soils in a semi-arid region

Morupule Colliery near Palapye in eastern Botswana is the only coalmine in production in Botswana at present. Its coal is mainly used in the nearby coal-fired Morupule Power Station, which generates approximately 1,000 GWh of electricity per annum. After more than 30 years mining and more than 20 years of combustion, the sedimentation of outlet fly ash from the Morupule Power Station has increased concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn and As by 13, 2.5, 16 and 5 ppm, respectively, in the fine portion (<53 μm) of surface soils for approximately 9 km downwind. Elements that have higher concentrations in coal have stronger small-particle association during coal combustion and are less mobile in surface soils, thus showing stronger contaminations in surface soils around the coal-fired plant. Although the degree of contamination of Cr, Ni, Zn and As from coal combustion in the Palapye area at present is low, it is necessary to monitor concentrations of these elements in surface soils routinely in the future. This study also reveals moderate Pb and Zn contaminations in the Palapye area. The former is due to the use of leaded petroleum in motor vehicle traffic and the latter is mainly due to the use of galvanized iron sheets in construction.

Background concentrations of elements in surface soils and their changes as affected by agriculture use in the desert-oasis ecotone in the middle of Heihe River Basin, North-west China

The concentrations of twenty four chemical elements in the surface layer of natural desert soils and the cultivated farmland soils were measured at a desert-oasis ecotone in the middle of Heihe river basin, north-west China. Background values were estimated for (a) major elements (Si 335.3 g kg − 1 , Al 49.4 g kg − 1 , Fe 19.1 g kg − 1 , Ca 29.4 g kg − 1 , Mg 8.9 g kg − 1 , K 20.1 g kg − 1 , Na 17.5 g kg − 1 and P 0.338 g kg − 1 ), (b) heavy metals and non-metals (Cr 55.8 mg kg − 1 , Mn 404.8 mg kg − 1 , Ni 17.7 mg kg − 1 , Cu 5.1 mg kg − 1 , Zn 33.7 mg kg − 1 , Pb 15.5 mg kg − 1 and As 5.2 mg kg − 1 ) and (c) other trace elements (Ti 2.0 mg kg − 1 , V 55.3 mg kg − 1 , Co 5.7 mg kg − 1 , Rb 82.4 mg kg − 1 , Sr 232.9 mg kg − 1 , Y 14.7 mg kg − 1 , Zr 194.9 mg kg − 1 , Nb 7.8 mg kg − 1 and Ba 720.6 mg kg − 1 ). After natural desert soil was cultivated for agricultural use, significant changes in element concentrations occurred under tillage, irrigation and fertilisation management. Compared to natural soil, the for the levels of Si, K, Na, Sr, Zr and Ba decreased, and no changes were observed for Rb, while the values of the other 17 elements increase in agricultural soil from 1.2 to 3.5 times. However, their absolute concentrations are still low, suggesting that the arable soil in this region remains comparatively a clean soil. The increased silt, clay and organic carbon content, under long-term irrigation, enriched the fine-grained materials, and application of fertilisers and manure contributed to the accumulation of most elements in arable soil. The accumulation of elements in agricultural soil increased with increasing cultivation years and extent of soil development.

Baseline Concentrations of Trace Elements in Surface Soils of the Torrelles and Sant Climent Municipal Districts (Catalonia, Spain)

An investigation was conducted to study the baseline levels of Ba, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn (aqua regia-extractable) based on 51 representative soils of the Torrelles and Sant Climent Municipal Districts (Catalonia, Spain). The baseline concentrations of those elements were (mg kg(-1)): Ba 73.9-617.9, Cr 9.2-120.2, Cu 4.0-111.6, Ni 6.1-118.6, Pb 5.6-217.5, Sr 19.6-128.8, V 12.1-101.2, and Zn 16.8-326.8, respectively. Forty-nine samples were reported as having less than the 0.67 mg kg(-1) detection limit for cadmiun and were therefore not useful for baseline determination; however, these results suggest that the baseline average is probably below 0.67 mg kg(-1). Upper baseline values for most of the elements corresponded with those reported in the literature, except for Pb and Zn, which were two to four times greater. Soil properties, including clay fraction, OC, CEC and pH(w) were related to metal concentration using correlation and factorial analysis. R-mode factor analysis separates the soil analysis data into three factors. These factors explain 67.3% of the total variance, suggesting that metal concentration was controlled by soil composition.

Accumulation of trace elements on the surface soil around the Trail smelter, British Columbia, Canada

The quantities of six elements (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) were determined in surface soil from 21 stations around the zinc–lead smelter in Trail, British Columbia, Canada. The flux of elements into a unit of soil was then calculated by extrapolating aerial deposition monitoring data obtained from flat square moss bags, which act as traps for airborne particles/elements. The net increase in the quantity of elements in a 10 cm deep by 1 hectare soil unit over a 3-month time interval was estimated as 0.02, 0.65, 0.07, 0.29, 0.22, and 0.65% for As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn, respectively. The results of this study can be used for elemental inventory of soil in the Trail area and to predict the long-term degree of accumulation of trace elements in the soil. The significant correlation between the deposition rate of Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu as registered by moss monitoring stations and the quantity of these elements in surface soil indicate the possible effect of airborne material on the geochemistry of the soils in the study area. In contrast, the poor correlation for Hg and As indicates that the variations of these elements in soil samples are likely related to soil chemistry rather than atmospheric deposition. This demonstrates the importance of monitoring for atmospheric deposition of elements since soil is not always a good indicator of the spatial influence of a point source in the study area.

Desorption and Extraction of Selected Heavy Metals from Soils

AbstractThe need for proper disposal of industrial wastes and for remediation methods for soils contaminated with heavy metals necessitates a better understanding of the processes involved in mobilizing, transporting, and retaining elements in surface soils. The objective of this study was to investigate the desorption in water and efficacy of several traditional extraction agents in removing Tc, Np, Mo, U, Cr, Pb, Cs, and Th. Selected slices were taken with depth in acidic sand (Dystrochrept) soil cores that were spiked for 4 yr. Similarly, Tc, Np, and U were desorbed and extracted from the clay subsoil of reed/sedge peat cores following a one‐season migration study. Technetium and Mo behaved as anions, and the small amount of Tc retained was attributed to insoluble organic complexes and oxides in the sandy soil and carbonates in the clay subsoil. The retention of Mo was attributed to colloidal Fe(III) oxides and organic colloids or complexes. Neptunium sorption appears to be dependent on the variable charge of the soil, making organic matter and pH important factors. Uranium and Pb were associated with the oxides. Cesium and Cr took part in inorganic reactions that fixed them rigorously to the soil solids or formed precipitates; Th formed organic complexes. Results suggest that remediation techniques for soils contaminated with Tc, Mo, and Np could be quite successful using intense leaching with acidified water. Soils containing U, Pb, and Th may be partially reclaimed by manipulation of the organic matter or leaching with organic acids; however, soils contaminated with Cs and Cr would require extensive chemical treatment.

Trace elements in surface soils from the mineralized area of Madison County, Missouri, U.S.A.

SUMMARYDuplicate, bulked surface soil samples, from sites 10m apart, were collected at 97 locations 1000 m apart on a regular grid measuring 8x11 km. Data were obtained for Ag, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. One field sample was a good predictor of its nearby duplicate for Co, Cu, Ni and Pb, satisfactory for Ba, Be, Cr, Mn and Zn, but poorer for Cr, Li and V. Maps of the variation in precision of the field samples did not reveal any association between abandoned mine sites and high variability. The median coefficient of variation for trace elements in the field duplicates was between 8 and 19.5%.The duplicated field data were averaged to yield a mean soil metal concentration at each sample location. Concentrations of Ba, Be, Cr, Li, Sr and V were comparable with other published values for similar soils in Missouri. Concentrations of Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were higher which was explained by pollution from mining activities. A graphical technique was used to calculate background levels for metals in the second group. Samples of forest litter were collected at 12 locations: Ag, Ba, Cd, Mn, Sr and Zn concentrations were higher in the litter whereas Li and V concentrations were higher in the subjacent mineral soil. Computer isoline maps of the distribution of elements revealed an association between areas of high soil Cu, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn and abandoned mines or mineralized rocks.