Enrichment Factors For Cu Research Articles

Levels, distribution characteristics, and sources of heavy metals in indoor dust in Shijiazhuang, China.

Heavy metals in indoor dust are associated with health risks in humans. However, in Shijiazhuang, a city in northern China with severe haze, no research has been published on this topic. To determine the content, distribution characteristics, and sources of heavy metals in indoor dust in the city of Shijiazhuang, indoor dust samples from 33 sampling points in the main urban area of Shijiazhuang were collected and tested. Concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cd, and Pb were 87.0, 35.1, 104.4, 568.0, 1.980, and 187.6mg·kg-1, respectively; their levels have been discussed statistically in comparison with the reported values in other cities in China. The sources of heavy metals were analyzed using enrichment factor, correlation coefficient, and principal component analysis. The results showed that the levels of all six elements in indoor dust in Shijiazhuang exceeded the background values of soil in Hebei Province. Among these, Cd, Pb, and Zn were significantly enriched. The enrichment factors of Cu, Ni, and Cr were below 10, and their levels at different sampling points were similar, indicating their geogenic source. The corresponding pollution levels of Cd, Pb, and Zn were relatively high, and their levels at different points were significantly different and correlated, indicating that they were derived mainly from transportation. Additionally, the level of Zn was significantly affected by the indoor environment. Our findings provide a basis for conducting health risk assessments in the future.

Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk of Heavy Metals in Fugitive Dust Around Zhaotong City

In order to explore the pollution characteristics and health risks of heavy metals in fugitive dust around the urban areas of Zhaotong City, road dust and soil dust samples were collected in the Zhaoyang District of Zhaotong City in May 2019. The dust samples were suspended using a particle resuspension system to obtain PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 μm). The concentrations of Ca, Al, Fe, Mg, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in PM2.5 were quantified by ICP-MS and ICP-OES. By analyzing 10 types of heavy metals in PM2.5, the results showed that the average concentration of Mn was the highest in the soil fugitive dust, followed by Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, Co, Pb, V, As, and Cd. The average concentration of Zn in the road fugitive dust was the highest, followed by Mn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, As, Co, V, and Cd. The enrichment factor (EF) indicated that Cd was strongly enriched in the two types of fugitive dust. The EFs of Cu, Zn, and Pb in road fugitive dust showed a moderate enrichment, and they were higher than those in soil fugitive dust. Correlation and principal component analysis showed that heavy metals in the two types of fugitive dust were affected by coal burning sources. At the same time, heavy metals in soil fugitive dust were affected by agricultural activity sources, and heavy metals in road fugitive dust were affected by traffic sources. The results of the health risk assessment indicated that the carcinogenic risks of Cr, Co, Ni, As, and Cd in soil fugitive dust were higher than those in road fugitive dust. The non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metals in the two types of fugitive dust for children were higher than those for adults, and the non-carcinogenic risks of Cu, Zn, and Pb in road fugitive dust were higher than those in soil fugitive dust.

Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in PM2.5 Collected in Baoding

To reveal the pollution characteristics and the health risks of the trace heavy metals in the atmospheric particles in Baoding, Hebei province, PM2.5 samples were collected using a middle volume sampler, and the mass concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in the samples were determined by microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that the PM2.5 concentration in Baoding ranged from 16.84-476.2 μg·m-3. During sampling, 65 samples were above the second-level standard of the Ambient Air Quality Standards (GB 3095-2012) by 54.2%. The most heavy metal elements showed higher levels in nighttime than during the daytime, except for except for Ni, Mn, and Co. Obvious seasonal variation was found with the trend of winter > autumn > spring > summer. The enrichment factors for Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd were more than 1.5, indicating that those metals mainly came from anthropogenic emissions, such as traffic sources. Health risk assessment results indicated that the non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals in PM2.5 in Baoding was small, and the carcinogenic risk resulting form As, Cr, Cd, and Co was greater for adults than for children.

A full-scale analysis of chemical characteristics of PM2.5 and PM10 during haze and non-haze episodes in Cixi city, China

With the objectives to understand the chemical characteristics of particulate matters in haze episodes, PM2.5 and PM10 samples were simultaneously collected for six days in each season from August 2013 to March 2014 in Cixi, China. The daily average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 in Cixi were 117 and 151μg/m3, respectively, which were higher than those in metropolises of China. The long-range air mass transport from northern China largely affected the particle levels in haze days in Cixi, while the air mass transport from the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea diluted local pollutants in non-haze days. High enrichment factors of Cu, Sn, Zn, Pb and Se, ranging from 100 to 10,000, were found in PM2.5, revealing their predominant anthropogenic sources in Cixi, for instance industry emissions and vehicle exhaust. Similar emission sources of water-soluble inorganic ions at urban and suburban were observed, which indicated that the variations of their levels in haze and non-haze days were more regionally related than to locally. The NO3−/SO42− ratios, from 1.27 to 1.88 in haze days and lower than those in non-haze days, revealed that industry emissions might be more important than vehicle exhaust for the haze pollution. Compared with those in non-haze days, the mean concentrations of elements, water-soluble inorganic ions and carbonaceous species in PM2.5 and PM10 as well as PM2.5/PM2.5-10 mass ratios significantly increased in haze days, which indicated that haze was greatly beneficial to the accumulation of air pollutants, especially in fine particles.

Study on the Characteristics of Atmospheric Dust Environment in Xicheng District of Linyi City

This paper analyses the atmospheric dust in Linyi City about the content and the form distribution of heavy metals. The main research focuses on the eight kinds of heavy metal elements, including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Zn. The research results show that the annual atmospheric dust deposition in the heavy industrial zone reaches the highest amount at 88.50 g/m2. In the Park district, the figure of the year is 28.27 g/m2; compared with the soil background values, the heavy metal content, Hg, Cr, Pb, As, Cd, increased obviously. In addition, the content of Zn is beyond the soil background values of 18 times. And in the industrial zone the content of Zn has the top amount of 3545.55 mg/kg. The enrichment factor of Cu, Cd element is 50~70. The atmospheric dust deposition of Mn is similar to soil background value. Moreover, the source of Mn is mainly from the natural particulate matter of soil.

Source apportionment of heavy metals in urban road dust in a continental city of eastern China: Using Pb and Sr isotopes combined with multivariate statistical analysis

To comprehensively analyze the characteristics and sources of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Sr, V and Co), urban road dust samples from nine roads were collected in Nanchang, China in September 2013. The average concentrations of above heavy metals were 0.4 (V)-5.4 (Cd) times of their corresponding soil background values. The distribution patterns of Cu, Zn, Sr showed higher values mainly located in the northern and eastern parts of the study area, which indicated heavy metals in polluted industry areas migrated easily to near road dust. Enrichment factors (EFs) indicated that Cd, Cu, Sr, Zn and Pb in the road dust of Nanchang presented enrichment to some extent. Although the concentrations of Cd and Cu in the road dust were much lower than those recorded in urban areas of foreign researches, the highest mean EF of Cd (EF = 9) and the maximum EF of Cu (EF = 30) should be taken into consideration seriously. Based on isotopes source apportionment, Pb was mainly from vehicular traffic and industrial emissions, with the contribution rates of 61% and 26%, respectively, and Sr originated from anthropogenic source and soil source, with contributions of 59.7% and 40.3%, respectively. Based on multivariate statistical analysis, total heavy metals primarily originated from vehicular traffic for 43%, industrial emissions for 29%, soil source for 21%, and unknown sources for 7%, and Pb derived from traffic emissions with mean contribution of 62%, and Sr from soil-derived dust with mean contribution of 58%. The isotope tracing results were in good agreement with the multivariate statistical analysis.

How significant is atmospheric metal contamination from mining activity adjacent to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area? A spatial analysis of metal concentrations using air trajectories models

This study investigated metal contamination from historical mining in lakes in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) and surrounding region. The largest increase in sedimentation and metal contamination occurred ca. 1930 when open-cut mining commenced and new mining technology was introduced into the region. The geochemical signal of lake sediments changed from reflecting the underlying geology and lithology to that reflecting mining activities. The HYSPLIT air particle trajectory model explains metal distribution in the lakes, with those in the northwest region closest to the mines having the highest metal contamination. Lake metal concentrations since mining activities commenced are in the order: Owen Tarn > Basin Lake > Perched Lake > Lake Dove > Lake Dobson > Lake Cygnus, with Perched Lake and Lakes Dove, Dobson and Cygnus in the TWWHA. Metal contamination affected centres up to 130 km down-wind of mining sites. Enrichment factors (EF) for Pb, Cu, As and Cd are >1 for all lakes, with Owen Tarn and Basin Lake having very high EFs for Cu and Pb (98 and 91, respectively). Pb, Cu, As and Cd concentrations are above the Australia/New Zealand lower sediment guidelines, with Pb, Cu and As above the high guidelines in Owen Tarn and Basin Lake. This study demonstrated the legacy of metal contamination in the TWWHA by mining activities and the consequences of a lack of execution of environmental regulations by past governments in Tasmania.

Characteristics of the trace elements and arsenic, iodine and bromine species in snow in east-central China

Fifty-five snow samples were collected from 11 cities in east-central China. These sampling sites cover the areas with the most snowfall in 2014, there were only two snowfalls from June 2013 to May 2014 in east-central China. Twenty-three trace elements in the filtered snow samples were measured with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical analysis of the results show that the total concentrations of elements in the samples from different cities are in the order of SJZ > LZ > XA > ZZ > GD > NJ > QD > JX > WH > HZ > LA, which are closely related to the levels of AQI, PM2.5 and PM10 in these cities, and their correlation coefficients are 0.93, 0.76 and 0.93. The concentration of elements in snow samples is highly correlated with air pollution and reflects the magnitude of the local atmospheric deposition. The concentrations of Fe, Al, Zn, Ba, and P are over 10.0 μg/L, the concentrations of Mn, Cu, Pb, As, Br and I are between 1.0 μg/L to 10.0 μg/L, the concentrations of V, Cr, Co, Ni, Se, Mo, Cd and Sb are less than 1.0 μg/L in snow samples in east-central China, and Rh, Pd, Pt, Hg were not detected. Iodine and bromine species in all samples and arsenic species (As(III), As(V), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethyl arsenic (MMA)) in some samples were separated and measured successfully by HPLC-ICP-MS. The majority of arsenic in the snow samples is inorganic arsenic, and the concentration of As(III) (0.104–1.400 μg/L) is higher than that of As(V) (0.012–0.180 μg/L), while methyl arsenicals, such as DMA and MMA, were almost not detected. The concentration of I− (Br−) is much higher than that of IO3− (BrO3−). The mean concentration of soluble organic iodine (SOI) (1.64 μg/L) is higher than that of I− (1.27 μg/L), however the concentration of Br− (5.58 μg/L) is higher than that of soluble organic bromine (SOBr) (2.90 μg/L). The data presented here shows that SOI is the most abundant species and the majority of the total bromine is bromide in snow sampled at east-central China. Using Fe as the reference element to calculate the EFs, the enrichment factors of V, Cr, Co, Ni, Mn, Ba and P are between 12.3 and 82.8, and the enrichment factors of Cu, Pb, Mo, Zn, Cd, As, Sb, Br, I and Se are between 189.4 and 27667.9, indicating that these elements are contributed by artificial sources. Results of principal component analysis (PCA) on the elements showed that most of trace elements (e.g. V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Mo, Sb, Se, Br, I, Ba and P)were from the combustion of fossil fuels, traffic and ocean sources and some other elements (e.g. Zn, Cd and Pb) were mainly originated from industrial activities.

Pollution Assessment and Source Analysis of Metals in PM2.5 in Haicang District, Xiamen City, China

To determine the spatial-temporal distributions and potential sources of metals in PM2.5 and assess health risks from heavy metals, 348 PM2.5 samples were collected in the Haicang District of Xiamen, China from April 2015 to January 2016. Metals (K, Ca, Na, Mg, Al, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ti, As, V, Mn, Ba, Co) in PM2.5 were detected using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF). Pollution assessment was performed via enrichment factor calculation and health risk assessment. Potential sources were explored using Pearson's correlation coefficient, principal component analysis, and the HYSPLIT Trajectory Model. Results showed that the total concentration of 14 metal elements contributed to 5.4%-10.6% of PM2.5 during the sampling period. The total concentration of metals was higher in spring and winter than those in summer and autumn. The concentrations were higher in the port and the industrial areas than in residential areas and background locations, in agreement with the seasonal and spatial distribution of PM2.5. The frequency of PM2.5 daily concentrations exceeding the Chinese Ambient Air Quality Standards was higher in the port and residential areas in the summer due to operations at the port and the wind direction. Zn concentration was the highest in the industrial area followed by the background location. Meanwhile, the highest concentration of V was observed in the port area; V concentration in the residential area was high in the summer. These variations in Zn and V indicated that the elements emitted in the polluted areas migrated easily to residential and background areas. K concentrations were the highest in winter and As showed a higher rate of exceeding the standard in winter and spring, indicating that activities, such as biomass burning and coal combustion in the winter severely impacted air quality. The enrichment factors of Cu, Zn, As, Co, Na, and Mn varied considerably, from 67 to 8,449. The total risk level for non-carcinogenic heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Mn) was lower than the average level of risk acceptance (1×10-6 a-1) and Mn contributed 74%-88% of the total risk level of Zn, Cu, and Mn. The combined results of the correlation analysis and the principal component analysis revealed that metals in PM2.5 were mainly came from re-suspension of ground dust, motor vehicle emissions, coal combustion, industrial emissions, and heavy oil combustion, with contributions of 34.5%, 12.5%, 10.6%, and 7.8% respectively. The HYSPLIT Trajectory Model showed that Xiamen was affected by the local air mass in spring, autumn, and winter, but not in summer. Moreover, the rise of PM2.5 in spring and winter was attributed to air masses traveling through the Yangtze River Delta.

Geochemistry and depositional environments of Paleocene–Eocene phosphorites: Metlaoui Group, Tunisia

The Late Paleocene–Early Eocene phosphorites of the Metlaoui Group in Tunisia are a world-class phosphate resource. We review the characteristics of phosphorites deposited in three areas: the Northern Basins; Eastern Basins; and Gafsa-Metlaoui Basin. Comprehensive new bulk rock elemental data are presented, together with complementary mineralogical and mineral chemical results. Carbonate fluorapatite (francolite) constitutes the dominant mineral phase in the deposits. Phosphorite samples are enriched in Cd, Sr, U, rare-earth elements and Y, together with environmentally diagnostic trace elements that provide detrital (Cr, Zr), productivity (Cu, Ni, Zn) and redox (Mo, V) proxies. Suboxic bottom-water conditions predominated, with suboxic to anoxic porewaters accompanying francolite precipitation. Phosphorite deposition occurred under increasingly arid climate conditions, accompanying global Paleocene–Eocene warming. The Northern Basins show the strongest Tethys Ocean influence, with surface seawater rare-earth element signatures consistently developed in the phosphorites. Bed-scale compositional variation indicates relatively unstable environmental conditions and episodes of sediment redeposition, with varying detrital supply and a relatively wet local climate. Glauconitic facies in the Northern Basins and the more isolated evaporite-associated phosphorites in the dryer Eastern Basins display the greatest diagenetic influences. The phosphorite – organic-rich marl – diatom-bearing porcelanite facies association in the Gafsa-Metlaoui Basin represents the classic coastal upwelling trinity. Modified Tethyan waters occurred within the Basin during phosphorite deposition, with decreasing marine productivity from NW to SE evidenced by systematically falling enrichment factors for Cu, Ni, Cd and Zn in the phosphorites. Productivity declined in concert with increasing basin isolation during the deposition of the commercial phosphorite beds in the latest Paleocene to earliest Eocene. This isolation trend was temporarily reversed during an episode of maximum flooding associated with the earliest Eocene Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM).

Temporal changes of metal and trace element contamination in marine sediments due to a steel plant: The case study of Bagnoli (Naples, Italy)

Marine sediments are the final sink of most contaminants produced via anthropogenic activities in coastal areas. Therefore, these sediments may be a useful archive for the investigation of past contamination patterns. To determine the contamination extent, it is necessary to compare present impacted conditions with reference conditions recognizable in the deeper levels of marine sediment. Three sediment cores collected in 2005 in the marine area of Bagnoli (Naples, Italy) close to an important steel plant working from 1910 to 1990 were analysed for grain size and chemical composition (trace elements, PAHs and PCBs). Concentration profiles and enrichment factors (EF) were used to assess the anthropogenic contribution for several elements (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) responsible for contamination of the marine area together with PAHs and PCBs. Conversely, generalized high As concentrations were primarily attributed to hydrothermal submarine springs. Compared to PAHs, PCBs and the content of pelite profiles, EF profiles produced a historical reconstruction of the environmental patterns. The start of the concurrent increase of trace elements and PAHs at 139 cm was attributed to the beginning of the steel plant activity in 1910, while the successive increase of PCBs at 89 cm was associated with the use of these compounds in the electrical equipment in the second half of the 20th century. The highest EFs of Cu, Pb and Zn, between 99 and 29 cm depth, are associated with the time interval of the 1950s–1980s when the highest production levels were attained. A significant decrease of most trace elements (Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) starting at 29 cm and successively of Cd and PCBs (above 7 cm) mark the gradual decrease of industrial activities and the final closure of the plant. However, contaminants maintain considerable concentrations up to the top of the core, which indicates recent contribution to the marine environment. A new survey would be useful to verify if natural recovery in the area due to the deposition of recent sediment is currently occurring.

Sediment records of the metal pollution at Chihu Lake near a copper mine at the middle Yangtze River in China

<p>Two short sedimentary cores were collected in 2012 from Chihu Lake in the middle Yangtze River Basin using a gravity corer. Heavy metals, including Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, Co, Ni and Mn, and major elements, including Al, Fe, K, Mg and Ti, were measured. Radionuclides, including <sup>210</sup>Pb and <sup>137</sup>Cs, were analyzed to date the sediments. The Mn enrichment in the sediments of the two cores did not significantly influence the distribution of the heavy metals. The Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Co and Ni contents have increased over the past 30 to 40 years. The decrease in the <sup>206</sup>Pb/<sup>207</sup>Pb ratios toward the surface also indicated increasing mining sources of Pb loading to the lake sediments. The maximum concentration of Cu, Zn and Cd recorded in the 1990s was 2047, 1343 and 60.9 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> dry mass, respectively, and the maximum enrichment factors of Cu, Zn and Cd were 62, 16 and 206, respectively. The heavy metal enrichment at Chihu sediment was high overall because of the mining waste discharge. </p>

Determination of Lead, Copper, and Iron in Cosmetics, Water, Soil, and Food Using Polyhydroxybutyrate-B-polydimethyl Siloxane Preconcentration and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A separation and preconcentration method has been established based on solid phase extraction of Fe(III), Cu(II) and Pb(II) as their 2-(5-Bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylamino-phenol (5-Br-PADAP) chelates adsorbed on polyhydroxybutyrate-b-polydimethyl siloxane. Several analytical conditions including pH, amount of (5-Br-PADAP), eluent type and volume, sample volume, and flow rates were investigated. The effects of foreign ions on the recovery of the analytes were also studied. The detection limits for Cu(II), Fe(III), and Pb(II) were 1.9, 2.2, and 2.5 µg per liter, respectively. Enrichment factors for Cu(II), Fe(III), and Pb(II) were 150, 200, and 80, respectively. The adsorption capacity of the polymer for Cu(II) and Pb(II) studied was 10.2 and 17.2 milligrams per gram respectively. Relative standard deviation was 4%. Standard Reference Material (SRM 1577B Bovine liver), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA 336 Lichen), and Certified Reference Waters for Trace Elements (TMDA 51.3 Fortified lake water) were used for the validation of the method. Optimized procedure was applied for the determination of analyte elements in various cosmetic products, hair brilliantine and gel, water, soil, and food samples from Turkey.

심해 저층환경충격 시험지역의 퇴적물 지화학적 특성

The benthic environmental impact experiment addresses environmental impacts at a specific site related to deep-sea mineral resource development. We have acquired several tens of multi- or box core samples at 31 sites within the Benthic environmental Impact Site (BIS) since 2010, aiming to examine the basic properties of surficial deep-sea sediment as a potential source for deep-water plumes. In this study, we present the geochemical properties such as major elements, rare earth elements (REEs), and heavy metal contents at the BIS. Such proxies vary distinctly according to the Facies association. The lithology of all core sediments in the BIS corresponds to both Association Ib and Association IIIb. The vertical profiles of some major elements (<TEX>$SiO_2$</TEX>, <TEX>$Fe_2O_3$</TEX>, CaO, <TEX>$P_2O_5$</TEX>, MgO, MnO) show noticeable differences between Association Ib and IIIb, while others (<TEX>$Al_2O_3$</TEX>, <TEX>$TiO_2$</TEX>, <TEX>$Na_2O$</TEX>, and <TEX>$K_2O$</TEX>) do not vary between Association Ib and IIIb. REEs are also distinctly different for Associations Ib and IIIb; in Association Ib, REY and HREE/LREE are uniform through the sediment section, while they increase downward in Association IIIb like the major elements; below a depth of 8 cm, REY is over 500 ppm. The metal enrichment factor (EF) evaluates the anthropogenic influences of some metals (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cd) in marine sediments. In both Associations, the EF for Cu is over 1.5, the EF for Ni and Pb ranges from 0.5 to 1.5, and the EF for Zn and Cd are less than 0.5, indicating Cu is enriched but Zn and Cd are relatively depleted in the BIS. The vertical variations of geochemical properties between Association Ib and IIIb are shown to be clearly different, which seems to be related to the global climate changes such as the shift of Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).

Characterization of heavy metals and brominated flame retardants in the indoor and outdoor dust of e-waste workshops: implication for on-site human exposure.

Forty-four indoor and outdoor dust samples were collected from e-waste workshops and were analyzed to characterize the heavy metals and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) as well as on-site human exposure. The results showed that the most abundant Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) congener from three sites was deca-BDE, and it was penta-BDE for the other site. A significant and positive association was found between BDE-209 and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE). The high percentage of nona-BDE indicated the debromination of deca-BDE during e-waste recycling. The ratio comparison of BDE-47 to (BDE-100 + BDE-99) indicated that the outdoor dust went through more physiochemical processes. The enrichment factors for Cu and Pb were high in both the indoor and outdoor samples. Cd significantly exceeded the Chinese soil guideline grade III. The PCA results combined with the enrichment factor (EF) values suggested common sources and behaviours of Cu, Pb and Sb in the indoor dust. Co, Cr, Ni, Zn and Mn in the outdoor samples were more likely affected by crust. Strong correlations were found only for Pb and Sb with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The hazard index for on-site human exposure to Pb was at a chronic risk. Despite the low deleterious risk of BFRs, concern should be given to DBDPE; the chronic toxicity of which is not known.

Use of nanoporous Cu(II) ion imprinted polymer as a new sorbent for preconcentration of Cu(II) in water, biological, and agricultural samples and its determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

A new and selective Cu(ll) ion imprinted polymer was prepared by formation of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol complex for selective extraction and preconcentration of Cu ions. Polymerization was performed with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinking monomer and methacrylic acid as a functional monomer in the presence of 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) as an initiator via a bulk polymerization method. The Cu(ll) imprinted polymeric particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and IR spectrometry. The imprint Cu ion was removed from the polymeric matrix using 2 M HNO3. Optimum pH for maximum sorption was 5-8. Maximum sorbent capacity and the enrichment factor for Cu(ll) were 11.3 mg/g and 100, respectively. The RSD and LOD of the method were evaluated as +/-4.3% and 8.7 ng/L, respectively. The proposed method is simple, highly selective, and sensitive and can be applied to the determination of ultratrace amounts of Cu in water, biological, and agricultural samples.

A magnetic record of heavy metal pollution in the Yangtze River subaqueous delta

The rapid industrial development in the Yangtze River watershed over the last several decades has drawn great attention with respect to heavy metal pollution to the Yangtze River estuary and nearby coastal areas. In this study, a 236cm long sediment core was retrieved from the Yangtze River subaqueous delta (122°36′ E, 31°00′ N) in 2008 and analyzed for magnetic properties and geochemical compositions to investigate heavy metal pollution history. The activity of 137Cs peaked at depth 140cm, with a broad plateau between 120cm and 140cm, suggesting an average sedimentation rate of 3.11cmyr−1 for the upper 140cm layer. Magnetic susceptibility (χ), saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), anhysteretic remanent magnetization (χARM) and heavy metal enrichment factors (EF) all showed an upward increase trend above depth 140cm, suggesting that increased ferrimagnetic mineral concentration was accompanied by heavy metal enrichment in the sediment. Geochemical and granolumetric analyses showed that sediment sources and particle sizes played minor roles in the variations of magnetic properties. The effect of diagenesis, which can lead to the selective removal of magnetic minerals, was noticeable in the lower part of the core (140–236cm). Co-variation between magnetic properties (χ, SIRM and χARM) and EF of Cu and Pb suggests that the elevated ferrimagnetic mineral concentration can be used as an indicator of heavy metal pollution in the reconstruction of environmental changes in estuarine and coastal settings.

Geochemical assessment of sediment in Cape Town harbour, South Africa

Geochemical assessment of marine sediments collected from Cape Town harbour was carried out using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, Fourier-Transform-infrared and X-ray diffractrometry techniques. The clay mineral phase consists of biotites, kaolinites and halites. The ranges of concentrations (mg/kg) of trace metals were: Cd (1.69±0.075 – 0.080±0.002), Si (0.37±0.11 – 0.023±0.012), Fe (30.01±2.04 – 2.23±0.12), Cu (1462±39 – 1.51±0.11), Al (19.92±2.24 – 1.25±0.13), Sn (63.98±4.97 – 1.15±0.38), Pb (252±29 – 8.73±1.06), Hg (1.002±0.168 – 0.049±0.005) and Zn (1.26±0.07 – 0.022±0.004) mg kg -1 . The enrichment factors of Sn, Pb, Zn, Fe, Cd, Al and Hg revealed anthropogenic inputs of these metals into the marine environment. The enrichment factor of Cu was less than 1 and this suggests that its presence was largely due to natural changes. The results are indications of the contributions of trace metals contained in the runoffs from the domestic and urban drains, as well as the inflow storm water. Ship repair activities appeared to constitute a major factor responsible for the higher metal contamination in the dockyard areas. The geomineral analyses revealed the presence of quartz, pyrite, and calcite and carrolite minerals as the main constituents of the marine sediments. KEY WORDS : Marine sediment, Geochemistry, X-Ray diffractometry, Dockyard, Heavy metals Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014 , 28(1), 17-28. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i1.3

Elemental Characterization of PM2.5 and PM10 Emitted from Light Duty Vehicles in the Washburn Tunnel of Houston, Texas: Release of Rhodium, Palladium, And Platinum

We report the elemental composition, including Rh, Pd, and Pt, of total (i.e., tailpipe and nontailpipe) PM2.5 and PM10 emissions from predominantly gasoline-driven light-duty vehicles (LDVs) traversing the Washburn Tunnel in Houston, Texas during November and December, 2012. Using a novel sample preparation and dynamic reaction cell-quadrupole-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry technique, we quantify the emission of numerous representative, transition, and lanthanoid elements. Two sets of time integrated PM samples were collected over 3-4week duration both inside the tunnel as well as from the tunnel ventilation air supply to derive accurate LDV source profiles incorporating three platinum group elements (PGEs) for the first time. Average Rh, Pd, and Pt concentrations from the tunnel ventilation air supply were 1.5, 11.1, and 4.5pgm(-3) in PM2.5 and 3.8, 23.1, and 15.1pgm(-3) in PM10, respectively. Rh, Pd, and Pt levels were elevated inside the Washburn Tunnel reaching 12.5, 91.1, and 30.1pgm(-3) in PM2.5 and 36.3, 214, and 61.1pgm(-3) in PM10, respectively. Significantly higher enrichment factors of Cu, Zr, Rh, Pd, Sb, and Pt (referenced to Ti in the upper continental crust) inside the tunnel compared with the ventilation air supply suggested that they are unique elemental tracers of PM derived from gasoline-driven LDVs. This highlights the importance of advancing methods to quantify the trace level PGE emissions as a technique to more accurately estimate LDVs' contributions to airborne PM. Using the emission profile based on PGEs and ambient quantification, mass balancing revealed that approximately half the fine PM mass in the tunnel could be attributed to tailpipe emissions, approximately one-quarter to road dust, with smaller contributions from brake (7%) and tire (3%) wear. On the other hand, PM10 mostly originated from resuspended road dust (∼50%), with progressively lower contributions from tailpipe emissions (14%), brake wear (9%), and tire wear (2%).

Elemental profiles and signatures of fugitive dusts from Chinese deserts

Elemental profiles were determined for size-separated fugitive dust particles produced from Chinese desert and gobi soils. Seventeen surface soil samples from six Chinese deserts were collected, composited, resuspended, and sampled through TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 inlets onto Teflon® filters, which were analyzed for twenty-six elements. Two major dust sources could be distinguished based on differences in crustal and enriched elements—the northwestern (NW) region (Taklimakan Desert, Xinjiang Gobi, and Anxinan Gobi) and northern (N) region (Ulan Buh Desert, Central Inner Mongolia Desert, and Erenhot Gobi). The N sources showed lower concentrations of mineral elements (Fe, K, Na, Ti, Mn, Cr, and Rb in PM10, and Fe, K, Ti, Mn, Co, and V in PM2.5) and higher levels of contaminants (S, Zn, Mo, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd, and As) than the NW ones, especially in PM2.5. Enrichment factors for Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb, As, Mo, and Cd calculated relative to the upper continental crust showed enrichments of one to two orders-of-magnitude, and they were much higher for N sources than NW ones, implying stronger anthropogenic impacts in north China. Aerosol elemental concentrations during dust events at Horqin, Beijing, and Xi'an matched the mass percentages of mineral elements from their presumptive sources better than the alternative ones, validating the differences between the NW and N sources. Additionally, Na/S, Mg/S, Fe/Al, K/Al, Si/Fe, and Na/Al ratios were suggested to differentiate the two dust source regions. The elemental ratios of Ca/Al, K/Al, Fe/Al, and Ti/Fe in the source regions matched those in aerosols collected downwind, and they can be considered as possible source indicators.