Heavy Metals Zn Research Articles

Characterization of textile effluent treatment plant sludge and its industrial application in fired clay bricks with health risk assessment

The textile industry in Bangladesh faces environmental and health challenges due to the disposal of solid waste from Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs). To address this issue, a study was conducted using soil from a brick industry near Dhaka, amending it with varying amounts of dry sludge to create clay bricks. The original soil had a loam texture and medium plasticity. The research found that adding 9 wt% of sludge resulted in Grade A commercial bricks with a compressive strength of 15.33 MPa and water absorption of 13.33 wt%, meeting BDS 208 standards. However, these sludge-incorporated bricks experienced more shrinkage during the burning process due to organic content, requiring additional soil to maintain conventional dimensions. Also, to assess the health hazards of these sludge-incorporated bricks, a leaching test was performed, revealing that no toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in the leachate exceeded the limits set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The study indicates that textile ETP sludge can serve as a sustainable raw material for bricks, potentially reducing the environmental burden caused by textile sludge disposal by 28.75%. This innovative approach offers a promising solution to both environmental and health concerns associated with textile waste in Bangladesh's industrial sector.

Heavy metals in water and sediment of Cikijing River, Rancaekek District, West Java: Contamination distribution and ecological risk assessment.

The Cikijing River is one of the rivers of the Citarik River Basin, which empties into the Citarum River and crosses Bandung Regency and Sumedang Regency, Indonesia. One of the uses of the Cikijing River is as a source of irrigation for rice fields in the Rancaekek area, but the current condition of the water quality of the Cikijing river has decreased, mainly due to the disposal of wastewater from the Rancaekek industrial area which is dominated by industry in the textile and textile products sector. This study aims to determine the potential ecological risks and water quality of the Cikijing River based on the content of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn). Sampling was carried out twice, during the dry and rainy seasons at ten different locations. The selection of locations took into account the ease of sampling and distribution of land use. Based on the results of this study, it was found that the water quality of the Cikijing River was classified as good based on the content of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) with a Pollution Index 0.272 (rainy season) and 0.196 (dry season), while for the sediment compartment of the Cikijing River, according to the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were categorized as unpolluted for heavy metals in rainy and dry seasons Cr (-3.16 and -6.97) < Cu (-0.59 and -1.05), and Pb (-1.68 and -1.91), heavily to very heavily polluted for heavy metals Zn (4.7 and 4.1) . The pollution load index (PLI) shows that the Cikijing River is classified as polluted by several heavy metals with the largest pollution being Zn> Cu > Pb > Cr. Furthermore, the results of the analysis using the Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) concluded that the Cikijing River has a mild ecological risk potential in rainy season (93.94) and dry season (96.49). The correlation test results concluded that there was a strong and significant relationship between the concentrations of heavy metals Pb and Zn and total dissolved solids, salinity, and electrical conductivity in the water compartment.

Prediction of heavy metal ion distribution and Pb and Zn ion concentrations in the tailing pond area.

The pollution caused by tailings ponds has resulted in ecological damage, with soil contamination significantly impacting the daily lives of residents in the vicinity of mining areas and the future development of mining areas. This study assesses the transport status of heavy metal pollution in tailings areas and predicts its impact on future pollution levels. This study focused on lead-zinc tailing ponds, exploring the spatial and chemical distribution characteristics of heavy metals based on the distributions of Pb, Zn, As, Cu, Cr, Cd, Hg, and Ge ions. The concentrations of the major heavy metal ions Pb and Zn in tailings ponds were predicted via the exponential smoothing method. ① The total accumulation of Pb and Zn in the mine tailings ranges from 936.74~1212.61 mg/kg and 1611.85~2191.47 mg/kg, much greater than the total accumulation of the remaining six heavy metals. The total accumulation of associated heavy metal Cu was high, and the lowest total heavy metals were Hg and Ge at only 0.19 mg/kg and 1.05 mg/kg. ② The analyses of soil heavy metal chemical forms reveal that the heavy metals Pb and Zn had the highest exchangeable state content and state ratio and the strongest transport activity in the industrial plaza and village soils. Pb and Zn are the heavy metals with the greatest eco-environmental impacts in the mining area. ③ The predicted results show that the soil concentrations of the heavy metals Pb and Zn around the tailings area in 2026 are 1.335 and 1.191 times the predicted time starting values. The concentrations of the heavy metals Pb and Zn at the starting point of the forecast are already 3.34 and 3.02 times the upper limits of the environmental standard (according to environmental standards for gravelly grey calcium soils). These results have significant implications for heavy metal pollution risk management.

Pollutants and Their Potential Toxicity in the Water Bodies of the "Oleksandriya" Arboretum (Ukraine)

The levels of contamination of the water bodies of the "Oleksandriya" arboretum (the town of Bila Tserkva, Ukraine) by heavy metals, petroleum products, and anionic synthetic surfactants were investigated in August 2022 and their potential toxicity for aquatic organisms was assessed. It has been proven that the detected concentrations of some heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Pb) in the ponds located in the Western ravine of the "Oleksandriya" arboretum can exert an adverse effect on the vital activity of hydrobionts (aquatic plants, fish, etc.). The maximum concentration of petroleum products was registered in the water of the Kholodny pond (the Eastern ravine of the park), which can cause toxic effects in hydrobionts. The water of the ponds also contained anionic synthetic surfactants probably due to the influx of municipal sewage, which also results in worsening the ecological and toxicological state of the studied water bodies.

Investigation of Heavy Metal Toxicity and Sustainability of Aquatic Ecosystems in Jabi Lake, Abuja

The discharge of pollutants into freshwater ecosystems threatens environmental health and human means of livelihoods, especially in regions reliant on fisheries. This study explores the intricate relationship between aquatic toxicity and the Fauna sustainability in Jabi Lake, Abuja. Focusing on Clarias gariepinus, fish species. Nine fish samples and three water samples from Jabi Lake, Abuja, were analyzed for five heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, and Fe), using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Results revealed permissible heavy metal concentrations in fish and water, according to FAO standards. However, prolonged exposure raises concerns for human health. Mean values for metal concentrations in fish (Cu 0.22±0.01 to 0.23±0.01 mg/kg; Zn 2.12±0.01 to 2.24±0.09 mg/kg; Pb 0.01±0.005 to 0.02±0.005 mg/kg; Mn 0.34±0.02 to 0.5±0.03 mg/kg; Fe 4.24±0.06 to 5.78±0.51 mg/kg), while in water (Cu 0.34±0.02 to 0.52±0.01 mg/l; Zn 2.91±0.045 to 3.2±0.19 mg/l; Pb 0.01±0.005 to 0.02±0.005 mg/l; Mn 0.71±0.01 to 0.9±0.02 mg/l; Fe 5.21±0.01 to 5.97±0.02 mg/l) were within permissible limits, except for Mn and Fe in water, which exceeded the WHO standards. Statistical analyses, including the student’s t-test (P&lt;0.05), show significant differences in Pb, Zn, and Mn concentrations in fish and water, but not in Cu and Fe. Anthropogenic activities like construction, sand filling, illegal fishing, and waste disposal contribute to fish diversity depletion, affecting vulnerable species like Catfish, Tilapia, Nile Perch, and Crayfish. The study noted declining incomes for local fishers due to disappearing fish species. While Catfish muscle’s metal concentrations meet FAO standards, ongoing monitoring is vital to preserve the ecosystem and safeguard human health. Mitigating anthropogenic activities and protecting vulnerable species are imperative for environmental integrity and community well-being.

Impacts of Sewage Wastewater on Groundwater Quality and Health Risk in Makoko, Lagos, Nigeria

This research assessed the groundwater quality in a range of shallow wells and boreholes in the Makoko community. A combined eight water samples were gathered from these origins, and their pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, chloride content, and heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn) were examined. The collected data underwent statistical analysis and were compared to the established criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO-2017) and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ-2007). The results showed higher levels of EC, TDS, chloride, iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in some shallow wells than in boreholes, exceeding acceptable limits set by WHO and NSDWQ. Significantly elevated EC and TDS levels were observed in sewage wastewater from shallow wells, indicating a substantial amount of contamination in the groundwater. Lack of sewage systems infrastructures and unmonitored wastewater discharge into waterways are causing increased groundwater pollution, as highlighted by the findings. This presents a significant danger to both the health of people and their surroundings. It is essential for the community to work together to prevent inappropriate sewage disposal, as the government needs to prioritize implementing efficient sewage waste management practices and ensuring proper monitoring, particularly in areas with bad sewage systems infrastructures.

Función de los hongos micorrícicos y las bacterias solubilizadoras de fosfatos en la absorción de elementos esenciales y metálicos en las plantas en suelos contaminado con metales pesados

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of different types of inoculants (control, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi [VAMF], phosphate-solubilizing bacteria [PSB], and co-inoculant [VAMF-PSB]) on root colonization, plant growth, macronutrient (P and N) uptake, and metal element uptake under heavy metal-contaminated soil conditions. Three species of vegetable plants, namely tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Ratna), red chili (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Gada), and hot chili (Capsicum frutescens L. cv. Pusaka Brengolo), were grown in heavy metal (Zn, Ca, Ni and Cd) –contaminated soil for eight weeks. Plants co-inoculated with VAMF-PSB showed significantly higher root colonization by VAMF as well as P and N concentrations in shoot and root than plants inoculated with only VAMF or PSB; consequently, the plant biomass also increased. In heavy metal-contaminated soil, VAMF colonization and PSB application could significantly improve the essential metal concentration (Cu and Zn) in the shoot, although there were no significant effects on the roots. On the contrary, co-inoculation with VAMF-PSB could significantly decrease Cd and Ni concentrations in the shoot, although Cd and Ni concentrations did not show a significant difference in the root. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Ni were higher in the roots than in the shoots of the three plant species tested. The type of inoculant used in this study selectively discriminated between plant essential (Cu, Zn) and non-essential elements (Cd, Ni).

Spatial analysis of ambient heavy metal pollutants in the tree leaves in Kanchipuram town, Tamil Nadu, India

Spatial distribution and accumulation of nine harmful heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, Cd, As and Al) on the leaf surfaces of five tree species namely Saraca asoca, Ficus religiosa, Syzygium cumini, Pongamia glabra and Terminalia catappa were analysed to identify the level of contamination of ambient air in Kanchipuram town, TamilNadu. The leaf samples were collected during February-March 2018 from six sites located within the town in the distributed manner and analysed by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results revealed that the concentration of As, Cd, Cr and Pb were invariably found lesser than their detectable limit, Fe (289mg/kg), Al (162mg/kg) was identified to be maximized, Cu, Mn and Zn lower levels. The absorption capacity of Ficus religiosa was poor and other species were shown good responses. The concentrations of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn were very low in sites 1, 2, 3, 6 where the trees were numerous and found high at sites 4 and 5 may be due to anthropogenic activities and vehicular emission. According to the analysis, the selected species performed as bio indicators and were developed around the industries to maintain greenbelts and enhance air quality.

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Lettuce and Spring Onion on Human Health in Kumasi, Ghana.

The demand and consumption of vegetables are significantly increasing worldwide, which has resulted in urban farming on anthropogenic sites. This study assessed the concentrations of some selected heavy metals in lettuce and spring onion in line with the WHO/FAO required standard and its implications on human health. The study was carried out in Kumasi, within moist semi-deciduous forest vegetation, Ghana. The digested samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, Ni, and Zn) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS Model AA 400p). Analysis of variance was used to test the level of significance at α = .05. The study found mean concentrations of chromium and iron in lettuce and spring onion to be below detection level (BDL) in all study sites based on WHO/FAO permissible level. Also, while copper in lettuce was BDL at all the sites, there were higher mean concentration of copper in spring onion at BSGS (131.5 ± 0.31 mg/kg) and BSG (120.8 ± 0.01 mg/kg). The mean concentration of nickel in lettuce (137.15 ± 0.0231) and spring onion (173.55 ± 0.02 mg/kg) at BSGS were higher than WHO/FAO permissible level. Mean concentration of zinc in both lettuce and spring onion were higher than WHO/FAO permissible level in all the study sites, except zinc in spring onion at KT. The ANOVA test statistics showed no significant difference among the concentrations of heavy metals in all sites, except zinc in lettuce and nickel in spring onion. The study found cancer risk factor for nickel, which exceeded the benchmark of 1 × 10-6 for both lettuce and spring onion, indicating that long-term consumption could increase the risk of cancer in consumers. The study's findings call for strict regulation and regular monitoring of heavy metals in vegetables cultivated at anthropogenic sites in urban areas to ensure food safety and consumer health.

Edaphic growth conditions of Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. in Nikitsky Botanical Garden

A soil survey was carried out under the collection plantings of Prunus cerasifera Ehrh., growing on the experimental site of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. During the research, the morphological structure, granulometric composition, pH, content of carbonates, humus, exchangeable potassium, oxalate-soluble (amorphous) iron were studied using generally accepted methods of soil analysis. The content of mobile forms of micronutrients and heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Cd) was determined in ammonium acetate extract at pH=4.8. It was revealed that the soils of the experimental site are characterized by favorable physical, chemical properties and agrochemical parameters for cherry plum plants, including uniform distribution of humus along the profile, slightly alkaline reaction, low content of carbonates, high content of available potassium. Among the mobile forms of trace elements and heavy metals, exceeding of the maximum permissible concentration was found only for copper, the source of which is copper-containing fungicides. The slightly alkaline reaction of the soil contributes to a decrease in the mobility of micronutrients and heavy metals, therefore, even with their excessive content in the soil, there was no excess of maximum permissible concentration in cherry plum fruits.

An Explorement of the Implications of Dumpsite Leachate on Surface Water Quality in Muenene River, Mutare, Zimbabwe

Background: Solid waste is one of biggest challenges of the urban areas of all sizes, from mega cities to small towns and large villages, which are home to the majority of mankind. In addition, the non-industrialised countries have low levels of refuse collection rates of 30 to 60% in low income countries and 50-60% in middle income countries. Globally, there are ongoing campaigns encouraging the use of the environment in a sustainable manner, which implies that the negative impacts on the environment and climate change must be taken into consideration. Methodology: The researchers instituted an experimental design. The researchers collected leachate samples from Mutare Open Dump site for laboratory analysis. Water samples were also collected from Muenene River for physico-chemical parameter analysis, heavy metal analysis and nutrient for laboratory analysis. The results were compared with the WHO standards and the Environmental Management Agency standards. The Winkler method was used for determination of Dissolved Oxygen, the multi-parameter brand 40HQD was used to test for the physico-chemical parameters [pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)]. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) was used for the determination of iron, copper, zinc, cadmium, nickel, manganese, chromium, calcium, Magnesium and lead from samples The Spectrophotometer was used to measure the nutrients of phosphate, nitrates, sulphates, and ammonia. The broad objective of the study being to assess the impacts of dumpsite leachate in surface water quality in Muenene River in Mutare. The specific objectives were, to determine the levels and variations of the following physico-chemical parameters in Muenene River: pH, TDS, EC, and Salinity.to analyse the nutrient levels in leachate and leachate-contaminated Muenene River water in terms of nitrate, ammonia, sulphate, and phosphate and to measure the concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Fe, Cr, Pb, Mg, Cu, and Ni) in Mutare dumpsite leachate. Results: Nutrients such as ammonia, phosphate, nitrates were found to be above the permissible levels, subsequently leading pollution of the Muenene River. The heavy metals include Fe, Pb, Mn and Cd were found to be above permissible levels in terms of S.I 6 of 2007 for wastewater discharge regulations in Zimbabwe. Zn, Ni and Cr were detected but were at normal range that is not harmful to the environment. The leachate generated from dump site finally flows into a stream used to irrigate vegetables and fruits. The water quality analysis revealed unsatisfactory results due to the elevated concentrations of phosphorus, ammonia, and the biochemical oxygen demand ratio (BOD). Conclusion: Results of the physico-chemical parameters analysis indicated that untreated leachate and unsegregated solid waste leads to deterioration of water quality. The nutrient quality of the water was also compromised as ammonia, phosphate, nitrates were found to be above the permissible. The heavy metals include Fe, Pb, Mn and Cd that were found to be above permissible levels in terms of S.I 6 of 2007 for wastewater discharge regulations in Zimbabwe. Zn, Ni and Cr were detected but were at normal range that is not harmful to the environment.

Insight into heavy metal chemical fractions in ash collected from municipal and industrial waste incinerators in northern Vietnam.

This investigation involved the collection of fly ash and bottom ash specimens from seven waste incinerators situated in the northern provinces of Vietnam, aimed at assessing the composition and distribution patterns of five chemical fractions of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, As, Cd Cu, and Zn) present in incinerator waste ash. The outcomes reveal that fly ash exhibited a relatively elevated concentration of industrial waste metals (25-66%) such as As, Cd, and Pb primarily in exchangeable (F1) and carbonate fractions (F2), which are mobile forms susceptible to environmental dissolution and consequential bioaccumulation posing health risks to humans. The predominant states of the metals Cr, Cu, and Zn were identified as residual, Fe-Mn oxide, and carbonate, respectively, with their relative proportions showing minimal variation. Conversely, heavy metals were predominantly present in residual residue and Fe-Mn bound form (F3) in bottom ash derived from both residential and commercial waste incineration operations. The non-carcinogenic hazard indices (HI) associated with the examined metals, ranked for both adults and children, were as follows: Pb > Cr > As > Cd > Cu > Zn. Notably, the HI values for Pb, Cr, and As exceeded the permissible threshold (HI > 1) for children. However, the risk of As, Cd, and Pb-related cancer via exposure pathways remained within acceptable limits for both age groups. Conversely, the probability of carcinogenic effects attributable to Cr surpassed the permissible threshold (>10-4), indicating significant health concerns associated with heavy metals in waste incinerators for humans, particularly children.

Assessment of Water Quality Parameters in Lake Hayq, Northeastern Ethiopia.

Lake Hayq is one of the highland lakes of Ethiopia that furnishes very important ecosystem services, fishing, tourism, transportation, drinking water, livestock watering, and irrigation. However, the lake ecosystem is being degraded by pollution, siltation, and excessive growth of macrophytes, buffer zone degradation, overfishing, and climate variability. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the physicochemical, heavy metals, and biological water quality parameters of Lake Hayq. Physiochemical (pH, water temperature, conductivity, TDS, total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, NH4+, NH3, NO2 -, NO3 -, CO3 -, HCO3 -, SO4 2-, PO4 3-, SiO2, and total phosphorus), heavy metals (Pb, Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu2+, Mn2+, and Ni), and biological (BOD5 and total coliforms) water quality parameters were analyzed both in situ and ex situ. The physicochemical parameters were measured using portable water quality measuring multimeters, the heavy metal analysis was done using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, the BOD5 was measured using a BOD5 meter, and the total coliform analysis was done using the spread plate technique. The collected data were analyzed using multivariate, two-way ANOVA to see the mean difference among sampling sites and seasons through the application of SPSS 16. Most of the water quality parameters of Lake Hayq have met the WHO standards for recreation, aquatic life, and drinking water quality. However, some parameters, such as Pb, BOD5, and total coliforms, were above WHO water quality permissible limits. Therefore, ecohydrological (nature-based) waste treatment methods such as macrophyte restoration in buffer zones and ecofriendly farming activities should be practiced to minimize the contamination of the lake.

Leachate migration and percolation consequences on water quality: A case study of Plateau State Nigeria

Leachate water samples were collected from dumpsite and its adjacent area in Jos metropolis to study leachate migration and percolation consequences on water quality. Concentration of various physico-chemical parameters including heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, As, V, and Zn) were determined in water and leachate samples. The moderate to high concentrations of Cl, NO3, SO4, Fe, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in water, indicate that water quality in the area is being affected by leachate percolation. Surface water has HPI value of 94.52 with mean value of 48.32 which is of the transition stage of medium to high. HEI value computed was 20.07 with mean value of 16 for the surface water, in ground water, HEI value computed was 5.94 with mean value of 0.88. LPI at Honda village showed the lowest values of 16.5, GeroNyango and Sabon Geri Atu village highest value of 20.1 and 23.4. This suggests that leachate percolation is have an effect on water quality which indicates that water in the area is threatened. Government should consider recycling waste, composting, using waste to generate energy, reuse derived full (RDF), solid Recovered (SRF) and engineering landfill as an option.

HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN BOTTOM SEDIMENTS OF FIVE LARGE LAKES OF RAIPUR, CHHATTISGARH, INDIA

Entry of heavy metals into aquatic environments generally takes place due to human activities like agriculture, combustion, industrial plants, sewage and settlements. Once entered into the aquatic system the heavy metals from different sources pose risk to the aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, a detailed investigation of heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, V, Co, As, Mo and Cd) concentration in the bottom sediments of five large Lakes of Raipur was carried out. The data were interpreted in terms of Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Modified Degree of Contamination (mCd). The study indicates that the degree of heavy metal contamination in the bottom sediments of the five large lakes of Raipur follow the order Maharaja Bandh Talab&gt; Budha Talab &gt; Sarju Bandh Talab &gt; Bhaiya Taraiya Talab &gt; Khokho Talab. Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb and Mn pose problems to the ecosystem of the Lakes. The contamination level of elements follow the order Zn&gt;Fe&gt;Cr&gt;Mn&gt;Pb. The high Fe, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb concentrations in the sediments of Lakes are mainly caused by the use of pesticide and fertilizer in agricultural areas and runoff from settlements without sewage systems. The highly toxic heavy metals can have adverse impact on the aquatic organisms including fishes. This study warrants a detailed ecotoxicological investigation in the lakes followed by execution of Lake rejuvenation programme.

Levels and Health Risk Assessments of Heavy Metals in Khat and Its Support Soil in Algesachi, Ilu Ababor, Ethiopia.

Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a stimulant plant grown in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Heavy metal pollution has been a global concern due to its acute and chronic health effects and the major route of exposure is the consumption of contaminated foods. In this study, the determination and health risk assessment of heavy metals (Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb) in khat and its support soil samples was carried out. Khat and its support soil were analyzed for the levels of 7 toxic heavy metals by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Samples were randomly collected from 3 districts of khat farming kebeles and digested using mixture of strong acids. The concentrations (mg/kg) of analytes in soil and khat samples were: Cu (6.78-35.80); Zn (24.30-199.02); Mn (7.59-1855.40); Ni (6.37-64.80); Cr (0.82-169.20); Cd (14.2-38.8), and Pb (ND). Among the analyzed heavy metals in soil, Mn was with the highest concentration, followed by Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Cd while that of Zn was the maximum followed by Cu, Mn, and Cr in khat. The levels of Zn, Cr, and Cd in soil samples from all study sites and detected concentrations of Cr in khat samples exceeded the recommended FAO/WHO levels. The hazard index (HI) of metals in khat from study areas was less than 1 indicating a less likelihood of non-carcinogenic toxicological health effects. However, the presence of these toxic chemicals in soil and khat indicates product contamination and needs extensive further investigation involving other heavy metals.

Pengukuran Kualitas Air Limbah Sawit Berdasarkan Baku Mutu Air Limbah Menggunakan AAS

Palm oil industry waste is waste generated from the palm oil processing process. Palm oil liquid waste generally contains heavy metals, one of which is Cu and Zn. The presence of excessive Cu and Zn heavy metals can have a negative impact on living things and the surrounding environment. In this journal, the determination of the heavy metal content of Cu and Zn in palm oil wastewater was carried out using the AAS method with acetylene gas at a wavelength of 324.8 nm to determine the content of Cu metal content and at a wavelength of 213.9 nm to determine the Zn metal content. The results of determining the content of heavy metals Cu and Zn in sempel 1, 2 and 3 contained in palm oil wastewater which are still below the maximum limit of the quality standards obtained, namely less than 2 ppm for Cu metal and less than 5 ppm for Zn metal. utilized by living things and the surrounding environment.

The Effect of Toxicity Stress on The Germination, Growth and Yield of Pennisetum glaucum (Var. Super Sosat)

The performance of the Pennisetum glaucum subjected to various concentrations of spent engine oil (0, 10mL, 20mL and 30mL) was the aim of this study. Twelve pots were used for the experiment arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicate each and a control. The data of each parameter (germination percentage, leaf length, leaf number, stem width, plant height and fruit weight) was subjected to analysis of variance using Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test for mean separation. All the parameters considered were significantly affected by the increase in concentrations of spent engine oil in comparison to the control. Germination percentage was poor for 20mL and 30mL concentrations of spent engine oil (40% and 25% respectively) whereas 100% germination was observed for control and 10mL concentrations, though seedling emergence was faster in control than 10mL concentration of spent engine oil. The plant height, stem width, leaves number and fruit quality were observed to performed better in control and 10mL concentration of spent oil while in 20mL and 30mL concentrations, all parameters observed were poor in comparison to control. The heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn) accumulation also increased with increased concentrations of spent engine oil applied which obviously was responsible for the toxicity effects such as wilting, chlorosis, stunted growth and poor fruits harvest observed. Therefore indiscriminate disposal of spent engine oil is a threat to the overall performance of P. glaucum and need to be checkmated to eliminate such negative impact on P. glaucum production.

Analysis of the Source Apportionment and Pathways of Heavy Metals in Soil in a Coal Mining Area Based on Machine Learning and an APCS-MLR Model

Long-term coal mining activities have led to severe heavy metal pollution in the soil environment of coal mining areas, posing significant threats to both ecological environments and human health. In this study, surface soil samples were collected from the overlying soil of coal gangue and the surrounding areas of the Panyi coal mine in Huainan. The concentrations of Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Pb elements were determined. A self-organizing map (SOM) and an absolute principal component score multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) receptor model were employed for the quantitative analysis of the soil’s heavy metal pollution sources and contributions. Additionally, this study focused on the analysis of the pathways of the relatively serious pollution of Cd. The results revealed that the average concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Ni) in the study area were 4.55, 0.59, 1.54, 0.69, 0.59, and 0.71 times the local soil background values, respectively. The concentrations of Cd and Zn exceeded the risk screening values at some sampling points, with exceedance rates of 44% and 8%, respectively, indicating a relatively serious Cd contamination. The sources of heavy metals in the soil in the study area were classified into four categories: mining activities, agricultural activities, weathering of natural matrices, and other unknown sources, with average contributions of 55.48 percent, 24.44 percent, 8.91 percent and 11.86 percent, respectively. Based on the spatial distribution of Cd, it was inferred that atmospheric deposition is one of the important pollution pathways of Cd in the study area. Cd profile distribution patterns and a surface water pollution survey showed that the farmland areas were affected by the irrigation water pathway to some extent. The vertical distribution of heavy metal content in the forest area showed a strong disorder, which was related to the absorption function of plant roots. The results of this study can help to improve the environmental management of heavy metal pollution so as to protect the ecological environment and human health.

Marine microdebris pollution in sediments from three environmental coastal areas in the southwestern Argentine Atlantic

Microplastics (MPs) and antifouling paint particles (APPs) are important components of marine microdebris (MDs), which constitute a potential environmental risk. This study analyzed baseline contamination levels of MDs and mesodebris (MesDs) in intertidal sediments at different depths, exploring the geomorphological influence in three Argentine coastal environments: Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE), Los Pocitos (LP) and Puerto Madryn (PM). The MDs and MesDs samples were characterized by μ-FTIR, SEM/EDX and XRD. The abundance of MPs and APPs in sediments, range between 19.78 and 1087.19 and between 0 and 172.93 items/kg d.w., respectively. Despite variations in population and industrial developments in these areas, MPs abundance shows no significant differences in low and high intertidal zones. However, mean MPs concentrations were higher in the surface layer (0–5 cm) compared to the deeper sediments (5–10 cm), indicating recent MPs deposition. Chemical characterization evidenced the presence of cellulose (CE) and denser polymers as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyacrylics (PAN), APPs, metallic and black MDs. Surface degradation and heavy metals (Zn, Cr, and Ba) were also detected in APPs and other MDs, either as additives or adhered to their surfaces. Changes in crystallinity were also observed on the MesDs due to weathering. The calculated polymer hazard index (PHI) and the presence of hazardous polymers such as ABS and PAN indicated an increased risk of MPs pollution on the BBE and PM coasts. The pollution load index (PLI) values (from 4.63 to 5.34) suggested unpolluted to moderately polluted levels. These findings offer insights into potential risks associated with MDs in Argentine intertidal sediments, underscoring the critical need to comprehend the geomorphology and the influence of coastal dynamics. This is crucial for effectively addressing challenges linked to MDs pollution guiding the development of robust management and mitigation strategies.