Source Of Secondary Pollution Research Articles

Water extraction kinetics of metals, arsenic and dissolved organic carbon from industrial contaminated poplar leaves

In industrial areas, tree leaves contaminated by metals and metalloids could constitute a secondary source of pollutants. In the present study, water extraction kinetics of inorganic elements (IE: Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Fe and Mn), dissolved organic carbon, pH and biological activity were studied for industrial contaminated poplar leaves. Moreover, the distribution of the IE through the size fractions of the associated top soil was measured. High quantities of Mn, Zn and As and polysaccharides were released in the solution from the strongly contaminated leaves. The kinetic of release varied with time and metal type. The solution pH decreased while dissolved organic contents increased with time after 30 days. Therefore, these contaminated leaves could constitute a source of more available organic metals and metalloids than the initial inorganic process particles. However, the distribution of the IE through the size fractions of the top soil suggested that a great part of the released IE was adsorbed, reducing in consequence their transfers and bioavailability. It's concluded that mobility/bioavailability and speciation of metals and metalloids released from the decomposition of polluted tree leaves depends on soil characteristics, pollutant type and litter composition, with consequences for environmental risk assessment.

Transformation of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether under UV irradiation: Potential sources of the secondary pollutants

A commercial brominated flame retardant 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) was used as the model chemical to investigate the degradation and transformation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in gas and liquid phases, respectively, under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The results showed that BDE-47 can be transformed to less-brominated BDE analogs. A total of six compounds that are less-brominated BDEs and two brominated phenols were observed as transformation products in the reaction mixtures. Different degradation rates of BDE-47 in n-nonane and in isooctane in the same chamber system were observed. Degradation rate of BDE-47 in n-nonane was faster than in isooctane. Under UV irradiation, the bromine on the ortho positions of the phenyl rings was lost first to form 2,4,4′-tribromodiphenyl ether (BDE-28), which then progressively lead to 4,4′-dibromodiphenyl ether (BDE-15) or 2,4′-dibromodiphenyl ether (BDE-8). An airborne transformation pathway has been proposed according to observed transformation products. The more volatile less-brominated BDEs from transformation of BDE-47 are easily evaporated into air to be a source of secondary pollutants in the environment.

Influence of dumping upon the geoecological state of Nakhodka Bay

It is shown that the influence of dumping upon the geoecological state of Nakhodka Bay shows up not only in pollution of bottom sediments by technogenic impurities but also in changes in sedimentation conditions as a result of the transformation of the relief and the hydrodynamical situation. Flows of material, associated with the dumping of earth, cause a qualitative modification in the composition of bottom sediments and form sources of secondary pollution. The dumping of earth may well be categorized as one of the most powerful processes influencing pollution, sedimentation patterns and landscape structure of the littoral zone of the sea. To continue the control over the situation requires a routine monitoring of the consequences of the dumping with due regard for the natural conditions of the area.

Organic compounds emission from modified, biomass fueled small-scale boiler

The low emission problem, visible not only in cities but also in agriculture areas, strongly concerns quality of human life and it is connected with small-scall boilers with are heat-suppliers for individual households. The exhaust gases emitted during incorrect fuel combustion process consist mutagenic, genotoxic, irritant and carcinogenic organic substances like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Those substances are dangerous for human health, part of them are very reactive becoming source of secondary pollution, part of them have ability to cumulate in environment. To avoid health problems connected with low emission and toxic organic compounds pollution it is necessary to develop the solutions for non-effective fuel combustion process prevention. The paper presents the results of research work which aim was investigation of small-scall, biomass fueled boiler modifications in aspect of volatile organic compounds emission reduction. The special catalytic-activated ceramic and metal construction was applied inside the combustion space. VOCs and PAHs in exhausts was determined by Varian 450 gas chromatograph. The results, presented in tables and figures, show that applied modification based on ceramic and ceramic activated fittings change significantly emission characteristic reducing VOCs and PAHs concentration in the exhaust but the changes trends are discussible.

The pollution of groundwater and unsaturated zone rocks by oil products and PAH in urban areas

An approach to assessing the hazard of unsaturated zone rocks as a source of subsoil-water secondary pollution by oil products and PAH is considered based on environmental-geochemical studies of soils and rocks of the unsaturated zone, groundwater, and snow, which were carried out during the rehabilitation of the water environment of Lefortovskii Park (Moscow). The impact of the primary pollution sources is analyzed, and the formation of groundwater and rock pollution by oil products and PAH is considered. To assess the role of the unsaturated zone as a secondary source of pollution of surface and subsurface waters under the conditions of possible elimination of the primary sources, the transport of oil products (benzol and toluene) and PAH (pyrene) in unsaturated zone was simulated using WHI UnSat Suite Plus software package.

In vivo bioaccumulation of contaminants from historically polluted sediments — Relation to bioavailability estimates

Many contaminants are recalcitrant against degradation. Therefore, when primary sources have been discontinued, contaminated sediments often function as important secondary pollution sources. Since the management and potential remediation of contaminated marine sediments may be very costly, it is important that the environmental risks of contaminants present in these sediments and benefits of remediation are evaluated as accurately as possible. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of common organochlorine contaminants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in selected polluted sediments from Norway by simple generic sorption models (free energy relationships), as well as by pore water concentration measurements. Furthermore, the aim was to predict bioaccumulation from these bioavailability estimates for comparison with in vivo bioaccumulation assessments using ragworm (Nereis virens) and netted dogwhelk (Hinia reticulata). Predicted biota-to-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) derived from pore water concentration estimates were in better agreement with the bioaccumulation observed in the test organisms, than the generic BSAFs expected based on linear sorption models. The results therefore support that site-specific evaluations of bioaccumulation provide useful information for more accurate risk assessments. A need for increased knowledge of the specific characteristics of benthic organisms, which may influence the exposure, uptake and elimination of contaminants, is however emphasized.

Magnetism of outdoor and indoor settled dust and its utilization as a tool for revealing the effect of elevated particulate air pollution on cardiovascular mortality

Settled indoor and outdoor dusts in urban environment represent an important source of secondary pollution. Magnetic characteristics of the settled dust from six cities in Bulgaria are explored, allowing comparison on a national (country) scale. Monthly variations of the mass‐specific magnetic susceptibilities (χindoor) and (χoutdoor) and calculated dust loading rates for a period of 17 months do not show seasonal variability, probably due to the dominant role of traffic‐related emissions and soil‐derived particles in the settled dust. The main magnetic mineral is magnetite, present as spherules and irregular particles of pseudo‐single‐domain grain sizes. Systematically lower remanence coercivities are obtained for outdoor dusts when compared with the corresponding indoor samples, implying that penetration of smaller particles of ambient origin indoors is the main source of the indoor dust. Mean yearly values of the ratio (χindoor/χoutdoor) for each city show statistically significant correlation with mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. This ratio reveals the source‐ and site‐specific importance of the anthropogenically derived toxicogenic fraction. Heavy metal content of the settled dust is related to the contribution from several pollution sources (soil‐derived, combustion and industrial), discriminated through analysis of principal components. SEM/EDX analyses reveal abundant presence of anthopogenic Fe‐containing spherules, irregular particles and diesel exhaust conglomerates. High molecular weight polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) dominate the total PAH content of the outdoor dust samples. The observed linear correlation between total PAH content, coercivity of remanence and the ratio Mrs/χ suggest either adsorption of PAHs on iron oxide particles and especially magnetite, or emission related increase in total PAH concentration along with a decrease of effective magnetic grain size of the accompanying magnetic fraction.

The role of river sediments in contamination storage downstream of a waste water treatment plant in low flow conditions: Organotins, faecal indicator bacteria and nutrients

In intermittent rivers, characterised by a specific hydrological behaviour, sediment–water column interactions may influence water quality during low flows. The main objective of this work was to assess the extent of anthropogenic pollution (organotins, faecal indicator bacteria and nutrients) in the river sediment of an intermittent river and its impact on the downstream water bodies: The Vène River, main tributary of the Thau lagoon. We first investigated anthropogenic pollution from water and sediment samples collected in situ along the river course (1.5km); then, during laboratory experiments, we assessed the survival of faecal bacteria and quantified the degradation rates of organotins on the same sediments.The results indicate the presence of anthropogenic pollution all along the study reach. The waste water treatment plant effluent is a direct pollution input source for anthropogenic pollution. The sediment data points to an urban drainage ditch as a secondary point pollution source while the organotins data highlights the presence of other diffuse sources, specific to this substance. The results of the laboratory experiments show that both faecal bacteria and organotins may persist in the river sediments for up to two months in summer and even longer in winter. This indicates that sediments may, under favourable conditions, become important pollutant stores which may later be released and transported to the Thau lagoon during floods.

Semi-continuous measurement of water-soluble ions in PM2.5 in Jinan, China: Temporal variations and source apportionments

Abstract To better understand secondary aerosol pollution and potential source regions, semi-continuous measurement of water-soluble ions in PM2.5 was performed from December 2007 to October 2008 in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province. The data was analyzed with the aid of backward trajectory cluster analysis in conjunction with redistributed concentration field (RCF) model and principal component analysis (PCA). SO 4 2 − , NO 3 − and NH 4 + were the most abundant ionic species with annual mean concentrations (±standard deviations) of 38.33 (±26.20), 15.77 (±12.06) and 21.26 (±16.28) μg m−3, respectively, which are among the highest levels reported in the literatures in the world. Well-defined seasonal and diurnal patterns of SO 4 2 − , NO 3 − and NH 4 + were observed. The fine sulfate and nitrate oxidation ratios (SOR and NOR) were much higher in summer (SOR: 0.47 ± 0.13; NOR: 0.28 ± 0.03) than those in other seasons (SOR: 0.17–0.30; NOR: 0.12–0.14), indicating more extensive formations of SO 4 2 − and NO 3 − in summer. The most frequent air masses connected with high concentrations of SO 4 2 − , NO 3 − and NH 4 + originated from Shandong Province in spring, autumn and winter, while from the Yellow Sea in summer, and then slowly traveled in Shandong Province to Jinan. RCF model indicated that Shandong Province was the main potential source region for SO 4 2 − and NO 3 − and other potential source regions were also identified including the provinces of Hebei, Henan, Anhui and Jiangsu and the Yellow Sea. Principal component analysis indicated that the major sources contributing to PM2.5 pollution were secondary aerosols, coal/biomass burnings and traffic emissions.

Sediment analysis to support the recent glacial origin of DDT pollution in Lake Iseo (Northern Italy)

In the present study, a depth-related distribution of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in sediments of Lake Iseo, one of the major southern Alpine Italian lakes, is reported in order to further test the hypothesis of melting Alpine glaciers as a secondary source of contamination. In a previous paper, a “glacier contamination hypothesis” was suggested to explain the unexpected contamination of the biota of Lake Iseo, mainly fed by the Alpine melting ice. The sediment core analyses covered around the last 50 years. The organic matter profile evaluated as a Loss-On-Ignition percentage indicated transition of the basin from an oligotrophic to a mesotrophic status at around the early 1970s, but there was no evidence of the shift to eutrophy in the 1980s. Among DDTs, pp’DDE was the predominant metabolite, accounting on average for 79.4% of the total DDT concentrations and ranging from 6.4 to 447.5 ng g −1 d.w. PCBs ranged from 5.0 to 163.7 ng g −1 d.w. The maximum PCB concentrations were found in sediment layers corresponding to the 1970s when the highest production and use of these compounds occurred in Italy. In contrast, concentrations of DDTs showed a sharp increase from the early 1990s, long after their agricultural use was banned in Italy. This delayed pollution provides support for the hypothesis that the recent retreat of glaciers represents a secondary pollution source for old pesticides that were stored in the ice at the time of their use in agriculture.

Phosphorus release potential and pollution characteristics of sediment in downstream Nansi Lake, China

The research aimed to evaluate present and potential phosphorous pollution due to high sedimentary phosphorus load and release from sediment, when external phosphorus was reduced in downstream Nansi Lake. Pollution load of the sediment and overlying water was investigated. Kinetics and isotherms of adsorption/release of sedimentary phosphorus were studied to determine equilibrium phosphate concentration (EPC0) and release potential. Kinetics of phosphorus adsorption on sediment and release from sediment were well described by both the pseudo-first-order rate equation and the pseudo-second-order rate equation, but more appropriate to the pseudo-second-order rate equation with the adsorption/release capacity more close to the measured values, suggesting that the processes were chemically rate controlled and dependent on adsorption capacity. Soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) sorption isotherms on sediment were best fitted by the modified Langmuir model indicating a monolayer adsorption. By comparing EPC0 and SRP of water, the status (adsorption, releasing or in equilibrium) of sediment phosphorus could be determined. The sediments at site S1, S3, S4, S5, and S7 where the EPC0s were greater than the SRPs, had a potential to release phosphorus into the water column. However, those sediments at S9, S10, and S12, where the EPC0s were approximately equal to the SRPs, were in impermanent equilibrium with overlying water in status of phosphorus, the sediments can be likely to release phosphorus to the water column once the equilibrium was broken. Therefore, sedimentary phosphorus can be a secondary pollution source in downstream Nansi Lake.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination and mineral magnetic characterization of the Asopos River sediments (Central Greece)

The content and distribution of heavy metals in sediments of the intermittent and contaminated Asopos River, located in Central Greece, was assessed by means of total dissolution, dilute acid and sequential extraction procedures. Mineral magnetic properties were used as proxy parameters of transport mechanisms of land-derived material to the sea. The combination of enrichment factors estimated against local background levels and the levels of labile metals revealed that surface sediments are enriched in Cu, Cd, Ni and Cr. The low flow of the system allows particles and organic matter to accumulate in the estuarine shallow “pools” where they undertake a series of redox reactions, authigenic formation, etc. The most fine of these particles, which are metal rich, are transported to relatively long distances off the Asopos River mouth, even under low energy conditions, converting the system to a secondary source of pollution for the adjacent marine environment.

Environmental applications of earthworm esterases in the agroecosystem

Chemical control of pests is still necessary in agriculture, despite the growing efforts to introduce biocontrol-based strategies. Many studies have evidenced the harm of pesticide side-effects on natural populations of pest enemies and other non-target organisms. Moreover, pesticide-contaminated soils can act as a secondary pollution source causing contamination in environmental compartments of critical concern to public health (water resource). These environmental risks need to be assessed and monitored for decision-making related to the post-authorization management of pesticides. Under these considerations, earthworm esterases can be a suitable tool for these regulatory and environmental purposes. Herein, it is suggested the use of earthworm esterases as biomarkers to be included in a field toxicity test. Furthermore, the potential role of gut carboxylesterases (CEs) in the modulation of pesticide toxicity is discussed in view of their contribution to the natural tolerance of earthworms to pesticides, and consequently the appropriate selection of earthworm species for regulatory toxicity testing. Finally, it is postulated that CE secretion into the earthworm gut could be an environmental friendly methodology in the enzymatic bioremediation of pesticide-contaminated soils.

Qualidade dos sedimentos no rio Uberabinha (Uberlândia, MG) e implicações ambientais

Sediments are constituted of mineral particles (sand, silt and clay) and organic matter transported or deposited in the water bodies. Anthropogenic activities as industrialization and urbanization are responsible for the input of high amounts of toxic metals to the surface water of a River Basin and can negatively impact sediment quality. The sediments can storage hazardous substances or act as a secondary pollution source by transfering contaminants to the system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentration of toxic elements in sediments of Uberabinha River (Uberlândia, MG) which may represent a risk for the environment and human health. The Chemical analysis of sediments at different localities indicated elevated concentration of some metals, e.g., Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn compared to guiding values for sediment quality established by the National Environment Council (CONAMA, Brazil). and could be related to the direct discharge of untreated urban (industrial and domestic) effluents into the water stream

Qualidade dos sedimentos no rio Uberabinha (Uberlândia, MG) e implicações ambientais

Sediments are constituted of mineral particles (sand, silt and clay) and organic matter transported or deposited in the water bodies. Anthropogenic activities as industrialization and urbanization are responsible for the input of high amounts of toxic metals to the surface water of a River Basin and can negatively impact sediment quality. The sediments can storage hazardous substances or act as a secondary pollution source by transfering contaminants to the system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentration of toxic elements in sediments of Uberabinha River (Uberlândia, MG) which may represent a risk for the environment and human health. The Chemical analysis of sediments at different localities indicated elevated concentration of some metals, e.g., Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn compared to guiding values for sediment quality established by the National Environment Council (CONAMA, Brazil). and could be related to the direct discharge of untreated urban (industrial and domestic) effluents into the water stream

Cathodic protection by zinc sacrificial anodes: Impact on marine sediment metallic contamination

Cathodic protection by sacrificial zinc anodes is often applied to prevent immerged metallic structures from corrosion. But this technique induces the zinc anodes dissolution, which can induce marine sediments and seawater contamination. A large scale experiment, in natural seawater, was conducted during 12 months, in order to evaluate the potential environmental impact of this continuous zinc dissolution, and of some necessary cleaning operations of the anodes surfaces. The heavy metal (Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) concentration in water and sediment samples was monitored. A sequential extraction procedure was applied on sediment samples to differentiate the zinc mobile fractions from the residual one. A significant increase of zinc concentration was observed in water as well as in the surface sediments under the specific operating conditions. Sediments then become a secondary pollution source, as the sorbed labile zinc can be remobilized to seawater.

Storage of sediment‐associated heavy metals along the channelized Odra River, Poland

AbstractThe importance of long‐term storage of heavy metals in groyne fields, functioning over 150 years, is investigated for the River Odra (Oder), western Poland. Construction of groynes along the Odra preceded rapid development of heavy industrialization in the largest coal mine districts in Poland and the Czech Republic that resulted in persistent riverine pollution. The 187 km long Middle Odra reach was repeatedly channelized from the first half of the eighteenth century to the turn of the twentieth century, during which time partially filled groyne fields were dissected by new bank lines and groyne systems, with older groyne fields partially keyed into the floodplain. Consequently, concentrations of zinc, lead, cadmium, and copper within historically deposited groyne field sediments exceed local geochemical background levels by more than 60, 40, 15 and 10 times, respectively. Sediments contaminated with heavy metals occur within three distinctive geomorphic zones: zone I is up to 250 m wide and furthest from the present channel, comprising decimeter‐thick polluted sediments, overlying eighteenth century sand and gravel bars; zone II represents the former nineteenth century groyne fields, with widths between 10 and 100 m, filled with as much as 3 m of polluted sediments; zone III represents the twentieth century groyne fields, which are several to a dozen metres wide and filled with polluted sediments averaging depths of more than 2 m. This investigation indicates that large and extensive sediment quantities of moderately polluted sediments are stored immediately along the banks of the River Odra. These sediments could be a significant secondary pollution source and therefore careful maintenance of contemporary bank protection structures is required. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aluminosilicate microspheres in fly ashes from thermal power plants and their use for the removal of petroleum and phenol from water

Petroleum and petroleum products constitute a special group of pollutants in the hydrosphere. Water pollution by petroleum and petroleum products results from crude oil production, transportation, and refining; the use of petroleum products as fuel for marine engines; the washing of oil carrier tanks; water flows from territories contaminated with petroleum products; etc. The effect of petroleum products on living organisms manifests itself in physiological disorders, diseases caused by the insertion of hydrocarbons into the body, biological changes in the environment, etc. The deposition of petroleum residues at the bottom of water bodies can produce anaerobic conditions and become a source of secondary pollution in the hydrosphere [1‐3]. Phenol is a highly toxic organic pollutant that is haz

Cycling pp'DDT and pp'DDE at a watershed scale: the case of Lago Maggiore (Italy)

A point source of DDT pollution of industrial origin, discovered in 1996 in Lago Maggiore, the second largest (212 km 2 ) and deepest (373 m) lake in Italy, created concern for wildlife and human health because contamination in some fish species exceeded the threshold for human consumption, even though the concentrations measured in the water were much lower than the legal requirements for drinking purposes. Some precautionary measures were undertaken to prevent DDT runoff from the industrial site to the lake but soil restoration had not yet been carried out. The first study to quantify land based sources of DDT homologue pollution was performed in 1998 by sampling all the main tributaries monthly in order to evaluate the annual load to the lake. From May 2001 to May 2002, the study was repeated in order to evaluate the degree of recovery. In this work we compared the results of that survey with those of a more recent campaign carried out from May 2001 to May 2002, concluding that land based sources are still relevant for pp’DDE, the most stable metabolite of pp’DDT, while they are negligible for the parent compound. Furthermore, the Toce River, receiving the soil runoff of the industrial area, was found to give the greatest contribution of DDT and DDE load to the lake in the past campaign, while its load drastically decreased in 2001-2002 in the case of pp’DDT, being comparable to that of Ticino River(the second biggest river of the Lago Maggiore basin, which rises in the St. Gotthard Massif of the Swiss Alpes). Air transport and cold condensation are very likely responsible for trapping DDT and DDE in high mountain glaciers, which represent a secondary pollution source.

Indoor Secondary Pollutants from Household Product Emissions in the Presence of Ozone: A Bench-Scale Chamber Study

Ozone-driven chemistry is a source of indoor secondary pollutants of potential health concern. This study investigates secondary air pollutants formed from reactions between constituents of household products and ozone. Gas-phase product emissions were introduced along with ozone at constant rates into a 198-L Teflon-lined reaction chamber. Gas-phase concentrations of reactive terpenoids and oxidation products were measured. Formaldehyde was a predominant oxidation byproduct for the three studied products, with yields for most conditions of 20-30% with respect to ozone consumed. Acetaldehyde, acetone, glycolaldehyde, formic acid, and acetic acid were each also detected for two or three of the products. Immediately upon mixing of reactants, a scanning mobility particle sizer detected particle nucleation events that were followed by a significant degree of secondary particle growth. The production of secondary gaseous pollutants and particles depended primarily on the ozone level and was influenced by other parameters such as the air-exchange rate. Hydroxyl radical concentrations in the range 0.04-200 x 10(5) molecules cm(-3) were determined by an indirect method. OH concentrations were observed to vary strongly with residual ozone level in the chamber, which was in the range 1-25 ppb, as is consistent with expectations from a simplified kinetic model. In a separate chamber study, we exposed the dry residue of two products to ozone and observed the formation of gas-phase and particle-phase secondary oxidation products.