scholarly journals Assessing the relevance of atmospheric heavy metal deposition with regard to ecosystem integrity and human health in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Schlutow ◽  
Winfried Schröder ◽  
Thomas Scheuschner
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Atmospheric Deposition ◽  
Critical Load ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Critical Loads ◽  
Critical Values ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Technical Instructions ◽  
Ruhr Valley

Abstract Background The critical values for heavy metal fluxes for protecting the human health and ecosystem’s integrity in Germany, especially the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG in Gesetz zum Schutz vor schädlichen Umwelteinwirkungen durch Luftverunreinigungen, Geräusche, Erschütterungen und ähnliche Vorgänge (Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz-BImSchG), 1974/2020) with its implementing ordinances (especially the 39th BImSchV in Neununddreißigste Verordnung zur Durchführung des Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetzes Verordnung über Luftqualitätsstandards und Emissionshöchstmengen vom 2. August 2010, zuletzt geändert durch Art. 2 V v. 18.7.2018 I 1222, 2010, 2018), the Federal Soil Protection Ordinance (BBodSchV in Bundes-Bodenschutz- und Altlastenverordnung (BBodSchV) (GBBl. I S. 1554 vom 12. Juli 1999, zuletzt durch Artikel 3 Absatz 4 der Verordnung vom 27. September 2017 (BGBl. I S. 3465) ge-ändert, 1999/2015) and the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (Luft in Erste Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zum Bundes–Immissionsschutzgesetz (Technische Anleitung zur Reinhaltung der Luft – TA Luft), 2002), were analysed, assessed with regard to the possibilities and applicability of the risk assessment, and were prepared for evaluation in comparison to the respective atmospheric deposition modelled with the chemical transport model LOTOS-EUROS. For a comparison of the critical values, the critical loads for cadmium, lead and mercury inputs were updated for Germany on a scale of 1:1 Mio, and critical loads for additional heavy metals (arsenic, copper, zinc, chromium and nickel) were computed, respectively. Due to the methodological differences of their derivation, the critical values of the individual regulations are only conditionally comparable to one another and to the critical loads. Sometimes major differences exist due to different levels of protection, various protective goods and the effect relationship. Only with the critical load calculations, inputs and outputs can be balanced. Results For two unregulated metals (thallium and vanadium) a preliminary rough estimate of the risk of inputs in the receptors was provided as a calculated balance for in- and acceptable outputs. The uncertainty analysis shows, that the highest deviations occurred in the metal contents in plants used to calculate the output through the harvesting of the biomass. The critical load calculation has the highest sensitivity to changes in the pH value. The critical loads for heavy metal fluxes for protecting the human health (CL(M)drink) and ecosystem’s integrity CL(M)eco) for arsenic, nickel, zinc and chromium were not exceeded in Germany for 2009–2011. CL(M)drink and CL(M)eco are exceeded by Hg and Pb inputs, especially in the low rainfall regions of Germany (Brandenburg, lowlands of Saxony-Anhalt, Leipzig Bay, Ruhr valley) with wood vegetation; in addition CL(Cu)eco is exceeded by copper deposition 2010 in the area surrounding Berlin and in the Ruhr valley. The critical loads for cadmium for the protection of drinking water CL(Cd)drink and for the protection of human food from wheat products CL(Cd)food are not exceeded in the German data set due to atmospheric deposition in 2010, but in the worst-case scenario the maximum atmospheric deposition in 2010 could exceeded the lowest CL(Cd)drink and CL(Cd)food. Conclusions That assessment of risks was based on deposition from the atmosphere, which represents only a fraction of the inputs compared to the inputs from the use of fertilisers and other sources. This study suggests the conclusive recommendation to methodically deepen and broaden the assessment and evaluation of atmospheric deposition. This is especially true for the spatial validation and specification of exposure for ecosystem types.

scholarly journals Atmospheric Deposition and Element Accumulation in Moss Sampled across Germany 1990–2015: Trends and Relevance for Ecological Integrity and Human Health

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Angela Schlutow ◽  
Winfried Schröder ◽  
Stefan Nickel
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Atmospheric Deposition ◽  
Critical Load ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Critical Loads ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Ecological Integrity ◽  
Transport Modelling ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Trends ◽  
Element Accumulation

Deposition of N and heavy metals can impact ecological and human health. This state-of-the-art review addresses spatial and temporal trends of atmospheric deposition as monitored by element accumulation in moss and compares heavy metals Critical Loads for protecting human health and ecosystem’s integrity with modelled deposition. The element accumulation due to deposition was measured at up to 1026 sites collected across Germany 1990–2015. The deposition data were derived from chemical transport modelling and evaluated with regard to Critical Loads published in relevant legal regulations. The moss data indicate declining nitrogen and HM deposition. Ecosystem and human health Critical Loads for As, Ni, Zn, and Cr were not exceeded in Germany 2009–2011. Respective Critical Loads were exceeded by Hg and Pb inputs, especially in the low rainfall regions with forest coverage. The Critical Load for Cu was exceeded by atmospheric deposition in 2010 in two regions. Human health Critical Loads for Cd were not exceeded by atmospheric deposition in 2010. However, the maximum deposition in 2010 exceeded the lowest human health Critical Load. This impact assessment was based only on deposition but not on inputs from other sources such as fertilizers. Therefore, the assessment should be expanded with regard to other HM sources and specified for different ecosystem types.

A critical review of mass balance methods for calculating critical loads of nitrogen for forested ecosystems

1993 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. H. Pardo ◽  
C. T. Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Atmospheric Deposition ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Critical Load ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Critical Loads ◽  
Balance Method ◽  
Mass Balance Method ◽  
Basic Cation ◽  
State Water

Critical loads are used in the assessment of air pollution and regulation of the causative emissions to prevent or mitigate ecological damage. We critically review four mass balance methods for calculating critical loads for nitrogen deposition: the steady-state water chemistry method, the nitrogen mass balance method, the basic cation mass balance method, and the steady-state mass balance method. The critical loads may be calculated with respect to effects of acidification associated with nitrate leaching or effects of elevated nitrogen such as eutrophication, excess nitrate loss, and nutrient imbalances. The most useful method for calculating the critical load for nitrogen with respect to effects of elevated atmospheric deposition of nitrogen is the nitrogen mass balance method. The steady-state water chemistry method can be readily applied for regional-scale calculations because it requires only water chemistry data from synoptic surveys of surface waters and does not explicitly consider biogeochemical processes. Both of the other approaches are severely limited by lack of quantitative information on rates of mineral weathering. If weathering data were available, the steady-state mass balance method could be more effectively used to assess critical loads with respect to acidification. Similarly, the basic cation mass balance method could be used to calculate critical loads for both acidity and elevated nitrogen effects. Because of the complexity of the nitrogen cycle, it is not possible to obtain a single critical load for the whole ecosystem. Rather, one should analyze and synthesize several values of critical loads that reflect different components of the ecosystem and different ecological effects of elevated nitrogen deposition (e.g., acidification and eutrophication effects).Key words: atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, acidification, critical loads, nitrogen cycling.

A synchrotron X-ray study of the electron density in C-type rare earth oxides

1996 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. N. Maslen ◽  
V. A. Streltsov ◽  
N. Ishizawa
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Rare Earth ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Approximate Symmetry ◽  
Data Set ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Metal Atoms ◽  
Structure Factors ◽  
Deformation Electron Density ◽  
Synthetic Crystals

Structure factors for small synthetic crystals of the C-type rare earth (RE) sesquioxides Y2O3, Dy2O3 and Ho2O3 were measured with focused λ = 0.7000 (2) Å, synchrotron X-radiation, and for Ho2O3 were re-measured with an MoKα (λ = 0.71073 Å) source. Approximate symmetry in the deformation electron density (Δρ) around a RE atom with pseudo-octahedral O coordination matches the cation geometry. Interactions between heavy metal atoms have a pronounced effect on the Δρ map. The electron-density symmetry around a second RE atom is also perturbed significantly by cation–anion interactions. The compounds magnetic properties reflect this complexity. Space group Ia{\bar 3}, cubic, Z = 16, T = 293 K: Y2O3, Mr = 225.82, a = 10.5981 (7) Å, V = 1190.4 (2) Å3, Dx = 5.040 Mg m−3, μ 0.7 = 37.01 mm−1, F(000) = 1632, R = 0.067, wR = 0.067, S = 9.0 (2) for 1098 unique reflections; Dy2O3, Mr = 373.00, a = 10.6706 (7) Å, V = 1215.0 (2) Å3, Dx = 8.156 Mg m−3, μ 0.7 = 44.84 mm−1, F(000) = 2496, R = 0.056, wR = 0.051, S = 7.5 (2) for 1113 unique reflections; Ho2O3, Mr = 377.86, a = 10.606 (2) Å, V = 1193.0 (7) Å3, Dx = 8.415 Mg m−3, μ 0.7 = 48.51 mm−1 F(000) = 2528, R = 0.072, wR = 0.045, S = 9.2 (2) for 1098 unique reflections of the synchrotron data set.

scholarly journals Detecting Heterogeneity of Substitution Along DNA and Protein Sequences

Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
pp. 589-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J E Goss ◽  
R C Lewontin
Keyword(s):  
Null Hypothesis ◽  
Nonuniform Distribution ◽  
Critical Values ◽  
Third Order ◽  
Variance Test ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Uniformly Most Powerful Test ◽  
Interval Lengths ◽  
Uniformly Most Powerful

Abstract Regions of differing constraint, mutation rate or recombination along a sequence of DNA or amino acids lead to a nonuniform distribution of polymorphism within species or fixed differences between species. The power of five tests to reject the null hypothesis of a uniform distribution is studied for four classes of alternate hypothesis. The tests explored are the variance of interval lengths; a modified variance test, which includes covariance between neighboring intervals; the length of the longest interval; the length of the shortest third-order interval; and a composite test. Although there is no uniformly most powerful test over the range of alternate hypotheses tested, the variance and modified variance tests usually have the highest power. Therefore, we recommend that one of these two tests be used to test departure from uniformity in all circumstances. Tables of critical values for the variance and modified variance tests are given. The critical values depend both on the number of events and the number of positions in the sequence. A computer program is available on request that calculates both the critical values for a specified number of events and number of positions as well as the significance level of a given data set.

Heavy Metal and Mineral Composition of Soil, Atmospheric Deposition, and Mosses with Regard to Integrated Pollution Assessment Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 833-851
Author(s):  
Sibel Mentese ◽  
Özlem Tonguc Yayintas ◽  
Batuhan Bas ◽  
Latife Ceyda İrkin ◽  
Selehattin Yilmaz
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Atmospheric Deposition ◽  
Mineral Composition ◽  
Pollution Assessment ◽  
Assessment Approach

scholarly journals Human Health Risk Distribution and Safety Threshold of Cadmium in Soil of Coal Chemical Industry Area

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 678
Author(s):  
Kai Zhang ◽  
XiaoNan Li ◽  
ZhenYu Song ◽  
JiaYu Yan ◽  
MengYue Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Chemical Industry ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Oral Intake ◽  
Carcinogenic Risk ◽  
Kriging Interpolation Method ◽  
Industry Area

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly carcinogenic metal that plays an important role in the risk management of soil pollution. In this study, 153 soil samples were collected from a coal chemical plant in northwest China, and the human health risks associated with Cd were assessed through multiple exposure pathways. Meanwhile, by the Kriging interpolation method, the spatial distribution and health risks of Cd were explored. The results showed that the average concentration of Cd in the soil was 0.540 mg/kg, which was 4.821 and 5.567 times that of the soil background value in Ningxia and China, respectively. In comparison, the concentration of Cd in the soil was below the national soil environmental quality three-level standard (1.0 mg/kg). In addition, health risk assessment results showed that the total carcinogenic risk of Cd was 1.269 × 10−6–2.189 × 10−6, both above the acceptable criteria (1 × 10−6), while the hazard quotient was within the acceptable level. Oral intake and ingestion of soil particles were the main routes of exposure, and the carcinogenic risk control value of oral intake was the lowest (0.392 mg/kg), which could be selected as the strict reference of the safety threshold for Cd in the coal chemical soil. From Kriging, a prediction map can be centrally predicted on heavy metal pollution in the area surrounding the coal entrance corridor and pedestrian entrance. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the determination of the heavy metal safety threshold of the coal chemical industry in China.

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