scholarly journals A preliminary assessment of potential ecological risk and soil contamination by heavy metals around a cement factory, western Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 671-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen M. El-Sherbiny ◽  
Ali I. Ismail ◽  
Mohamed E. EL-Hefnawy

AbstractTwenty surface soil samples (0-10 cm) and shoots of a perennial shrub Zygophyllum coccineum L. were collected around a cement factory on the western coast of Saudi Arabia, in order to assess concentrations of some heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). The most noticeable among all heavy metals was Pb that showed an average concentration of 460.15±86.60 μg g-1 followed by Cr (138.67±30.89 μg g-1), Zn (54.41±43.79 μg g-1), Ni (41.22±12.60 μg g-1) and Cu (33.48±12.52 μg g-1). Based on biological concentration factor analysis, Z. coccineum can be considered as an accumulator only for zinc (BCF >1). Estimation of various ecological contamination factors revealed the significant impact of Pb in the environmental pollution in the region. It is also understood that the primary contribution to the ecological risk index (RI) mainly originated from various anthropogenic influences such as industrialization and urbanization. The different statistical analysis further revealed the potential effect of soil characteristics on the occurrence and dispersal of heavy metals in the study area.

2012 ◽  
Vol 610-613 ◽  
pp. 928-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Min Zhang ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Ai Min Song ◽  
Jian Qiao Qin ◽  
Ming Wei Song

This paper was seleced Qingyuan as a case study, in order to analyze Hg, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr concentrations of the soil samples. And used the Hakanson potential ecological risk index method to assess the potential ecological risks of concentrations of heavy metals in soil. The results shows that the average concentration of Hg, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr in soil is 6.45, 0.26, 20.25, 119.11, 181.67, 189.22, 0.27, 32.92, 201.35 mg•kg-1 respectively. The rank by severity of ecological risk as Hg > Cu > Pb > As > Cr > Cd > Ni > Zn, based on their single-element indexes. Heavy metals in several samples of the soil have posed a serious threat on the ecosystem.


Author(s):  
Song Cui ◽  
Fuxiang Zhang ◽  
Peng Hu ◽  
Rupert Hough ◽  
Qiang Fu ◽  
...  

The concentrations and ecological risk of six widespread heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb) were investigated and evaluated in sediments from both urban and rural rivers in a northeast city of China. The decreasing trend of the average concentration of heavy metals was Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd in Majiagou River (urban) and was Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd in Yunliang River (rural). The results showed that the concentrations of Cd and Zn were significantly elevated compared to the environmental background value (p < 0.05). Half of all sampling locations were deemed ‘contaminated’ as defined by the improved Nemerow pollution index (PN’ > 1.0). Applying the potential ecological risk index (RI) indicated a ‘high ecological risk’ for both rivers, with Cd accounting for more than 80% in both cases. Source apportionment indicated a significant correlation between Cd and Zn in sediments (R = 0.997, p < 0.01) in Yunliang River, suggesting that agricultural activities could be the major sources. Conversely, industrial production, coal burning, natural sources and traffic emissions are likely to be the main pollution sources for heavy metals in Majiagou River. This study has improved our understanding of how human activities, industrial production, and agricultural production influence heavy metal pollution in urban and rural rivers, and it provides a further weight of evidence for the linkages between different pollutants and resulting levels of heavy metals in riverine sediments.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 1801
Author(s):  
Valentina Andreea Calmuc ◽  
Madalina Calmuc ◽  
Maxim Arseni ◽  
Catalina Maria Topa ◽  
Mihaela Timofti ◽  
...  

It is a well–known fact that heavy metal pollution in sediments causes serious problems not only in the Danube basin, but also in the large and small adjacent river streams. A suitable method for assessing the level of heavy metals and their toxicity in sediments is the calculation of pollution indices. The present research aims to assess heavy metal pollution in the Lower Danube surface sediments collected along the Danube course (between 180 and 60 km) up to the point where the Danube River flows into the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO, protected area). In addition, this monitored area is one of the largest European hydrographic basins. Five heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu) were analyzed in two different seasons, i.e., the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 2019, using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP– MS) technique. Our assessment of heavy metal pollution revealed two correlated aspects: 1. a determination of the potential risks of heavy metals in sediments by calculating the Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), and 2. an evaluation of the influence of anthropogenic activities on the level of heavy metal contamination in the surface sediments, using three specific pollution indices, namely, the Geo–Accumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (CF), and the Pollution Load Index (PLI). The results of this pioneering research activity in the region highlighted the presence of moderate metal (Ni and Cd) pollution and a low potential ecological risk for the aquatic environment.


Author(s):  
Chunsheng Qiu ◽  
Jinxin Zheng ◽  
Chenchen Wang ◽  
Bingbing Wang ◽  
Nannan Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract The migration, transformation and ecological risk of heavy metals (Cr, As, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in the sewage sludge during the microwave-assisted thermal hydrolysis process were investigated under different temperatures (80 °C, 100 °C, 120 °C, 140 °C, and 160 °C). The potential relationship between the bio-availability of heavy metals and the variables of microwave treatment, including pH, ammonium-nitrogen, soluble chemical oxygen demand, pH, soluble protein, soluble polysaccharide and volatile solid, was also explored. The results showed that the migration of heavy metals between solid-liquid phase mainly depended on the temperature. The percentage of all heavy metals (except Cu) in mobile (acid-soluble/exchangeable and reducible) forms decreased after microwave-assisted thermal hydrolysis treatment. The solubilization of compounds with C = O and O-H accompanied with the generation of organic and inorganic metal halides were also observed in the treated sludge through fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. NH4+-N showed the highest negative correlation to the bio-availability of most heavy metals (except Cu and Cr) with coefficients (absolute value) over 0.87 (P &lt; 0.05). VS showed a positive correlation to the bio-availability of most heavy metals (except Cu). The total potential ecological risk index (RI) decreased by 46.65% after microwave treatment at 160 °C.


2014 ◽  
Vol 955-959 ◽  
pp. 2280-2284
Author(s):  
Kai Yue Gong ◽  
Pei Shi Qi ◽  
Yun Zhi Liu

In this study, the distribution and enrichment characters of heavy metals were explored. And the potential ecological risk levels of heavy metals were evaluated by geo-accumulation index method and potential ecological risk index method. The concentrations of heavy metals in sediments of Harbin section of Songhua River are: Zn>Pb>Cr>Cu>Ni>Cd. The enrichment degree of Zn is the highest, while Cd is the lowest. The potential ecological risk indexes of heavy metals in the sediments of section of Songhua River in Harbin are: Cd>Pb>Cu>Zn>Ni>Cr. The main heavy metals pollution is Cd, which has low content but considerable potential ecological risk and contributes most to RI. The ecological risk level of heavy metals in the sediments of the section of Songhua River in Harbin is moderate.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-117
Author(s):  
Nagaiah Pooveneswary ◽  
Ahmad Farid Bin Abu Bakar ◽  
Bong Chui Wei ◽  
Choon Weng Lee ◽  
Wang Ai Jun ◽  
...  

Abstract A study on contamination status and ecological risk of heavy metals in surface sediment at selected sites on Kelantan River and its nearshore area was carried out. Ten samples along Kelantan River and 25 samples from the nearshore were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to determine heavy metal concentrations. Sediment samples were also analyzed for particle size compositions, total organic matter and pH content. The average concentrations for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn were 7.38, 1.31, 17.71, 11.40, 507.15, 5.97, 22.61, 32.95 mg/kg for riverine and 14.14, 4.59, 29.79, 14.07, 389.96, 9.65, 62.21, 41.04 mg/kg for nearshore samples respectively. The potential ecological risk index showed stations Bekok, Manek Urai, and RH under considerable risk followed by station Pasir Mas under moderate risk. The pollution load index classified four nearshore sites (KW10, KW17, KW18, KW37) as polluted. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) categorized moderate contamination for Cd and Pb. The enrichment factor (EF) along the river categorized extremely high enrichment for Cd, and significant enrichment for As, Pb and Mn while Pb and As were under very high and significant enrichment in nearshore areas. Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Ni and Cr showed significant correlations with each other.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Y. Lim ◽  
N. A. Zakaria ◽  
K. Y. Foo

Abstract The present work is aimed at assessing the aftermath effects of the 2014 flood tragedy on the distribution, pollution status and ecological risks of the heavy metals deposited in the surface river sediment. A series of environmental pollution indexes, specifically the enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), modified degree of contamination (mCd), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PERI) and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) have been adopted. Results revealed that the freshly deposited sediments collected soon after the flood event were dominated by Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cr and Cd, with the average concentrations of 38.74, 16,892, 17.71, 4.65, 29.22, 42.36 and 0.29 mg/kg, respectively. According to the heavy metal pollution indexes, Pahang River sediments were moderately to severely contaminated with Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr, while Cd with the highest risk of 91.09 was the predominant element that illustrated an aesthetic ecological risk to the water body after the tragic flood event. The findings highlighted a critical deterioration of the heavy metals content, driven by the catastrophic flood event, which has drastically altered their geochemical cycles, sedimentary pollution status and biochemical balance of the river's environment.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 431
Author(s):  
Liangliang Huang ◽  
Saeed Rad ◽  
Li Xu ◽  
Liangying Gui ◽  
Xiaohong Song ◽  
...  

This research has focused on the source identification, concentration, and ecological risk assessment of eight heavy metals in the largest karst wetland (Huixian) of south China. Numerous samples from superficial soil and sediment within ten representative landuse types were collected and examined, and the results were analyzed using multiple methods. Single pollution index (Pi) results were underpinned by the Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) method, in which Cd was observed as the priority pollutant with the highest contamination degree in this area. As for the most polluted landuse type, via applying Nemerow’s synthetical contamination index (PN) and Potential ecological risk index (RI), the river and rape field posed the highest ecological risks, while moderate for the rest. To quantify the drivers of the contaminants, a principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out and weathering of the watershed’s parent carbonate rocks was found to be the main possible origin, followed by anthropogenic sources induced by agricultural fertilizer. Considering the impacts of these potentially toxic elements on public health, the results of this study are essential to take preventive actions for environmental protection and sustainable development in the region.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Gao ◽  
Huaidong Zhou ◽  
Yong Huang ◽  
Yuchun Wang ◽  
Jijun Gao ◽  
...  

The concentrations, distribution, accumulation, and potential ecological risk of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, As, Pb, Cd, and Hg) in sediments from the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) tributaries were determined and studied. Pb isotopic compositions in sediments were also measured to effectively identify the potential Pb sources. The results showed that the average concentrations of heavy metals in sediment of TGR tributaries were higher than the local background values of soils and sediments in China. The assessment by Geoaccumulation Index indicated that Cu, Ni, and Hg were at the “slightly polluted” level and Cd was ranked as the “moderately polluted” level in tributary sediments of TGR. The assessment by Potential Ecological Risk Index showed that Hg and Cd were the predominant elements in tributary sediments in TGR. The Pb isotopic ratios in sediments varied from 1.171 to 1.202 for206Pb/207Pb and from 2.459 to 2.482 for208Pb/207Pb in TGR. All Pb isotopic ratios in sediments were similar to those from coal combustion, lead ores (the mining activities and smelting process), and cement material, indicating that these anthropogenic inputs may be the main sources for Pb pollution in sediments of TGR tributaries.


Author(s):  
L. Salami ◽  
J. G. Akinbomi ◽  
R. J. Patinvoh

Soil contaminated with heavy metals poses an ecological risk especially to public health. The aim of this work is to assess the ecological risk of heavy metals in soil of Lagos State University (LASU), Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from 8 different points in LASU which were stored in various polythene bags labeled SS1 – SS8. A control sample was taken 1 km away from LASU and was labeled SC9. All the sampling locations were identified using handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) for the purpose of universal identification. The soil samples were analysed for nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and Iron (Fe) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Enrichment factor (EF), potential ecological risk (Ei) and ecological risk index (RI) were carried out using the data from the analysis. The results revealed that all the EF values were less than 2 except that of lead in SS1. The Ei values were less than 40 except that of lead in SS1. Moreover RI values of all the soil samples investigated were less than 150. It was obvious from this work that the soil of LASU, Epe, Lagos State, were not enriched with heavy metals and have a low potential ecological risk.


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