An Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography to Investigate Heavy Metals Pathways

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-324
Author(s):  
El Mehdi Benyassine ◽  
Ahmed Lachhab ◽  
Abdelilah Dekayir ◽  
Jean C. Parisot ◽  
Mohamed Rouai
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
High Resistivity ◽  
Lead And Zinc ◽  
High Atlas Mountains ◽  
Zinc Concentrations ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Average Lead ◽  
Risk Reduction Measures

The abandoned lead mine of Zeida is located at the center of the High Moulouya watershed between the Middle and the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Zeida has produced a total of 640,000 tons of concentrated lead during the 14 years of its activity (1972–1985). Three large tailings were left at the center of the mine on both sides of Moulouya River without any risk reduction measures or monitoring and there is a concern regarding heavy metal contamination of local groundwater. Samples taken from and around the tailings were found to contain average lead and zinc concentrations of 3,000 ppm and 140 ppm, respectively, primarily in the form of galena and barite. Prior studies have also found high concentrations of lead and zinc in both local wells near the town of Zeida and along the banks of Moulouya River. In this study, five electrical resistivity imaging surveys were performed to identify the risk of pollution and trace the pathways of mine-based contaminants to groundwater and to the Moulouya River. The analysis of electrical resistivity data has provided new insights showing: 1) an average tailings thickness of 15 m; 2) rounded structures with high resistivity values at the center and gradually decreasing toward their edges that are assumed to be granite, with fractures and a weathered zone; and 3) the potential pathways of heavy metal occur predominantly along these fractures and in the thick layers of the sandstone overlaying granitic bedrock.

Heavy-Metal Contamination by Atmospheric Fallout of Several Flin Flon Area Lakes and the Relation to Fish Populations

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 899-906 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Van Loon ◽  
R. J. Beamish
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Toxicity Tests ◽  
Atmospheric Fallout ◽  
High Zinc ◽  
Zinc Concentrations ◽  
Flin Flon ◽  
High Concentrations

High concentrations of zinc and other heavy metals were found in lakes in the immediate vicinity of the Flin Flon smelters. In a study of 31 lakes, 7 had Zn levels above 100 μg/ℓ, 6 had levels between 50 and 100 μg/ℓ, and the remainder had concentrations < 50 μg/ℓ. The accuracy and precision of the heavy metal chemical analyses were evaluated using intercomparisons with other laboratories and a standard reference water. A linear relationship was demonstrated between log10 concentration of Zn, Cu, and SO42− and log10 distance from the smelter, suggesting atmospheric fallout as the main source of these substances in the lakes. Fishes were more tolerant of these high zinc concentrations than would be expected on the basis of the responses of fish and other aquatic organisms to similar concentrations of zinc in some laboratory toxicity tests. Key words: heavy metals, zinc, atmospheric fallout, fish toxicity, lake contamination, chemical analysis, Flin Flon, Canada

scholarly journals Heavy Metal Contamination of Soils around a Hospital Waste Incinerator Bottom Ash Dumps Site

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Adama ◽  
R. Esena ◽  
B. Fosu-Mensah ◽  
D. Yirenya-Tawiah
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Bottom Ash ◽  
Waste Incineration ◽  
Waste Incinerator ◽  
Hospital Waste ◽  
Dump Site ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Health Care Waste

Waste incineration is the main waste management strategy used in treating hospital waste in many developing countries. However, the release of dioxins, POPs, and heavy metals in fly and bottom ash poses environmental and public health concerns. To determine heavy metal (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ag) in levels in incinerator bottom ash and soils 100 m around the incinerator bottom ash dump site, ash samples and surrounding soil samples were collected at 20 m, 40 m, 60 m, 80 m, 100 m, and 1,200 m from incinerator. These were analyzed using the absorption spectrophotometer method. The geoaccumulation (Igeo) and pollution load indices (PLI) were used to assess the level of heavy metal contamination of surrounding soils. The study revealed high concentrations in mg/kg for, Zn (16417.69), Pb (143.80), Cr (99.30), and Cd (7.54) in bottom ash and these were above allowable limits for disposal in landfill. The study also found soils within 60 m radius of the incinerator to be polluted with the metals. It is recommended that health care waste managers be educated on the implication of improper management of incinerator bottom ash and regulators monitor hospital waste incinerator sites.

ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION OF SOIL SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM THE AREA AROUND AL-MARQUB CEMENT PLANT

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Dr. Salem M. ELNakeib ◽  
Dr. Fathi K. Elyaagubi ◽  
Dr. Mohamed A. Alrabib ◽  
Eng. Afaf Abouzed ◽  
Eng. Hanan Saleh Wanis
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Calcium Content ◽  
Heavy Metal Concentration ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Cement Dust ◽  
Physiochemical Properties ◽  
Cement Factory ◽  
High Concentrations

Soil samples were collected from and around Almarqub cement factory, AL-Khums city, Libya. These samples were collected from four different sites M1 (inside the factory), M2 (150 m from the factory), M3 (350 m from the factory) and M4 (60 km away from the factory as the control samples. The study was conducted to determine the heavy metal concentration in the soil. Organic matter, pH and water content value were determined according to the method described by Chaturvedi and Sankar (2006). Metals were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results obtained for the examined physiochemical properties of soil in the area studied prove that cement dust from the Almarqub cement factory has had a significant impact on the soil. The affected soil properties are pH and total calcium content. These properties were found to be higher than those in similar soils from the same area unpolluted. The increase of soil pH in the same area may be a result of precipitation of cement dust over the years. Metal uptake from cement to soil and plants. Metals determined in contamination soil indicated high concentrations in M1 inside cement factory compared to soil samples as control. Results of the analysis have shown that there are signs of slight impact of soil properties arising from the cement dust on the soils, especially at location inside the factory. Recommendations were offered to monitor the dust falling on the soils through trapping and utilizing the dust emissions of cement.

Phyto- and zooplankton in fishponds contaminated with heavy metal runoff from a lead-zinc mine

2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Wilk-Woźniak ◽  
Agnieszka Pociecha ◽  
Dariusz Ciszewski ◽  
Urszula Aleksander-Kwaterczak ◽  
Edward Walusiak
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Zooplankton Species ◽  
Mine Waters ◽  
Lead And Zinc ◽  
Lead Zinc ◽  
Zinc Mine ◽  
Lead And Zinc Mine ◽  
Planktonic Communities

AbstractThis investigation focused on plankton inhabiting fishponds, which previously received mine waters from the lead-zinc mine ‘Matylda’, located in southern Poland (Upper Silesia). The purpose of the investigation was to study the effects of chronic and persistent contamination of fishpond bottom sediments with heavy metals originated from the lead and zinc mine. The phyto-and zooplankton in the four fishponds were dominated by diatoms, green algae and rotifers. Plankton composition of the reference non-contaminated pond was different, since Chrysophytes dominated, and Copepoda were the most numerous among zooplankton. In the contaminated fishponds, we observed teratological forms, both for phyto-and zooplankton species, but only as individuals. Our results showed that planktonic communities had adapted to chronic and persistent heavy metal contamination.

scholarly journals Heavy Metal Pollution and Mobility in Soils within a Landfill Vicinity: A South African Case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 1286-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Mwihaki Nyika ◽  
Ednah Kwamboka Onyari ◽  
Megersa Olumana Dinka ◽  
Shivani Bhardwaj Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Pollution ◽  
Heavy Metal Pollution ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Natural Occurrence ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Parent Rocks ◽  
High Concentrations

Heavy metal contamination in soils results from anthropogenic and lithologic factors and is a potential hazard to land and water resources. Sources of such pollution include landfills, domestic sewage, agricultural fertilisers and industries. In this work, soils from Roundhill landfill vicinity in South Africa were sampled and analyzed to determine the concentrations of particular heavy metals, namely As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. The main objectives of this work were to: quantify the concentration levels of heavy metals in the soil; determine the mobility of the heavy metals in the soil; and establish their origins and interrelationships. The soils were collected at various distances and depths from the landfill facility. The concentrations of heavy metals in the soil samples were analysed by ICP-MS and statistical analysis was carried out to establish their relationships and sources. From the analysis, some elements including Cr, Mn, Cu and Ni had measured concentrations beyond the threshold limits in most sampling sites irrespective of their distance and depth from the landfill vicinity. Conversely, some elements were observed to be immobile and had higher concentrations on the top soils closer to the landfill, such as As, Pb, Zn, Co and V. Iron (Fe) had high concentrations in all the sampling sites due to its natural occurrence in the parent rocks. In conclusion, the potential of soil quality deterioration due to heavy metal pollution in a landfill vicinity was observed. Furthermore, all heavy metals observed showed positive correlation to each other except for As and Co, indicating same origin.

scholarly journals Leaching of Carbon Reinforced Concrete—Part 1: Experimental Investigations

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 4405
Author(s):  
Lia Weiler ◽  
Anya Vollpracht
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Outdoor Exposure ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Background Concentrations ◽  
Steel Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Zinc Concentrations ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Outdoor Behavior

The composite material ‘carbon concrete composite (C3)’ is currently capturing the building sector as an ‘innovative’ and ‘sustainable’ alternative to steel reinforced concrete. In this work, its environmental compatibility was investigated. The focus of this research was the leaching behavior of C3, especially for the application as irrigated façade elements. Laboratory and outdoor exposure tests were run to determine and assess the heavy metal and trace element emissions. In the wake of this work, the validity of laboratory experiments and the transferability to outdoor behavior were investigated. The experimental results show very low releases of environmental harmful substances from carbon concrete composite. Most heavy metal concentrations were in the range of <0.1–8 µg/L, and higher concentrations (up to 32 µg/L) were found for barium, chromium, and copper. Vanadium and zinc concentrations were in the range of 0.1–60 µg/L, boron and nickel concentrations were clearly exceeding 100 µg/L. Most of the high concentrations were found to be a result of the rainfall background concentrations. The material C3 is therefore considered to be environmentally friendly. There is no general correlation between laboratory leaching data and outdoor emissions. The results depend on the examined substance and used method. The prediction and evaluation of the leaching of building elements submitted to rain is therefore challenging. This topic is debated in the second part of this publication.

scholarly journals Phytotesting of heavy metal contamination of Donbass soils

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Tatiana Kravsun ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Artemisia Vulgaris ◽  
Industrial Facilities ◽  
Centaurea Diffusa ◽  
Senecio Vulgaris ◽  
Soil Solutions ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Plant Germination

The article presents the results of phytotesting of soil solutions with high concentrations of heavy metal ions. The sensitivity of Donbass species plant to soil pollution was established by specific transformations in the structures of the embryonic root Achillea nobilis L., Artemisia vulgaris L., Centaurea diffusa Lam., Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Senecio vulgaris L., Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Sch. Bip. Model experiments on plant germination were carried out in laboratory conditions with fixed concentrations of individual metals and with joint pollution, as well as when testing soil samples taken in the zones of influence of industrial facilities of Don-bass.

scholarly journals GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BANANA, BURITI PALM, JUTE AND COIR FIBRES FOR USE AS BIOGEOTEXTILES FOR EROSION CONTROL

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Izuchukwu Egbujuo ◽  
Michael A. Fullen ◽  
Antonio J. T. Guerra ◽  
Alexander Iheanyi Opara
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Soil System ◽  
Geochemical Composition ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Jute Cloth ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Banana Leaf

Geochemical analysis of selected plant fibres used as geotextiles for erosion control was conducted to evaluate their geochemical composition and to determine the elements that could potentially be nutrients for plants or cause heavy metal contamination in soils. Analysis of the samples was performed using X-ray Diffraction and X-ray Fluorescence spectrometry. Results revealed that potassium concentrations varied from 3.63% in jute-mat (India)-50.73% in banana-leaf (São Romão, Brazil), with a mean of 27.17%. Similarly, calcium concentrations varied from 0.09% in banana-leaf (São Romão) –37.0% in banana-leaf/stem (Oleo, Brazil). Iron concentrations varied from 0.15% in banana-leaf/stem samples (Oleo) –4.47% in jute-cloth (India). Since banana-leaf/stem had the highest concentration of macro-nutrients, it is therefore proposed that banana-leaf has the highest potential for adding nutrients to the soil system when biodegraded. In addition, heavy metal analysis of the samples revealed that none of the fibres have high concentrations that may contaminate the soil upon decomposition.

Low Cost Absorbents, Techniques, and Heavy Metal Removal Efficiency

2018 ◽  
pp. 50-79
Author(s):  
Harendra Kumar Sharma ◽  
Irfan Rashid Sofi ◽  
Khursheed Ahmad Wani
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Metal Removal ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Heavy Metal Removal ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Removal Of Heavy Metals ◽  
Living Species ◽  
High Concentrations

Heavy metal contamination in water is a serious concern to the environment and human health. High concentrations of heavy metals in the environment can be toxic to a variety of living species. Natural bio-absorbents are abundant and inexpensive and considered a waste if not managed properly. The role of bio-absorbents has been widely studied and has been utilized for the removal of heavy metals. The objective of the chapter is to search the database for different absorbents and their efficiency for the removal of heavy metals. Key words related to the study have been used to select different papers published by the researchers all over the world. A rigorous three-tier process has been utilized by the authors to select the papers from the database for the current study. This chapter has identified a few research gaps in the field of heavy metal removal by using different low cast absorbents that need to be taken into account in future research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document