EVALUATION OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN JAJARM BAUXITE DEPOSIT IN NORTHEAST OF IRAN USING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION INDICES

This study aims to investigate the quality and vulnerability of surface water (Aries River catchment) in order to identify the impact of past mining activities. For this purpose, the pollution and water quality indices, Piper and Durov plots, as well vulnerability modeling maps were used. The obtained results indicate that the water samples were contaminated with As, Fe, Mn, Pb and have relatively high concentrations of SO42−, HCO3−, TDS, Ca, K, Mg and high values for the electrical conductivity. Possible sources of the high content of chemicals could be the natural processes or the inputs of the mine drainage. Generally, according to the pollution indices, which were correlated to high concentrations of heavy metals, especially with Pb, Fe and Mn, the water samples were characterized by heavy metals pollution. The water quality index classified the studied water samples into five different classes of quality, namely: unsuitable for drinking, poor, medium, good and excellent quality. Similarly, medium, high and very high vulnerability classes were observed. The Durov and Piper plots classified the waters into Mg-HCO3− and Ca-Cl− types. The past and present mining activities clearly change the water chemistry and alter the quality of the Aries River, with the water requiring specific treatments before use.

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Assessment of heavy metal pollution in soil and bottom sediment of Upper Egypt: comparison study

Bulletin of the National Research Centre ◽

10.1186/s42269-019-0233-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Esmat Ahmed Abou El-Anwar

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽

Toxic Waste ◽

Anthropogenic Source ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Upper Egypt ◽

Pulp Paper ◽

Heavy Metals Pollution ◽

Cultivated Soils

Abstract Background Aswan and Luxor Governorates are characterized by multifaceted activities such as cement, chemicals, fertilizers, detergents, nitrogen fertilizer factory at Aswan, the sugar and diary factory at Kom Ombo, and several other factories such as the sugar, pulp, paper, ferrosilicon, and phosphate factories at Edfu, urbanization and agriculture. In addition, there is a main sewage station which is used for irrigation of many crops. Assessing the pollution of soil and sediment with some heavy metals in these areas is the main aim of the current work. Results The average heavy metals content in the studied cultivated soils and Nile sediments are above the acceptable levels. Generally, Nile sediments and cultivated soils at Aswan and Luxor were unpolluted to moderately polluted with heavy metals. Pollution indices indicated that the studied Nile sediments were at considerably ecological risk from Cd (Er = 138.89) and Zn (Er = 140.52). In contrast, the cultivated soil was at very high ecological risk from Cd (Er = 295.24). Conclusions The current research revealed that the soil and sediments in the Upper Egypt are less polluted than Lower Egypt. Thus, the concentrations of toxic elements are increased from south to north direction in Egypt along the Nile River. The sources of the toxic metals may possibly be natural or anthropogenic in the studied area. The anthropogenic source is resulting from paper, pulp, ferrosilicon factories, and phosphate mining at Edfu. In addition, there are some polluting industries such as sand quarry, shale mining, and the nitrogen fertilizer factory at Aswan. On the other hand, the natural sources of toxic waste are the drains during the seasonal flash floods.

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Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Levels in Sediments and of Ecological Risk by Quality Indices, Applying a Case Study: The Lower Danube River, Romania

Water ◽

10.3390/w13131801 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 1801

Author(s):

Valentina Andreea Calmuc ◽

Madalina Calmuc ◽

Maxim Arseni ◽

Catalina Maria Topa ◽

Mihaela Timofti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Metal Pollution ◽

Heavy Metal Pollution ◽

Surface Sediments ◽

Risk Index ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Danube River ◽

Pollution Indices

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.

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Heavy Metals—Toxicity and Environmental Pollution

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - Metal Ions in Biological Systems ◽

10.1007/978-1-4684-3240-4_10 ◽

1973 ◽

pp. 239-297 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jack Schubert

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Environmental Pollution ◽

Heavy Metals Toxicity

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Assessment of Heavy Metals Content in the Proximity of a Contaminated Site From Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Ambientum ◽

10.24193/subbambientum.2020.2.02 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

pp. 17-37

Author(s):

Georgiana Grosu ◽

◽

Carmen Andreea Roba ◽

Ramona Bălc ◽

Maria Lucia Bizău-Cârstea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

Multivariate Statistical Analysis ◽

Sediment Contamination ◽

Contaminated Site ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Chemical Parameters ◽

Multivariate Statistical ◽

Water And Sediment ◽

Physico Chemical

The present study was conducted in the proximity of a contaminated site from Cluj-Napoca city (Cluj County, Romania), where metal processing activities have been carried out for decades. Metal content and physico-chemical parameters were analyzed in soil, water and sediment samples, while organic matter (OM) and total organic carbon (TOC) was additionally analyzed for the soil samples. The sources of heavy metals were evaluated based on multivariate statistical analysis, while the soil and sediment contamination degree was assessed based on specific pollution indices. The calculated indices indicated a significant pollution with Cd and Pb, which may represent a risk if the area would become a residential area. Keywords: heavy metals, contaminated site, soil pollution indices, multivariate statistical analysis, Cluj-Napoca

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