GEO- AND PHYTO-MONITORING OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SMELTING INDUSTRY IN IKIRUN, NIGERIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-308
Author(s):  
Mojeed Olalekan Bello ◽  
N. Abdus-Salam ◽  
N. A. Odebunmi ◽  
A. A. Jimoh

This research monitored the level of some heavy metals in soil and a plant species around iron smelting industry. The soil in different depths D1 (0 -10 cm), D2 (10 – 20 cm) and D3 (20 -30 cm) and plant (Tithonia diversifolia) known as Mexican sunflower were sampled in four soil sampling points (SSP) and plant sampling points (PSP)  which are 50, 100, 150 and 200 m away from the industry. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn in the soil and plant digest were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Some physicochemical properties like pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter were also measured. The result of the analysis of the heavy metals in the soil was in the sequence Fe > Zn > Cu >Pb> Cr at SSP1 SSP2 and SSP4 while Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb at SSP3. In the plant, the result showed the presence of these heavy metals except Pb which was not present in any sampling points. The concentration of iron (Fe) in the plant decreased away from PSP1 to PSP4 around the industry. The physicochemical properties like pH which influenced the availability of metals in soil were found to increase away from SSP1 to SSP4 and consequently its effect on the concentration of these heavy metals in plants, particularly for Fe and Zn. Although, heavy metals monitored were within the permissible limit of WHO except Fe in soil, the trend of their presence in 

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Nageeb Rashed ◽  
Mohamed ELSadeek Fouad Toufeek ◽  
Mahmoud Abedeldaium Eltaher ◽  
Ayman Outhman Elbadry

Electrical conductivity, pH, organic matter, carbonates and five heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Pb) were measured seasonally in the sediments of River Nile (Egypt) during 2015. Ten sectors include 30 sites were selected along River Nile from Aswan to Armant to assess the levels of the studied parameters. Heavy metals in sediments were in the order of Pb < Cu < Zn < Mn < Fe, which indicated that Pb was found to be the least concentration in sediments, whereas Fe was the most accumulated element. Pearson’s correlation coefficients among the measured parameters were tested. Zn, Cu and Pb were positively correlated with electrical conductivity and organic matter accumulation and also they were positively correlated with each other. Sediments pollution load was studied through pollution indices [geo-accumulation index, pollution load index, modified degree of contamination, contamination factor and enrichment factor]. The pollution indices confirmed that the River Nile sediments in the studied area were not contaminated with these heavy metals except for some samples collected from certain sites as a result of the anthropogenic activities at these sites.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collin J. Weber ◽  
Alexander Santowski ◽  
Peter Chifflard

Abstract. Heavy metals are known to be among the one of the major environmental pollutants especially in urban areas and, as is generally known, can pose environmental risks as well as direct risks to humans. This study deals with the spatial distribution of heavy metals in different pavement joints in the inner-city area of Marburg (Hesse, Germany). Pavement joints, defined as the joint between paving stones and filled with different materials, have so far hardly been considered as anthropogenic urban soils. Nevertheless, they have an important role as possible sites of infiltration for surface runoff accumulation areas, and are therefore a key feature of urban water regimes. In order to investigate the spatial variability of heavy metals in pavement joints, a geospatial sampling approach was carried out on six inner-city sampling sites, followed by heavy metals analyses via ICP-MS, and additional pH and organic matter analyses. To obtain a risk assessment of heavy metal pollution, different pollution indices were calculated based on regional geochemical background values. Pavement joints examined consist mainly of basaltic gravel, sands, organic material and anthropogenic artefacts (e.g., glass, plastics) with an average joint size of 0.89 cm and a vertical depth of 2–10 cm. In general, the pavement joint material shows high organic matter loads (average 11.0 % by mass) and neutral to alkaline pH values. Besides high Al and Fe content, the heavy metals Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb are mainly responsible for the contamination of pavement joints. From the Geo-accumulation Index, the pollution in pavement joints regarding those metals, can be considered as moderate to high. Deterioration of soil quality was reported according to the Pollution Load Index (PLI) for 82.8 % of all sampling points, as well as a very strong potential Ecological Risk (RI) for 27.6 % of the points. The identified spatial pattern of maximum heavy metal loads in pavement joints, could not be attributed solely to traffic emissions, as commonly reported for urban areas. Higher concentrations were detected at runoff accumulation areas (e.g., drainage gutters), and at the lowest sampling points with high drainage accumulation tendencies. Additional Spearman correlation analyses show clear positive correlation between runoff accumulation value and PLI or RI index (rsp = 0.83; p 


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olusanya Abiodun OLATUNJI ◽  
Emmanuel Timilehin KOMOLAFE ◽  
Samson Olajide OKE

This study examined the seasonal variations in the physicochemical properties of soil around the vicinity of an iron smelting factory in Fashina area, Ile-Ife, with the aim of monitoring the impact on the soil characteristics, nutrient availability and its possible consequence on the surrounding vegetation. Four study plots, each measuring 50 × 50 m were selected around the iron and smelting Factory. Soil samples were collected randomly and analysed during the rainy and dry seasons at a depth of 0-20 cm, representing the top soil using soil auger. The soil samples were analysed for particle size, soil texture, pH and availability of some basic soil nutrient such as nitrogen, organic carbon, potassium, phosphorus, etc. The study revealed that the physicochemical properties of soil in focus varied across the plots, which may be a consequence of the gradient created by the citing of iron smelting factory, but the data obtained did not significantly varied within the seasons. Furthermore, high organic matter was recorded in all the plots under study; this might be due to the fact that the study area was rich in clay. More clayey soils generally tend to contain higher levels of organic matter, mainly because of the tendency of clays to slow down microbial degradation of organic matter, as clays form clay-humus complexes with organic matter. Also, the heavy metal distribution varied within the two seasons, as most of the metals showed high level of concentration in the rainy season.


2020 ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
Augustine U. A. ◽  
Akpomie T. M. ◽  
Balarabe S. ◽  
Ishaq B.

Washing of vehicles (lorries, cars, buses and motor-bikes), clothes and kitchen utensils, bathing and the release of smoke from exhausts of motor-vehicles and other anthropogenic sources continuously increase the levels of heavy metals in water bodies, especially the Amba river of Lafia used for the irrigation of farmlands thereby resulting to contamination and elevation of heavy metals uptake by crops. This study was carried out to provide information on heavy metals concentration in soils of an irrigated vegetable farmland in Lafia. Soil samples were collected at surface levels of 0-30 cm depth. Samples were analyzed for pH, organic matter, electrical conductivity and soil particle sizes. The soil samples were digested using Aqua regia and Nitric acid methods of digestion. The concentrations of lead (Pb) and cobalt (Co) were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) technique. The values of soil pH ranged between 5.60 and 6.35, organic carbon between, 1.40-1.49 %, organic matter content between, 2.40 and 2.57 %, electrical conductivity between 100 and 240 μS cm –1 and clay, sand and silt content between 10.4-11.4 %, 82-85 % and 4.6-6.6 % respectively. Total concentration of extractable Pb and Co (Aqua regia method) ranged between 0.083–0.105 and 1.473 – 1.573 mg kg-1 respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals for Nitric acid method were as follows: Pb: 1.363-1.512 and Co: 0.060-0.086. Concentrations of heavy metals in both methods were all below DPR-EGASPIN (2002) and US EPA. (2014) recommended limits. The results showed that aqua regia method was more efficient than the Nitric acid Method of digestion.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Najoie Assaad ◽  
Dani Fadel ◽  
Ariadne Argyraki ◽  
Zacharenia Kypritidou ◽  
Adil Bakir ◽  
...  

Nowadays soil contamination practices create hazardous environment impact that is a vital issue to prevent heavy metals from their integration in the food chain. Plant species selected for this study were the ingredients of the traditional Lebanese salad, Tabbouli, composed of parsley and lemon that were selected from Damour, olive and onion from Ghazir, peppermint and tomato from Akkar and bulgur, to fulfill all the requirements for the assessment of the major physicochemical properties and the contamination levels in vegetables from soils with heavy metal elements. The major physicochemical properties of topsoil including pH, organic matter content method (LOI) and texture showed that studied soils were almost neutral pH of 7.09 with an organic matter content of 4.22% and a texture of sandy loam. Concentration ranges of As, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb and P in studied soil samples were determined and assessed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy, following aqua regia digestion and weak acetic acid digestion. Also, similar measurements on studied plant samples following microwave assisted digestion by HNO3/H2O2 were determined and transfer factors from soils to vegetables were accordingly calculated because of their health risk. Results showed that concentrations of most of studied elements in soil and plant samples were recorded above the permissible limits set by International standards for agricultural soils and by International standards for vegetables FAO/WHO. Furthermore, soil to plant transfer is the major path way of human exposure to potentially toxic elements contamination. Good manufacturing and agricultural practices and safety measurements have to be strictly adapted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 350-354
Author(s):  
Alexandra-Dana Chitimus ◽  
Florin-Marian Nedeff ◽  
Ion Sandu ◽  
Cristian Radu ◽  
Emilian Mosnegutu ◽  
...  

The main objective of the current research is to determine the content of heavy metals from the Bistrita and Siret River banks, respectively Siret River � in Bridge Holt area, Siret River � canal UHE and Siret River- downstream confluence Bistrita/Siret. The choice of sampling points took into consideration the areas where the pollution sources are located. Established maximum values were not exceeded in the case of mercury in the soil for all three sampling points Siret River � in Bridge Holt area, Siret River � canal UHE and Siret River- downstream confluence Bistrita/Siret. Exceeding values recorded in the sampling points Siret River � in Bridge Holt area, Siret River � canal UHE and Siret River- downstream confluence Bistrita/Siret (for cadmium, nickel and chrome) resulted from discharged residual waters, industrial platforms form Bacau city and the improper storage of municipal waste.


1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 85-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O. Angelidis

The impact of the urban effluents of Mytilene (Lesvos island, Greece) on the receiving coastal marine environment, was evaluated by studying the quality of the city effluents (BOD5, COD, SS, heavy metals) and the marine sediments (grain size, organic matter, heavy metals). It was found that the urban effluents of Mytilene contain high organic matter and suspended particle load because of septage discharge into the sewerage network. Furthermore, although the city does not host important industrial activity, its effluents contain appreciable metal load, which is mainly associated with the particulate phase. The city effluents are discharged into the coastal marine environment and their colloidal and particulate matter after flocculation settles to the bottom, where is incorporated into the sediments. Over the years, the accumulation of organic matter and metals into the harbour mud has created a non-point pollution source in the relatively non-polluted coastal marine environment of the island. Copper and Zn were the metals which presented the higher enrichment in the sediments of the inner harbour of Mytilene.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Azizul Moqsud

AbstractIn this research, bioremediation of tsunami-affected polluted soil has been conducted by using collective microorganisms and recycled waste glass. The Tohoku earthquake, which was a mega earthquake in Japan triggered a huge tsunami on March 11th, 2011 that caused immeasurable damage to the geo-environmental conditions by polluting the soil with heavy metals and excessive salt content. Traditional methods to clean this polluted soil was not possible due to the excess cost and efforts. Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the capability of bioremediation of saline soil by using recycled waste glass. Different collective microorganisms which were incubated inside the laboratory were used. The electrical conductivity (EC) was measured at different specified depths. It was noticed that the electrical conductivity decreased with the assist of the microbial metabolisms significantly. Collective microorganisms (CM2) were the highly capable to reduce salinity (up to 75%) while using recycled waste glass as their habitat.


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 448
Author(s):  
Mahrous Awad ◽  
Zhongzhen Liu ◽  
Milan Skalicky ◽  
Eldessoky S. Dessoky ◽  
Marian Brestic ◽  
...  

Heavy metals (HMs) toxicity represents a global problem depending on the soil environment’s geochemical forms. Biochar addition safely reduces HMs mobile forms, thus, reducing their toxicity to plants. While several studies have shown that biochar could significantly stabilize HMs in contaminated soils, the study of the relationship of soil properties to potential mechanisms still needs further clarification; hence the importance of assessing a naturally contaminated soil amended, in this case with Paulownia biochar (PB) and Bamboo biochar (BB) to fractionate Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu using short sequential fractionation plans. The relationship of soil pH and organic matter and its effect on the redistribution of these metals were estimated. The results indicated that the acid-soluble metals decreased while the fraction bound to organic matter increased compared to untreated pots. The increase in the organic matter metal-bound was mostly at the expense of the decrease in the acid extractable and Fe/Mn bound ones. The highest application of PB increased the organically bound fraction of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu (62, 61, 34, and 61%, respectively), while the BB increased them (61, 49, 42, and 22%, respectively) over the control. Meanwhile, Fe/Mn oxides bound represents the large portion associated with zinc and copper. Concerning soil organic matter (SOM) and soil pH, as potential tools to reduce the risk of the target metals, a significant positive correlation was observed with acid-soluble extractable metal, while a negative correlation was obtained with organic matter-bound metal. The principal component analysis (PCA) shows that the total variance represents 89.7% for the TCPL-extractable and HMs forms and their relation to pH and SOM, which confirms the positive effect of the pH and SOM under PB and BB treatments on reducing the risk of the studied metals. The mobility and bioavailability of these metals and their geochemical forms widely varied according to pH, soil organic matter, biochar types, and application rates. As an environmentally friendly and economical material, biochar emphasizes its importance as a tool that makes the soil more suitable for safe cultivation in the short term and its long-term sustainability. This study proves that it reduces the mobility of HMs, their environmental risks and contributes to food safety. It also confirms that performing more controlled experiments, such as a pot, is a disciplined and effective way to assess the suitability of different types of biochar as soil modifications to restore HMs contaminated soil via controlling the mobilization of these minerals.


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