scholarly journals The Mercury Content in the Upper Layers of Soils in the Selected Area of the Masovian Landscape Park

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 405
Author(s):  
Marcin J. Małuszyński ◽  
Ilona Małuszyńska
Keyword(s):  
Natural Environment ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Mercury Content ◽  
Mercury Contamination ◽  
Additional Risk ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Continue Monitoring

Due to the high toxicity of the element itself and its compounds, mercury poses a significant threat to the human natural environment, in particular to the soil and water environment. An additional risk is the possibility of mercury accumulation in various elements of the environment. Soil is one of the most important elements of the natural environment and is the main link in the mercury cycle. The cycle of this element is related to both the natural processes taking place in the environment and human activity. The presence of mercury in the natural environment poses a particularly high risk of its re-accumulation as a result of its re-emission. The aim of the research was to determine the mercury content in the upper layers of soils collected from the area and buffer zone of the Mazowiecki Landscape Park as a potential source of this element’s re-emission to the environment. The paper presents the results of research on mercury content in the upper soil layer from the areas adjacent to the communication routes running through the area of the Mazowiecki Landscape Park and its buffer zone. The mercury content in the analyzed soil samples collected from the area of the Mazowiecki Landscape Park ranged from 0.082 mgHg·kg−1 dm to 0.183 mgHg·kg−1 dm, and in the soils from the cover, these values were slightly higher and ranged from 0.125 mgHg·kg−1 dm up to 0.362 mgHg·kg−1 dm. In order to avoid uncontrolled re-emission and, consequently, possible accumulation of this element in the environment, it is necessary to continue monitoring the level of mercury contamination, among others, in soil.

scholarly journals THE RESULTS OF THE MONITORING OF THE MERCURY CONTAMINATION WITHIN A MEGAPOLIS

2018 ◽  
Vol 97 (12) ◽  
pp. 1189-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Malov ◽  
L. V. Lukovnikova ◽  
Liliya A. Alikbayeva ◽  
I. S. Iakubova ◽  
D. K. Shchegolikhin
Keyword(s):  
Soil Layer ◽  
Argon Plasma ◽  
Atomic Emission ◽  
Mercury Content ◽  
Mercury Contamination ◽  
Human Organism ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Mercury Compounds ◽  
Environmental Objects

Introduction. Macromycetes include mercury compounds in their metabolism processes. The method for assessing the contamination of the soil layer (topsoil) by mercury by estimating the mercury content in the mushrooms is accessible and sufficiently informative. Mercury is a persistent inorganic ecotoxicant, it enters the human body from the environment. This process requires constant monitoring of the content of this hazardous metal in the environment and the in biomaterials of the human organism. Material and methods. The object of the study was selected bracket macromycetes growing on open soil areas: lawns, boulevards, parks, squares, etc. There were studied representatives from the fungal families as follows: Agaricacea, Boletaceae, Russu-laceae, Coprinaceae. Mushrooms were collected in the stage of sporulation, in the spring-summer-autumn period from 2002 to 2017. The determination of mercury in fungi was performed by atomic absorption method on specialized mercury analyzers of the “Julia” series (detection limit of 1 ng/g, the error of the method is not more than 15%). Mercury content in hair was determined in 1153 St. Petersburg residents aged from 0 to 80 years using atomic emission and mass spectrometry methods with inductively coupled argon plasma on devices Elan 9000 (Perkin Elmer, USA) and Optima 2000 V (Perkin Elmer, USA). Results. The results of the analysis of mushrooms collected in 2017 on one of the green streets of the industrial district of Saint-Petersburg demonstrate a high degree of mercury contamination of the megapolis. Mushrooms (Cinereus comatus) were collected at three locations of Alameda, separated by approximately 100 m, and were analyzed for the content of mercury in them. The following values of mercury in mushrooms were got is a 0.61 mg/kg, 0.83 mg/kg and 0.35 mg/kg. The hair of 1153 inhabitants of St.-Petersburg has been analyzed for mercury content. The highest concentrations of mercury have been established to be set at working population aged 18-64 years. This fact can be explained by the professional activities associated with the contact with mercury and active way of life, particularly with greater frequency of the use in the diet of mushrooms and other products, being potential sources of mercury. Discussion. The performed studies show the mercury concentration to be not only generalized but also stable. The pollution of the territory of St. Petersburg is little different from the pollution of the territories of other cities, where the mercury content in mushrooms is also found to be high in comparison with the permissible level. Conclusion. The obtained data indicate a high stable contamination of the territory of St. Petersburg and its nearest suburbs with mercury. Mercury and its compounds in environmental objects (mushrooms) can present the real danger to the health of the population, therefore there is a need for non-invasive monitoring of the content of mercury in biomaterials of the human organism and environmental objects.

scholarly journals Assessment of the mercury contamination of landfilled and recovered foundry waste – a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 462-470
Author(s):  
Marta Bożym ◽  
Beata Klojzy-Karczmarczyk
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Mercury Content ◽  
Mercury Contamination ◽  
Reference Level ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Foundry Sands ◽  
Industrial Sites ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Main Component

Abstract Environmental pollution by mercury is a local problem in Poland and concerns mainly industrial sites. Foundry waste are usually characterized by low mercury content compared to other heavy metals. Spent foundry sands with low content of Hg are the main component of foundry waste. However, Hg may be present in foundry dust, which may also be landfilled. Due to Hg toxicity, even a minimal content may have a negative impact on biota. This study focuses on assessing the mercury content of landfilled foundry waste (LFW), to assess its toxicity. Currently tested waste is recovered and reused as a road aggregate. The results were compared with the mercury content of local soils as the reference level. Waste samples were taken from foundry landfill. The mercury content, fractional composition, organic matter (OM) and total organic carbon content, pH and elementary composition of waste were analysed. It was found that the mercury content in LFW was very low, at the level of natural content in soils and did not pose a threat to the environment. The statistical analysis shows that mercury was not associated with OM of the waste, in contrast to soils, probably due to different types of OM in both materials.

scholarly journals Droplet and Aerosol Suspension Times in Ambient Air in Confined Spaces and Transmission of COVID-19: Influence of Environmental Factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 495-506
Author(s):  
M. R. Islam ◽  
S. H. Naqib
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Confined Space ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
Confined Spaces ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Aerosol Droplet ◽  
Exhaled Air ◽  
Mode Of Transmission

The COVID‑19 pandemic, alternatively known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an unfolding pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) across the entire globe in an unprecedented proportion. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The mode of transmission of COVID-19 is a subject of intense research. The airborne transmission is one prime possibility. Breathing and talking are natural processes which generate exhaled particles. The exhaled air is an aerosol/droplet composed of naturally produced particulates of varying size. The duration over which the aerosols/droplets are suspended in the air is an important factor. Long suspended aerosols/droplets are potential source of transmission, particularly in confined spaces. We have calculated times of suspension by considering various environmental factors, namely, the ambient temperature and relative humidity in a confined space, in this work. Both temperature and relative humidity affect the suspension time of the exhaled aerosols/droplets with varying degree. The effects of environmental factors are significant for aerosols, particularly for those with small radii. We have discussed the possible implications of our findings in this paper.

scholarly journals Ocena zawartości rtęci w poziomach powierzchniowych i podpowierzchniowych intensywnie użytkowanych rolniczo gleb aluwialnych / Assessment of total mercury content in the surface and subsurface horizons in intensively used agricultural alluvial soils

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-53
Author(s):  
Agata Bartkowiak ◽  
Hanna Jaworska ◽  
Szymon Różański
Keyword(s):  
Total Mercury ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Background Level ◽  
Mercury Content ◽  
Mercury Contamination ◽  
Alluvial Soils ◽  
Geochemical Background ◽  
Dominant Component ◽  
Soil Components ◽  
Major Factors

Abstract One of the major factors determining hazard for humans, animals and plants is the increased content of trace elements in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of mercury in surface and subsurface horizons of alluvial soils intensively used for agriculture in aspect of relationship between soil components and Hg amount bound by the soil. The results showed that there was no mercury contamination and dominant component binding this element in analyzed soils was clay fraction. The determined concentrations of mercury were close to the geochemical background level.

scholarly journals Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA) determination of mercury distribution in the sediments of lake Nokoué in Benin Republic-West Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 306-316
Author(s):  
N.B. Nadia Azon ◽  
Peace Hounkpe ◽  
Julien G. Adounkpe ◽  
Hermione W. Degila ◽  
Martin P. Aina
Keyword(s):  
Mercury Content ◽  
Equal Mass ◽  
Mercury Contamination ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Direct Mercury Analyzer ◽  
Eastern Zone ◽  
The Us ◽  
Us Epa ◽  
Mercury Analyzer

Mercury pollution of water bodies constitutes a hazard to both the aquatic life and the populations consuming fishery products. To anticipate the probable eco-toxicological risks that may arise from the largest lake in southern Benin, the present work aims at assessing the mercury status of the sediments of Lake Nokoué, while identifying the areas exposed to anthropogenic mercury contamination. 45 sites were sampled according to a grid plan covering the entire ecosystem of the lake. Employing a Van Veen grab, surface sediments are collected at a depth from 0 to 5 cm in three catches at each site. The composite samples formed at equal mass on the three portions were frozen, lyophilized at - 40 °C, crushed, sieved and homogenized. Fraction less than 63 µm was collected for the mercury content determination by Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA) operating by atomic absorption according to the US EPA 7473 method. The mercury concentration varies from 1.56 µg/kg to 164.88 µg/kg with an average value of 35.18 µg per kg of sediment. The south-eastern zone of the lake is more concentrated in mercury with a summation of the mercury content of 530.3 µg/kg of sediment. However, the lake has moderate contamination overall (1 ≤ FC ≤ 3). Keywords: Pollution, contamination, mercury, sediment, Lake Nokoué.

scholarly journals Preliminary analysis of geological disaster and water circulation system

2020 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 04031
Author(s):  
Yubin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Natural Environment ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Water Circulation ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
Great Loss ◽  
Geological Disasters ◽  
Geological Disaster ◽  
Water Circulation System ◽  
Improvement Programs

China is a country with frequent geological disasters. First of all, the occurrence of geological disaster will cause great loss of life and property. Secondly, disasters cause changes in topography and landforms, which also have an impact on the natural environment. In a sense, the occurrence of geological disasters and the natural environment are mutually affected. The occurrence of geological disasters is closely related to the soil and water environment. The improvement of regional water circulation system can obviously reduce the occurrence of geological disasters. This paper analyzes the causes of geological disasters. This paper introduces the water environment improvement programs in the United States, Britain and China.

scholarly journals The relationship between the mercury concentration in fish muscles and scales/fins and its significance

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1109-1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rostislav Červenka ◽  
Antonín Bednařík ◽  
Josef Komárek ◽  
Markéta Ondračková ◽  
Pavel Jurajda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Absorption Spectrometry ◽  
Fish Muscle ◽  
Mercury Content ◽  
Mercury Contamination ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Fish Scales ◽  
Fish Muscles ◽  
Mercury In Fish ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe determination of mercury in fish typically involves analysis of muscles. For predicting the concentration of mercury in fish muscle on the basis of the analysis of fish scales or fins, the relationship between total mercury concentrations in fish muscles and in fish scales and fins was studied. Mercury content in fish muscles, scales and fins was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with thermal decomposition of the sample in a flow of oxygen. A number of scale treatments were applied in order to remove impurities and to enhance the prediction quality. For scale treatment, 40 min of washing with DI water in an ultrasonic bath is recommended. A coefficient of determination r2= 0.93 for the relationship between Hg concentrations in muscles and scales was achieved for 40 fish among the different fish species tested (European bream, perch, roach) from the Hamry Reservoir, Czech Republic. With respect to fin sampling, the coefficient of determination r2 for these fish was 0.86. The analysis of fish scales and caudal fins is a useful screening tool for assessing the relative mercury contamination of monitored fish. The method of sampling scales is not suitable for fish species with small scales such as brown trout.

Mercury Contents of Soil, Mosses, and Conifers, Along an Urban-suburban Transect

1974 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Mondano ◽  
William H. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Mercury Content ◽  
Mercury Contamination ◽  
Juniperus Virginiana ◽  
Reliable Indication ◽  
Plant Samples

Soil, moss, and conifer twig and needle, samples were collected along an urban-suburdan transect in Connecticut. All samples were analyzed for mercury content. In general, both the mosses and tree tissues contained higher concentrations of mercury than did the soil. Except for the plant samples collected at the origin of the transect adjacent to an electric generating facility, where the mercury in a moss exceeded that in a Juniperus virginiana tree, the floral components that were sampled proved comparable. Moss sampling would probably give the more reliable indication of urban-industrial mercury contamination.

scholarly journals Influx: Architecture responsive to conditions of flux

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Nicola Bowman
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Peak Time ◽  
Natural Landscape ◽  
Architectural Form ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
Resilience Thinking ◽  
Immersion Experience ◽  
The World ◽  
Visitor Numbers

<p>Milford Sound is extremely vulnerable to visitor fluctuation. The vertical landforms and pristine natural landscape attracts over 500,000 tourists to the site each year. Due to the remote location and restrictions on developing accommodation in National Parks, Milford Sound is a day-trip-destination. This generates high volumes of tourists that arrive and leave at the same time, causing congestion and immense pressure on the facilities and the surrounding natural landscape at Milford Sound Village. Although the small township is built for visitors, the current visitor facilities do not respond to daily and seasonal visitor fluctuations. The buildings are at capacity at peak time and are empty and underutilised at low times. This has significant implications for the experience of the site, there are increasing reports of visitors feeling crowded (Booth, 2010). The unresponsive built fabric also impacts the state of the surrounding natural environment by preventing natural processes and ecosystems from thriving. With visitor numbers on the rise (McNeill,2005), Carey (2003) questions how many people can “they continue to pump into a destination before you start to remove the attraction from the destination”.  Situated alongside resilience thinking, flux is a topic of heightened relevance within architectural thinking, yet it has received very little attention. This thesis proposes responsive approaches to accommodating flux, through ‘static’ architectural forms. By introducing a series of hybrid and connected structures, architectural form is developed symbiotically with function, as a means of exploring operative forms of architecture. Architectural responses to flux have been primarily researched through design. The design outcome is a connected network of visitor facilities that acts as an ‘instrument’ in the landscape, reorganising the flow of visitors. Six concrete pavilions, connected by pathways, collect and disperse visitors along the site, encouraging an immersion experience in the World-Heritage listed natural environment. The architecture is constructed of buried, floating, carved and balanced elements. This thesis presents an example of architecture that creates an experience of engaging with the landscape and not with the crowds.</p>

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