Environmental impact assessment of a Pb, Zn smelter using soil, slag and tree ring elemental and isotopic geochemistry in Kabwe, Zambia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Baieta ◽  
Martin Mihaljevič ◽  
Vojtěch Ettler ◽  
Aleš Vaněk
Keyword(s):  
Tree Rings ◽  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
Extraction Procedure ◽  
Tree Bark ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Pinus Montezumae ◽  
C Isotopes ◽  
Subsequent Decrease ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
Environmental Archive

<p>Due to its historical Pb, Zn, Ag, Cd and Cu mines and associated smelter, Kabwe in Zambia is known to be one of the most polluted cities in the world.</p><p><span>Contamination by </span><span>Pb, Zn and Cu </span><span>was assessed in </span><span>four soil profiles around the smelter and remote locations, using Q-ICPMS for trace metal elemental and Pb isotopic measurements. A sequential extraction procedure (SEP) approach was used to obtain a detailed understanding of the vertical behaviour of the contaminants and its availability for plant uptake. Slags Pb isotopic ratios were also determined. Furthermore, tree rings of local pine trees (Pinus Montezumae) were collected and analysed for the same contaminants and Pb isotopes coupled with C isotopes. Results were compared to the smelter production historical records to assess the viability of these trees as environmental archive.</span></p><p>Results show that contamination is exclusive to the top layers of soil and is greater in soils closer to the smelter, which are highly contaminated (max: 16000 mg/kg Pb; 140000 mg/kg Zn; 600 mg/kg Cu). Remote soils have much lower topsoil concentrations (min: 61 mg/kg Pb; 351 mg/kg Zn; 21 mg/kg Cu). Interestingly, the greatest contaminant concentrations were found in the tree furthest from the source of pollution (max.: Pb, 6.48 mg/kg; Zn, 10.6 mg/kg; Cu, 10.2 mg/kg). Particle size of wind-blown dump dust decreases with distance. A hypothesis is considering that these would be more easily adsorbed and absorbed by tree bark and leaves. This suggests that above-ground tree uptake is more important than soil uptake for the selected elements.</p><p>Slag Pb isotopic ratios average at <sup>206</sup>Pb/<sup>207</sup>Pb = 1.15; <sup>208</sup>Pb/<sup>206</sup>Pb = 2.15; for tree rings; both sites: <sup>206</sup>Pb/<sup>207</sup>Pb = 1.15; <sup>208</sup>Pb/<sup>206</sup>Pb = 2.13; and in top soils, close to smelter: <sup>206</sup>Pb/<sup>207</sup>Pb = 1.15; <sup>208</sup>Pb/<sup>206</sup>Pb = 2.12; and in remote location: <sup>206</sup>Pb/<sup>207</sup>Pb =1.14; <sup>208</sup>Pb/<sup>206</sup>Pb = 2.15. Isotopic ratios confirm the mine and smelter to be the main source of contamination.</p><p>Smelter production records show three major shifts in production amount; increase from the late 1950s to early 1970s and a subsequent decrease till the closure of the smelter in 1994 with a peak in production in the early 1980s. There seems to be a correlation between Pb production and Pb uptake and Pb and C isotopic ratio variations within a 5 to 10 years delay.</p><p>This study was supported by the Czech Science Foundation project (GAČR 19-18513S) and received institutional funding from the Center for Geosphere Dynamics (UNCE/SCI/006). Part of the equipment used for this study was purchased from the Operational Program Prague - Competitiveness (Project CZ.2.16/3.1.00/21516).</p>

The antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds isolated from the bark of Ryukyu pine trees (Pinus luchuensis Mayr.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanagasaki Takashi ◽  
Teruya Shoei
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Tree Bark ◽  
Cosmetic Products ◽  
Material Source ◽  
Pine Tree ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
Pinus Luchuensis

Background: Considering that many foreign tourists visit Okinawa, Japan, to purchase some cosmetic products, there is an urgent need to create cosmetic products native to Okinawa. As the Ryukyu pine tree, which is endemic to Okinawa, has been used as a source of wood, investigating the possible use of its bark is recommended. Using this natural resource from Okinawa would aid in promoting the products of Okinawa’s unique brands. As a result, this study was designed to isolate useful materials for cosmetic production. Therefore, fractionation was conducted based on a few types of chromatographies, after which the extracted product of the Ryukyu pine tree (Pinus luchuensis Mayr.) bark was analyzed, and its polyphenol contents compared. Methods: Bark of the Ryukyu pine tree cultivated in the northern mountainous region of the Okinawa Main Island was used for ASE extraction using ultrapure water at 130°C. DIAION HP20 with methanol and two HPLC fractionation types were subsequently used for phenolic compound isolation. Results: ASE extraction and HP20 and HPLC fractionations resulted in an isolation of several compounds: threo-1,2-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propane-1,3-diol (compound 1; 0.03% w/w of an ASE extract), erythro-1,2-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propane-1,3-diol (compound 2; 0.03% w/w of an ASE extract), catechin (0.11% w/w of an ASE extract), and vanillin (0.31% w/w of an ASE extract). In addition, the value of its antioxidant activity by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging capacity assay was 3.3 mmol-trolox eq./g, 2.6 mmol-trolox eq./g, 9.7 mmol-trolox eq./g and 0.7 mmol-trolox eq./g for compound 1, compound 2, catechin, and vanillic acid, respectively. Conclusion: These phenolic compounds possess whitening and anti-aging potentials. Therefore, Ryukyu pine tree bark would be a useful raw material source for cosmetic production.

scholarly journals Calibration and field testing of cavity ring-down laser spectrometers measuring CH<sub>4</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub>, and <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>CH<sub>4</sub> deployed on towers in the Marcellus Shale region

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1273-1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha L. Miles ◽  
Douglas K. Martins ◽  
Scott J. Richardson ◽  
Christopher W. Rella ◽  
Caleb Arata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Mole Fraction ◽  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
Marcellus Shale ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cavity Ring Down

Abstract. Four in situ cavity ring-down spectrometers (G2132-i, Picarro, Inc.) measuring methane dry mole fraction (CH4), carbon dioxide dry mole fraction (CO2), and the isotopic ratio of methane (δ13CH4) were deployed at four towers in the Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction region of Pennsylvania. In this paper, we describe laboratory and field calibration of the analyzers for tower-based applications and characterize their performance in the field for the period January–December 2016. Prior to deployment, each analyzer was tested using bottles with various isotopic ratios, from biogenic to thermogenic source values, which were diluted to varying degrees in zero air, and an initial calibration was performed. Furthermore, at each tower location, three field tanks were employed, from ambient to high mole fractions, with various isotopic ratios. Two of these tanks were used to adjust the calibration of the analyzers on a daily basis. We also corrected for the cross-interference from ethane on the isotopic ratio of methane. Using an independent field tank for evaluation, the standard deviation of 4 h means of the isotopic ratio of methane difference from the known value was found to be 0.26 ‰ δ13CH4. Following improvements in the field tank testing scheme, the standard deviation of 4 h means was 0.11 ‰, well within the target compatibility of 0.2 ‰. Round-robin style testing using tanks with near-ambient isotopic ratios indicated mean errors of −0.14 to 0.03 ‰ for each of the analyzers. Flask to in situ comparisons showed mean differences over the year of 0.02 and 0.08 ‰, for the east and south towers, respectively. Regional sources in this region were difficult to differentiate from strong perturbations in the background. During the afternoon hours, the median differences of the isotopic ratio measured at three of the towers, compared to the background tower, were &amp;minus0.15 to 0.12 ‰ with standard deviations of the 10 min isotopic ratio differences of 0.8 ‰. In terms of source attribution, analyzer compatibility of 0.2 ‰ δ13CH4 affords the ability to distinguish a 50 ppb CH4 peak from a biogenic source (at −60 ‰, for example) from one originating from a thermogenic source (−35 ‰), with the exact value dependent upon the source isotopic ratios. Using a Keeling plot approach for the non-afternoon data at a tower in the center of the study region, we determined the source isotopic signature to be −31.2 ± 1.9 ‰, within the wide range of values consistent with a deep-layer Marcellus natural gas source.

scholarly journals Provenance analysis of human cremations by 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios: migration into an Iron Age mining region in North-Rhine Westphalia

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sidney V. Sebald ◽  
Manuel Zeiler ◽  
Gisela Grupe
Keyword(s):  
Iron Age ◽  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Burial Mound ◽  
Age At Death ◽  
Provenance Analysis ◽  
Morphological Examination ◽  
Non Local

The Siegerland (North-Rhine Westphalia, FRG) is famous for its early mining industry and ore exploitation. The archaeological context of cremated burials as well as grave goods indicate parallels to today's Wetterau (Hesse), suggesting migration into the Siegerland. After morphological examination of the cremations augmented by a histological age-at-death determination, provenance analysis by use of stable strontium isotope analysis was carried out. 60 individuals from the burial mound at Netphen-Deuz in the Siegerland were available for anthropological examination. The 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio was measured in 29 dentine and 15 bone samples. At least 19 individuals exhibited a non-local isotopic signal which was compatible with a provenance from the Wetterau region. Since 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios in the bioapatite are thermally stable, provenance analysis of cremated finds is thus possible, whereby a testable archaeological hypothesis is prerequisite. Histological examination of cremated bones proved indispensable for the age-at-death estimation.

scholarly journals Using ship-borne observations of methane isotopic ratio in the Arctic Ocean to understand methane sources in the Arctic

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Berchet ◽  
Isabelle Pison ◽  
Patrick M. Crill ◽  
Brett Thornton ◽  
Philippe Bousquet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
The Arctic Ocean

Abstract. Due to the large variety and heterogeneity of sources in remote areas hard to document, the Arctic regional methane budget remain very uncertain. In situ campaigns provide valuable data sets to reduce these uncertainties. Here we analyse data from the SWERUS-C3 campaign, on-board the icebreaker Oden, that took place during summer 2014 in the Arctic Ocean along the Northern Siberian and Alaskan shores. Total concentrations of methane, as well as isotopic ratios were measured continuously during this campaign for 35 days in July and August 2014. Using a chemistry-transport model, we link observed concentrations and isotopic ratios to regional emissions and hemispheric transport structures. A simple inversion system helped constraining source signatures from wetlands in Siberia and Alaska and oceanic sources, as well as the isotopic composition of lower stratosphere air masses. The variation in the signature of low stratosphere air masses, due to strongly fractionating chemical reactions in the stratosphere, was suggested to explain a large share of the observed variability in isotopic ratios. These points at required efforts to better simulate large scale transport and chemistry patterns to use isotopic data in remote areas. It is found that constant and homogeneous source signatures for each type of emission in the region (mostly wetlands and oil and gas industry) is not compatible with the strong synoptic isotopic signal observed in the Arctic. A regional gradient in source signatures is highlighted between Siberian and Alaskan wetlands, the later ones having a lighter signatures than the first ones. Arctic continental shelf sources are suggested to be a mixture of methane from a dominant thermogenic origin and a secondary biogenic one, consistent with previous in-situ isotopic analysis of seepage along the Siberian shores.

scholarly journals Identification of Sources of Lead Exposure among Children in Arar, Saudi Arabia

1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman A Al-Saleh ◽  
Craig Fellows ◽  
Trevor Delves ◽  
Andrew Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Total Blood ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Traditional Remedies ◽  
Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Blood Specimens

The concentrations of lead and the isotopic ratios of lead, 206Pb:207Pb, were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in environmental specimens, cosmetics and traditional remedies. The ratios were compared with those found in blood samples of Saudi children who had increased concentrations of total blood lead. The isotopic ratios in the blood specimens (1·144±0·027) were not significantly different from those determined in cosmetics and remedies (1·152±0·031) and indicated that these were the likely sources of exposure rather than the lead contained in petrol which had an isotopic ratio of 1·207.

scholarly journals Lability of Pb in soil: effects of soil properties and contaminant source

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingchen Mao ◽  
Elizabeth H. Bailey ◽  
Jonathan Chester ◽  
Joseph Dean ◽  
E. Louise Ander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Extraction Procedure ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Isotopic Dilution ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Contaminant Source ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Soil Parent Material

Environmental context There is growing concern that lead in the environment may cause adverse health effects in human populations. We investigated the combined use of isotopic abundance and isotopic dilution to show how the origins of soil Pb and soil characteristics affect lability. Soil pH and soil Pb content are the dominant controls on Pb lability; the lability of recent petrol-derived Pb is similar to that of other sources in urban soils but greater than geogenic Pb in rural roadside topsoils. Abstract Lability of lead in soils is influenced by both soil properties and source(s) of contamination. We investigated factors controlling Pb lability in soils from (i) land adjacent to a major rural road, (ii) a sewage processing farm and (iii) an archive of the geochemical survey of London. We measured isotopically exchangeable Pb (E-values; PbE), phase fractionation of Pb by a sequential extraction procedure (SEP) and inferred source apportionment from measured Pb isotopic ratios. Isotopic ratios (206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb) of total soil Pb fell on a mixing line between those of petrol and UK coal or Pb ore. The main determinant of the isotopically exchangeable Pb fraction (%E-value) was soil pH: %E-values decreased with increasing pH. In rural roadside topsoils, there was also evidence that petrol-derived Pb remained more labile (35%) than Pb from soil parent material (27%). However, in biosolid-amended and London soils, %E-values were low (~25%), covered a restricted range and showed no clear evidence of source-dependent lability.

scholarly journals Last Glacial Maximum and Deglacial Abyssal Seawater Oxygen Isotopic Ratios

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Wunsch
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Pore Waters ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic ◽  
Pore Water Salinity ◽  
Methods Of Control

Abstract. An earlier analysis of pore water salinity/chlorinity in two deep-sea cores, using terminal constraint methods of control theory, concluded that although a salinity amplification in the abyss was possible during the LGM, it was not required by the data. Here the same methodology is applied to δ18Ow in the upper 100 m of four deep-sea cores. An ice volume amplification to the isotopic ratio is, again, consistent with the data but not required by it. In particular, results are very sensitive, with conventional diffusion values, to the assumed initial conditions at −100 ky. If the calcite values of δ18O are fully reliable, then inferred enriched values of the ratio in sea water are necessary to preclude sub-freezing temperatures, but the sea water δ18O in pore waters does not independently support the conclusion.

scholarly journals The role of light as vital effect on coral skeleton oxygen isotopic ratio

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Juillet-Leclerc
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
Environmental Parameter ◽  
Data Series ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Relative Distribution ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Vital Effect ◽  
Oxygen Isotopic ◽  
Role Of Light

Abstract. Light, an environmental parameter playing a crucial role in coral aragonite growth and δ18O formulation, is always neglected in the geochemical literature. However, by revisiting already published studies, we demonstrated that light might be considered as a vital effect affecting coral aragonite oxygen isotopic ratios. Re-examining data series included in a publication by Weber and Woodhead (1972), we stressed that annual δ18O–annual temperature calibrations of all considered coral genera may be compared because their assessment assumes homogenous light levels. Temperature prevails on δ18O because it influences δ18O in two ways: firstly it acts as is thermodynamically predicted implying a δ18O decrease; and secondly it induces an enhancement of photosynthesis causing δ18O increase. When the highest annual temperature occurs simultaneously with the highest annual irradiation, the annual δ18O amplitude is shortened. The annual δ18O–annual temperature calibration is also explained by the relative distribution of microstructures, centres of calcification or COC and fibers, according to morphology, and in turn taxonomy. We also investigated monthly δ18O–monthly temperature calibrations of Porites grown at the same sites as by Stephans and Quinn (2002), Linsley et al. (1999, 2000) and Maier et al. (2004). Multiple evidence showed that temperature is the prevailing environment forcing on δ18O and that the mixture of temperature and light also determines the relative distribution of microstructures, explaining the relationships between Porites calibration constants. By examining monthly and annual δ18O–monthly and annual temperature calibrations, we revealed that monthly calibration results from the superimposition of seasonal and annual variability over time. Seasonal δ18O strongly impacted by seasonal light fluctuations, may be obtained by removing interannual δ18O only weakly affected by light. Such features necessitate the reconstitution of tools frequently utilised, such as the coupled δ18O–Sr / Ca or pseudo-coral concepts.

Variability of Settling Particles Fluxes and Isotopic Composition (δ13C and δ15N) from Material Trapped in Coastal Reefs of Abrolhos Bank, Eastern Brazilian Shelf

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saulo Spanó ◽  
André Luiz Belem ◽  
Maria Do Rosário Zucchi ◽  
Paulo De Oliveira Mafalda Junior ◽  
Alessandro Lopes Aguiar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Sediment Composition ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Sediment Samples ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Average Value

Elemental and isotopic ratios (C/N, δ13C, δ15N) of sediment samples captured by PVC traps in eight stations along the coastal reefs of the Abrolhos region, Brazil, were analyzed. The study area is characterized by the influence of continental sediments on biogenic sediments. The highest δ13C values were found in the Sebastião Gomes (second shallower station), with average values close to -15‰ in all sampling periods. The isotopic ratio of carbon and nitrogen indicates that the organic matter analyzed has marine origin, with signature features of oceanic regions. The highest C/N ratio average value of 8.29 occurred in Nova Viçosa (the southernmost station and one of the shallowest) during the spring, in other seasons the average value was close to 7 in all periods. Although the values of C/N indicate a significantly marine contribution, δ15N values suggest that N series recycling processes are frequent during the time that the material remained in the environment. The results will provide a baseline for future environmental monitoring and studies on changes in sediment composition in an important set of coastal coral reefs.

scholarly journals Using ship-borne observations of methane isotopic ratio in the Arctic Ocean to understand methane sources in the Arctic

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 3987-3998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Berchet ◽  
Isabelle Pison ◽  
Patrick M. Crill ◽  
Brett Thornton ◽  
Philippe Bousquet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Lower Stratosphere ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Air Masses

Abstract. Characterizing methane sources in the Arctic remains challenging due to the remoteness, heterogeneity and variety of such emissions. In situ campaigns provide valuable datasets to reduce these uncertainties. Here we analyse data from the summer 2014 SWERUS-C3 campaign in the eastern Arctic Ocean, off the shore of Siberia and Alaska. Total concentrations of methane, as well as relative concentrations of 12CH4 and 13CH4, were measured continuously during this campaign for 35 d in July and August. Using a chemistry-transport model, we link observed concentrations and isotopic ratios to regional emissions and hemispheric transport structures. A simple inversion system helped constrain source signatures from wetlands in Siberia and Alaska, and oceanic sources, as well as the isotopic composition of lower-stratosphere air masses. The variation in the signature of lower-stratosphere air masses, due to strongly fractionating chemical reactions in the stratosphere, was suggested to explain a large share of the observed variability in isotopic ratios. These results point towards necessary efforts to better simulate large-scale transport and chemistry patterns to make relevant use of isotopic data in remote areas. It is also found that constant and homogeneous source signatures for each type of emission in a given region (mostly wetlands and oil and gas industry in our case at high latitudes) are not compatible with the strong synoptic isotopic signal observed in the Arctic. A regional gradient in source signatures is highlighted between Siberian and Alaskan wetlands, the latter having lighter signatures (more depleted in 13C). Finally, our results suggest that marine emissions of methane from Arctic continental-shelf sources are dominated by thermogenic-origin methane, with a secondary biogenic source as well.

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