Adverse health and environmental outcomes of cycling in heavily polluted urban environments

Cycling is a healthy habit; however, are its benefits outweighing risks when biking in heavily trafficked and air-polluted cities? Research involved studying contamination with traffic-related elements of dust collected from bike paths located in top trafficked cities of Europe in Poland. Human health risk was assessed via inhalation and ingestion pathways for adults and children. Bike path dust was heavily contaminated with Zn, Cd (Geoaccumulation index Igeo 4) and Pb (Igeo 3), sourced predominantly from nonexhaust car emissions. The concentrations of metals in dust decreased in the following descending order: Zn > Mn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd. A fractionation study revealed that Zn and Cd are almost entirely bioavailable (Mobility factor MF above 90%), causing hazards to humans and the environment. The highest congested intersections result in more TRAP-contaminated dust deposited on bike paths, which is easily resuspended, posing a health risk for cyclists or pedestrians. Avoiding cycling in proximity to heavily trafficked routes should be considered, when possible, as well as physical removal of dust by wet sweeping to limit dust resuspension.

ICP-MS Measurement of Trace and Rare Earth Elements in Beach Placer-Deposit Soils of Odisha, East Coast of India, to Estimate Natural Enhancement of Elements in the Environment

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been used to measure the concentration of trace and rare earth elements (REEs) in soils. Geochemical certified reference materials such as JLk-1, JB-1, and JB-3 were used for the validation of the analytical method. The measured values were in good agreement with the certified values for all the elements and were within 10% analytical error. Beach placer deposits of soils mainly from Odisha, on the east coast of India, have been selected to study selected trace and rare earth elements (REEs), to estimate enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) in the natural environment. Enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) results showed that Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Y, Zr, Cd and U were significantly enriched, and Th was extremely enriched. The total content of REEs (ƩREEs) ranged from 101.3 to 12,911.3 µg g−1, with an average 2431.1 µg g−1 which was higher than the average crustal value of ΣREEs. A high concentration of Th and light REEs were strongly correlated, which confirmed soil enrichment with monazite minerals. High ratios of light REEs (LREEs)/heavy REEs (HREEs) with a strong negative Eu anomaly revealed a felsic origin. The comparison of the chondrite normalized REE patterns of soil with hinterland rocks such as granite, charnockite, khondalite and migmatite suggested that enhancement of trace and REEs are of natural origin.

Accumulation of Trace Metal in Sediment and Soft Tissue of Strombus canarium in a Tropical Remote Island of Thailand

The present study determined the metal levels in surface sediment and in soft tissue of the Strombus canarium at Libong Island, Thailand, and estimated the possible risk from consuming the shellfish. The mean concentrations of the metals Fe, Cu, Co, Pb, Mn, and Ni in sediment were 2711.94 ± 1424.83, 0.47 ± 0.37, 0.11 ± 0.09, 1.32 ± 1.48, 40.41 ± 16.12, and 2.75 ± 4.04 µg/g, respectively, and are below the sediment quality guidelines. The enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) showed that the sediment conditions ranged from “no pollution” to “moderate contamination”. The mean concentrations in Strombus canarium had rank order Fe > Mn > Cu > Ni > Co > Pb. The bioaccumulation (BSAF) suggests that the Strombus canarium accumulated Cu and Co the most. The estimated daily intakes of these metals through shellfish consumption were below the oral reference dose (Rfd) and the calculated target hazard quotients (THQ) were less than 1. The results from this study inform about the background levels of metals in the sediment and in Strombus canarium species at Libong Island. In addition, these data might help ensure that the consumption of shellfish in this area remains safe.

Contamination of Urban Watersheds: the Case of Arroio Moinho, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

This article aims to analyze the contamination of water and bottom sediment at Arroio Moinho (Mill Stream), in Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). From two sample collections, a series of diagnostic measurements were carried out, such as: a) physical-chemical and biological analysis of the water; b) water quality index (WQI); c) metal contamination, granulometric and mineralogical analyses of the bottom sediment; d) total organic carbon (TOC); e) categorization into water quality classes; f) contamination factor (CF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) geoindicators; g) analysis of per capita income and population density. The analytical results of the water at the two sample locations exceeded the limits established by Class 4 (restricted use). The WQI revealed the worst level (very bad in 2012 and bad in 2018) at all sampling points. The bottom sediment analysis showed that the spring has a low fine-grained fraction content (3%) and TOC levels between 8 and 17%. However, the sediments revealed high levels of metals such as Zn and Cu and low to moderate Pb levels. These results allowed the stream to be classified as Class 3 in terms of soil quality, requiring identification of the source of the pollution and ongoing inspection to monitor contamination.

Evaluating the Contamination Degree and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Around Active Dumpsite Environment: A Case Study of Ozoro Community, Delta State, Nigeria

The use of lowlands for refuse collection point (dumpsite) is a very common practice in Nigeria. However, people cultivated the areas within the vicinity of the dumpsites, without knowledge of the risk of these heavy metals. Therefore, this study was done to evaluate the risk of heavy metals pollution of soils within the vicinity of an active dumpsite. Four (4) soil samples (from 4 locations) at a depth of 0–20 cm were collected from the vicinity of the dumpsite. The heavy metals (e.g. iron lead, nickel and cadmium) concentration of the collected soil samples were analyzed according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International methods. Pollution indices (contamination factor, enrichment factor, pollution load index and geoaccumulation index) were used to ascertain the level of heavy metals contamination of the dumpsite area. Results obtained from the soil tests revealed that, the dumpsite area had high heavy metals concentrations. The heavy metals concentrations were of this ranged: iron 3420 mg kg-1 to 4323 mg kg-1, lead 28.92 mg kg-1 to 58.84 mg kg-1, nickel 2.89 mg kg-1 to 6.91 mg kg-1, and cadmium from 1.04 mg kg-1 to 2.05 mg kg-1. The heavy metals concentrations ranked as Fe > Pb > Ni > Cd. Pollution indices results showed that cadmium had the highest contamination factor, enrichment factor, pollution load index and geoaccumulation index values, which portrayed that the dumpsite soil was heavily contaminated with cadmium. Results of the correlation showed a strong correlation (r = 0.87) between iron and nickel, indicating that the two heavy metals got their pollution from the source(s). Results obtained from this study will further help the government and environmental regulators to plan and carried out suitable remediation strategies, to clean the environment.

Assessment of quality of water and sediments in small reservoirs in Southern Poland - A case study

The paper presents an attempt to forecast heavy metal pollution of sediments of four designed reservoirs in southern Poland. For this purpose, concentration of dissolved heavy metals (lead, cadmium and nickel) was determined in water of watercourses on which the designed reservoirs will be constructed and also in sediments and water flowing into six reservoirs that are already in use. Based on the results of the heavy metal concentrations of six exploited reservoirs, a relationship was developed between heavy metal concentration in the sediment as a function of the concentration of these metals in the inflowing water. Using these relationships, the forecast concentrations of these metals in the sediments of the designed reservoirs were estimated. The mean concentrations of these metals in the planned reservoirs were 20.5 mg. kg-1 for lead, 3.4 mg. kg-1 for cadmium and 14.8 mg. kg-1 for nickel. No dangerous pollution of analyzed metal of water inflows to the planned reservoirs was found. The calculated geoaccumulation index indicates that in terms of the lead and nickel concentrations, sediments in the planned reservoirs will be unpolluted to moderately polluted, while for cadmium concentrations - they will be moderately to strongly polluted.

Geoaccumulation Index and Enrichment Factor of Arsenic in Surface Sediment of Bukit Merah Reservoir, Malaysia

An investigation study was conducted in Bukit Merah Reservoir (BMR) for the assessment of arsenic concentration in the surface sediment in 23 sampling stations. The sediment samples were digested and analysed for arsenic using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Sediment parameters such as pH (4.42 ± 0.71), redox potential (121.77 ± 42.45 mV), conductivity (205.7 ± 64.07 μS cm–1) and organic matter (25.35 ± 9.34%) were also examined. The main objectives of this study are to determine the arsenic distribution and concentration and at the same time to assess the enrichment of arsenic using the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF). This study shows the total arsenic concentration in the surface sediment of BMR is 4.302 ± 2.43 mg kg–1 and found to be below the threshold value of Canadian Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines (ISQG). High arsenic concentration is recorded near the southern part of the lake where anthropogenic activities are prevalent. Based on Igeo, 13% of sampling stations are categorised as moderately polluted, 52.2% as unpolluted to moderately polluted and the rest is categorised as unpolluted. EF shows 78.3% stations are classified as extremely high enrichment and the rest as very high enrichment. This finding provides important information on the status of arsenic contamination in BMR and creating awareness concerning the conservation and management of the reservoir in the future.

Evaluation of the Distribution of Heavy Metals in Soil around Electronic Dumpsite in Owutu, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria

The soil from antiquity has been the primary repository of all wastes. Millions of tons of toxic e-waste from a variety of sources annually find their way into dumpsites. The assessment of the levels of Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn and Cu in soil from Owutu dumpsite in Ikorodu, Lagos State was performed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Control samples were also taken at 1 km away from the location. At the dumpsite, the concentration of Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn and Cu were found to range between 0.85 to 2261.15 mg/kg, 8.05 to 111.2 mg/kg, 1.05 to 46.6 mg/kg, 310.45 to 5443.7 mg/kg and 160.3 to 8246.3 mg/kg while that of the control sites range between 52.45 to 72.05 mg/kg, 18.1 to 20.80 mg/kg, 0.25 to 3.2 mg/kg, 126.55 to 140.7 mg/kg and 181.45 to 185.85 mg/kg respectively. Heavy metal concentrations at the dumpsite were found to be higher than those at the control site and that of the regulatory bodies. Assessment of the contamination level of the soils at the dumpsite was done by calculating the metal contamination factor and Geoaccumulation index. The results revealed that there is gross contamination of the dumpsite with heavy metals due to the e-waste disposed on the site.

Environmental Assessment of Trace Metals in San Simon Bay Sediments (NW Iberian Peninsula)

A gravity core (220 cm depth) was collected to investigate the geochemistry, enrichment, and pollution of trace metals in anoxic sediments from San Simon Bay, an ecosystem of high biological productivity in the northwest of Spain. A five-step sequential extraction procedure was used. The Cu, Pb, and Zn contents decreased with depth, with maximum values in the top layers. Ni and Zn were bound to pyrite fractions, while Cd and Pb were associated with the most mobile fractions. The analyzed metals were associated with the fractions bound to organic matter, mainly with the strongly bound to organic matter fraction. High Cd and Cu values were observed. The fractionation showed a high mobility for Cd (28.3–100%) and Pb (54.0–70.2%). Moreover, the pollution factor and the geoaccumulation index reflected a high contamination for Pb and a moderate contamination for Cu and Zn in the superficial layers, pointing to a possible ecotoxicological risk to organisms in San Simon Bay.