AbstractFirework displays are an integral part of festivals. Kerala is a host of innumerable firework displays. Perchlorate is used as an oxidizer in fireworks. Water samples and soil samples collected after firework display in selected sites of Kerala were analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Both soil and water samples after the firework display were found to be contaminated with perchlorate. Average perchlorate in soil ranges from below detectable limits to 20451.14 ppb and in water from below detectable limits to 7.23 ppb. Perchlorate in soil was found to be maximum on the third day after the fireworks display. The present study gives an awareness of the perchlorate contamination resulting from the fireworks display in Kerala.

AbstractNatural environmental radioactivity aroused mainly from primordial radionuclides such as 40K and 238U and 232Th decay series, and have been present in varying concentrations within the earth and in the tissue of every living being. Natural radioactivity can be found everywhere; in the soil, public water supplies, oil, and the atmosphere and it poses a measurable exposure to human beings. The present study developed a statistical model that can be used to predict the Terrestrial Gamma Radiation Dose rates (TGRD) based on soil types and geological formations irrespective of the environment. About 295 TGRD measurements were taken using a micro-Roentgen survey meter (model 19) manufactured by Ludlum, from different locations within the study area. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilized in establishing the relationships between TGRD with underlying geological formations and soil types as well as in the development of the model. The developed model was tested by predicting the TGRD value over different combinations of soil types and geological formations, and it was found to fit in well with more than 80% degree of accuracy which is within the acceptable limit. The developed model in this study, may help in establishing the background radioactivity levels in a terrestrial environment that can be used to evaluate any changes that may arise as a result of any release due to both natural and or human activities in a certain area.

AbstractThe sources of the pollution in lakes might be quite complex and difficult to control. This study analyzed and evaluated the pollution control effects of a typical lake (Nansi Lake) located in northern China through judicial means. The water quality at 52 sampling sites was investigated to assess results from individual cases located in heavily polluted areas. The water quality of the entire lake and stream was further assessed using data from the National Automatic Water Quality Monitoring System. Finally, 70 kinds of pesticides from 21 sites in the lake were analyzed to assess the reduction of the agricultural diffused pollution. The results show that the water quality of the lake in 2021 has been significantly improved compared to 2020. From April 2021, China has initiated a series of procuratorial environmental public interest litigation to protect this lake, with 205 cases closed including 185 administrative cases and 20 civil cases. The results show that procuratorial environmental public interest litigation has made great contributions to solving the long-standing pollution problem in Nansi Lake.

AbstractRegular monitoring of the chemical status of water bodies remains crucial in countries where data on chemical fingerprints that can assist in environmental policy is still limited. The current study focused on the concentrations of 14 metals and their sources in two important South African rivers that pass through various rural areas and two semi-urban towns in the province of the Eastern Cape. Most of the essential metals were within the South African guidelines for domestic water use except for selenium and iron which reached the concentrations of 131 and 712 µg L−1 that exceed the guideline values of 20 and 200 µg L−1, respectively. Cadmium and lead were above the South African Water Quality Guidelines and World Health Organization limits of 3 and 10 µg L−1, attaining the highest concentrations of 35 and 34 µg L−1, respectively. The impact of the wastewater treatment plant effluent and the municipal dumpsite leachates on metal ion concentrations in the rivers was observed for some metals. The metals source was related to deterioration of galvanized corrugated steel sheets from scrap yards and dwellings made-out of galvanized corrugated sheets, as well as agricultural activities and natural geological processes. An overview of the current water quality status of the two rivers may serve as a basis for sink-oriented pollutant fingerprinting toward sustainable water sources for communities.

AbstractThis study assessed the pollution effects of cement dust emission on the soil quality around Ewekoro, southwestern Nigeria. Composite soil samples were collected at six locations from the cement factory (0 km) to a distance of 3 km outside the factory; for two consecutive years. Soil samples were also taken from a distance of 22 km after the cement factory to serve as a control. A total of 42 soil samples were collected and subjected to laboratory assays using standard procedures. Samples were analyzed for pH, organic carbon, particle size, available phosphorus (AvP), alkalinity, exchangeable cations, and heavy metals. Data collected were subjected to simple descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS for Windows. Pollution effect was also evaluated for pollution index (PI), ecological risk index (ERI), Nemerov integrated pollution index (NIPI), and enrichment factor (EF). Results showed significantly higher levels of exchangeable cations, alkalinity, AvP, pH, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Fe in the vicinity of the cement factory than in the control site. The distribution of metals in soils around the cement factory followed the trend of Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu. The PI of metals in soil established high pollution levels for Pb and Zn. The NIPI values for Cu, Cr, and Fe showed low levels of pollution at the vicinity of the cement industry, while no pollution level was observed at the control site. NIPI revealed that Pb varied from low to moderate pollution levels across the sampling locations. The EF values of Zn and Pb were higher than 2.0, thereby suggesting emissions from anthropogenic activities, especially from the cement industry.

AbstractIn Fuxin, a few existing studies have illustrated the pollution characteristics of water-soluble ions (WSIIs) in PM2.5 in four seasons. To track the particulate pollution in Fuxin, sample filters of PM2.5 in the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter in 2019 were collected. For the first time, the concentration and seasonal variation characteristics of PM2.5 and WSIIs were tested by gravimeter method and ion chromatography. Characteristics of WSIIs and their existence sources and forms were explored by ion balance calculation, correlation analysis and principal component analysis. The annual average concentrations of PM2.5 and WSIIs were (33.23 ± 13.03) μg·m−3 and (22.86 ± 9.62) μg·m−3, respectively. The seasonal WSIIs concentration followed the order: spring (29.98 μg·m−3) > autumn (28.85 μg·m−3) > winter (21.32 μg·m−3) > summer (11.28 μg·m−3). In WSIIs, 81.41% of them were secondary inorganic ions (SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+), contributed about 68.80% to PM2.5, and the chemical forms were mainly (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3. In this study, it has been revealed that PM2.5 samples exhibited acid properties in spring and autumn while, displayed alkalinity in summer and winter. The average value of NO3−/SO42− was 0.67, so from these data it can be illustrated that fixed pollution sources were found to be dominant over mobile sources in Fuxin. The main identified sources of WSIIs in four seasons in Fuxin were sea salt particles and secondary particles, respectively. These results showed that the geographical factors of Bohai Bay and secondary transformation had a significant impact on the concentration of WSIIs of PM2.5 in Fuxin.

AbstractThe AQ Guard Ambient sampler is the most advanced compact device that collects ambient air pollutants of various particle sizes. This study collected ambient air pollutant particles of various sizes, CO2 and VOC concentrations and particle numbers from April to May of 2021 using the AQ-guard ambient sampler at Taichung Science Park. The relationships among various particles sizes, CO2, VOC concentrations and total particle numbers in conjunction with the meteorological conditions are also discussed. Appropriate statistical methods were used to test the mean concentration differences between various particulate sizes, CO2, VOC and total particle numbers at Taichung Science Park. The results indicated that particle concentrations of various sizes (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, PMtot), CO2, VOC concentrations and particulate numbers at the sample location over the study period were the highest on April 21 and gradually decreased from April 21 to May 23, 2021 at Taichung Science Park. The meteorological conditions; temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were negatively displayed but moderately correlated with the ambient air particulate concentrations, CO2, VOC and particulate numbers. The relationships between ambient air particles (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, PMtot), and CO2, VOC concentrations displayed moderate correlated relationships. The results further showed that there were mean concentration differences existing for most of the pollutants (particulates, CO2 and VOC) monitored by the AQ Guard Ambient sampler in this study. The relationships among particles sizes of PM1 v.s. PM2.5, PM2.5 v.s. PM4, PM4 v.s. PM10, PM10 v.s. PMtot were highly correlated with the mean concentrations. However, the results further showed that they also displayed no significant mean concentration differences for PM1 v.s. PM2.5, PM2.5 v.s. PM4, PM4 v.s. PM10, PM10 v.s. PMtot were collected by the AQ Guard sampler at this Taichung Science Park sampling site.

AbstractSynthetic-based drilling muds (SBMs) are complex mixtures of man-made fluids used during the drilling of oil and gas wells. SBM-derived chemicals can enter the environment through failed wells and routine or poor disposal practices, where they can persist and thereby warrant measurement. SBMs are commonly formulated with linear and methyl branched α- and internal-olefins mostly in the C14 to C20 carbon range, which are not native to crude oils. Thus, SBM-derived olefins can provide a basis to recognize the impact of these drilling wastes in the environment. However, the presence of abundant native hydrocarbons in oils and sediments can hinder the detection of trace level SBM-derived olefins by conventional organic sample preparation and analytical methods. Silver ion chromatography using silver nitrate (AgNO3) impregnated silica gel can serve to physically separate olefins from saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons native in crude oils, which can subsequently be analyzed and measured by conventional one-dimensional gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). In this study, SBM-derived olefins are measured in crude oils from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and in their laboratory mixtures to a detection limit of approximately 5000 µg/g (0.5 wt%). In oiled sediment, SBM-derived olefins were reliably detected at concentrations as low as 1 µg/g-dry. An application of this method is demonstrated through analysis of crude oils and oil-contaminated seafloor sediment from the Taylor Energy oil spill site in the northern Gulf of Mexico where SBM was historically used and discharged.

AbstractThe Gökova Bay declared as Private Environment Protection Area (PEPA) in Turkey in 1989, where freshwater and seawater ecosystems are intertwined, is an important area that possesses high biodiversity. In the study, the water quality index (WQI), comprehensive pollution index (CPI) were used to determine the water quality and pollution of freshwater sources affecting the Gökova Bay. The water quality parameters were measured for each freshwater at both the dry and rainy seasons and all statistical analyses were carried out for each season, separately. Firstly, factor analysis was performed to determine the correlated water quality parameters and to collect correlated parameters under the common factors. The different factors were obtained from the dry and rainy seasons. This shows that the study area is fed by different water sources in the wet season and that the main factor affecting the area in the dry season is anthropogenic sources. The stations were statistically compared according to the factors. The relationships between the factors and WQI and CPI were investigated and lastly regression models between the factors and WQI and CPI were predicted. The results showed that the water quality parameters deteriorated in all the freshwater sources especially in dry seasons. A thematic map of each water quality and pollution index was developed in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This study indicates that CPI can be used especially together with GIS as a useful tool for the evaluation of water quality and pollution.

AbstractIn the current study, atomic absorption spectroscopy has been utilized to investigate the concentration level of metals such as Pb, Cd, Fe, Zn, and Cu on lipstick samples. Heavy metals such as Pb and Cd are hazardous to human health, and therefore, the potential health risk possess by these metals have been investigated. Pb concentration in two samples (L21 and L25) was found above the concentration limit set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration which is 20 ppm. The hazard index values of Pb and Cd for both oral ingestion and dermal absorption was calculated and found to be less than unity, which indicated negligible non-carcinogenic health risk. The calculated lifetime cancer risk value for Cd suggested that the procured lipsticks were safe and would not pose any potential threats to consumers in their lifetime. Additionally, the concentration profile of metals obtained in the current study can be used in the data generation of concentration of metals of different lipstick brands, and can be helpful in evaluating the source and comparison of recovered lipstick exhibit from the crime scene.

AbstractThe distribution pattern and sources of trace elemental contents of refined petroleum products were determined in this study. Petroleum products comprising of petrol, kerosene, and diesel samples were obtained from different commercial gas stations in Nigeria and analyzed for V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results showed that Zn had the highest mean concentration of 16.16 ± 2.69 mg/L in petrol while Cu had the lowest mean concentration of 0.70 ± 0.42 mg/L in kerosene. Generally, the contents of the trace elements increased from light to heavy oil. In consonance with the results of correlation matrix, principal component analysis indicated that Cr, Ni, V, and Fe were incorporated as biophile elements during sedimentation while Cu, Mn, Zn, and Co were introduced into refined petroleum products via atmospheric deposition of metal-containing particulates and/or during refining, storage and transportation.

AbstractPlastic pollution is one of today’s most serious global issues in the aquatic environment and organisms, including entanglements, ingestion, and possible toxicity. The study was carried out to screen and identify the microplastics in some tissues of fish species from Sallari and Hauren Shanu burrow pits in Kano metropolis. A total of 60 fish samples comprising two species; Oreochromis niloticus (n = 30) and Tilapia zilli (n = 30), were collected from sampling sites (Sallari and Hauren Shanu). The fishes’ gastrointestinal tract, gills and muscle tissues were collected, screenedand examined using a dissecting microscope for the presence of microplastics. Microplastics were found in all the examined fish tissue samples from both sites. In the samples from Hauren Shanu, 63% of the fish had microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract, 46% in muscle and 36% in the gills. In samples from Sallari, 33% of the fish had microplastics in theirgastrointestinal tract, 16% in muscle and 23% in the gills. Microplastics which include fibers, fragments, microbeads and tyre-dusts were observed in all the examined tissues of Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zilli although not significantly different (p > 0.05) between the fish species. The study demonstrates microplastics presence in the fish species and portrays to a large extent some degree of plastic contamination in Hauren shanu and Sallari burrow pits. Further assessments should be done on human food contamination by microplastics and their effects on human health.

AbstractThe levels of essential and toxic elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, and Ni) were determined in kerosene-contaminated soils with the aim of identifying their possible sources and associated health and ecological risks. Ni was undetected in the studied soils. Fe had the highest mean concentration (14,172 ± 6110.13 mg/kg) while Co had the least mean concentration (1.42 ± 3.17 mg/kg) in the studied soils. The studied soils showed varying degrees of contamination/pollution based on the results of contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, modified degree of contamination, and pollution load index. Source apportionment using cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and positive matrix factorization identified vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, biomass/waste incineration, and natural sources as the major contributors to pollution of the soils. Health risk assessment showed that there were no noncarcinogenic risks associated with ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure to the studied soils (HI < 1). Ingestion and dermal exposure were identified as the principal exposure pathways to non-carcinogenic health risks. Fe had the highest individual contribution to potential health risks (RR = 57.63%). Ecological risk assessment indicated low ecological risks by the metals in the studied soils (RI < 150).

AbstractThe study of daily and hourly average concentrations variability of surface O3, NO, NO2 and PM10 was carried out at the proximity of a crossroad (≈23,000 vehicles per day) located in suburban Gabès, Tunisia. It was performed during 2017–2019 “winter/spring” seasonal transitions and spring seasons. Depending on multi-scale sources and meteorology, it showed variable values ​​within each studied annual period and the years. Statistical approaches based on factorial analysis of correspondences (FAC) and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed three main components of pollution; local retraced by NOx, regional by O3 and synoptic by PM10. Furthermore, they have refined the significant impacts of Saharan dust advections on high recorded PM10 and NOx (by drained urban plume) and of both deep depressions (cut-off lows) and Azores anticyclonic events on the excess of surface O3 concentrations. The investigation of the air quality health index (AQHI) related to the selected pollutants highlighted the significant effect of PM10. It has revealed that more than 53% of the total days were retraced by a moderate air quality index level linked to the negative impact of PM10. Besides, for such a pollutant, more than 20% of the total days were unhealthy for sensitive groups. Even for ordinary people, almost 3% of the total days were shown to be very unhealthy to hazardous.

AbstractMercury (Hg) is a well know element due its toxicity to both environment and humans. Also, mercury has a high persistence in the environment, and therefore, it is essential to monitor its presence on environmental matrices, such as water, soils and sediments. Sediment cores can provide a useful tool when monitoring water bodies for the presence of mercury since, when coupled with geochronological techniques, it is possible to analyze the temporal variation of Hg during a certain period. Thus, the objective of this work was to perform a systematic review about papers that analyzed the presence of Hg in dated sediment cores in Brazil. The review was performed in the following databases: Scielo, PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus. We searched for papers published between 2011 and 2020. In total, we found 217 articles, that after the application of successive filtration criteria, were reduced to 13 articles. The majority of the papers showed a tendency of increase in the concentration of Hg. We also performed a risk assessment that indicates that some places have Hg concentrations above quality criteria established for sediments. Regarding the sources, all the papers that presented a tendency of increase in Hg concentrations considered this as consequence of anthropogenic activities, such as chlor-alkali industries and deforestation.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to elucidate the contaminant sources and the processes controlling the groundwater quality and risk assessment of heavy metals posed on humans by statistical indices. The groundwater sampling was performed at Bodhjungnagar Industrial Estate, A.D. Nagar, Dukli and Badharghat Industrial Cluster, Tripura, India during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon in the year 2017. A total of 21 water quality parameters (Temp, pH, TDS, Ca, Mg, TH, Na, K, HCO3, Cl, SO4, PO4, NO3, F, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, As, Cu, Zn, and Cr) were determined from collected samples. The statistical and graphical methods were employed to assess the suitability of water. The water quality index (WQI) suggested that the majority of the samples are suitable for drinking purpose. The WATEQ4F model was applied to compute the saturation index (SI) of different minerals present in the water samples. Based on Piper plot the dominant water type is Ca-Cl in the study area. The Nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI) indicates that the groundwaters of both industrial sites have moderately to highly deteriorated water with heavy metals. The hazard index (HI) revealed that amongst the population, chronic health risk was greater for children and considering the seasons, the risk was higher during the pre­monsoon season.

AbstractFatty acids and bulk geochemical proxies were employed to understand the sources and transformation of sedimentary organic matter from surface sediments of major five mangrove systems in the northern Kerala coast. Texture, tidal rhythm and the proximity to the south eastern Arabian Sea were the main factors influencing distribution and accumulation of the organic matter in these systems. A total of 118 fatty acids were quantified and grouped into short-chain (SCFA), long-chain (LCFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and branched-chain (BrFA) fatty acids, hydroxy fatty acids, cyclic fatty acids, and dicarboxylic acids. The distribution of fatty acid groups was in the order SCFA > BrFA > MUFA > LCFA > PUFA. Total fatty acids (TFA) concentration exhibited profound seasonal variations and ranged from 6.25 to 580.49 μg/g (pre-monsoon > post-monsoon > monsoon except in Kadalundi which follows the reverse order). The sedimentary fatty acids in the study region reveal a wide spectrum of inputs from terrestrial, planktonic (preponderance of diatom followed by dinoflagellates along with brown algae, cyanobacteria, red algae) and bacterial sources (e.g., Desulfobulbus-type bacteria, sulfur-reducing bacteria, Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria). Significant concentrations of bacterial fatty acids suggest the functioning of an effective microbial loop and various biogeochemical pathways operating in these sediments (sulfate reduction, iron and manganese oxide reduction, etc.).

AbstractThe usage of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as fire-resistant additives was banned several years ago; however, they persist in several environmental compartments. This study determined the concentrations and associated exposure risks of Ʃ39PBDEs in soil depth samples from selected metals and plastics scrap catchments in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Samples extraction was performed by the Soxhlet extraction method followed by GC-MS analysis. The mean concentrations of ∑39PBDEs-congeners ranged from 0.01 ± 001 to 25 ± 11.0 ng g−1 in the topsoil and 0.01 ± 0.01 to 6.50 ± 4.7 ng g−1 in the subsoil. The PBDE homologue profiles were dominated by di, penta, hexa, and tri-BDEs. The PBDEs cancer and non-cancer risk for infants were higher than those in adults, expressed in the following order: ingestion > dermal contact > inhalation. In general, the sum for the three exposure pathways was within the allowable threshold limit, suggesting a low lifetime cancer risk from soil exposures. The technical mixture used for paints, plastics, hydraulic, and dielectric insulating fluids for transformers, capacitors, cable wires, and power capacitors is a potential source of Ʃ39PBDEs in the study area. With the increase in metals scrap enterprise in Nigeria, this study provides empirical data useful for the development of efficient strategies to strengthen and enforce existing regulations for metals and plastics scrap land use in Nigeria and other similar catchments around the world.

AbstractThis study identifies a source of heavy metal pollution in the Tarnița-Ostra area, Suceava County, Romania, using both chemical and biological techniques. Samples collected from the sterile dumps and the surrounding soil were digested and analyzed for total metals and arsenic by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). High concentrations of heavy metals, such as copper (3.12 g/kg), arsenic (0.68 g/kg), lead (2.67 g/kg), zinc (0.43 g/kg) and barium (0.54 g/kg), found in that region, may pose a high risk to the environment and public health through the food chain. The large amounts of Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn and As of the collected samples diminished much the germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), used in this study as a marker of toxicity. However, after the removal of the heavy metals by treating the aqueous extracts with sodium hydroxide solutions, the germination parameters returned to normal. The quantification of heavy metal levels by ICP-OES provides a better understanding of the potential ecological risks and contamination status of the tailings dumps. Instead, wheat germination tests can be reliable and inexpensive biological methods to prove the harmful effect of heavy metals and arsenic on plants.

AbstractHigh-cost remediation of groundwater pollution makes it important to obtain exact information about the source. This is quite difficult to achieve in naturally ill-posed inverse problems of this kind. If the aquifer parameters are also unknown, the problem becomes even more challenging. To address this difficulty, we propose the alternating direction genetic algorithm (ADGA) approach, together with modification of the order of magnitude of the decision variables, to increase the accuracy of the results and computational efficiency. Seven scenarios were designed to test the accuracy of the proposed approach in aquifer with different properties, number of pollution sources, parameters and measurement errors. The results show that combining the ADGA approach with modification of the order of magnitude of the decision variables for identifying both groundwater pollution source and aquifer parameters significantly increases the accuracy of estimated results. The NE value for the estimated results decreased from 9.81% to 58.44% for different cases, and computation time is about half decreased. In addition, the approach is applicable in situations where concentrations of observational data with measurement error, and for multiple source locations and non-uniform media.