Assessment of the pollution potential of mercury contaminated biosolids

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Lomonte ◽  
Johannes Fritsche ◽  
Emilia Bramanti ◽  
Augustine Doronila ◽  
David Gregory ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Extraction Procedure ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Addition ◽  
Safety Level ◽  
Elevated Salinity

Environmental context. The re-use of biosolids (sewage sludge) is becoming increasingly popular especially for land applications as soil improvers, fertilisers and composts. However, some biosolids are contaminated with toxic heavy metals and mercury is arguably of the highest environmental and public health concern. Studies on mobility, availability and emissions of mercury from biosolids were carried out to assess the biosolids potential for contamination of the environment and to evaluate applicable techniques for a future remediation. Abstract. Biosolids from Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant (WTP) in Australia contain elevated levels of mercury. Consequently, monitoring programs are crucial in order to assess localised impacts to the environment and on humans immediately surrounding the boundaries of the WTP. Dry biosolids were surveyed for Hg, other heavy metals, cations, soluble anions, sulfur and phosphorus. Mercury concentrations were found to vary between 3.5 and 8.4 mg kg–1 Hg, indicating that biosolids from some locations were above the safety level (5 mg kg–1 Hg) for land applications. High concentrations of soluble anions and cations revealed elevated salinity levels. The biosolids with the highest Hg concentration were further studied to assess their potential for Hg remediation. The results obtained by a sequential extraction procedure showed that 59.01% of the total mercury was complexed with organic ligands. In addition, the influence of air temperature, water content and irradiation on the emission of gaseous elemental mercury from biosolids was studied. Light exposure and water addition were the main factors affecting this emission with flux values up to 132 ng m–2 h–1.

scholarly journals Distribution of heavy metals in various compartments of the constructed wetland system in Przywidz

2019 ◽  
pp. 297-305
Author(s):  
Hanna Obarska-Pempkowiak ◽  
Katarzyna Klimkowska
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Constructed Wetland ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Domestic Sewage ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Filling Material ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
Wetland System ◽  
Cascade Filter ◽  
The Hill

In the last decade constructed wetlands have become a very popular technology for removal of contaminants from domestic sewage. They are also assesed from the point of view of their capacity for removal of toxic heavy metals and organic substances resistant to degradation. Constructed wetland in Przywidz localized about 60 km from Gdansk is a pilot wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) designed for 150 PE (person equivalent). The system consists of two sections: vegetated submerged bed (VSB) with horizontal flow of sewage and a cascade filter situated on a slope of a hill. Domestic sewage after a conventional pretreatment ( consists of an Imhoff tank and a trickling filter) is pumped to the VSB filter located on slope of the hill. Total area of constructed wetland is about 870 m2. In the period 1995-98 the measurments of several heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb) were carried out. These measurments were carried out in inflowing and outflowing sewage and as well in samples collected from each section of constructed wetland system. In particular analysis of sediment collected in ditches of the cascade filter, filling material of the dykes, VSB filter and plants were carried out. It was found out that content of heavy metals in suspended soil decreased along the course of treatment, starting from VSB filter, through the first ditch to the last ditch. Measurable concentration of dissolved heavy metals were found in sewage collected from several subsequent ditches. The main mechanism of removal on particular matter in subsequent ditches was sorption.

scholarly journals Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology of Hazardous Heavy Metals: Environmental Persistence, Toxicity, and Bioaccumulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazrat Ali ◽  
Ezzat Khan ◽  
Ikram Ilahi
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Environmental Chemistry ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Food Chains ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
Environmental Persistence ◽  
Metals And Metalloids ◽  
Heavy Metals And Metalloids

Heavy metals are well-known environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence in the environment, and bioaccumulative nature. Their natural sources include weathering of metal-bearing rocks and volcanic eruptions, while anthropogenic sources include mining and various industrial and agricultural activities. Mining and industrial processing for extraction of mineral resources and their subsequent applications for industrial, agricultural, and economic development has led to an increase in the mobilization of these elements in the environment and disturbance of their biogeochemical cycles. Contamination of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems with toxic heavy metals is an environmental problem of public health concern. Being persistent pollutants, heavy metals accumulate in the environment and consequently contaminate the food chains. Accumulation of potentially toxic heavy metals in biota causes a potential health threat to their consumers including humans. This article comprehensively reviews the different aspects of heavy metals as hazardous materials with special focus on their environmental persistence, toxicity for living organisms, and bioaccumulative potential. The bioaccumulation of these elements and its implications for human health are discussed with a special coverage on fish, rice, and tobacco. The article will serve as a valuable educational resource for both undergraduate and graduate students and for researchers in environmental sciences. Environmentally relevant most hazardous heavy metals and metalloids include Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, and As. The trophic transfer of these elements in aquatic and terrestrial food chains/webs has important implications for wildlife and human health. It is very important to assess and monitor the concentrations of potentially toxic heavy metals and metalloids in different environmental segments and in the resident biota. A comprehensive study of the environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology of hazardous heavy metals and metalloids shows that steps should be taken to minimize the impact of these elements on human health and the environment.

scholarly journals Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Released from Mining Waste Drainage using selected plant species, in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Mehari Girmay Gebru
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Root System ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Vetiver Grass ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Long Time

Mining is known in releasing of heavy metals and environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence in the environment, and bio-accumulative nature. Leaching activity of mining has a major role in releasing of chemicals which toxify to the mining environment. Such activity contaminates the terrestrial ecosystems with toxic heavy metals that lead to the environmental problem of public health concern. In Ethiopia, even the mining trend is accounted long time, the environmental and social impacts are underestimated and not taken as an issue for a long time. However, these impacts are become very risky and problematic from time to time, since mining companies are not dedicated to their environmental and social impact assessment commitments. Being persistent pollutants, heavy metals accumulate in the environment and consequently contaminate the food chains. Accumulation of potentially toxic heavy metals in biota causes a potential health threat to their consumers including humans. Phytoremediation is more cost-effective than alternative mechanical or chemical methods of removing hazardous compounds from the soil. Vetiver grass is a perennial grass belonging to the Poaceae family with short rhizomes and a massive, finely structured root system. The deep root system makes the vetiver grass extremely drought tolerant and very difficult to dislodge when exposed to strong water flow. The main purpose of this study is to review the ecological impacts of mining in releasing leached wastes/drainages/ and the possible and effective techniques of treatment via Phytoremediation technology.

scholarly journals Use of Fibrous Chemosorbents for Rain Runoff Treatment from Heavy Metals

2011 ◽  
pp. 47-57
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Waste Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
Iron Copper ◽  
Copper Zinc ◽  
Heavy Metals Ions

The paper shows availability of the fibrous chemisorbents use for treatment of storm-rain discharges from toxic heavy metals ions. When fibrous chemisorbents were used in laboratory conditions with model diluted solutions of iron, copper, zinc, and lead the metals’ content in water phase demonstrated 8—42 times decrease. It was stated that real rain discharges treatment with fibrous chemisorbents after “Pokrov Hills” (Moscow) waste water treatment plant resulted in decrease of iron, zinc, copper, and lead content.

Speciation Analysis of Heavy Metals in Sludge from a Wastewater Treatment Plant

2013 ◽  
Vol 448-453 ◽  
pp. 376-379
Author(s):  
Shi Wen Song ◽  
Guang Cai Qi ◽  
Hao Yu ◽  
Zhen Ye Liu ◽  
Fa Zhi Li
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Extraction Procedure ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Absorption Spectrometry ◽  
Speciation Analysis ◽  
Shaanxi Province ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Iron Manganese

The Tessiers five-stage sequential extraction procedure for extractable heavy metals determination was applied to sludge samples collected from wastewater treatment plant of Yanan city, Shaanxi province, China. According to the Tessiers guidelines, Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The heavy metal concentrations from high to low are Cu > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cd, which are lower than maximum permitted levels for agricultural use in relation to current international legislation. As shown in the speciation experiment, Cu mainly exists in organic form and sulfides, which is relatively stable. Zn with potentially hazards mainly exists in iron/manganese form. Ni mainly exists in insoluble form, which is stable and not easy to migrate to the environment. Cd with potential biological effectiveness mainly exists in acid soluble form and is easy to migrate to the environment.

scholarly journals Phytoremediationof Heavy Metals Released from Mining Waste Drainage Using Selected Plant Species, in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
MehariGirmay MehariGirmay
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Root System ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Long Time

Mining is known in releasing of heavy metals and environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence in the environment, and bio-accumulative nature. Leaching activity of mining has a major role in releasing of chemicals which toxify to the mining environment. Such activity contaminates the terrestrial ecosystemswith toxic heavy metals that lead to the environmental problem of public health concern. In Ethiopia, even the mining trend is accounted long time, the environmental and social impacts are underestimated and not taken as an issue for a long time. However, these impacts are become very risky and problematic from time to time, since mining companies are not dedicated to their environmental and social impact assessment commitments. Being persistent pollutants, heavy metals accumulate in the environment and consequently contaminate the food chains. Accumulation of potentially toxic heavy metals in biota causes a potential health threat to their consumers including humans. Phytoremediation is more cost-effective than alternative mechanical or chemical methods of removing hazardous compounds from the soil.Vetiver grass is a perennial grass belonging to the Poaceae family with short rhizomes and a massive, finely structured root system. The deep root system makes the vetiver grass extremely drought tolerant and very difficult to dislodge when exposed to strong water flow. The main purpose of this study is to review the ecological impacts of mining in releasing leached wastes/drainages/ and the possible and effective techniques of treatment via Phytoremediation technology.

ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN COCONUT WATER

1970 ◽  
pp. 07-10
Author(s):  
MdDidarul Islam, Ashiqur Rahaman, Aboni Afrose
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Heavy Metal Concentration ◽  
Coconut Water ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metal ◽  
Low Concentration ◽  
Wet Ashing ◽  
Aas Method

This study was based on determining concentration of essential and toxic heavy metal in coconut water available at a local Hazaribagh area in Dhaka, Bangladesh. All essential minerals, if present in the drinking water at high concentration or very low concentration, it has negative actions. In this study, fifteen samples and eight heavy metals were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) method which was followed by wet ashing digestion method. The concentration obtained in mg/l were in the range of 0.3 to 1.5, 7.77 to 21.2, 0 to 0.71, 0 to 0.9, 0 to 0.2, 0.9 to 17.3, 0.1 to 0.9, 0 to 0.9 and 0 to 0.7 for Fe, Ni, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn, Pb and Se respectively. From this data it was concluded that any toxic heavy metals like Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni exceed their toxicity level and some essential nutrients were in low concentration in those samples. 

Assessment of micro and macro nutrients in poultry feeds available in Dhaka city, Bangladesh.

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 264
Author(s):  
Md Didarul Islam ◽  
Ashiqur Rahaman ◽  
Fahmida Jannat
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Adverse Effect ◽  
The Other ◽  
Nutrient Level ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Low Concentration ◽  
Feed Formulation ◽  
Macro Nutrients

This study was based on to determine the concentration of macro and micro nutrients as well as toxic and nontoxic heavy metals present in the chicken feed available in Dhaka city of Bangladesh. All macro nutrients, if present in the feed at high concentration have some adverse effect, at the same time if this nutrient present in the feed at low concentration this have some adverse effect too. So that this nutrient level should be maintained at a marginal level. On the other side toxic heavy metals if present in the feed at very low concentration those can contaminate the total environment of the ecosystem. In this study six brand samples (starter, grower, finisher and layer) which was collected from different renowned chicken feed formulation industry in Bangladesh. Those samples were prepared for analysis by wet ashing and then metals were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. It was found that 27.7 to 68.4, 57.3 to 121.9, 0.21 to 4.1, 0.32 to 2.1, 0.11 to 1.58, 0.28 to 2.11 and 0.28 to 1.78 for zinc, iron, copper, mercury, cadmium, nickel and cobalt respectively. It was found that essential macro and micro nutrients were present in the feed in low concentration on the other side mercury was present in high concentration in the feed samples.

Determination of Traces Heavy Metals from Solid Residues Formed by Combustion of Lignite in Relation to Degree of Accessibility in Soil and Plants

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (10) ◽  
pp. 2363-2366
Author(s):  
Delia Nica Badea
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Reference Value ◽  
Combustion Products ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
Area Of Influence ◽  
Risk Potential

The paper evaluates the presence and content of traces of heavy metals Hg, Pb, Ni, Cd (total forms) from coal and solid combustion products, the degree of transfer and accessibility in the area of influence of a lignite power plant. The content of toxic heavy metals in residues are characterized by RE Meiji [ 1 (Pb and Hg) and REMeij �1 (Ni and Cd) for the filter ash. Pb and Ni content in the soil exceeds normal values, and Pb exceeds and alert value for sensitive soils around the residue deposit (70.20 mg.Kg-1). The degree of accessibility of the metals in plants (TF), reported at the Khan reference value (0.5), indicates a significant bioaccumulation level for the metals: Cd (1.9) and Hg (0.6) inside the deposit; Cd (0.39) at the base of the deposit, Hg (0.8) in the area of the thermal power plant. The trace levels of heavy metals analyzed by GFAAS and CVAAS (Hg), indicates a moderate risk potential for food safety and quality of life in the studied area.

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