To understand the temporal variations and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the coastal marshes, the concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cu) in the two Suaeda salsa marshes [middle S. salsa marsh (MM) and low S. salsa marsh (LM)] of the Yellow River estuary were determined from May to November in 2008 by in situ sampling and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis. Results showed that heavy metal concentrations in S. salsa of MM and LM were generally in the order of Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni, while those in sediments fell in the order of Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb. Heavy metal concentrations of S. salsa in MM and LM were different, and significant differences were observed in stems (F = 4.797, p = 0.046) and litters (F = 6.799, p = 0.026) for Ni. Litter was the main stock of heavy metals, and the allocations of Cr, Ni, and Pb reached 31.25–51.31, 28.49–42.58, and 29.55–66.79 % (in MM) and 36.73–48.60, 41.70–57.87, and 33.30–60.64 % (in LM), respectively. The ratios of roots/leaves (R/L) and roots/stems (R/S) for Cr and Ni in MM were mostly greater than 1, while those ratios in LM were mostly less than 1, indicating that Cr and Ni in S. salsa at LM had greater mobility compared with those at MM. Moreover, the [accumulation factor, AF]ₚₗₐₙₜof Cr, Ni, Cu, and Pb in LM, especially [AF]ᵣₒₒₜand [AF]ₛₜₑₘof Cr and [AF]ₗᵢₜₜₑᵣof Ni, was also higher than that in MM. These indicated that S. salsa grown in LM was more suitable for potential biomonitor or phytoremediation of Cr, Ni, Cu, and Pb if intertidal sediments were seriously contaminated with an increase of pollutant loading (especially heavy metals) in the Yellow River estuary. The use of biomonitor (S. salsa) living and growing in LM could yield valuable information not only on the presence of anthropogenic stressors, but, more importantly, on the adverse influence the stressors are having on the environment.

Size distribution (fine and coarse fraction) and solubility distribution (extracted and residual fraction) of 20 elements (As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Pb, Ni, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V) in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) were determined during a 5-year field study carried out in the Po Valley (peri-urban area of Ferrara, in Northern Italy). By studying the contribution of the two size fractions and the two solubility fractions to the atmospheric concentration of each element, it was possible to obtain interesting information about the variability of PM sources, to assess the role played by atmospheric stability in determining pollution episodes, and to obtain an estimate of the bio-accessible fraction. Atmospheric stability is confirmed to be one of the main causes of atmospheric pollution in this area and is to be responsible for the pronounced winter increase in both PM and elemental concentration. Long-range transport of natural and polluted air masses caused temporary increases in PM and elemental concentration, while local industrial emission seemed to play a secondary role. Regulated elements were well below their concentration limit, but many toxic elements were in the form of fine particles and soluble chemical species, more accessible to the environment, and the human body.

The removal and mechanism of Cu²⁺and Cd²⁺from aqueous single-metal solutions were investigated by using a novel biosorbent from waste-activated sludge. A series of adsorption experiments was designed to disclose the effects of the key factors on the adsorption capacity of the biosorbent for the metal ions. The mass ratio of the biosorbent to metal ion was optimized as 2 to balance the adsorption capacity and the removal efficiency. A right shaking speed (150 r/min) not only ensured enough contact frequency between the sorbent and the adsorbate but also reduced the mass transfer resistance. The natural pH value (about 5.5) of the metal solutions benefited a high adsorption capacity of the biosorbent and avoided the consumption of acid or base for pH adjustment. The adsorption reactions belonged to the endothermic process between 15 and 45 °C. As the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed, the meshy structure with long chains and many branches was ideal for the biosorbent to quickly capture the metal ions. The energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra confirmed that the adsorbed metal ions lay in the precipitates of the adsorption reactions. According to the FTIR analyses, the functional groups responsible for Cu²⁺adsorption majorly consisted of O–H, N–H, COOH, CONH₂, and the groups containing sulfur and phosphorus, while those for Cd²⁺adsorption contained O–H, N–H, COOH, and CONH₂. The differences in the responsible functional groups explained the phenomenon that the adsorption capacity of the biosorbent for Cu²⁺was higher than that for Cd²⁺.

The effects of several silicates (talcum powder (TP), calcium silicate (CS), sodium silicate (SS), and potassium silicate (PS)), in comparison with other amendments (quicklime (QL) and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (PDP)) on cadmium (Cd) uptake by three dicotyledonous crops (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. Cv. ‘K112’, Amaranthus tricolor L., and Brassica oleracea var. albiflora Kuntze) were investigated in Cd–contaminated soil. The effects of both application methods of amendments (singly and combined) and timing of application were also evaluated. Sodium silicate was the most effective in reducing crop Cd uptake and translocation, which was diminished by 51 % in roots, 53 % in stems, and 72 % in leaves on average. Application of CS amendment showed greater efficiency than PDP amendment in decreasing Cd uptake by crops and resulted in increased biomass. Potassium silicate only slightly decreased shoot Cd concentration. Combination of PDP and SS was able to overcome the inhibitory effect of SS on crop yield while decreasing Cd concentrations in roots, stems and leaves of the tested crops by average rates of 52, 65, and 68 % respectively. Applications of SS and PS significantly reduced the root-to-shoot Cd transfer factor. We found that Si accumulation in crops was not associated with lower Cd concentration, indicating that Si in crops may play a major role in alleviating metal stress rather than inhibiting crop Cd accumulation. We suggested that the inhibitive effect of silicates on crops Cd uptake was majorly attributed to the properties of the silicates, those were their specific effects on soil pH and cations, which increased Cd adsorption by soil and suppressed Cd uptake from soil solution by increasing the relative dissolved concentrations of competing cations.

Indoor plants can remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. The majority of knowledge comes from laboratory studies where results cannot directly be transferred to real-life settings. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental test system to assess VOC removal by indoor plants which allows for an improved real-life simulation. Parameters such as relative humidity, air exchange rate and VOC concentration are controlled and can be varied to simulate different real-life settings. For example, toluene diffusion through a needle gave concentrations in the range of 0.10–2.35 μg/L with deviations from theoretical values of 3.2–10.5 %. Overall, the system proved to be functional for the assessment of VOC removal by indoor plants with Hedera helix reaching a toluene removal rate of up to 66.5 μg/m²/h. The mode of toluene exposure (semi-dynamic or dynamic) had a significant influence on the removal rate obtained by H. helix.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/PCDF) were overall measured and compared in ambient air, water, soils, and sediments along the upper reaches of the Haihe River of North China, so as to evaluate their concentrations, profiles, and to understand the processes of gas–particle partitioning and air–water/soil exchange. The following results were obtained: (1) The average concentrations (toxic equivalents, TEQs) of 2,3,7,8-PCDD/PCDF in air, water, sediment, and soil samples were 4,855 fg/m³, 9.5 pg/L, 99.2 pg/g dry weight (dw), and 56.4 pg/g (203 fg TEQ/m³, 0.46 pg TEQ/L, 2.2 pg TEQ/g dw, and 1.3 pg TEQ/g, respectively), respectively. (2) Although OCDF, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, OCDD, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD were the dominant congeners among four environmental sinks, obvious discrepancies of these congener and homologue patterns of PCDD/PCDF were observed still. (3) Significant linear correlations for PCDD/PCDF were observed between the gas–particle partition coefficient (Kₚ) and the subcooled liquid vapor pressure (PL⁰) and octanol–air partition coefficient (Kₒₐ). (4) Fugacity fraction values of air–water exchange indicated that most of PCDD/PCDF homologues were dominated by net volatilization from water into air. The low-chlorinated PCDD/PCDF (tetra- to hexa-) presented a strong net volatilization from the soil into air, while high-chlorinated PCDD/PCDF (hepta- to octa-) were mainly close to equilibrium for air–soil exchange.

This study investigated health risks exerted on electronic waste (e-waste) recycling workers exposed to cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn) in Hong Kong. E-waste recycling workshops were classified into eight working areas: 1 = office, 2 = repair, 3 = dismantling, 4 = storage, 5 = desoldering, 6 = loading, 7 = cable shredding, and 8 = chemical waste. The aforementioned metal concentrations were analyzed in suspended air particulates, surface dust and floor dust collected from the above study areas in five workshops. Elevated Pb levels were measured in dismantling and desoldering areas (582 and 486 μg/100 cm²in surface and 3,610 and 19,172 mg/kg in floor dust, respectively). Blood lead levels of 10 and 39.5 μg/dl were estimated using United States Environmental Protection Agency's Adult Lead Model as a result of exposure to the floor dust from these two areas. Human health risk assessments were conducted to evaluate cancer and noncancer risks resulting from exposure to floor dust through the combined pathways of ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. Findings indicated that workers may be exposed to cancer risks above the acceptable range at 147 in a million at the 95th percentile in the dismantling area. Workers should be informed of associated risks to safeguard their health.

Pot-culture experiments were conducted to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of a wetland plant species, Phragmites australis in cadmium (Cd) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) co-contaminated soil under glasshouse conditions for 70 days. The treatments included Cd (0, 5 and 50 mg kg⁻¹) without or with PCP (50 and 250 mg kg⁻¹). The results showed that growth of P. australis was significantly influenced by interaction of Cd and PCP, decreasing with either Cd or PCP additions. Plant biomass was inhibited and reduced by the rate of 89 and 92 % in the low and high Cd treatments and by 20 and 40 % in the low and high PCP treatments compared to the control. The mixture of low Cd and low PCP lessened Cd toxicity to plants, resulting in improved plant growth (by 144 %). Under the joint stress of the two contaminants, the ability of Cd uptake and translocation by P. australis was weak, and the BF and TF values were inferior to 1.0. A low proportion of the metal is found aboveground in comparison to roots, indicating a restriction on transport upwards and an excluding effect on Cd uptake. Thus, P. australis cannot be useful for phytoextraction. The removal rate of PCP increased significantly (70 %) in planted soil. Significant positive correlations were found between the DHA and the removal of PCP in planted soils which implied that plant root exudates promote the rhizosphere microorganisms and enzyme activity, thereby improving biodegradation of PCP. Based on results, P. australis cannot be effective for phytoremediation of soil co-contaminated with Cd and PCP. Further, high levels of pollutant hamper and eventually inhibit plant growth. Therefore, developing supplementary methods (e.g. exploring the partnership of plant–microbe) for either enhancing (phytoextraction) or reducing the bioavailability of contaminants in the rhizosphere (phytostabilization) as well as plant growth promoting could significantly improve the process of phytoremediation in co-contaminated soil.

The effects of elevated CO₂on metal species and mobility in the rhizosphere of hyperaccumulator are not well understood. We report an experiment designed to compare the effects of elevated CO₂on Cd/Zn speciation and mobility in the rhizosphere of hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) and a non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE) of Sedum alfredii grown under ambient (350 μl l⁻¹) or elevated (800 μl l⁻¹) CO₂conditions. No difference in solution pH of NHE was observed between ambient and elevated CO₂treatments. For HE, however, elevated CO₂reduced soil solution pH by 0.22 unit, as compared to ambient CO₂conditions. Elevated CO₂increased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and organic acid levels in soil solution of both ecotypes, but the increase in HE solution was much greater than in NHE solution. After the growth of HE, the concentrations of Cd and Zn in soil solution decreased significantly regardless of CO₂level. The visual MINTEQ speciation model predicted that Cd/Zn–DOM complexes were the dominant species in soil solutions, followed by free Cd²⁺and Zn²⁺species for both ecotypes. However, Cd/Zn–DOM complexes fraction in soil solution of HE was increased by the elevated CO₂treatment (by 8.01 % for Cd and 8.47 % for Zn, respectively). Resin equilibration experiment results indicated that DOM derived from the rhizosphere of HE under elevated CO₂(HE-DOM-E) (90 % for Cd and 73 % for Zn, respectively) showed greater ability to form complexes with Cd and Zn than those under ambient CO₂(HE-DOM-A) (82 % for Cd and 61 % for Zn, respectively) in the undiluted sample. HE-DOM-E showed greater ability to extract Cd and Zn from soil than HE-DOM-A. It was concluded that elevated CO₂could increase the mobility of Cd and Zn due to the enhanced formation of DOM–metal complexes in the rhizosphere of HE S. alfredii.

South Asia, particularly the Indo-Gangetic Plains and foothills of the Himalayas, has been found to be a major source of pollutant gases and particles affecting the regional as well as the global climate. Inventories of greenhouse gases for the South Asian region, particularly the sub-Himalayan region, have been inadequate. Hence, measurements of the gases are important from effective characterization of the gases and their climate effects. The diurnal, seasonal, and annual variation of surface level O₃measured for the first time in northeast India at Dibrugarh (27.4° N, 94.9° E, 111 m amsl), a sub-Himalayan location in the Brahmaputra basin, from November 2009 to May 2013 is presented. The effect of the precursor gases NO ₓ and CO measured simultaneously during January 2012–May 2013 and the prevailing meteorology on the growth and decay of O₃has been studied. The O₃concentration starts to increase gradually after sunrise attaining a peak level around 1500 hours LT and then decreases from evening till sunrise next day. The highest and lowest monthly maximum concentration of O₃is observed in March (42.9 ± 10.3 ppb) and July (17.3 ± 7.0 ppb), respectively. The peak in O₃concentration is preceded by the peaks in NO ₓ and CO concentrations which maximize during the period November to March with peak values of 25.2 ± 21.0 ppb and 1.0 ± 0.4 ppm, respectively, in January. Significant nonlinear correlation is observed between O₃ and NO, NO₂, and CO. National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory back-trajectory and concentration weighted trajectory analysis carried out to delineate the possible airmass trajectory and to identify the potential source region of NO ₓ and O₃concentrations show that in post-monsoon and winter, majority of the trajectories are confined locally while in pre-monsoon and monsoon, these are originated at the Indo-Gangetic plains, Bangladesh, and Bay of Bengal.