No description available.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of molasses injection for reducing heavy metals and chlorinated solvents in a ground water plume at the Avco-Lycoming Superfund site in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Molasses injection stimulates the respiration of microorganisms to make a more reducing environment. As the environment?s Redox potential decreases, the rate of chemical reduction increases. The concentrations of heavy metals and chlorinated solvents were monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of the molasses injection. The statistics revealed a decrease in the Oxidation-Reduction Potential in the groundwater and a reduction in hexavalent chromium and TCE concentrations in the groundwater. The Environmental Protection Agency views molasses injection as a viable technique for site remediation. Molasses injection is a form of facilitated natural attenuation. Molasses is injected into a plume to make the environment anaerobic. An anaerobic environment facilitates the microbes that breakdown trichloroethylene (TCE), trans-dichloroethylene (DCE), vinyl chloride (VC) and hexavalent chromium.

Cadmium accumulation, retention and sequestering by protein were measured in two Mycobacterium scrofulaceum strains differing in their susceptibility to that toxic heavy metal cation. Cadmium accumulation was energy-dependent and temperature-sensitive. The tolerant strain had lower K_m and V_max values than did the susceptible strain. Cd⁺² accumulation was antagonized by both Zn⁺² and Mn⁺², which agreed with the observation that both cations protected the strains from Cd⁺² toxicity. Further, Zn⁺² and Mn⁺² did not reduce Cd⁺² accumulation to the same extent in the tolerant strain as in the susceptible strain, suggesting that cadmium resulted in more extensive zinc and manganese starvation in the cadmium-susceptible strain. Cd⁺² was retained to the same extent in both the susceptible and tolerant strains by a Cd⁺²-specific, energy-dependent exchange mechanism. Thus, tolerance was not due to accelerated efflux. Though a cadmium-inducible, soluble protein was discovered only in the tolerant strain, its inability to bind Cd⁺² and exclusive production during the stationary phase of growth argued against its role in cadmium tolerance. / M.S.

Biosorption is a property of certain type of inactive, microbial biomass to bind and concentrate heavy metals from even very dilute aqueous solutions. Biomass exhibits this property, acting just as a chemical substance, as an ion exchanger of biological origin. It is particularly the cell wall structure of certain algae that is found responsible for this phenomenon. In these experiments, the rate and extent for removal of copper is subjected to parameters such as pH, initial metal concentration, biosorbent size, contact time, temperature and the ability of the biomass to be regenerated in sorption-desorption experiments. The metal adsorption was found to be rapid within 25 minutes. The maximum copper uptake of 30 mg of copper / g of biomass has been observed, in the following conditions: 100 mg / L, 0.1 g of biomass, pH 4 and at temperature of 25°C. From this study, it was found that copper uptake is increasing with increase in pH, with optimum being pH 4. Copper uptake increases substantially from 0 to 25 minutes. Metal biosorption behaviour of raw seaweed Sargassum in six consecutive sorptiondesorption cycles were also investigated in a packed-bed column, during a continuous removal of copper from a 35 mg/l aqueous solution at pH 4. The sorption and desorption was carried out for an average of 85 and 15 hours, respectively, representing more than 40 days of continuous use of the biosorbent. The weight loss ofbiomass after this time was 13.5%. The column service time decreased from 25 hrs in the first cycle to 10 hrs for the last cycle. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree in Masters of Technology: Chemistry, ML Sultan Technikon, Durban, 2003. / The pollution of water bodies by heavy metals is a serious threat to humanity. The technique known as phytoremediation is used to clean up these polluted water bodies. The accumulation of heavy metals by aquatic plants is a safer, . cheaper and friendlier manner of cleaning the environment. The aquatic plants -studied in this project are A.sessilis, P.stratiotes, R.steudelii and T.capensis. The accumulation of heavy metals in aquatic plants growing in waste water treatment ponds was investigated. The water, sludge and plants were collected from five maturation ponds at the Northern Waste Water Treatment Works, Sea Cow Lake, Durban. The samples were analysed for Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni, Pb and Cu using ICP-MS. In general it was found that the concentrations of the targeted metals were much lower in the water (0.002 to 0.109 mg/I) compared to sediment/sludge (44 to 1543mg/kg dry wt) and plants (0.4 to 2246 mg/kg dry wt). These results show that water released into the river from the final maturation pond has metal concentrations well below the maximum limits set by international environmental control bodies. It also shows that sediments act as good sinks for metals and that plants do uptake metals to a significant extent. Of the four plants investigated it was found that }t.sessi[ir (leaves, roots and stems) and }A.sessilis (roots and stems) are relatively good collectors of Mn and Cu respectively. These findings are described in the thesis. The concentration of heavy metals in the stems, leaves and roots of the three plants were compared to ascertain if there were differences in the ability of the plant at different parts of the plant to bioaccumulate the six heavy metals studied. / M

Concentrações de cádmio (Cd), chumbo (Pb) e mercúrio (Hg) foram determinadas em amostras de água (teores dissolvidos e particulados), sedimento de fundo, peixes e bivalves, coletados em seis bacias hidrográficas do Estado de São Paulo: Alto Paranapanema, Peixe, Aguapeí, São José dos Dourados, Mogi-Guaçu e Piracicaba, as quais apresentam diferentes características quanto ao uso e ocupação da terra. Dentre estas bacias, as dos rios Piracicaba e Mogi-Guaçu apresentam maiores densidades demográficas e industrialização, o que gera, conseqüentemente, maior degradação da qualidade das águas, enfatizando a necessidade de estudos freqüentes nesses sistemas. As amostragens de água e sedimento foram feitas bimestralmente durante o ano de 2001. Os peixes e bivalves foram amostrados no mesmo ano em dois períodos: seca e cheia. As concentrações de Cd e Pb foram determinadas por espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização eletrotérmica, e as de Hg por espectrometria de fluorescência atômica. Os teores de Cd e Pb na fração trocável do sedimento também foram determinados. Os resultados obtidos mostraram baixas concentrações dos metais Cd e Pb na coluna d’água, tanto nas formas dissolvidas quanto particuladas, no entanto, tais concentrações foram maiores nas bacias dos rios Piracicaba e Mogi-Guaçu. No sedimento de fundo e nos bivalves, as maiores concentrações de Pb foram observadas no rio Mogi-Guaçu, embora este elemento tenha ocorrido em pequenas quantidades na fração trocável do sedimento (<1%). O Cd ocorreu em maiores teores no sedimento e no material particulado do rio Piracicaba. Por outro lado, as maiores concentrações de Pb nos bivalves foram detectadas no rio Mogi-Guaçu. Na fração trocável do sedimento, o Cd ocorreu em altas proporções (até 76%), principalmente, nos rios Itapetininga (Bacia do Alto Paranapanema), Piracicaba e Mogi-Guaçu. Em algumas amostras de água e sedimento de fundo ocorreram quantidades relativamente elevadas de Hg. Por outro lado, nos bivalves os teores do elemento foram sempre baixos. No entanto, nenhuma tendência significativa de distribuição espacial ou temporal de Hg ocorreu nas amostras. Portanto, acredita-se que os altos teores registrados para algumas amostras foram resultantes de fontes de origem difusa não-pontual, como deposição atmosférica e fontes originárias da agricultura. Nos peixes, as concentrações de Cd e Pb foram sempre inferiores aos limites de detecção (0,005 e 0,08 µg/g peso seco, respectivamente). Por outro lado, peixes carnívoros coletados no reservatório de Jurumirim (bacia do Alto Paranapanema) apresentaram altas concentrações de Hg (média: 1,14 +/- 0,54 µg/g peso úmido) e metilmercúrio (média: 1,04 +/- 0,51 µg/g peso úmido). Este último, representou em média 92% do mercúrio total determinado no músculo dos peixes. Tais concentrações foram maiores que o máximo permitido pela legislação brasileira para peixes predadores (1 µg/g peso úmido) e, provavelmente, foram resultante de altos teores de metilmercúrio produzido no reservatório devido aos processos de produção e liberação de mercúrio a partir da vegetação e solos inundados. Portanto, concluiu-se que os peixes do reservatório de Jurumirim estavam contaminados com Hg, recomendando-se que novos estudos sejam realizados para se identificar as fontes e processos responsáveis por tais contaminações. As bacias dos rios do Peixe, Aguapeí, Alto Paranapanema e São José dos Dourados apresentaram baixas quantidades de todos os elementos estudados. Por outro lado, foram observadas concentrações relativamente elevadas de Cd no rio Piracicaba, e Pb e Cd no rio Mogi-Guaçu, os quais devem ser periodicamente avaliados. / Concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) were determined in water (dissolved and particulate), bottom sediment, fish, and bivalves sampled in six watersheds located in the State of São Paulo (Southeast, Brazil): the Alto Paranapanema, the Peixe, the Aguapeí, the São José dos Dourados, the Mogi-Guaçu, and the Piracicaba. These watersheds show different levels of land-use. Among these basins, the Piracicaba and the Mogi-Guaçu River Basins show highest population and industrialization rates. Such features lead, consequently, to a higher degradation of water, thus decreasing its quality. These facts emphasize the need of new and frequent studies in those systems. Water and sediment samplings were carried out bimonthly during 2001. Fish and bivalves samples were collected twice a year: at the end of the rainy and dry season. Cd and Pb concentrations were determined through electrotermal atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas Hg through atomic fluorescence spectrometry. In addition, exchangeable Cd and Pb were determined in sediment. The results showed low concentrations of Cd and Pb in water (dissolved and particulate). However, these concentrations were higher in the Piracicaba and the Mogi-Guaçu River Basins. Pb concentrations in sediment and bivalves were the highest in the Mogi-Guaçu River, even so this element occurred in low levels in the exchangeable fraction of sediment (< 1%). The highest Cd concentrations in sediment and particulate suspended matter were related to the Piracicaba River, although the highest levels for bivalves occurred in the Mogi-Guaçu River. High Cd concentrations in the exchangeable fraction of sediment (up to 76%) were observed, mainly in the Itapetininga (the Alto Paranapanema Basin), the Piracicaba, and the Mogi-Guaçu River. High concentrations of Hg were detected in some water and sediment samples, whereas in bivalves Hg was always in low levels. However, no significant tendency of temporal and/or spatial distribution was observed for Hg, so it is belived that the high levels reported for some samples were a result from diffuse non-point source pollution, such as atmospheric deposition and residues from agricultural practices. Cd and Pb concentrations in fish were always lower than the detection limit (0.005 and 0.08 µg/g dry wt, respectively). On the other hand, high concentrations of Hg (1.14 +/- 0,54 µg/g wet wt) and methylmercury (1.04 +/- 0.51 µg/g wet wt), which represented 92% of the total mercury, were found in carnivorous fish samples from the Jurumirim Reservoir (the Alto Paranapanema Basin). These concentrations were higher than the maximum limit permitted by Brazillian legislation for predatory fish (1 µg/g wet wt) and, probably, were a result from high methylmercury levels produced and released in the reservoir supported by inundated soil and vegetation. Hence, we concluded that carnivorous fish from the Jurumirim Reservoir were contamined with Hg, therefore new research sould be carried out in that area in order to identify the sources and processes responsible for high levels of mercury. The Peixe, the Aguapeí, the Alto Paranapanema, and the São José dos Dourados River Basins showed relatively low concentrations of all elements studied. Conversely, high Cd concentrations were determined in the Piracicaba River, and Pb and Cd in the Mogi-Guaçu River, pointing out that these areas should be frequently monitored.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 359-374).

Thesis (M.Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 359-374) Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Sc. Earth Sciences)--University of Waikato, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-147)

Concentrações de cádmio (Cd), chumbo (Pb) e mercúrio (Hg) foram determinadas em amostras de água (teores dissolvidos e particulados), sedimento de fundo, peixes e bivalves, coletados em seis bacias hidrográficas do Estado de São Paulo: Alto Paranapanema, Peixe, Aguapeí, São José dos Dourados, Mogi-Guaçu e Piracicaba, as quais apresentam diferentes características quanto ao uso e ocupação da terra. Dentre estas bacias, as dos rios Piracicaba e Mogi-Guaçu apresentam maiores densidades demográficas e industrialização, o que gera, conseqüentemente, maior degradação da qualidade das águas, enfatizando a necessidade de estudos freqüentes nesses sistemas. As amostragens de água e sedimento foram feitas bimestralmente durante o ano de 2001. Os peixes e bivalves foram amostrados no mesmo ano em dois períodos: seca e cheia. As concentrações de Cd e Pb foram determinadas por espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização eletrotérmica, e as de Hg por espectrometria de fluorescência atômica. Os teores de Cd e Pb na fração trocável do sedimento também foram determinados. Os resultados obtidos mostraram baixas concentrações dos metais Cd e Pb na coluna d’água, tanto nas formas dissolvidas quanto particuladas, no entanto, tais concentrações foram maiores nas bacias dos rios Piracicaba e Mogi-Guaçu. No sedimento de fundo e nos bivalves, as maiores concentrações de Pb foram observadas no rio Mogi-Guaçu, embora este elemento tenha ocorrido em pequenas quantidades na fração trocável do sedimento (<1%). O Cd ocorreu em maiores teores no sedimento e no material particulado do rio Piracicaba. Por outro lado, as maiores concentrações de Pb nos bivalves foram detectadas no rio Mogi-Guaçu. Na fração trocável do sedimento, o Cd ocorreu em altas proporções (até 76%), principalmente, nos rios Itapetininga (Bacia do Alto Paranapanema), Piracicaba e Mogi-Guaçu. Em algumas amostras de água e sedimento de fundo ocorreram quantidades relativamente elevadas de Hg. Por outro lado, nos bivalves os teores do elemento foram sempre baixos. No entanto, nenhuma tendência significativa de distribuição espacial ou temporal de Hg ocorreu nas amostras. Portanto, acredita-se que os altos teores registrados para algumas amostras foram resultantes de fontes de origem difusa não-pontual, como deposição atmosférica e fontes originárias da agricultura. Nos peixes, as concentrações de Cd e Pb foram sempre inferiores aos limites de detecção (0,005 e 0,08 µg/g peso seco, respectivamente). Por outro lado, peixes carnívoros coletados no reservatório de Jurumirim (bacia do Alto Paranapanema) apresentaram altas concentrações de Hg (média: 1,14 +/- 0,54 µg/g peso úmido) e metilmercúrio (média: 1,04 +/- 0,51 µg/g peso úmido). Este último, representou em média 92% do mercúrio total determinado no músculo dos peixes. Tais concentrações foram maiores que o máximo permitido pela legislação brasileira para peixes predadores (1 µg/g peso úmido) e, provavelmente, foram resultante de altos teores de metilmercúrio produzido no reservatório devido aos processos de produção e liberação de mercúrio a partir da vegetação e solos inundados. Portanto, concluiu-se que os peixes do reservatório de Jurumirim estavam contaminados com Hg, recomendando-se que novos estudos sejam realizados para se identificar as fontes e processos responsáveis por tais contaminações. As bacias dos rios do Peixe, Aguapeí, Alto Paranapanema e São José dos Dourados apresentaram baixas quantidades de todos os elementos estudados. Por outro lado, foram observadas concentrações relativamente elevadas de Cd no rio Piracicaba, e Pb e Cd no rio Mogi-Guaçu, os quais devem ser periodicamente avaliados. / Concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) were determined in water (dissolved and particulate), bottom sediment, fish, and bivalves sampled in six watersheds located in the State of São Paulo (Southeast, Brazil): the Alto Paranapanema, the Peixe, the Aguapeí, the São José dos Dourados, the Mogi-Guaçu, and the Piracicaba. These watersheds show different levels of land-use. Among these basins, the Piracicaba and the Mogi-Guaçu River Basins show highest population and industrialization rates. Such features lead, consequently, to a higher degradation of water, thus decreasing its quality. These facts emphasize the need of new and frequent studies in those systems. Water and sediment samplings were carried out bimonthly during 2001. Fish and bivalves samples were collected twice a year: at the end of the rainy and dry season. Cd and Pb concentrations were determined through electrotermal atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas Hg through atomic fluorescence spectrometry. In addition, exchangeable Cd and Pb were determined in sediment. The results showed low concentrations of Cd and Pb in water (dissolved and particulate). However, these concentrations were higher in the Piracicaba and the Mogi-Guaçu River Basins. Pb concentrations in sediment and bivalves were the highest in the Mogi-Guaçu River, even so this element occurred in low levels in the exchangeable fraction of sediment (< 1%). The highest Cd concentrations in sediment and particulate suspended matter were related to the Piracicaba River, although the highest levels for bivalves occurred in the Mogi-Guaçu River. High Cd concentrations in the exchangeable fraction of sediment (up to 76%) were observed, mainly in the Itapetininga (the Alto Paranapanema Basin), the Piracicaba, and the Mogi-Guaçu River. High concentrations of Hg were detected in some water and sediment samples, whereas in bivalves Hg was always in low levels. However, no significant tendency of temporal and/or spatial distribution was observed for Hg, so it is belived that the high levels reported for some samples were a result from diffuse non-point source pollution, such as atmospheric deposition and residues from agricultural practices. Cd and Pb concentrations in fish were always lower than the detection limit (0.005 and 0.08 µg/g dry wt, respectively). On the other hand, high concentrations of Hg (1.14 +/- 0,54 µg/g wet wt) and methylmercury (1.04 +/- 0.51 µg/g wet wt), which represented 92% of the total mercury, were found in carnivorous fish samples from the Jurumirim Reservoir (the Alto Paranapanema Basin). These concentrations were higher than the maximum limit permitted by Brazillian legislation for predatory fish (1 µg/g wet wt) and, probably, were a result from high methylmercury levels produced and released in the reservoir supported by inundated soil and vegetation. Hence, we concluded that carnivorous fish from the Jurumirim Reservoir were contamined with Hg, therefore new research sould be carried out in that area in order to identify the sources and processes responsible for high levels of mercury. The Peixe, the Aguapeí, the Alto Paranapanema, and the São José dos Dourados River Basins showed relatively low concentrations of all elements studied. Conversely, high Cd concentrations were determined in the Piracicaba River, and Pb and Cd in the Mogi-Guaçu River, pointing out that these areas should be frequently monitored.