Soil Pollution

The book points out that rural regions need proper attention at the global level concerning solid waste management sector where bad practices and public health threats could be avoided through traditional and integrated waste management
routes. Solid waste management in rural areas is a key issue in developing and transitioning countries due to the lack of proper waste management facilities and services. The book further examines, on the one hand, the main challenges in the development of reliable waste management practices across rural regions and, on the other hand, the concrete solutions and the new opportunities across the world in dealing with municipal and agricultural wastes. The book provides useful information for academics, various professionals, the members of civil society, and national and local authorities.

Bioremediation is a possible mechanism for clean-up of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils in the Antarctic. Microbes indigenous to the Antarctic are required that degrade the hydrocarbon contaminants found in the soil, and that are able to survive and maintain activity under in situ conditions. Alkane- degrading bacteria previously isolated from oil-contaminated soil from around Scott Base, Antarctica, grew on a number of n-alkanes from hexane (C6) through to eicosane (C20) and the branched alkane pristane. Mineralization of 14C-dodecane was demonstrated with four strains. Representative isolates were identified as Rhodococcus species using 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Rhodococcus spp. strains 5/14 and 7/1 grew at −2°C but numbers of viable cells declined when incubated at 37°C. Both strains appear to have the major cold-shock gene cspA. Partial nucleotide sequence analyses of the PCR-amplified cspA open reading frame from Rhodococcus spp. strains 5/14 and 7/1 were approximately 60% identical to cspA from Escherichia coli.

Recently, a novel approach to a highly sensitive and quantitative detection of rare earth element (REE) ions including La3+, Eu3+ and Tb3+, by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, has been reported. The detection of REE ions is based on the catalytic nature of REE ions targeting the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), thus monitoring of the ions can be achieved by reading the level of intact DNA by PCR. Despite of its high sensitivity (at ppb to ppt levels), the conventional PCR-based REE detection protocol requires certain length of time (1-2 hours). In the present study, we modified the PCR-based REE detection protocols by employing the high-speed PCR, and performed the automated and rapid detection of La3+ in small-sized aqueous samples within 5min.

In this study, total heavy metal contents and their relationships with soil microbiological characteristics were investigated in agricultural soils which were with polluted heavy metals. Total heavy metal content of the soils varied from 0.95 to 3.20 μg Cd g –1 , 17.10 to 42.33 μg Co g –1 , 18.43 ...

Background and Objective: Changes in the pattern of land use through the process of industrialization, infrastructure development and agricultural development is causing environmental issues such as soil pollution. The soil contamination with heavy metals is a serious and expanding problem. Heavy metals entering the food chain, threaten ecosystem and human health. This study aimed to assess and monitor soil contaminants including heavy metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in soils of five oil refineries.
Materials and Method: In the current study oil- contaminated soils from five refineries including Abadan, Isfahan, Tabriz, Tehran and Shiraz were collected and physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soils examined. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, lead and nickel) in soil samples were measured and the data was ststistically analysed.
Result: TPH levels in contaminated soils of Abadan, Isfahan, Tabriz, Tehran and Shiraz were 6.4 , 13.8 , 11.5 , 2.1 and 15.4 percent respectively and positively correlated with organic carbon of soil amples. The values obtained here were higher than the national and international standards. The highest concentration of chromium (mg/kg) was recorded in Abadan (83.3), Tehran (212) and Shiraz (61.1) refineries. The highest concentrations of nickel (mg/kg) were obtained from Tabriz (76.3) and Isfahan (122.1) respectively. The amount of cadmium and nickel in soil was higher than the standards of Europe and the world. A significant negative correlation was observed between heavy metal and hydrocarbon concentrations and microbial respiration, suggesting negative effects of pollutants on soil microorganisms which may also affect plants and other organisms.
Conclusion: In terms of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbon contamination, Tehran Refinery is in a better situation compared to other refineries, and this might be due to an environmental action plan running in this refinery. Given the contamination of refineries` soil, it is recommended that environmental monitoring and industrial cleaning is taken into consideration . It is also recommended to use filtering programs, including bioremediation of soil in these areas.
Result: TPH levels in contaminated soils of Abadan, Isfahan, Tabriz, Tehran and Shiraz were 6.4 , 13.8 , 11.5 , 2.1 and 15.4 percent respectively and positively correlated with organic carbon of soil amples. The values obtained here were higher than the national and international standards. The highest concentration of chromium (mg/kg) was recorded in Abadan (83.3), Tehran (212) and Shiraz (61.1) refineries. The highest concentrations of nickel (mg/kg) were obtained from Tabriz (76.3) and Isfahan (122.1) respectively. The amount of cadmium and nickel in soil was higher than the standards of Europe and the world. A significant negative correlation was observed between heavy metal and hydrocarbon concentrations and microbial respiration, suggesting negative effects of pollutants on soil microorganisms which may also affect plants and other organisms.

Soil contamination with heavy metals - Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn was studied in the main soil types of Imerti region. An attention was paid to diffusion pollution and metal distribution along the river valleys represent- ing the major flow paths for transporting different pollutants including heavy metals. The results of the laboratory analyses were compared to maximum permissible concentrations and guide values defined by Georgian legislation. An attempt was made to establish background concentration for heavy metals in studied soils and to use them as reference values in assessment of soil pollution. The comparison shows that the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn exceed their background contents in some soil samples. © 2007 Bull. Georg. Natl. Acad. Sci.

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major and recalcitrant pollutants of the environment and their removal presents a significant problem. Phytoremediation has shown much promise in PAH removal from contaminated soil, but may be inhibited because the plant experiences phytotoxic effects from low-molecular-weight PAHs such as naphthalene. This paper describes the construction of a naphthalene-degrading endophytic strain designated Pseudomonas putida VM1441(pNAH7). This strain was found to be an efficient colonizer of plants, colonizing both the rhizosphere and interior root tissues. The inoculation of plants with P. putida VM1441(pNAH7) resulted in the protection of the host plant from the phytotoxic effects of naphthalene. When inoculated plants were exposed to naphthalene, both seed germination and plant transpiration rates were higher than those of the uninoculated controls. The inoculation of plants with this strain also facilitated higher (40%) naphthalene degradation rates compared with uninoculated plants in artificially contaminated soil.

In this study, the strength development and lechability aspects of metal-contaminated soil treated with ordinary portland cement (OPC) were investigated. The soil was collected from a scrap metal yard within the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Metal composition analysis indicated that the predominant metals present in the soil were iron (42,194 mg/kg), aluminium (8874 mg/kg), zinc (690 mg/kg), lead (428 mg/kg), copper (107 mg/kg) and chromium (52 mg/kg). The contaminated soil was treated with OPC using cement-to-dry soil (C/Sd) ratios of 0.5, 1 and 2. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by performing unconfined compressive strength (UCS) as well as crushed and whole block leaching (WBL) tests on the treated soil. The treatment results were compared to the solidified waste acceptance criteria which were compiled based on the regulatory waste disposal limit at a disposal site in the United Kingdom and the maximum concentration of contaminants for toxicity characteristic of solid wastes from United States Environmental Protection Agency. Results indicated that chemical stabilization of metal-contaminated soils using OPC was effective for prevention of metal leaching from both disintegrated samples subsequent to years of weathering (crushed block) and intact samples (whole block) into the environment. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132305003987

A sequential arsenic extraction method was developed that yielded extraction efficiencies (EE) that were approximately double those using current methods for terrestrial plants. The method was applied to plants from two arsenic contaminated sites and showed potential for risk assessment studies. In the method, plants were extracted first by 1:1 water-methanol followed by 0.1M hydrochloric (HCl) acid. Total arsenic in plant and soil samples collected from contaminated sites was mineralized by acid digestion and detected by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). Arsenic speciation was done by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with HG-AAS (HPLC-HGAAS) and by HPLC coupled with ICP-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). Spike recovery experiments with arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), methylarsonic acid (MA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) showed stability of the species in the extraction...

For the first time the abundances (the average concentrations) of chemical elements are given for the soils of urban landscapes. The figures were established by authors on the base of average concentrations of chemical elements in the soils of more than 300 cities and settlements in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and America. The major part of data (sampling, analyses and their statistical treatment) was obtained directly by authors as a result of special studies conducted for more than 15 years. The concentrations of elements were defined by the spectral, gravimetric, neutron activation and the X-ray fluorescence methods of analyses. The control of sampling and also inner and outer laboratory controls of analyses were carried out. The ordinary and the control analyses were carried out in the certified and accredited laboratories, including arbitration laboratory. The sufficiently numerous published materials of different researchers were also used.

The aim of this research is to propound an innovative method to remediate the nickel (Ni) pollution in agricultural soils by using canola (Brassica napus L.) plant. For this purpose, a field experiment was conducted on the campus of Namık Kemal University, namely its Faculty of Agriculture Research and Experimental Area, during 2011. Nickel (100 mg/kg) as NiSO 4 forms was applied to each parcel. Then ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) chelate was applied to each parcel at four doses (0, 5, 10, and 15 mmol/kg) during the blossom period of the plants. The plants were harvested four months after planting. The soil in the samples was classified with neutral pH, low lime, and insufficient organic matter. The available phosphorus content and the exchangeable potassium content of research area were both found to be sufficient. The amount of available iron, manganese, and copper of the experimental soil was sufficient, but the available zinc amount of the soil was determined at a deficient level. The experimental area soil was classified to be in clay texture. According to the field experiment results, root and shoot yield of plants decreased with increasing EDTA doses. On the other hand, nickel amount of root and shoot of the plants increased with increasing EDTA application to the plants. These increases and decreases were found to be statistically significant at the level of 1%. According to the results of the experiment, heavy metal pollution of the soil of Tekirdag ˘ province can be remediated by the phytoremediation method.

Background and Objectives: Soil contamination with heavy metals (HMs) has caused great
concern with the development of industry and the rapid increase in human activities. Lead
(Pb2+) accumulates easily in the environment due to its non-degradable nature and poses a
serious threat to the lives of plants, animals, and especially humans. More dangerously, HMs are
usually present simultaneously with different compounds and concentrations, complicating the
management of these pollutants. Reducing the bioavailability of HMs by adding stabilizing
agents to the soil is a reliable and low-cost way to control HMs pollution.
Materials and Methods: in this study, Walnut leaves biochars were produced at three pyrolysis
temperatures of 200, 400 and 600 °C (B200, B400, and B600). For this purpose, 3 g (1% w/w)
of the above treatments were added to 300 g of soil sample put in plastic jars, and incubated
for 90 days at 21 ± °C and a humidity of 80% of the field capacity. Then, the soil was sampled
at 30 and 90 days after incubation. To measure the adsorption of Pb2+ in the soil, first 2 g
of each treated soil into 50 ml centrifuge tubes and 20 ml of PbNO3 solution containing
concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 ml of Pb2+ (single system) and Pb2+ + Zn2+
(mole ratio Pb2+ / Zn2+ = 1; competitive system) were added to the tubes in the 10 mM CaCl2 as
the background electrolyte. The linear form of the Longmuir equation was used to determine the
individual and competitive adsorption characteristics of Pb2+. To determine the desorption of
adsorbed Pb2+, 20 ml of 10 mM CaCl2 was added to the residual soils in centrifuge tubes from
the adsorption study.
Results: The results showed that maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of Pb2+ increased
with increasing pyrolysis temperature, so the B600 treatment had the highest maximum
adsorption capacity among the treatments. The value of this coefficient decreased in
the presence of Zn2+ (P <0.05). The qm of Pb2+ adsorption in biochar treatments decreased
significantly after 90 days of incubation. The highest amount of Pb2+ strength of adsorption (KL)
was in the biochar prepared at 600 °C treatment. The value of this coefficient in the competitive
system decreased compared to the individual system. After 90 days of incubation in both
adsorption systems, KL decreased compared to 30 days of incubation (P<0.05). The
concentration of Pb2+ desorption in 10 mM CaCl2 solution (less than 1% of adsorbed
Pb2+) showed that the exchange mechanism of Pb2+ adsorption by biochars doesn’t play
importance role and probably the main mechanism of Pb2+ adsorption is formation
Pb-phosphate. Overall, the results of this study showed that the application of 1% biochar
prepared at 600 °C can affect the Pb2+ adsorption properties in clay calcareous soils
in individual and competitive systems.Conclusions: Walnut leaves biochars produced at different temperatures changed the Pb2+
adsorption and desorption process in loamy clay soil in the presence of Zn2+ and the incubation
time. Although calcareous clay soils have a high capacity to Pb2+ adsorption, but biochar was
able to significantly increase the strength of adsorption and Pb2+ maximum buffering capacity
(MBC) in the soil and reduce the desorption of this metal. Therefore, the use of the biochar can
be considered as a low-cost and effective adsorbent for stabilizing and reducing Pb2+ mobility in
the soil and increasing the productivity and health of agricultural soils

Abstract This paper reviews on the soil condition for three rivers at Carey Island namely Air Hitam, Judah and Keluang River. The activities on the island such as palm oil industries are believed affect the soil. Thus a study was carried out to determine the parameters of pH value, total sulphates, chloride content, total organic carbon (TOC), inorganic carbon (IC) and nitrogen in soil. The tests that have been conducted are Moisture Content Test, Specific Gravity Test, Atterberg Limit Test, pH Test, Total Sulphates Test and Total Chloride ...

FOR CITATION:
Salem, H.S. (Editor and Project’s Team Leader), 2009. “Environmental and Health Risks of the Israeli Manufactures [Gishouri Factories’ Complex] Built on Tulkarm Lands, Tulkarm, West Bank, Palestine (Occupied).” Proceedings of the Workshop Held at the Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie (PTUK), Tulkarm, West Bank, Palestine (Occupied); 7 December 2009. Ibn Khaldoun Publishing Co., 115 pp. (Book).  Published Online by Prof. Dr. Hilmi S. Salem, at:
http://independent.academia.edu/SalemSHilmi

ABSTRACT:
Several Israeli factories have been illegally built on Palestinian lands in the city of Tulkarm, West Bank, Occupied Palestine. For many years now these illegal factories, which were banned to be built in Israel, have destroyed Palestinian properties and caused severe illnesses to the Palestinians living in the neighborhood of the Gishouri Complex factories. These illnesses include different kinds of cancer, as well as illnesses affecting the respiratory and nervous systems, eyes and skin. This is due to the heavy air, water and soil pollution, as well as the destruction of the green cover in the area. This 115-page book, which is a workshop proceedings, is an eye-opening on this environmental catastrophe that has put a heavy burden on the inhabitants of the area, as it has badly and severely affected the air, water, and soil qualities, as well as the green cover in the area. It is a good book for under- and post-graduate students, research scientists, professional engineers, human rights' advocates, and policy- and strategy-makers, including environmentalists, ecologists, medical specialists, human rights activists, chemists, biologists,  hydrogeologists, toxicologists, agriculturists, pedologists, edaphologists, lawyers, politicians, and many others.