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Volume 5 Number 1 2011
CONTENTS AND ABSTRACTS
Shih-Hao Jien, Chen-Chi Tsai, Zeng-Yei Hseu, Zueng-Sang Chen (Taiwan) Baseline Concentrations of Toxic Elements in Metropolitan Park Soils of Taiwan (pp 1-7)
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ABSTRACT
Original Research Paper: Twenty-four soil profiles were investigated at the urban parks in Taiwan to evaluate the contamination and sources of potentially toxic elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Hg). The experimental results indicted that a positive significant correlation existed between Pb and Zn (r = 0.38*, p < 0.05) and Ni and As (r = 0.35*, p < 0.05), and it suggests that these two groups of toxic elements were from different sources. Industrial activities in Kaohsiung city were considered to cause contamination with Cu (91.1 mg/kg in average) and Zn (126 mg/kg in average) in urban surface soils. High traffic flow in Taipei city leads a clear risk of Pb contamination (56.8 mg/kg in average) in the urban surface soils. Although observable concentrations of As (28.7 mg/kg in average) and Ni (12.8 mg/kg in average) were found in the recreational city, Yilan, most of both elements were still lower than the background levels in Taiwan and which are mainly released from parent materials, slate and argillite.
Monika Das, Md. Kawser Ahmed, Md. Shahidul Islam, Md. Monirul Islam, Mosammat Salma Akter (Bangladesh) Heavy Metals in Industrial Effluents (Tannery and Textile) and Adjacent Rivers of Dhaka City, Bangladesh (pp 8-13)
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Original Research Paper: The concentrations of heavy metals were determined in tannery and textile effluents and water of adjacent rivers (Buriganga and Karnatoli, Dhaka) from September 2006 to August 2007 at three different locations. Concentrations of Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cu of tannery effluents seasonally varied from 7.65-14.82, 0.45-1.07, 0.25-1.91, 2.89-4.03, 4.02-9.5, 1256-2173.13 mg/L and BDL respectively. In textile effluents Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cu concentrations were seasonally varied from 14.26-39.86, 4.5-6.6, 0.23-0.65, 0.96-3.89, 3.5-6.83, 1.16-3.85 and 11.6-39.23 mg/L respectively. The variation in concentration of heavy metals was due to the use of different raw materials and variation of production level. The concentrations of Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cu of Buriganga River water seasonally and spatially varied from 5.2-62.07, 1.76-3.53, 0.11-2.37, 1.18-8.59, 1.15-6.44, 9.45-293.08 mg/L and BDL respectively whereas in Karnatoli River the concentrations of Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cu were seasonally and spatially varied from 0.62-68.47, 0.56-1.91,0.13-1.53, 0.53-6.8, 4.2-8.2, 2.75-7.0 and 8.6-48.14 mg/L respectively. Lowest concentrations of heavy metals were observed during rainy season which might be due to the dilution effect of rainfall whereas the highest concentration of these metals were found during dry season as industrial effluents are less diluted due to recede water in the river in this season. Some of the heavy metals concentrations are higher than the recommended value, which suggest that the Buriganga and Karnatoli River are to a certain extent heavy metal polluted river.
Priya Arora, Renu Bhardwaj, Mukesh Kumar Kanwar (India) Presoaking Seed Treatment of 24-epiBL Modulates Cr Stress in Brassica juncea L. (pp 14-18)
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ABSTRACT
Original Research Paper: The present work was undertaken to study the effects of 24-epibrassinolide on growth, protein content and antioxidative enzymes [guaiacol peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), monodehydroascorbate reductase (EC 1.1.5.4) and dehydroascorbate reductase (EC 1.8.5.1)] activities in leaves of 30 days-old Brassica juncea L. plants treated with different concentrations of chromium (Cr). Different concentrations of Cr alone decreased the enzyme activities and protein concentration of plants. However, pre-sowing treatments of 24-epibrassinolide improved the growth and enhanced the activities of antioxidative enzymes and protein content in leaves of B. juncea plants.
Jude C. Igwe, Augustine A. Abia, Felix H. Okereke (Nigeria) Kinetic Studies on the Sorption of Ag+ and Al3+ from Aqueous Solutions by Coconut Fibre (pp 19-24)
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Original Research Paper: Kinetic investigations are necessary for determining the rate of a reaction and the mechanism. The kinetics of sorption of Ag+ and Al3+ ions from aqueous solution onto coconut fibre biomass under different experimental conditions was investigated in this study. The influence of initial Ag+ and Al3+ ions, pH (1 to 11), temperature (273 to 373 K), and time (10 to 120 min), at a constant concentration of metal ions (100 mg/L) is reported. The amount of metal ions adsorbed increased slightly as time increased. Al3+ was adsorbed more than Ag+. Adsorption of the Ag+ ion was more highly pH-dependent and the optimum pH for removal was ~7.0. The adsorption of Al3+ was more time-dependent and the optimum time for removal was 120 min. A comparison of kinetic models applied to the sorption process was evaluated for the pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order and Ritchie’s second-order kinetic models, with the pseudo second-order giving a better fit to the experimental data. From the results of the temperature effect, the thermodynamic constants DGO; DHO, EA and DSO for the sorption process were evaluated. The values obtained for DGO were all negative while those obtained for EA, DSO and DHO were positive. The data showed that the sorption process was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The sticking probability model was further employed to assess the applicability of coconut fibre as an alternative adsorbent for Ag+ and Al3+ contaminants in an aqueous system. The findings of this investigation suggests that physical sorption plays a significant role in controlling the sorption rate and that coconut fibre is an excellent adsorbent for Ag+ and Al3+ ions removal from aqueous solution.
Godwin O. Olutona, Oluwaseun R. Ishola, Oluwatosin E. Atobatele (Nigeria) Trace Metal Assessment in a Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)-Infested Reservoir: A Study of Awba Reservoir, Ibadan, Nigeria (pp 25-30)
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Original Research Paper: Analysis of some trace metals (cadmium, Cd; chromium, Cr; lead, Pb; manganese, Mn; zinc, Zn) in reservoir water, reservoir sediment, and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) organs (roots and leaves) were carried out at four locations to assess their heavy metal status and the phytoremediation potential of water hyacinth for the removal of trace metal contaminants. The order of overall mean concentrations of trace metals in the reservoir is Mn > Pb > Cr > Cd = Zn. The location with dense mats of water hyacinth recorded significantly lower (P < 0.001) mean water and sediment Mn values compared to the plant organs. The bioconcentration factor for leaves was in the order of Mn > Zn > Pb > Cd > Cr while that for roots was Mn > Cr > Zn > Cd > Pb. Only Mn, from among all trace metals studied, was substantially bioaccumulated in the organs of water hyacinth. The maximum bioconcentration factor values for leaves (97.98) and roots (644.80) for Mn suggests that water hyacinth could be regarded as a moderate bioaccumulator of Mn in the reservoir. However, results show that the other trace elements have the potential to be bioaccumulated at lower concentrations in water. Zn recorded the lowest mean root/leaf translocation ratio while Mn recorded the highest. This study shows that water hyacinth has a high tolerance for Mn in the reservoir.
Princewill C. Ogbonna, Nkechinyere Okezie (Nigeria) Heavy Metal Level and Macronutrient Contents of Roadside Soil and Vegetation in Umuahia, Nigeria (pp 31-34)
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Original Research Paper: This study investigated the metal level and macronutrient content of roadside soil and vegetation as influenced by vehicular emission. Soil and plant samples were collected from 1, 5 and 10 m sampling positions in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) from FRIN, NRCRI, ISIALA and control. Levels of Pb, Cd and Ni in soil and plants were 0.20–28.8, 0.08–8.90, 0.20–4.10 mg/kg and 0.01–11.10, 0.07–2.70, 0.02–0.83 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of Pb, Ni, and Cd were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in leaves of Gmelina arborea (11.10, 0.83 and 2.70 mg/kg) followed by Psidium guajava (9.00, 0.50 and 1.80 mg/kg) sampled at FRIN. Soil N (0.34 cmol/kg) was highest (P < 0.05) in 10 m at NRCRI, K (146.0 cmol/kg) in 10 m at ISIALA while P (71.0 cmol/kg) was highest in 10 m at NRCRI and ISIALA. In plant leaves, P (42.0 cmol/kg) and K (81.0 cmol/kg) were highest (P < 0.05) in Alchornea cordifolia and Harungana madascariensis, respectively. The result shows that the concentration of Cd in soil was substantially high and must have affected litter decomposition, mineralization and nutrient characteristics of the soil and uptake by plants.
Princewill C. Ogbonna, Vivian I. Okeke (Nigeria) Heavy Metal Level of Soil and Gmelina Plantation in Umuahia, Nigeria (pp 35-39)
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Original Research Paper: This study sought to provide information on levels of heavy metal in soil and gmelina vegetation located around a municipal solid waste dump. Soil and plant samples were collected from different sampling positions in a randomized complete block design. Levels of Zn, Pb and Cd in soil were 53.97-128.95, 6.12-55.92 and 1.4-11.23 mg/kg and 58.03-110.00, 10.00-26.00 and 0.08-2.02 mg/kg in gmelina leaves on a dry weight basis. The concentrations of Zn (128.9 ± 6.0 mg/kg) and Pb (55.9 ± 5.3 mg/kg) in soils were significantly (P < 0.05) higher at the crest than at the middle of the slope (101.2 ± 7.6 and 27.4 ± 2.9 mg/kg) or valley (53.9 ± 4.5 and 6.1 ± 1.3 mg/kg). In plants, the Zn concentration was statistically (P > 0.05) equal in leaves of gmelina stands located at the crest (110.0 ± 5.7 mg/kg) and middle slope (92.3 ± 8.2 mg/kg) but these values were significantly (P <0.05) higher than the value obtained in the valley (58.0 ± 4.6 mg/kg). Pb was significantly (P <0.05) higher in leaves of gmelina stands at the crest (26.0 ± 2.8 mg/kg) than on the middle slope (13.1 ± 1.7 mg/kg) and valley (10.0 ± 2.3 mg/kg) while Cd was significantly (P <0.05) higher in leaves of gmelina stands located on the middle slope (2.0 ± 0.0 mg/kg) than in the valley (0.2 ± 0.0 mg/kg) and crest (0.08 ± 0.0 mg/kg). There were positive and negative correlations between heavy metals in soil and gmelina leaves at significant and non-significant levels. The findings show that the concentration of Cd was high, and if not checked, can possibly impair the productive potential of the gmelina plantation.
Joseph C. Akan, Fanna I. Abdulrahman, Peter T. Mamza, N. Aishatu (Nigeria) Effect of Environmental Pollution on the Quality of River Ngada, Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria (pp 40-46)
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Original Research Paper: This study was carried out in Maiduguri Metropolis, Nigeria to determine the effect of environmental pollution on the quality of River Ngada, which has been polluted by physical and chemical waste. In order to achieve this study, eight sampling points (S1-S8) were chosen along the river’s course corresponding to the points where notable discharged of wastewater into River Ngada occurs. Several water quality parameters (pH, temperature, conductivity, TDS, TSS, turbidity, COD, BOD, DO and heavy metals) were determined using standard procedures. The levels of pH ranged from 7.97 ± 2.60 to 9.42 ± 0.32; 31.30 ± 1.34 to 35.40 ± 0.84°C for temperature; 32.02 ± 0.12 and 78.34 ± 2.43 mg/l TSS; 31.12 ± 1.53 to 58.22 ± 0.71 NTU turbidity; 2.32 to 8.23 mg/l DO; 235.12 to 522.12 mg/l BOD and 854.33 and 2874.45 mg/l COD. The levels of the above parameters increase with an increase in distance from point S1 to S8 with the exception of DO. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results revealed that the levels of all the anions and heavy metals were statistically significant among the various sampling points. Our study reveals that the levels of all the parameters studied were higher than the WHO’s standard limits for water meant for drinking and other domestic uses. The study also indicates that domestic wastes and abattoir wastewater have an impact on the organic content, anions and heavy metals, resulting in a significant effect on the ecological balance of the river. Based on the above results, the current water quality status of River Ngada poses both environmental and health hazards to users. The results of this study need immediate remediation programmes to ameliorate the poor water status of these sections of River Ngada.
Luke N. Ukiwe, Christopher I. A. Nwoko, Edmund E. Nkwocha (Nigeria) Heavy Metals Solubilization in EDTA-Assisted Remediation of Sewage Sludge (pp 47-50)
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Original Research Paper: The effect of various EDTA masses on metal removal from sludge when digested with HNO3 and H2SO4 acids at various pH levels was studied. Results of mean concentration (mg/l) of Cd, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Cu for acid digestion of sewage sludge using HNO3 and H2SO4 at pH 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0 at various EDTA masses (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g) showed that Cd was the most extracted metal (1.0–19%) at pH 2.0. At pH 3.0 and 5.0 for the same EDTA weights, the range of Cd was 3.0–21% and 4.0–30% using HNO3 and H2SO4 acids as extractant, respectively. There was a slight increase in the amount of Cd extracted at pH 5.0 using H2SO4 for digestion. When HNO3 was used for digestion, there was an increase in the amount of Cd removed from the sludge as the amount of EDTA was increased from 1.0 to 1.5 to 2.0 g at all pH levels. This trend was not replicated using H2SO4. Pb and Cu were poorly solubilized at all pH levels for all EDTA masses using both acids. Nevertheless, Cu was the least extracted metal overall, totaling 0.0312, 0.0335, and 0.0367 mg/l at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g EDTA masses at pH 3.0 as opposed to 0.0375 mg/l Cu extracted in the control experiment at the same pH level using HNO3.
Debajyoti Chakrabarty, Sanjib Kumar Das, Mrinal Kanti Das (India) Application of Vermiwash as Juvenile Fish Feed: A Test Case using Black Mollies (Poecilia sphenops) (pp 51-54)
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Original Research Paper: 360 black mollies (Poecilia sphenops) were cultured in a glass aquarium (10 L) in laboratory conditions. Live plankton (LP), vermiwash (VW-I, VW-II) and market available feed (MAF) were supplied to assess the growth as well as survival rate of those fishes. Vermiwash proved to be best feed for juvenile fish as the growth of cultured fish was significantly (P < 0.05, 250–210%) higher than LP fed fish fed with MF. Maximum survival rate (98%) was shown by juveniles fed vermiwash (VW-I or VW-II) followed by those fed LP (80%) and MAF (75%). Diseases (gill rot or tail and fin rot, eye disease, or scale loss) were not encountered in fish cultured in the vermiwash treatment.
Elora Parvin, Md. Kawser Ahmed, Md. Monirul Islam, Mosammat Salma Akter, Md. Alamgir Kabir (Bangladesh) Preliminary Acute Toxicity Bioassays of Lead and Cadmium on Fresh Water Climbing Perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch) (pp 55-58)
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Research Note: The aim of this study was to examine the toxicological effects of two major heavy metal pollutants, lead and cadmium, on fresh water climbing perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch). Acute toxicity tests were conducted in the laboratory for 96 h to determine the median lethal concentrations (LC50) of lead chloride (PbCl2) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2) on A. testudineus and to study their behavior. Two preliminary trials were conducted to figure out the suitable ranges to be used in the final trials of a lethality test. In the final trials, the mortality of fish was recorded at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of exposure. The LC50 values and their 95% confidence limits for different exposure time were calculated by using computer software ‘Probit Analysis’. After 96 h of exposure the LC50 value of PbCl2 and CdCl2 were 1.015 ppm (95% confidence limit, 0.586-1.780) and 191.491 ppm (95% confidence limit, 124.005-316.841), respectively. These results indicate that PbCl2 is more toxic than CdCl2 to the fish species under study. Dose-dependent mortality was also observed in response to both test chemicals.
Awodele Olufunsho (Nigeria), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Alade Akintonwa (Nigeria) Toxicity Testing of Paraquat and 2,4-Dimethylamine on Lumbricus terristris, Palaemonetes africanus and Tilapia guineensis (pp 59-60)
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Research Note: Agricultural practices, especially in developing countries, have currently been given high priority among government programmes to match feeding of an ever-increasing population. The use of herbicides such as paraquat (Para) and 2,4-dimethylamine (2,4-D) have been greatly employed to control both aquatic and terrestrial weeds and may affect agricultural products. The ecotoxicity of Para and 2,4-D was determined in Lumbricus terrestris (earthworm), Palamonetes africanus (shrimp) and Tilapia guineensis (fish) using a probit analysis. This method was used to determine the LC50 over 24, 48 and 96 hrs of herbicide contact with the three organisms. Twenty L. terrestris individuals were kept in 5 groups in a glass tank containing loamy soil and sprayed with different concentrations of either herbicide. In addition, 5 groups of 20 individuals each of T. guineensis and P. africanus were introduced into the glass tank containing sample water of different concentrations of either herbicide. The behavioral patterns of the organisms were observed and documented. The LC50 for Para was 162.1, 83.10 and 66.80 mg/L for T. guineensis, 42.80, 28.6 and 20.4 mg/L for P. africanus and 64.60, 50.10 and 39.80 mg/L for L. terrestris at 24, 48 and 96 hrs, respectively. The LC5O for2,4-D was 328.8, 175.6 and 140.60 mg/L for T. guineensis, 105.8, 62.8 and 42.50 mg/L for P. africanus and 1122.0, 630.90 and 562.3 mg/L for L. terrestris over 24, 48 and 96 hrs contact of the herbicides with the aquatic organisms, respectively. The results showed increasing toxicity of the herbicides on test organisms. As the concentration of the herbicides increased, the toxicity also increased in the aquatic organisms. This could be due to bioaccumulation of these herbicides.
Luke N. Ukiwe, Christopher I. A. Nwoko (Nigeria) Sequential Chemical Extraction: A Useful Scheme for Evaluating Heavy Metal Mobilization (pp 61-64)
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Research Note: The metal partitioning of sludge by the SCE was investigated. It was observed that about 25% of Cu and 30% of Pb were bound to organic matter fraction, while 31% Mn and 23% Cd were also bound to Fe–Mn oxides and the residual fractions respectively. Cu was mainly found in the organic matter fraction, though, 22% and 19% of Ni predominated in the fraction bound to carbonates and the exchangeable phase respectively. With regards to the fractions bound to Fe-Mn oxides, the extraction percentage for Mn (31%) was the overall highest in the present SCE scheme, while Mn (12%), and Pb (12%) in the exchangeable phase, together with Mn (12%) in the residual phase respectively were the overall lowest metals extracted. Pb (30%) bound to organic matter fraction appears to have mobilized significantly more than most metals studied.
Luke N. Ukiwe, Christopher I. A. Nwoko (Nigeria) The Influence of Acids and pH in Removal Efficiency of Heavy Metals by Inorganic Coagulants (pp 65-68)
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Research Note: Chemical precipitation/coagulation using two inorganic coagulants (aluminium sulphate [Al2(SO4)3] and calcium oxide (CaO)) was studied to remove heavy metals (HMs) from soil leachate using three acids (HNO3, HCL, and H2SO4) to adjust the pH of the leachate to 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0, as appropriate. Results obtained with atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) showed that Al2(SO4)3 coagulated Cd totaling 44, 72 and 95% at pH 2.0, 34, 53 and 48% at pH 3.0, and 79, 98 and 92% at pH 5.0 using the above three acids. CaO also coagulated Cd (76, 76, 86% at pH 2.0; 98, 97, 98% at pH 3.0; 78, 80, 84% at pH 5.0) making Cd the most coagulated metal. Cu (12% at pH 2.0, 5% at pH 3.0 and 8% at pH 5.0) was the least coagulated metal using HCL with CaO. Overall, the coagulation of metals was highest in all three acids at pH 5.0.
Luke N. Ukiwe, Christopher I. A. Nwoko (Nigeria) Effect of Aeration and Acidification on Heavy Metal Solubilization of Sewage Sludge (pp 69-72)
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Research Note: The effect of aeration and acidification on heavy metal solubilization was studied. Results obtained using the following experimental protocols: (i) aeration only, (ii) aeration before acidification, (iii) aeration after acidification, (iv) simultaneous aeration and acidification, and (v) acidification only for 24 hrs, showed Cu and to a lower extent Mn as the highest metals extracted; Cu (0.8691 mg/l) when aeration was applied before acidification and Mn (0.6521 mg/l) when aeration was applied after acidification. When aeration was applied without acidification, Cu extraction efficiency dropped (0.6019 mg/l). Ni and Pb gave results indicating that the protocol, when aeration was applied after acidification Ni (0.2828 mg/l) and Pb (0.3995 mg/l), was a better extraction process than when simultaneous aeration and acidification was used Ni (0.1096 mg/l) and Pb (0.2536 mg/l). The extraction yield of Cd obtained from all the situations studied also indicated that Cd was the least metal extracted and specifically, the least metal extracted using the aeration before acidification protocol, Cd (0.0236 mg/l).
Luke N. Ukiwe, Chinonye I. Iwu (Nigeria) Effect of Reaction Time and Acids in Chemical Leaching of Heavy Metals in Sewage Sludge (pp 73-76)
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Research Note: The present study indicates the concentration (mg/l) of heavy metals (HMs) following solubilization with nitric and acetic acids at various contact times. The concentration of HMs was found to be highest when solubilization was performed at a contact time of 1 hr using both acids except for Mn in both acids and Cu in nitric acid. There was no trend in HMs extraction as contact time increased. Solubilization at 6 hrs extracted much less HMs using both acids. Cu (3.3416 mg/l) was the overall highest metal extracted using acetic acid, while Cd (0.0012 mg/l) was the overall lowest metal extracted using acetic acid at 1 hr contact time.
Kolawole Ajanaku, Abiola Taiwo (Nigeria) Heavy Metal Analysis of Industrial Discharges in Lagos, Nigeria (pp 77-79)
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Research Note: An atomic absorption spectrometric analysis of the heavy metal components of waste water samples from three different industrial areas in Lagos state (Ikeja, Apapa and Victoria Island) spanning the dry and wet seasons was carried out. The heavy metals analyzed were Pb, Cu, Cd, Mn and Fe. The mean values of Fe were within the FMEnV and WHO limits used as standard while the mean values of Cd, Cu, Pb and Mn exceeded these limits indicating that these industries constitute source of pollution to the human lives and ecosystem in the areas involved. Utilization of improved method of treatment and frequent awareness to the compliance of the industries were recommended.
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