Zeitschrift für Umweltanalytische Chemie

This research determined the concentration of Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) in roasted corn (Zea mays), roasted plantain (Musa paradisiaca) and barbecue from roadside close to industrial and automobile emission in some selected part of Lagos and Ota, South-West Nigeria. They were analysed after digestion by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Lead had the highest concentration in all the food type analyzed and was higher than FAO permissible limit (0.3 mg/kg) in about 92% of the samples analyzed. It was also found to be higher in the samples from Lagos than those from Ota. While Cadmium had relatively lower concentration compared with Lead in all the food samples but about 25% of the samples analyzed had higher concentration than the FAO permissible limit (0.5 mg/kg). The results showed that the order of the concentration of Lead in the food samples was corn>barbecue>plantain, while the order of the Cadmium concentration in the food samples was in the order corn>plantain>barbecue. Continual consumption of roasted corn, roasted plantain and barbecue close to highway and industrial emission may therefore constitute a source of exposure to these heavy metals.

This study was carried out to assess the drinking water quality of Ebubu community in Eleme between June 2015 and August 2015. Water samples were collected from ten functional boreholes using standard techniques. Physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, TDS, Total hardness, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Bicarbonate, Carbonate, Chloride, Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulphate, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium and Calcium), toxic metals (Cd, Pb, Ni and Co) and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels were assessed using standard analytical protocols. Values recorded for physicochemical parameters (except for Magnesium and Calcium) were within the World Health Organization (WHO) limits. All elements under study were detected at the ten locations. The mean value of Cadmium (0.361 ± 0.381 mg/L) was observed to be the highest of all heavy metals assayed. The levels of the heavy metals in the study area were found to be in the order: Cadmium (0.361 ± 0.381 mg/L)>Lead (0.117 ± 0.056 mg/L)>Nickel (0.042 ± 0.0281 mg/L)>Cobalt (0.010 ± 0.009 mg/L) in the water samples. These values were above the WHO and NIS limits. PAHs were all <0.01 mg/L. The water quality parameters varied across the sampling periods (June and August); apart from Cd whose mean value was higher during the month of June, but lower during the month of August, all other toxic metals (Ni, Pb, and Co) and physicochemical properties were higher during the month of August. The groundwater from the community is therefore, unsafe for drinking purpose due to elevated levels of toxic metals. In light of these findings, periodic analysis of samples from boreholes is inevitable. Such analysis will reveal pollution status of groundwater in this area and to determine the best method for water treatment, to intimate consumers and other users of the groundwater, and also to safeguard their health against the subsequent impact that may arise from drinking polluted water.

The concentration of seven Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) (namely Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Pyrene and Chrysene) were determined in 28 surface waters, 8 wastewaters, 26 soils and 26 surface sediments from the Msunduzi River, a major supply of portable water in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa. Water samples were extracted using a conventional liquid-liquid extraction technique into Dichloromethane (DCM) while soils and surface sediments were extracted with an equal mixture of DCM and nhexane using the Soxhlet extraction technique. Purified extracts were analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Trace levels of PAHs were detected in some water, river bank soils and surface sediments. The concentration of PAHs was found to be comparatively higher in the soils and surface sediments than in the water. The concentration levels as well as distribution of the selected PAHs varied from season to season, however with no clear pattern. The occurrence pattern of PAHs along the river points to human-related activities as the major input sources of PAHs into Msunduzi water. Paired-up isomeric concentration ratios for surface sediments suggested pyrolysis as the major input source of PAHs, especially at sites closer to the city of Pietermaritzburg (PMB).

In the present work, a sensitive, simple, and fast method with little sample handling has been developed for the determination of 34 semi-volatile organic xenobiotics from rain, sea and ground waters. The method is based on Headspace-Solid Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME) and Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GCMS/ MS). Sixteen Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), eight Phthalate Esters (PEs), six Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and two Alkylphenols (APs) were quantitative analyzed in a single run. The best parameters for extraction were determined, including fiber type, sample volume, salinity and extraction time and temperature. In the optimized procedure, 15 ml of water sample was extracted using a 100 μm PDMS fiber in a 20 ml vial and adding 3 g of NaCl (final NaCl concentration of 20%) during 40 min at 80°C (with 10 min of previous equilibration time). A desorption time of 15 min was shown to eliminate carry-over. The method showed good linearity between 0.01 and 10 μgL-1 (r2 from 0.987-0.999). Good precision (63-123%) and accuracy were achieved (1.1-21%). The Methodological Detection Limits (MDL) ranged from 0.00001-0.01364 μg L-1. The method was successfully applied to real samples collected at Ensenada (Mexico). The proposed method represents an effectively and valuable tool for application in environmental water monitoring programs.

Analytical study was conducted on some selected medicinal plants (Sterculia setigera Del. and Sclerocarya birrea (A. rich.) Hochst) collected from Bwabul Spring, Bambuka, and Jalingo Low-Lands in order to determine the presence and levels of some selected heavy metals (Cd, Mn, Fe Pb and Zn) and also to compare the concentrations of these metals from the two locations. Results obtained from this study revealed that the concentration of elements Cadmium, Iron and Lead (0.03 ± 0.06, 4.84 ± 0.08 and 0.06 ± 0.02) mg/kg from Bwabul were lower compared to those from Jalingo Low-lands (0.21 ± 0.07, 6.03 ± 0.05 and 0.36 ± 0.02) mg/kg. On the other hand, the concentration of Zinc and Manganese (5.69 ± 0.08 and 1.87 ± 0.10) mg/kg are higher from Bwabul as compared to Jalingo Low-lands (4.29 ± 0.10 and 1.45 ± 0.00) mg/kg. However, despite the high concentrations of these elements from the two locations, they were found to be within the permissible limit set by WHO/FAO as at the time of determination.

Due to the desire of nations to enhance their economic status, industrialization is vigorously pursued. Industrialization is historically associated with environmental degradation. In developing countries, due to lack of environmental awareness, the level of industrialization is not commensurate with environmental studies and monitoring. This study was designed to assess the status of particulate matter at three emerging industrial sites in Port Harcourt. To achieve this, Aerocet 531 monitor was used. To be able to communicate properly with the general public, data obtained were expressed in terms of Air Quality Index (AQI). The results showed that industrial sites had higher concentrations compared to the control for both PM2.5 and PM10. Seasonal variation of PM2.5 and PM10 were observed with the dry season indicating concentrations higher than the local acceptable limits of 150 μg/m3 and 230 μg/m3. The AQI of the three emerging industrial sites indicated a category for ‘good’ to ‘moderate’ for wet season while for dry season, they varied from ‘very unhealthy’ to ‘hazardous’ in all the sampling areas. This poses a great threat to health and environment of the inhabitants.

There is presently lack of data on composition of potentially toxic metals and their leaching from clay based foodwares into food. Therefore, in present study we evaluated the leaching of cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc from raw clays and traditional clay pots from two locations, Ara-Ekiti, Ekiti State and Kono-Boue, Rivers State in Nigeria. Samples were digested with aqua regia and analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry and also with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Tap water set at different temperatures (27°C and 100°C) and pH values (4.2 and 9.2) were used to leach the pots. The pH of the raw clays ranges from 2.08-6.50. The order of concentrations is Fe>Mn>Pb>Zn>Ni>Cr>Cu>Cd for both clays and this was consistent with the XRF data. The results from this study indicate that Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb were not in leachable forms in clay pots. The clay pots indicated varying leachability for Fe and Mn. The concentration ranges of Fe and Mn leached were 0.16-8.37 ppm and 0.08-10.00 ppm, respectively. In all cases the Kono-Boue pots indicated more leached concentrations of metals than Ara-Ekiti pots. It is essential to assess traditional clay pots for leachability of xenobiotics.

In August 2016, Korean press media released the news on the discharge of hazardous chemicals from power plant into surfaces waters of the sea in Ulsan area. The power plant used antifoaming agent which contains hazardous substance (Polydimethylsiloxane) to reduce the formation of foam for cooling system. Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) in Korea announced that the plant violate the law (Marine Environment Management) because Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a prohibited substance to discharge into the sea as a Noxious Liquid Substances by MARPOL 73/78. However, there is no standard to apply as a noxious liquid substance and no one knows the power plant is in the scope of Marine facilities of that law. ME (Ministry of Environment) and MOTIE (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) argued it is uncertain how to discharge and there is no standards to apply. In this reason, MOTIE started feasibility study research of the regulations. This follow up study investigated how treat and discharge wastewater containing hazardous chemicals from a facility, especially, power plants and companies in shore line. The primary objective is to find a reasonable method to make standards related in discharging industrial wastewater.

Sorption of Pb2+, Cd2+ and Cr2+ in aqueous solution using immobilized Cissus populnea stem bark powder as a bio-sorbent was studied. The maximum sorption capacity of ICPSB on Pb2+, Co2+ and Cr2+ are 94.20%, 88.19% and 78.97% respectively. Effect of concentration on the sorption capacity of ICPSB shows that sorption capacity increase with increase in concentration while effect of ionic strength curve shows that sorption capacity decrease with increase in ionic strength. Effect of time on sorption capacity of ICPSB was observed between 1-24 hours, it was observed that Pb2+ recorded the maximum sorption compared with Co2+ and Cr2+. Effect of pH was studied at pH range of 1.0-8.0. Optimal sorption was recorded at pH 8.0 for Pb2+. The result of this research has added to the use of a cheaper bio-sorbent i.e. immobilised Cissus populnea stem bark (ICPSB) for sorption of Pb2+, Co2+ and Cr2+.

One of the most important applications of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) is their using in pharmacy as an excellent vehicle for drug delivery. Different techniques are used to synthesize CNTs. CNTs are used in medicine as a carries for drugs such as antibacterial to improve the penetrating capacity of drugs and reduce toxicity of using anticancer drug directly without carrier. In our research laboratory CNTs were synthesized by using different carbon sources including date palm seeds, alcohols and natural gas. Synthesizing of CNTs from natural gas by Flame Fragments Deposition (FFD) may be considered as a clean technique and more suitable to use its yield in medical and pharmaceutical applications due to the absence of using any type of catalysts in this technique. Synthesized CNTs showed a high capacity for adsorption.

Wide spread application of Nanoparticles (NPs) for various uses like antibacterial materials, drug delivery systems, cosmetics, pesticides and electronic gadgets leads to developments in nanotechnology. Improvement in properties of these product due to NPs are leading to a rapid proliferation of new materials that are likely to become a source of Engineered Nanoparticles (ENPs) to the ambient environment, where their possible ecotoxicological impacts remain unknown. These ENPs can be termed as new generation pollutants in aquatic and terrestrial environment. The potential toxic effects of these nanoparticles on aquatic as well as soil-plant environment, have drawn much special attention due to their higher production, usage and unintentional release into the environment without any systematic regulation by government agencies as in case of conventional pollutants.

The Earth’s climate has always gone through periods of change. Over the past few decades, however, the implications of increasing fluctuations in weather patterns have led to recognition of the need for international action. The manmade greenhouse effect is caused by the addition of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), especially Carbon dioxide (CO2), which are emitted when fossil fuels, such as petroleum, coal and natural gas, are burned. In addition to CO2, GHGs include Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O), Hydrofluoric Carbons (HFCs), Per Fluorocarbons (PFCs), and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF2). This situation, combined with additional human activities that have decreased the Earth’s natural ability to absorb Carbon dioxide such as the depletion of forest cover. Woodland requisition and stock up additional carbon than some other worldly bionetwork and are a significant accepted brake pedal on type of weather alter. This is complete through the development of foliage enlargement and consequential natural carbon appropriation. The forest ecosystem is an important carbon sink and source containing majority of the above ground terrestrial organic carbon. The forest is declining due to human activities. Sustainable management strategies are necessary to make this forest as carbon sink rather than source. To review the forest’s carbon foundation possible, dried out biomass is enumerate since 50% of its division is carbon. Thus, undertaking different studies considering such issues have paramount importance for carbon do business, type of weather alter alleviation and finance magnetism. As a result, increasing home-grown knowledge for biodiversity management, weather modify alleviation and city greening choice is extremely significant in pretty carbon confiscation potentials.

Cellulose Acetate Membrane (CAM) which has been prepared by using a casting technique was utilized as an adsorbent for heavy metal ions adsorption. The CAM was characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), BET surface area (BET) and Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis (FTIR). The adsorption of Cu (II) and Cd (II) ions on CAM were investigated. The influences of several variables such as pH, adsorbance dosage, initial metal concentration, kinetic parameter, desorption and reusability on the adsorption capacity of the CAM was investigated in a batch adsorption mode. The adsorption capacity increased with the increasing of initial concentration of Cu (II) and Cd (II) solutions and followed the Freundlich model and pseudo second order kinetic mechanism. Desorption of metal ions was accomplished with 1 M Sulphuric acid and Hydrochloric acid solution for Cu (II) and Cd (II) ions. The adsorption capacity did not change significantly in reusability study when three adsorption experimental cycles were conducted. In conclusion, CAM is possible to be used as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from environmental water samples.

Leachate is the water contained in the solid waste dumped in a landfill and comes out during its decomposition but continues to ooze out even after stabilization of the solid waste and many years after the closure of the landfill. It contains a number of toxic and hazardous compounds, and is likely to contaminate the environmental sinks. Moreover, this leachate varies in its flows and characteristics over different phases of a landfill life. Leachate management is one of the major concerns and tough task associated with the landfill operation, and comprises monitoring and predicting landfill leachate and the variation in its flows and composition, associated risk assessment and hazard rating, and designing the most accurate treatment system before disposing it into environmental sinks. This study has analyzed the characteristics of a newly designed landfill site on modern lines at Lakhodair, Lahore, finding it to be slightly alkaline and high in organic matter (BOD5, COD), Na, K and a few heavy metals (Ni and Cr) of the sixteen pollution indicators (EC, turbidity, hardness, TDS, TSS, BOD5, COD, Na, K, Cl, Ni, Cr, Pb, Mn, Cu, Zn), which indicates it can easily be treated with simple physic-chemical methods; such as coagulation/flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and biological treatment, and brought into some reuse such as irrigation.

Bleaching efficiency is evaluated by the degree of whiteness, absorbency, copper number, tendering factor, strength or strength loss, dye uptake, alkali solubility, degree of polymerization and chemical transformation. Recent lab-scale studies have proven ozone to bleach with efficiency comparable to the conventional bleaching agents and hydrogen peroxide at faster rates without requiring heating or any other supportive treatment with less energy and water. Ozone alone, however, showed poor efficiency in pilot-scale determinations, suggesting the use of certain additives to support it in performing its bleaching action. This research was conducted to compare the influence of methanol, isopropanol, oxalic acid and sodium borohydride on improvement in the bleaching performance of ozone in terms of whiteness, absorbency and burst strength. The additives brought an overall improvement in whiteness, absorbency and burst strength of cotton but had significant difference in their performance, as assessed from the pvalues yielded by one-way ANOVA applied on SPSS 20. Methanol outclassed other three in its performance bringing the highest increase in whiteness and burst strength and the highest reduction in fabric absorbency.