The use of solid-phase fluorescence spectroscopy in the characterisation of organic matter transformations.

Given its high sensitivity and non-destructive nature, fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy is widely used to differentiate changes and transformations of dissolved or water-extracted organic matter (OM) in natural environments. The same technique applied directly on solid samples (solid-phase fluorescence spectroscopy, SPF-EEM) provides accurate results when used with pharmaceutical products or food samples, but only a few studies have considered natural OM. This study reports on the use of SPF-EEM on solid compost samples and emphasises the way the different maturation phases can be distinguished with fluorophores closely resembling those found in dissolved samples. A very good correlation has been found with data from Rock-Eval pyrolysis, nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C CPMAS NMR), and humic-fulvic acid ratios determined by conventional NaOH-extraction. SPF-EEM appears as a much simpler method than the conventional ones to detect transformations in natural OM samples with low mineral contents. However, direct application to soil samples requires some additional studies.

Evaluation and modelling of dissolved organic matter reactivity toward As(III) and As(V) ­ implication in environmental arsenic speciation.

Many studies have been carried out to identify dissolved organic matter-trace metals interactions, as organic matter (OM) was demonstrated to be a governing parameter of metals speciation. Concerning arsenic (As), such OM-As studies are scarce and concluded that, when As binding occurred, it was probably through cationic bridges or, in some cases, directly. Yet, analytical proofs remained complex to obtain. In this work, As binding with Suwanee River Humic Acid (SRHA), as an example of dissolved organic matter, was studied, considering both As(III) and As(V), at various pH and in absence/presence of Na and Ca. Dialysis, fluorescence measurements and PHREEQC modelling were performed to identify and characterize the mechanisms at work for the various performed experiments. It was observed that As(III) binding on SRHA occurred through direct SRHA-As(III) binding and that neither Na nor Ca presence modify this mechanism. As(V) appeared to be also bound by SRHA through direct interaction, but suffered from the competition of Na for the SRHA binding sites. Oppositely, in presence of Ca, the overall As(V)-SRHA binding was significantly enhanced, Ca acting as an efficient cationic bridge through the formation of an SRHA-Ca-As(V) ternary complex. All the obtained data were satisfactorily simulated using a unique set of binding parameters which can therefore be implemented in any speciation code to better address As behaviour in environmental conditions.

Substance flow analysis as a tool for urban water management.

Human activity results in the production of a wide range of pollutants that can enter the water cycle through stormwater or wastewater. Among others, heavy metals are still detected in high concentrations around urban areas and their impact on aquatic organisms is of major concern. In this study, we propose to use a substance flow analysis as a tool for heavy metals management in urban areas. We illustrate the approach with the case of copper in Lausanne, Switzerland. The results show that around 1,500 kg of copper enter the aquatic compartment yearly. This amount contributes to sediment enrichment, which may pose a long-term risk for benthic organisms. The major sources of copper in receiving surface water are roofs and catenaries of trolleybuses. They represent 75% of the total input of copper into the urban water system. Actions to reduce copper pollution should therefore focus on these sources. Substance flow analysis also highlights that copper enters surface water mainly during rain events, i.e., without passing through any treatment procedure. A reduction in pollution could also be achieved by improving stormwater management. In conclusion, the study showed that substance flow analysis is a very effective tool for sustainable urban water management.

Metal concentrations in soils around the copper smelter and surrounding industrial complex of Port Kembla, NSW, Australia.

Anthropogenic emissions of metals from sources such as smelters are an international problem, but there is limited published information on emissions from Australian smelters. The objective of this study was to investigate the regional distribution of heavy metals in soils in the vicinity of the industrial complex of Port Kembla, NSW, Australia, which comprises a copper smelter, steelworks and associated industries. Soil samples (n=25) were collected at the depths of 0-5 and 5-20 cm, air dried and sieved to <2 mm. Aqua regia extractable amounts of As, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Outliers were identified from background levels by statistical methods. Mean background levels at a depth of 0-5 cm were estimated at 3.2 mg/kg As, 12 mg/kg Cr, 49 mg/kg Cu, 20 mg/kg Pb and 42 mg/kg Zn. Outliers for elevated As and Cu values were mainly present within 4 km from the Port Kembla industrial complex, but high Pb at two sites and high Zn concentrations were found at six sites up to 23 km from Port Kembla. Chromium concentrations were not anomalous close to the industrial complex. There was no significant difference of metal concentrations at depths of 0-5 and 5-20 cm, except for Pb and Zn. Copper and As concentrations in the soils are probably related to the concentrations in the parent rock. From this investigation, the extent of the contamination emanating from the Port Kembla industrial complex is limited to 1-13 km, but most likely <4 km, depending on the element; the contamination at the greater distance may not originate from the industrial complex.

Podoconiosis in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Role of beryllium and zirconium.

A geogenic origin has been proposed in the aetiology of non-filarial elephantiasis of the feet and legs, recently renamed podoconiosis. Soil collected in an area of the Ethiopian Rift Valley, the borough of Ocholo, known for its high prevalence of podoconiosis (5.06%), has been submitted to mineral analysis. High values of sulphur (S), cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La) and neodymium (Nd), typical for basaltic bedrocks, were found. Of special interest were the values for zirconium (Zr) and beryllium (Be), 618 +/- 87 ppm and 4.6 +/- 0.5 ppm respectively, twice as high as those recorded for soils sampled in neighbouring areas where the prevalence of podoconiosis is low. To be noted also, a high content in vanadium, above 250 ppm, in half of the soil samples collected in this region. Year-long exposure of unprotected feet to Zr and Be, known for their ability to induce granuloma formation in the lymphoid tissue of man, and present in a clay rich in colloidal silica particle, highly abrasive to skin, is doubtlessly a factor involved in the development of lymph node sclerosis leading to elephantiasis.