In the study area physical and chemical factors control the composition of surface and groundwate... more In the study area physical and chemical factors control the composition of surface and groundwaters, which in turn determine the water quality of the “Biviere di Gela” lake. These factors combine to create diverse water types which change their compositional character spatially as rainfall infiltrates the soil zone, moves down a topographically defined flow path, and interacts with bedrock minerals. Low-salinity waters, which represent the initial stage of underground circulation, start dissolving calcium carbonate from the local rocks. The progressive increase in salinity, characterized by substantially higher Ca, SO4, Na and Cl concentrations, suggests that dissolution of CaSO4 and NaCl is an important process during water–rock interactions. The “Biviere di Gela” lake is often separated into two units (Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo). “Lago Grande” water is generally of Na-SO4-Cl-type, whereas “Lago Piccolo” water is of Na-Cl-SO4-type. Their total content of dissolved salts varies with season, the amount of rainfall, and inflow of ground and drainage water. Over time, an increasing trend towards greater salinity and also sudden changes in the relative abundances of Cl and SO4 have been recorded for the “Lago Grande.” The isotope composition of the lake water appears to be affected by inflow of ground and surface waters and also by evaporative loss. The nitrate content of waters from the recharge basin is of particular concern because it contributes to lake eutrophication. The trace element contents do not evidence the presence of any significant metal contamination of lake waters, although a future potential hazard of metals bioaccumulation by the aquatic biota must be taken into consideration. Finally, a water balance for the basin shows that a drop in precipitation of about 20% might be critical for lake survival.
Complementary studies on the inorganic chemical composition of Nerium oleander leaves collected i... more Complementary studies on the inorganic chemical composition of Nerium oleander leaves collected in the town of Messina (Sicily, Italy) and seven grain-size fractions of local roadway dust have been carried out. Data and maps are presented to show that the particulate matter present in the air of Messina contains trace elements significantly in excess with respect to the average continental earth crust. The anomalies follow the outline of the urban area, the highest concentrations of trace elements being observed where traffic density is highest. Chemical and isotopic analyses of both road dust and Nerium oleander leaves indicate that Pb contamination still characterizes roads with heavy traffic. In addition to Pb, other metals such as Pt, Pd, Sb, Au, Br, Zn, Cu, Mo, and Cd are significantly enriched in roadway dust, indicating their common anthropogenic origin, especially from traffic. SEM/EDS study of some roadway dust particles has shown the presence of gypsum probably of secondary origin, mixed particles formed by coagulation or gas-to-particle conversion, and porous spherical particles apparently emanating from combustion processes.
... The concentration of As may also potentially be related to traffic (Ozaki et al., 2004). Se i... more ... The concentration of As may also potentially be related to traffic (Ozaki et al., 2004). Se is employed as lubricants (as anti-oxidizer agent), as a vulcanizing agent in the processing of rubber and in the manufacture of metal alloys (Siegel, 2002; Riemann and de Caritat, 1998). ...
... f Heal et al. (2005). g Salvador et al. (2004). h Vecchi et al. (2007), daytime measurements.... more ... f Heal et al. (2005). g Salvador et al. (2004). h Vecchi et al. (2007), daytime measurements. i Viksna et al. (2004), 2.5–10 μm size fraction. j Voutsa et al. (2002). k López et al. (2005). View Within Article. 3.3. Enrichment factors. ...
L., collected in and around the city of Palermo were analysed for major and trace elements by INA... more L., collected in and around the city of Palermo were analysed for major and trace elements by INAA and ICP-MS. The chemical composition of pine needles suggests that the presence of Pb, Sb and Br in excess with respect to soil composition is due to anthropogenic emissions. The anomalously high values of these elements observed in the urban area decrease outside town. Lead isotope data confirm the anthropogenic origin of lead. The origin of Zn and Cu excess remains uncertain at the moment, although wholly-crustal origin appears doubtful. Morphological alterations attributable to phenol accumulation, such as modifications in the length of mesophyll cells and the appearance of lacunae in the distal portions, were observed in needles. The accumulation of phenols, linked to the presence of lead, gives rise to a specific pattern of metabolites providing mechanisms of detoxification and protection, so that the accumulation degree may be proposed as a marker of environmental pollution.
Inorganic matter from roadway dust collected in the urban area of Palermo, Italy, was analysed to... more Inorganic matter from roadway dust collected in the urban area of Palermo, Italy, was analysed to identify the chemical elements introduced into the environment as a result of human activities. Metals of environmental concern exhibit very high enrichment factors, which in some cases exceed 100. Metal size distribution indicates that Pd, Pt, Au, Sb, Zn, S, Ni, V, Mo and Cr substantially accumulate in the finest particles, whereas Pb, Br, As, Cu, Ag and Ba are almost independent of the size fraction. SEM/EDS analyses revealed that some individual particles contain clusters of foreign particles (<10 μm) made up of Fe-Ni, Cr-Ni or Fe alone, typical of the abrasion of stainless steel. Others are aggregates of smaller Pb-Br-Cl particles. Lead isotope composition indicates that Pb pollution is mainly due to automobile exhausts and industrial sources. Pt and Pd concentrations reveal the increasing release of these elements into the environment from catalytic converters. Data indicate that monitoring Total Solid Particles, as generally done by the municipal agencies for the environment, is inadequate from a sanitary point of view, while there is a need for more attention to the presence of trace elements in airborne particulate matter and their distribution as a function of particle size.
Looking for robust indicators of motor vehicle emissions it has been found that brake wear and li... more Looking for robust indicators of motor vehicle emissions it has been found that brake wear and linings are significant contributors of Cu, Mo and Sb to air particulate matter. These trace elements, whose mutual ratios in airborne particulate matter resulted quite different from those in crustal material, appear to be available fingerprinting tools to identify the contribution of on-road vehicles to traffic-derived particulate matter. In this study, the results of analytical determinations of Cu, Mo and Sb on PM10, PM2.5, vegetation and brake dust samples, together with gas (CO, NOx) concentrations, are discussed. Highly significant correlations among Cu, Sb and Mo were observed in particulate matter from Palermo and between Cu–Sb and Cu–Mo at Catania. Further significant positive correlations have been found in pine needles from Palermo, Gela and in platanus leaves from Catania.
In the study area physical and chemical factors control the composition of surface and groundwate... more In the study area physical and chemical factors control the composition of surface and groundwaters, which in turn determine the water quality of the “Biviere di Gela” lake. These factors combine to create diverse water types which change their compositional character spatially as rainfall infiltrates the soil zone, moves down a topographically defined flow path, and interacts with bedrock minerals. Low-salinity waters, which represent the initial stage of underground circulation, start dissolving calcium carbonate from the local rocks. The progressive increase in salinity, characterized by substantially higher Ca, SO4, Na and Cl concentrations, suggests that dissolution of CaSO4 and NaCl is an important process during water–rock interactions. The “Biviere di Gela” lake is often separated into two units (Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo). “Lago Grande” water is generally of Na-SO4-Cl-type, whereas “Lago Piccolo” water is of Na-Cl-SO4-type. Their total content of dissolved salts varies with season, the amount of rainfall, and inflow of ground and drainage water. Over time, an increasing trend towards greater salinity and also sudden changes in the relative abundances of Cl and SO4 have been recorded for the “Lago Grande.” The isotope composition of the lake water appears to be affected by inflow of ground and surface waters and also by evaporative loss. The nitrate content of waters from the recharge basin is of particular concern because it contributes to lake eutrophication. The trace element contents do not evidence the presence of any significant metal contamination of lake waters, although a future potential hazard of metals bioaccumulation by the aquatic biota must be taken into consideration. Finally, a water balance for the basin shows that a drop in precipitation of about 20% might be critical for lake survival.
Complementary studies on the inorganic chemical composition of Nerium oleander leaves collected i... more Complementary studies on the inorganic chemical composition of Nerium oleander leaves collected in the town of Messina (Sicily, Italy) and seven grain-size fractions of local roadway dust have been carried out. Data and maps are presented to show that the particulate matter present in the air of Messina contains trace elements significantly in excess with respect to the average continental earth crust. The anomalies follow the outline of the urban area, the highest concentrations of trace elements being observed where traffic density is highest. Chemical and isotopic analyses of both road dust and Nerium oleander leaves indicate that Pb contamination still characterizes roads with heavy traffic. In addition to Pb, other metals such as Pt, Pd, Sb, Au, Br, Zn, Cu, Mo, and Cd are significantly enriched in roadway dust, indicating their common anthropogenic origin, especially from traffic. SEM/EDS study of some roadway dust particles has shown the presence of gypsum probably of secondary origin, mixed particles formed by coagulation or gas-to-particle conversion, and porous spherical particles apparently emanating from combustion processes.
... The concentration of As may also potentially be related to traffic (Ozaki et al., 2004). Se i... more ... The concentration of As may also potentially be related to traffic (Ozaki et al., 2004). Se is employed as lubricants (as anti-oxidizer agent), as a vulcanizing agent in the processing of rubber and in the manufacture of metal alloys (Siegel, 2002; Riemann and de Caritat, 1998). ...
... f Heal et al. (2005). g Salvador et al. (2004). h Vecchi et al. (2007), daytime measurements.... more ... f Heal et al. (2005). g Salvador et al. (2004). h Vecchi et al. (2007), daytime measurements. i Viksna et al. (2004), 2.5–10 μm size fraction. j Voutsa et al. (2002). k López et al. (2005). View Within Article. 3.3. Enrichment factors. ...
L., collected in and around the city of Palermo were analysed for major and trace elements by INA... more L., collected in and around the city of Palermo were analysed for major and trace elements by INAA and ICP-MS. The chemical composition of pine needles suggests that the presence of Pb, Sb and Br in excess with respect to soil composition is due to anthropogenic emissions. The anomalously high values of these elements observed in the urban area decrease outside town. Lead isotope data confirm the anthropogenic origin of lead. The origin of Zn and Cu excess remains uncertain at the moment, although wholly-crustal origin appears doubtful. Morphological alterations attributable to phenol accumulation, such as modifications in the length of mesophyll cells and the appearance of lacunae in the distal portions, were observed in needles. The accumulation of phenols, linked to the presence of lead, gives rise to a specific pattern of metabolites providing mechanisms of detoxification and protection, so that the accumulation degree may be proposed as a marker of environmental pollution.
Inorganic matter from roadway dust collected in the urban area of Palermo, Italy, was analysed to... more Inorganic matter from roadway dust collected in the urban area of Palermo, Italy, was analysed to identify the chemical elements introduced into the environment as a result of human activities. Metals of environmental concern exhibit very high enrichment factors, which in some cases exceed 100. Metal size distribution indicates that Pd, Pt, Au, Sb, Zn, S, Ni, V, Mo and Cr substantially accumulate in the finest particles, whereas Pb, Br, As, Cu, Ag and Ba are almost independent of the size fraction. SEM/EDS analyses revealed that some individual particles contain clusters of foreign particles (<10 μm) made up of Fe-Ni, Cr-Ni or Fe alone, typical of the abrasion of stainless steel. Others are aggregates of smaller Pb-Br-Cl particles. Lead isotope composition indicates that Pb pollution is mainly due to automobile exhausts and industrial sources. Pt and Pd concentrations reveal the increasing release of these elements into the environment from catalytic converters. Data indicate that monitoring Total Solid Particles, as generally done by the municipal agencies for the environment, is inadequate from a sanitary point of view, while there is a need for more attention to the presence of trace elements in airborne particulate matter and their distribution as a function of particle size.
Looking for robust indicators of motor vehicle emissions it has been found that brake wear and li... more Looking for robust indicators of motor vehicle emissions it has been found that brake wear and linings are significant contributors of Cu, Mo and Sb to air particulate matter. These trace elements, whose mutual ratios in airborne particulate matter resulted quite different from those in crustal material, appear to be available fingerprinting tools to identify the contribution of on-road vehicles to traffic-derived particulate matter. In this study, the results of analytical determinations of Cu, Mo and Sb on PM10, PM2.5, vegetation and brake dust samples, together with gas (CO, NOx) concentrations, are discussed. Highly significant correlations among Cu, Sb and Mo were observed in particulate matter from Palermo and between Cu–Sb and Cu–Mo at Catania. Further significant positive correlations have been found in pine needles from Palermo, Gela and in platanus leaves from Catania.
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