Personal Research Database

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env208, 1.pdf

Abstract: The levels of Al, Sn, Cs, Rb, Sr, Br, Cr, Mo, Co, Ba, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn, Se, As, V and Ni were determined in drinking water supplies (public taps, domestic taps and treated water from public water sources) and groundwater supplies (boreholes and shallow wells) in some parts of Southern Nigeria. The water samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean levels (µg/l) of all the elements ranged between 0.35 µg/l for Cs and 87.3 µg/l for Zn in the drinking waters and between 0.54 µg/l for Co and 420.3 µg/l for Ba in the groundwaters. A comparison of the elemental concentrations with WHO guidelines showed that with the exception of violations of Cd, Cr and Se limits in some of the drinking water samples, the levels of all the other elements investigated were below the WHO maximum allowable concentrations. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Keywords: Trace Elements, Drinking Water, Groundwater, WHO Regulations, Human Exposure, Aluminum, Water, Lead, Norway

Kuo, H.W., Chiang, T.F., Lo, L.I., Lai, J.S., Chan, C.C. and Wang, J.D. (1997), VOC concentration in Taiwan’s household drinking water. Science of the Total Environment, 208 (1-2), 41-47.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env208, 41.pdf

Abstract: The objective of this study is to analyze volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations in Taiwan’s drinking water supply. Focusing on Taiwan’s three major metropolitan areas-Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung (in the north, middle and south, respectively)-171 samples were taken from tap water and 68 from boiled water. Tests showed VOC concentrations were highest in Kaohsiung. This is due to different water sources and methods of treatment. Except for bromoform, trihalomethane (THM) concentrations were highest. Detection rates of toluene and 1,2-dichloroethane were slightly higher than other VOC compounds. VOC concentrations decreased significantly after water was boiled. THMs had a removal rate from 61% to 82%. The authors conclude that the three metropolitan areas contain significantly different levels of VOCs and that boiling can significantly reduce the presence of VOCs. Other sources of pollution that contaminate drinking water such as industrial plants and gas stations must be further investigated. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Keywords: VOC Concentration, Household Drinking Water, Trihalomethanes, Cancer

Nkono, N.A. and Asubiojo, O.I. (1997), Trace elements in bottled and soft drinks in Nigeria: A preliminary study. Science of the Total Environment, 208 (3), 161-163.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env208, 161.pdf

Abstract: The levels of Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, Se and Ni were determined in bottled waters and soft drinks in Nigeria. The mean levels of the elements ranged between 0.52 µg/l for Co and 14.8 µg/l for Mn in the bottled waters and 3.10 µg/l for Co and 82.4 µg/l for Mn in the soft drinks, respectively. Comparison of the elemental concentrations in the water samples with WHO limits showed the mean levels of all the elements investigated in all the samples were below the WHO maximum allowable concentrations for drinking waters. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Keywords: Trace Elements, Bottled Water, Soft Drinks, Who Limits, Nigeria

Collett, R.S., Oduyemi, K. and Lill, D.E. (1998), An investigation of environmental levels of cadmium and lead in airborne matter and surface soils within the locality of a municipal waste incinerator. Science of the Total Environment, 209 (2-3), 157-167.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env209, 157.pdf

Abstract: The results of an investigation into the environmental. impact of heavy metals in the airborne emissions from the Baldovie municipal waste incinerator, Scotland, are presented. A sampling network of l-km grid squares covering a 7x9 km area was established over the incinerator plant and its surroundings. Surface soil core samples were collected from within each 1 km² and analysed for cadmium and lead content. The spatial distribution of lead levels in soils showed a marked variation downwind from the Baldovie incinerator in comparison with the background level for the area but remained well within the typical range of lead in rural, unpolluted, British soils. A comparison of the observed levels of lead in local soils, with the predicted downwind long-term ground level lead distribution in air indicates that atmospheric emissions of lead originating from the Baldovie incinerator directly determine concentrations of lead in soils within a radius of 5 km of the incinerator. An empirical relationship between the levels of lead in soils and the long-term levels in air was established. In the case of cadmium, the spatial distribution of the heavy metal showed neither a marked nor extensive contamination of the sampled area around the incinerator and remained within the typical range of cadmium levels in rural, unpolluted, British soils. The work concludes that atmospheric emissions of lead from the Baldovie incinerator significantly determines the local distribution of lead in soils within the immediate vicinity of the incinerator. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Keywords: Municipal Waste Incinerators, Cadmium, Lead, Heavy Metals In Soils, Atmospheric Emissions, Atmospheric Transport, Long-Term, Deposition, Inventory

Levallois, P., Guévin, N., Gingras, S., Lévesque, B., Weber, J.P and Letarte, R. (1998), New patterns of drinking-water consumption: Results of a pilot study. Science of the Total Environment, 209 (2-3), 233-241.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env209, 233.pdf

Abstract: A pilot study on water consumption was carried out in the Quebec City region in April and May 1996 with 125 people using a 24-h recall plus a 2-day diary. Consumption of drinking water via liquid and food was assessed as well as the type of water consumed (tap, bottle or filtered water) and place of consumption (home or away from home). Most of the people (56%) were drinking some bottled water or filtered tap water and 25% of water intake was away from home. Food consumption was found to be a non-significant source of drinking-water intake. The average water consumption was nearly similar in exclusively tap-water consumers and bottled-or filtered-water consumers (1.5 vs. 1.71/day, P = 0.29) but two-thirds of the consumption in this last group is natural water, while it is mixed water in the bottled/filtered-water group. No significant difference in amounts consumed were found according to age, but older people drank hot beverages and soup more often. The present pilot-study was weakened by a low participation rate (14%). Incentive might be necessary to improve participation rate and data collection methods must also be simplified. A 24-h recall plus a 1-day diary seem sufficient and data on consumption could be limited to liquids, soups and cereals. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Keywords: Drinking Water, Consumption, Population Survey, Exposure

Chua, H. (1998), Bio-accumulation of environmental residues of rare earth elements in aquatic flora Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms in Guangdong Province of China. Science of the Total Environment, 214 (1-3), 79-85.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env214, 79.pdf

Abstract: Scattering and bio-accumulation of rare earth elements (REEs), including the inner transition series, in the aquatic environment in southern China have resulted from increased industrial and agricultural applications. Environmental residues of REEs entered into aquatic flora, namely Eichhornia crassipes, commonly known as water hyacinth, via the root system in contaminated substrate water and could distribute to various parts of the plant. REEs could also bio-accumulate and concentrate in the leaves at a concentration ratio of approx. 3 times regardless of initial REE concentration in the substrate water. REEs could also enter into the plant via the leaves that are exposed to atmospheric contaminants. While officially permitted residual concentrations of mixed REE nitrates in foodstuffs or animal feedstocks are not available, high REE concentrations in the substrate water in which water hyacinth grew could possibly enter the human food chain and lead to adverse public health problems. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Chua, H. (1998), Effects of trace chromium on organic adsorption capacity and organic removal in activated sludge. Science of the Total Environment, 214 (1-3), 239-245.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env214, 239.pdf

Abstract: Heavy metals are commonly found in municipal sewage that contains industrial effluents. Metal concentrations above toxic levels inhibit biological processes in municipal sewage treatment works and discharge of metals into surface waters can have severe effects on the environment and public health. However, trace metals at sub-toxic concentrations have also been observed to affect COD removal in activated sludge. In this study, the effects of a trace metal (chromium) on activated sludge in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) were investigated. Chromium-laden wastewater at a sub-toxic level of 0.05 mg/l affected the SBR performance to different extents depending on the hydraulic retention time (HRT). Organic removal in activated sludge was postulated to proceed by a rapid adsorption of organics on the sludge, followed by a slower metabolic assimilation mechanism. Heavy metal acted as a strong competitor for active sites on the sludge, hampering organic adsorption and affected the COD reduction efficiency under short HRTs of 2.5 days and below.

Keywords: Activated Sludge, Chromium, COD Adsorption Capacity, COD Removal, Trace Metal

Miettinen, I.T., Martikainen, P.J. and Vartiainen, T. (1998), Mutagenicity and amount of chloroform after chlorination of bank filtered lake water. Science of the Total Environment, 215 (1-2), 9-17.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env215, 9.pdf

Abstract: Chlorinated drinking waters produced from humus-rich waters often have a high content of halogenated organic by-products which increases the mutagenicity of drinking water. With in vitro chlorination experiments we studied the formation of chloroform (CHCl₃) and mutagenicity of artificially recharged ground water samples. The water samples where obtained from an artificial ground water plant which infiltrates humus-rich lake water through an esker island. The chlorination experiments showed that bank filtration reduced strongly the formation of chloroform and mutagenicity of chlorinated water. Reduction in the amount of chloroform and mutagenicity in chlorinated waters was strongly associated with the decrease in the total content of organic carbon and with the decrease in molecular weight of organic matter during bank filtration.

Al-Saleh, I. and Al-Doush, I. (1998), Survey of trace elements in household and bottled drinking water samples collected in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Science of the Total Environment, 216 (3), 181-192.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env216, 181.pdf

Abstract: Total dissolved beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) were measured in the drinking water of 101 households and 21 samples of retail bottled waters purchased in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to ascertain the water quality for human consumption. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICP) was used for analysis. First-draw Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn concentrations decreased significantly after 10 min of flushing in the morning. Cd, Fe, Hg, Ni and Zn in some cases exceeded the guideline limits recommended by the EEC and WHO. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Keywords: Drinking Water, Bottled Water, Water Quality, Saudi Arabia, Ischemic-Heart-Disease, Sudden-Death, Myocardial-Infarction, Heavy-Metals, Magnesium, Vanadium, Iron, Carcinogenicity, Association, Metabolism

Levallois, P., Thériault, M., Rouffignat, J., Tessier, S., Landry, R., Ayotte, P., Girard, M., Gingras, S., Gauvin, D. and Chiasson, C. (1998), Groundwater contamination by nitrates associated with intensive potato culture in Québec. Science of the Total Environment, 217 (1-2), 91-101.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env217, 91.pdf

Abstract: In rural areas, groundwater contamination by nitrates is a problem related to the spreading of organic and chemical fertilizers by farmers and, to some extent, to effluents from domestic sewage systems. Health effects of groundwater contamination by nitrates have been assessed several times and may lead to important consequences for infants. Following pressures from citizens in 1990, a survey of well water quality around potato fields of the Portneuf county (Québec) found that nitrate contamination was frequently above the 10 mg-N/1 standard. Because this first survey was limited to areas of intensive potato culture, it was not possible to evaluate the real impact on the groundwater quality for the whole county and the subsequent public health intervention was spread over the entire region. A second survey was carried out in 1995 to reevaluate the situation using random sampling methods. This latter study took into account drinking water habits of the population, the relative importance of potato culture as a source of nitrogen loading, the effects of soil types, and waste-water disposal systems as well as land use on nitrate concentration in private well water. The data analysis was carried out by combining GIS and statistical methods to test hypotheses about the spatial relationship linking measured nitrate concentrations with their immediate environment. This paper presents the major findings from this second study which confirm the impact of intensive potato culture on groundwater nitrate concentrations, mainly localized in sandy soil areas within 2 km of fields. Finally, it illustrates the usefulness of GIS to focus public health interventions.

Kuo, H.W., Chiang, T.F., Lo, I.I., Lai, J.S., Chan, C.C. and Wang, J.D. (1998), Estimates of cancer risk from chloroform exposure during showering in Taiwan. Science of the Total Environment, 218 (1), 1-7.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env218, 1.pdf

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the cancer risk, with chloroform exposure during showering. The study concentrated on the three major metropolitan areas of Taiwan. Total exposure was measured based on a combination of ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. A total of 137 tap water samples were taken from 26 locations within the Taipei (north), Taichung (central) and Kaohsiung (south) areas. Analysis of VOC compounds was performed according to the US EPA Method 524. Chloroform concentrations were highest in Kaohsiung (60.19 µg/l), followed by Taipei (18.83 µg/l) and Taichung (17.55 µg/l). Based on the two-resistance theory to volatilization in showers, when air flow rate is increased, chloroform concentrations in the air significantly decrease. A 10-min shower would result in chloroform exposure with a 3: 4: 3 ratio (ingestion, inhalation, skin absorption). However, that changes to 1: 7: 2 for a 20-min shower under the same conditions. The cancer risk was highest in Kaohsiung at 17.59 per million for a 10-min shower and 64.77 per million for a 20-min shower. The lowest cancer risk was found in Taichung at 4.99 and 11.50 per million for a 10-and 20-min shower, respectively. Although ingestion is commonly considered to be the primary source of exposure to chloroform from tap water, inhalation and skin absorption exposure concentrations were found to be even higher. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Chloroform, Cancer Risk, Showering, Drinking-Water, Contaminated Water, Organic-Chemicals, Trihalomethanes, Volatilization, Inhalation, Outcomes, Model, Home

Schuhmacher, M., Domingo, J.L., Llobet, J.M., Sünderhauf, W. and Müller, L. (1998), Temporal variation of PCDD/F concentrations in vegetation samples collected in the vicinity of a municipal waste incinerator (1996-1997). Science of the Total Environment, 218 (2-3), 175-183.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env218, 175.pdf

Abstract: In 1996, the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were determined by HRGC/HRMS in 24 vegetation samples collected in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator (Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain). In the present study 24 vegetation samples were again taken at the same sampling points and analyzed for the levels of PCDD/Fs. The results were compared with those obtained in the previous survey. While in the 1996 study, PCDD/F levels ranged from 0.15 to 62.09 ng I-TEQ/kg (dry matter) (median value, 0.33 ng I-TEQ/kg, mean value, 4.11 ng I-TEQ/kg), the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in the 1997 survey ranged between 0.11 and 0.50 ng I-TEQ/kg (dry matter) (median value, 0.20 ng I-TEQ/kg, mean value, 0.23 ng I-TEQ/kg). The individual comparison between PCDD/F levels in the samples collected in 1996 and 1997 showed a decrease in 15 of the 24 sampling points. When the comparison was carried out in relation to each of the four main wind directions in the area, the highest decrease in PCDD/F concentrations (64%) corresponded to samples in the SE direction, while those in the NE direction showed also a notable reduction in total I-TEQ (44%). In contrast, PCDD/F levels in vegetation samples from NW and SW directions were increased (37% and 6%, respectively). When the data were evaluated according to the distance of the sampling points to the plant, the highest decrease in total I-TEQ was found at 500 m from the stack. The results of this study seem to provide evidence for a decline in atmospheric emissions of PCDD/Fs in the area of Tarragona. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: PCDD/PCDF, Vegetation, Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator, Temporal Variation, Dibenzo-p-Dioxins, Solid-Waste, Human Exposure, Emissions, Air, UK, Environment, Deposition, PCDF, Contamination

Usuda, K., Kono, K., Dote, T., Miyata, K., Nishiura, H., Shimahara, M. and Sugimoto, K. (1998), Study on urine boron reference values of Japanese men: Use of confidence intervals as an indicator of exposure to boron compounds. Science of the Total Environment, 220 (1), 45-53.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env220, 45.pdf

Abstract: A simple and rapid method for the determination of urine boron by inductively-coupled plasma argon emission spectrometry (ICPAES) has been developed to establish boron exposure guidelines. After 11-fold dilution in 18.25 M omega cm ultra-pure water and vigorous shaking, urine may be directly injected into the spectrometer, providing accurate and reproducible results. We report the results obtained with urine samples obtained from a group of male Japanese electronic workers (n = 102) who had not been exposed to boron, boron concentrations were corrected with use of a specific gravity of 1.024 g/ml. The frequency distribution resulted in a log-normal distribution diagram for anatomical spread. The geometric mean values for urine boron in the non-exposed workers was 798.0 micrograms/l, while the confidence interval (C.I.) was between 398.1 and 1599.6 micrograms/l. Taking into consideration the short biological half-life of boron and its major excretion route via urine, urine was considered to be a suitable means for monitoring of exposure to this element. We conclude that the guidelines established by determining boron reference values are useful for the protection of individuals exposed to boron in their working environments.

Nriagu, J.O., Wong, H.K., Lawson, G. and Daniel, P. (1998), Saturation of ecosystems with toxic metals in Sudbury basin, Ontario, Canada. Science of the Total Environment, 223 (2-3), 99-117.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env223, 99.pdf

Abstract: Mining and resource recovery activities have not been kind to ecosystems in the Sudbury basin, Ontario. The combination of logging, smelting, fires and erosion resulted in an unusual anthropogenic ecosystem of denuded barren land with lifeless lakes, or a micro-desert. Since the 1970s, however, the concerted efforts made to reduce the emissions and rehabilitate parts of the degraded ecosystem have resulted in improvements in water quality, and recoveries in phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoobenthos and fish communities but have had little impact on toxic metal concentrations in many lakes. We show that most of the catchments in the Sudbury basin have become saturated with Cu and Ni, and some with Zn and Pb. It is estimated that mobilization of metals stored in soils and glacial overburden by surface runoff, groundwater drainage and wind re-working of tailings can sustain the high concentrations of Cu and Ni in many lakes for well over 1000 years. Strategies to immobilize the pollutant metals in the watershed rather than further emission controls may be required for dealing with high levels of toxic metals in surface waters of the saturated ecosystems.

Miranda, C.D. and Castillo, G. (1998), Resistance to antibiotic and heavy metals of motile aeromonads from Chilean freshwater. Science of the Total Environment, 224 (1-3), 167-176.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env224, 167.pdf

Abstract: In this work the resistance of 172 motile Aeromonas isolates recovered from raw drinking water supplies (56), irrigation waters (60) and runoff waters receiving sewage (56), to some antibiotics and heavy metals was investigated by agar diffusion and agar dilution methods. A high proportion of isolates from all water sources showed resistance to carbenicillin, erythromycin, streptomycin, cephradine and cadmium, and susceptibility to chloramphenicol, kanamycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, nalidixic acid, trimethoprim-sulphametoxazole and chromium. No amikacin-resistant Aeromonas were recovered. No relationship was found between antimicrobial resistance and Aeromonas species, with the exception of cephradine, that exhibited a significantly higher activity against the A. sobria isolates than the other Aeromonas species (P < 0.05). Moderately polluted waters showed lower antibiotic multiresistance and metal susceptibility than unpolluted and highly polluted ones. Although significant differences (P < 0.05), between resistance frequencies to erythromycin, carbenicillin, streptomycin and cephradine were found, Among isolates from different sources, the antimicrobial resistance patterns of aeromonads could not be related to the level of faecal pollution. These results indicate that aeromonads resistant to antibiotics and heavy metals are easily recovered from water sources in Chile, posing a potential public health risk.

Notes: highly cited

Notes: highly cited

? Ternes, T.A., Stumpf, M., Mueller, J., Haberer, K., Wilken, R.D. and Servos, M. (1999), Behavior and occurrence of estrogens in municipal sewage treatment plants - I. Investigations in Germany, Canada and Brazil. Science of the Total Environment, 225 (1-2), 81-90.

Full Text: 1999\Sci Tot Env225, 81.pdf

Abstract: The developed method enables the quantification of estrogens in sewage samples down to 1 ng/l and in river water down to 0.5 ng/l. Mean recoveries of the analytes in ground water after SPE extraction, clean-up and derivatization generally exceeded 75%. The determined R.S.D. varied from 0 to 14% at a spiking revel of 0.05 mu g/l. Even in the raw influent and the final effluent from municipal STPs the mean recoveries of estrogens were mostly above 70%. Using this method the behavior and occurrence of natural estrogens and synthetic contraceptives in municipal sewage treatment plants (STP) were investigated in German and Canadian facilities. In the sewage of a German municipal STP close to Frankfurt/Main 17 beta-estradiol and estrone were determined, with mean concentrations of 0.015 mu g/l and 0.027 mu g/l, respectively. In two investigated municipal STPs, 17 beta-estradiol and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone were eliminated with a higher efficiency than 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol and estrone. In Canadian and German STP discharges estrone, 17 beta-estradiol, 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol and 16a-hydroxyestrone were frequently detected within the lower ng/l-range. A maximum concentration was found for estrone with 70 ng/l. In 15 investigated German rivers and streams only estrone was present with a maximum concentration of 1.6 ng/l. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Aquatic Environment, Behavior, Brazil, Canada, Concentration, Contraceptives, Discharges, Efficiency, Estrogens, Extraction, Facilities, Gc, Ms, Ms, Germany, Ground Water, Natural, Plants, Quantification, Rights, River, River Water, Rivers, Rivers And Streams, Science, Sewage, Sewage Treatment Plants, Streams, Treatment, Vitro, Water

Notes: highly cited

? Belfroid, A.C., Van der Horst, A., Vethaak, A.D., Schafer, A.J., Rijs, G.B.J., Wegener, J. and Cofino, W.P. (1999), Analysis and occurrence of estrogenic hormones and their glucuronides in surface water and waste water in The Netherlands. Science of the Total Environment,