Article
Environmental Sciences
Dugin Kaown, Eun-Hee Koh, Bernhard Mayer, YeoJin Ju, Jaeyeon Kim, Hye-Lim Lee, Seong-Sun Lee, Dong Kyu Park, Kang-Kun Lee
Summary: The study conducted in Hwaseong, South Korea, used hydrogeochemical and multiple isotope data to differentiate between anthropogenic and natural contaminant sources in a coastal aquifer, highlighting risks of seawater intrusion and high anthropogenic nitrogen inputs. By distinguishing between different sources of contamination, effective groundwater quality control measures can be implemented to mitigate the impacts of pollution on the groundwater system.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sarah B. Houlahan, Ingrid Errington, Grant C. Hose, Catherine K. King, Simon C. George
Summary: This study evaluates the environmental impact of petroleum spills in the soils of subantarctic Macquarie Island. The results indicate that both contaminated and uncontaminated sites contained different chain-length hydrocarbons. The presence of various hydrocarbon signatures suggests multiple spills and complex mixing in the environment. The rating for the importance of this article is 8 out of 10.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kaiyun Liu, Qingru Wu, Shuxiao Wang, Daiwei Ouyang, Zhijian Li, Dian Ding, Guoliang Li, Yi Tang, Longyi Xiang, Deming Han, Minneng Wen, Tonghao Liu, Lei Duan, Hezhong Tian, Jiming Hao
Summary: This study developed a point-source-based inventory of mercury releases to water in China in 2017, highlighting the significant sources such as nonferrous metal smelting, VCM production, coal-fired boilers, and domestic sewage. Control measures should focus on zinc smelting plants, municipal sewage treatment plants, and the VCM production process. Promoting Hg-free production processes can help reduce mercury inputs at the source.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lionel Savignan, Alexandre Lee, Alexandra Coynel, Stephanie Jalabert, Stephane Faucher, Gaetane Lespes, Philippe Chery
Summary: The study analyzed 356 samples from the south-western region of France to determine the spatial distribution and origin of six trace elements in soils. It found that the element arsenic has dual anthropogenic and geogenic origins, while cadmium is mainly geogenic and associated with Jurassic limestone bedrock.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhengcheng Song, Chuan Wang, Li Ding, Min Chen, Yanxin Hu, Ping Li, Leiming Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Human activities have caused serious soil mercury pollution in industrial areas worldwide. Mercury contamination in soil was found to be significantly elevated in areas of mercury mining, gold mining, and zinc smelting, with atmospheric deposition speculated as the main pathway for soil mercury contamination. Speciation and concentration of mercury in emission gas are crucial factors for mercury pollution in surrounding soils.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Aleksandra Percin, Ivana Sestak, Ivan Dugan, Milan Mesic, Ivica Kisic, Marina Baricevic, Zeljka Zgorelec
Summary: This study aimed to compare the abundance of N-15 isotope in soils from different land use types in inland and coastal areas of Croatia, and to explore the relationship between nitrogen sources in soils and different soil management practices. The results reveal variations in the mean δN-15 abundance among different land use types in soils.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiawei Ma, Li Chen, Hansong Chen, Dongtao Wu, Zhengqian Ye, Haibo Zhang, Dan Liu
Summary: This study investigated the distribution, sources, and environmental risks of eight potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in cultivated soils in Lishui City, eastern China, using digital soil mapping, positive matrix factorisation (PMF), isotopic tracing, and Monte Carlo simulation. The results showed that lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were the main pollutants, posing higher ecological risks. Natural, mining, traffic, and agricultural sources were identified as the four determinants of PTE accumulation. Stable isotope analysis confirmed the impact of local mining activities on heavy metal accumulation. Human health risks, especially for children, exceeded acceptable levels, with mining activities being the most significant source.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shail Vijeta Ekka, Yu-Hsuan Liang, Kuo-Fang Huang, Der-Chuen Lee
Summary: Two rivers in Taiwan, the polluted Danshuei River and non-polluted Liwu River, were studied to investigate the behavior of molybdenum (Mo) isotopes during weathering and riverine transport. The study found that the Mo isotope composition in the Danshuei River is lighter during the wet season and heavier in the dry season, while the Liwu River shows a heavier Mo isotope composition along its mainstream. The analysis also identified different sources of Mo in the Danshuei River, including seawater intrusion, rock-water interaction, and anthropogenic inputs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Semra Bakkaloglu, Dave Lowry, Rebecca E. Fisher, Malika Menoud, Mathias Lanoiselle, Huilin Chen, Thomas Rockmann, Euan G. Nisbet
Summary: This study characterizes the carbon isotopic signatures of methane waste sources and explores the use of hydrogen isotopes for waste source identification. The results show distinct signatures for different waste sources, providing valuable information for regional modeling.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Saebom Jung, Sae Yun Kwon, Yongseok Hong, Runsheng Yin, Laura C. Motta
Summary: The study revealed diverse mercury sources at Gumu Creek, including commercial liquid mercury, phenyl-mercury, and fly ash, consistent with the types of waste deposited within the hazardous waste landfill (HWL). The results suggest that mercury isotope ratios can effectively identify potential mercury sources in heterogeneous environments with multiple anthropogenic activities.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Imali Kaushalya Herath, Guitao Shi, Qian Zhao, Yilan Li, Danhe Wang, Su Jiang, Yangjie Li, Zhenlou Chen, Roberto Bargagli
Summary: This study analyzed the sources and cycling of nitrate (NO3-) in Antarctic soils. The research found that NO3- concentrations and isotopic values were consistent across the latitudinal gradient, with the majority of NO3- derived from nitrification process. Atmospheric deposition contributed minimally to the NO3- budget, and there was evidence of denitrification and cycling between NO3- and nitrite (NO2-). These findings provide new insights into the nitrogen cycle in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hoin Lee, Sae Yun Kwon, Jonghun Kam, Kitack Lee, Xuewu Fu, In-Gyu Cho, Sung-Deuk Choi
Summary: Understanding sources and processes affecting atmospheric mercury (Hg) is essential for targeted Hg management. This study used stable isotopes and air trajectories to characterize sources and processes of total gaseous Hg (TGM) and particulate bound Hg (PBM) in a coastal city in South Korea. The results showed that TGM evasion from the coastal surface of the East Sea and high latitude regions are important sources, while PBM is mainly sourced from local anthropogenic emissions and undergoes Hg2+ photo-reduction on particles. The study also identified a regional isotopic end-member that can be used to quantify the relative influence of local anthropogenic Hg emissions and complex processes affecting PBM in East Asia and other coastal regions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhenghua Tao, Guogan Peng, Fengyuan Chen, Qingjun Guo, Rongfei Wei, Jingli Liu, Yanping Li, Hao Jiang, Yongyan Liao, Ke Pan
Summary: This study evaluated lead concentrations in three mangrove sediments adjacent to different land-use types and identified the sources of lead using lead isotopes. The data showed minor lead contamination in the sediments, possibly due to the lack of industrial development in the region. The lead isotopic ratios indicated that natural sources, coal combustion, agricultural activities, and traffic-related emissions contributed to the lead accumulation in the sediments, with coal combustion and agriculture being important anthropogenic sources of lead. Significant relationships were observed between the 206Pb/207Pb ratios and total organic content in the sediments, suggesting contrasting lead cycling in different mangrove environments. Organic matter and sulfur content were found to reduce lead mobility and bioavailability in the sediments. This study provides an isotopic method to investigate lead sources and migration in mangrove environments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sourav Das, Brent Miller, Joseph Prospero, Shankararaman Chellam
Summary: This article presents a new chemical separation protocol for isotopic analysis of low mass aliquots of airborne particulate matter. The protocol achieves successful separation and accurate quantification of several reference materials and real-world samples. The method is optimized to isolate individual anthropogenic and natural aerosol sources in complex atmospheric environments. In addition, the method is used to measure isotopic ratios and elemental abundances in different urban PM sources, demonstrating the superiority of isotopic markers over elemental tracers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Sutliff-Johansson, S. Ponter, E. Engstrom, I Rodushkin, P. Peltola, A. Widerlund
Summary: This study evaluates the temporal trends of Tantalum (Ta) and Niobium (Nb) concentrations in northern Baltic Sea sediments, with a focus on the potential impact from the Ronnskar sulfide ore smelter in Sweden. Ta concentrations increased significantly near the smelter due to electronic waste processing, while Nb concentrations remained stable. Anthropogenic Ta showed associations with hydrous ferric oxides and organic matter, while Nb did not display notable changes.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2021)