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WELCOME TO SEGH 2010

On behalf of the Organizing Committee of SEGH 2010 International Conference and Workshops, I would like extend my warmest welcome to all delegates from all over the world. The main theme of SEGH 2010 “Environmental Quality and Human Health” is one of the most challenging issues that human beings are currently facing. Human activities have impacted our environment at an increasing speed, leading to changes in the quality of air, water, soil and food. More and more questions regarding the relationship between environmental quality and human health remain to be answered. SEGH 2010 provides an internationally leading forum for interaction between scientists, consultants, and public servants engaged in the multi-disciplinary areas of environment and health. International experts, researchers in their early careers, and students gather in Galway to share their most up-to-date research findings. I believe improved knowledge of our environment, our health and their relationships will be acquired and shared through this conference. In addition, SEGH 2010 provides a valuable opportunity to foster, develop and strengthen international links and collaborations between our delegates. We are honoured to organize the ceremony for the lifetime achievement award to Prof. Iain Thornton, and a special session is organized for the celebration. We have received strong support from International Medical Geology Association which provides a short course and supports a session on Medical Geology. There is also an organized conference session of “House Dust”. We have organized two workshops of MULTITUDE (Multiple Links Towards Integrating Teams for Understanding of Disease and Environment) and “Vapour Behaviour and Assessment at Contaminated Sites - Risks Posed to Human Health” running in parallel with the conference sessions. To complement the academic programme of the conference, we have also organized two pre-conference excursions to the Burren and Connemara, a conference fieldtrip to South Park and Silvermines and a number of unforgettable social events. Whatever your background is, I believe we have provided something for you. Galway is a popular tourist destination, attracting more than 1 million international visitors annually. SEGH 2010 delegates and their accompanying persons will undoubtedly make significant contribution to the local economy. As a resident in Galway, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of you for coming to Galway. I hope Galway will give you a nice experience with its well preserved Irish tradition, hospitality and natural beauty. Finally, I hope all of you enjoy your stay in Galway! Have a good time! Dr. Chaosheng Zhang Chair, SEGH 2010

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CONFERENCE SPONSORS We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following sponsors:

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

WELCOME TO SEGH 2010 Dr. Chaosheng Zhang (Chair, SEGH 2010)

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MAP OF CONFERENCE VENUE National University of Ireland, Galway

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MAP OF GALWAY CITY (with hotels & Banquet Venue)

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CONFERENCE SPONSORS

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SEGH 2010 CONFERENCE COMMITTEES International Advisory Committee, Organizing Committee, Session Chairs, Field Trip Leaders

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GENERAL INFORMATION Conference Venues, On Campus Parking, Computer Facilities, Conference Exhibitors, Useful Information, Social Events

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PROFILE OF KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Prof. Iain Thornton, Prof. Shu Tao, Dr. Olle Selinus, Prof. Luke Clancy

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CONFERENCE TIME TABLE

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SCHEDULE OF PRESENTATIONS

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ABSTRACTS OF ORAL PRESENTATIONS

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ABSTRACTS OF POSTER PRESENTATIONS

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AUTHORS INDEX

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TITLE INDEX

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SEGH 2010 CONFERENCE COMMITTEES INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Dr. Ariadne Argyraki, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece Prof. David J Briggs, Imperial College, UK Prof. Joy E. Carter, University of Winchester, UK Dr. Mark Cave, British Geological Survey, UK Dr. Jose Centeno, The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, USA Prof. Luke Clancy, TobaccoFree Research Institute, Ireland Dr. Greg Davis, CSIRO Land and Water, Australia Prof. Meral Dogan, Hacettepe University, Turkey Prof. A. Umran Dogan, University of Iowa, USA Prof. John G. Farmer, University of Edinburgh, UK Dr. Robert Finkelman, University of Texas at Dallas, USA Prof. Andrew Hursthouse, University of the West of Scotland Paisley, UK Prof. Xiangdong Li, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China Prof. Virginia Murray, Health Protection Agency, UK Prof. Michael H. Ramsey, University of Sussex, UK Dr. Pat Rasmussen, Health Canada and University of Ottawa, Canada Dr. Clemens Reimann, Geological Survey of Norway, Norway Dr. David Russell, Health Protection Agency, UK Dr. Olle Selinus, Geological Survey of Sweden, Sweden Prof. Eduardo Ferreira da Silva, University of Aveiro, Portugal Dr. Alex G. Stewart, Health Protection Agency, UK Prof. Shu Tao, Peking University, China Prof. Iain Thornton, Imperial College, London, UK Dr. Ron T. Watkins, Curtin University of Technology, Australia Prof. Ming H. Wong, Hong Kong Baptist University, China ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Dr. Chaosheng Zhang, NUI Galway – Conference Chair Dr. Martin Feely, NUI Galway Mr. Maurice Mulcahy, HSE West Dr. Martina Prendergast, ECI, NUI Galway Mr. Garth Earls, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland Dr. Carrie Caravan, University of Limerick Dr. Harry Comber, National Cancer Registry Dr. Rachel Creamer, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Dr. Albert Daly, National Roads Authority Mr. Tiernan Henry, NUI Galway Dr. Frank Houghton, Limerick Institute of Technology Dr. Valerie Ledwith, NUI Galway Dr. Mícheál Lehane, Environmental Protection Agency Dr. Aidan Moody, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Dr. Liam Morrison, NUI Galway Dr. Patrick O’Connor, Geological Survey of Ireland Dr. Diarmuid O'Donovan, NUI Galway & HSE West Prof. Dennis Pringle, NUI Maynooth Mr. Kevin Rogers, Western Regional Fishery Board

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SESSION CHAIRS Brian Alloway Neil Breward Joy Carter Mark Cave Jose A. Centeno Luke Clancy Andy Cundy Albert Daly Greg Davis Martin Feely Eduardo Ferreira Da Silva Robert Finkelman Martin Fitzpatrick Andrew Hursthouse Samira Korfali Xiangdong Li Aradhana Mehra Aidan Moody Liam Morrison Maurice Mulcahy Agnes Oomen Dennis Pringle Michael Ramsey Pat Rasmussen Clemens Reimann Ray Scanlon Olle Selinus Alex Stewart Ya Tang Shu Tao Ron Watkins Philip Weinstein FIELDTRIP LEADERS Dr. Martin Feely: Connemara (June 27th) Mr. Tiernan Henry: The Burren and Cliffs of Moher (June 26th and 28th) Dr. Chaosheng Zhang: South Park (July 2nd) Dr. Patrick O'Connor: Silvermines (July 2nd)

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GENERAL INFORMATION CONFERENCE VENUES The conference sessions will take place in the Arts & Science building. The registration desk, exhibition area and posters are also located on the concourse of the Arts & Science building. Tea/coffee breaks will be served on the concourse of the Arts & Science building. Lunch is served in The Bailey Allen Hall The Welcome Reception will take place in the University Bar on June 28th. The Conference Banquet will take place in The Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill on June 30th. All venues are marked on the maps included in the conference booklet. ON CAMPUS CAR PARKING There is car parking available for SEGH 2010 conference delegates who wish to park from the 27th of June to 2nd of July 2010 on the NUIG campus. The designated car park for SEGH 2010 delegates is the Orbsen Building Carpark . A temporary parking permit must be displayed. It is possible to download an SEGH 2010 parking permit with campus map from the conference website. There are also a number of Pay & Display parking areas on campus. PARKING & ACCESS FOR DISABLED PERSONS SEGH 2010 takes place in the Arts&Science building. There are a number of Wheelchair Access/Disabled Driver parking berths adjacent to the Arts Millennium building which is close to the Arts & Science building. To park in these spaces, you must display your disabled driver sign. There is access by ramp to the Arts & Science building. COMPUTER FACILITIES The GIS lab of the Geography Department is a dedicated computer suite for use by SEGH 2010 conference delegates. Meanwhile, wireless internet access will be made available for delegates who bring their own laptops. A separate sheet of instructions for access of computers and wireless connections will be provided in your conference bag. CONFERENCE EXHIBITORS The following organisations will have exhibition stands at the SEGH 2010. They are located on the concourse of the Arts & Science building: Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) PerkinElmer Agilent Fisher Scientific Ireland Ltd Millipore SAS

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USEFUL INFORMATION Telephone Information The local area code for Galway is 091. You may omit this prefix if you are dialling from a fixed landline within the area. If you are dialling an Irish number from your mobile (cell phone), you need to firstly dial the international code for Ireland (00353), followed by the local area code (omit 0) and then the number. Taxi services Galway Taxis (091) 561111 Big O Taxis (091) 585858 Tourist Information Board, Galway Fáilte Ireland West Áras Fáilte, Forster Street, Galway Tel: ++ 353 91 537700 info@irelandwest.ie www.irelandwest.ie

Galway Bus Station (091) 562000 Galway Train Station (091) 564222

Useful links to help plan your visit www.galway.net/ www.visitaranislands.com/index.html www.goconnemara.com/ www.corribprincess.ie www.galwaytourism.ie http://www.galway1.ie http://www.advertiser.ie/galway Police In Ireland, the police force is called the Garda Siochana. Garda Siochana, Mill Street, Galway (091) 538000 Medical Emergencies and Doctors University College Hospital Galway (091) 544544 General Practitioners Dr. Gerard Brennan (091) 524085 Regional Medical Centre (091) 520340 Claddagh Medical Centre (091) 582321 Pharmacy The nearest pharmacy (500m) to the conference venue is: University Pharmacy Junction of University Road/Newcastle Road (091) 520115 There are also a number of pharmacies located along the main street of the pedestrianised city centre (Shop Street)

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Banks & Foreign Exchange The nearest banks to the conference venue are: Bank of Ireland, University Branch, Distillery Road, Galway. This is located at the end of the Concourse in the Arts & Science building where the conference sessions are taking place. Allied Irish Bank, University Branch, Newcastle Road, Galway. Normal opening times are 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday. Closed at weekends. There are ATM cash dispensers located outside each of these branches. SOCIAL EVENTS Monday, June 28th 18:00 Welcome Reception in the University Bar A Welcome Reception will be held in the University Bar on Monday June 28th. The entertainment will be provided by a trio led by Cora & Breda Smyth. Both are talented fiddle and whistle players who have performed with Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. They have collectively won over forty All-Ireland titles. They both graduated in Medicine from University College Galway and while they studied, participated in the exciting music scene in the City and County. The reception will give delegates an opportunity to meet colleagues and enjoy a BBQ in a relaxed atmosphere. It is possible to register for the conference before the Welcome Reception from 17:00 – 19:00. The conference registration desk is located on the concourse of the Arts Science building. The welcome reception is included as part of delegate registration - please confirm your attendance during registration. Wednesday, June 30th 19:30 Conference Banquet Galway Bay Hotel The Conference banquet will be held in The Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill on June 30th. Entertainment for the evening is provided by the cream of Irish Traditional Talent. The audience will be delighted by a vibrant performance from two of Ireland’s most talented and well travelled traditional Irish musicians, Brenda Curtin and Eilis Egan. Brenda, lead fiddle soloists from Michael Flatley’s 'Lord of the Dance Show' is renowned for her lively personality and energetic performances on fiddle. She will captivate the audience as she dances and moves while playing the fiddle. Éilís performs on accordion, flute and low whistles and was the lead accordionist with Riverdance. They will be joined on stage during the evening by traditional Irish dancers including 2 dancers from the International Irish Show Riverdance, Siobhan Manson and Doireann Carney.

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PROFILE OF KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

PROFESSOR IAIN THORNTON (FORMER SEGH CHAIR, LIFETIM E ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT), IMPERIAL COLLEGE AND IMPERIAL COLLEGE CONSULTANTS LONDON, UK Professor Thornton, PhD, DSc, DIC is Emeritus Professor of Environmental Geochemistry and was until 2002 Director of the Environmental Geochemistry Research Group, Imperial College, London. He has over forty years of research experience in environmental geochemistry and geochemical mapping, the chemistry and behaviour of trace elements and metals in soils and waters, and the effects of metal exposure on plant, animal and human health. He has also undertaken research into urban geochemistry in the UK, Hong Kong and Gibraltar. He is the editor of the standard text Applied Environmental Geochemistry, and has published widely, as author and co-author of over 200 papers in refereed scientific journals, on sources and pathways of metals in the environment and their impacts. He is an elected Member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. He was President of the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health from 1985 to 1987 and is a life member of the Executive Board. He was the first recipient of the J. Julian Chisholm Jr. MD. Award for outstanding contributions in the field of geochemistry and environmental health education. In 2003 he was made an honorary member of the International Society for the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements. PROFESSOR SHU TAO (SETAC ASIA/PACIFIC CHAIR), PEKIN G UNIVERSITY, CHINA Professor Tao joined the faculty at Peking University in 1984. He is now Cheung Kong Professor and vice dean of the College of Environmental Sciences of Peking University. He is also director of The Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes (LESP), a key laboratory under Chinese Ministry of Education. He chairs the subcommittee of Environmental & Chemical Geography, Chinese Geography Association. He also serves as the president of SETAC Asia/Pacific and is on the editorial boards of several international journals. Currently, his research is focused on bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides, fate and exposure of persistent organic pollutants. At present, he serves as principle investigator for a number of projects including Fate and behaviour of PAHs in northern China and Emission and outflow of PAHs from East Asia (both are key projects of National Scientific Foundation of China). Prof. Tao has 180 papers published in peer-reviewed international journals. The publications cover a number of fields including bioavailability of trace elements and persistent organic pollutants, aquatic humic substances, fate and multimedia fate modelling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides. DR. OLLE SELINUS (IMGA FOUNDER AND CO-CHAIR), GEOLO GICAL SURVEY OF SWEDEN, SWEDEN This speaker is sponsored by NUI Galway's Millennium Fund. Dr. Olle Selinus is a Ph.D. geologist working with the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU). During the 1960s and 1970s he worked in mineral exploration and since the beginning of the 1980s his research work has been focused on environmental geochemistry, including research on medical geology. He has served as the organizer of several international conferences in this field, is vice president for the International Geological Congress in Oslo in 2008 and has published over 90 manuscripts. He serves as Editor-in-Chief for the book on “Essentials of Medical Geology”, and as president of the International Medical Geology Association. He has received several international awards and has been appointed Geologist of the Year (2005) in Sweden because of Medical Geology. He is also chairing “the Earth and Health” team of the United Nations initiative International Year of Planet Earth, member of the organising

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committee and vice president for the 33 International Geological Congress in Oslo in 2008, vice chairman of the National Committee of Geology at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, chairman of the Swedish National Committee of the International Year of Planet Earth. PROFESSOR LUKE CLANCY (DIRECTOR GENERAL, RIFTFS), R ESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR A TOBACCO FREE SOCIETY, IRELAND Professor Clancy is an academic respiratory physician with a research interest in air pollution, TB and asthma and currently focusing on the prevention of smoking related diseases by advocacy and research. As Chairman of the Board of ASH Ireland (Action on Smoking and Health) he played a significant role in the introduction of smoke free legislation in Ireland. He is currently President of the European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP) and Chairman of the Tobacco Control Committee of the European Respiratory Society. He is Director General of RIFTFS which supports the development of a tobacco free society by engaging in research in all aspects of tobacco control. He was a partner in a number of EU funded projects such as PESCE, APHEA, Aphesis, IMCA and ENHIS. He is the Project Coordinator for the FP7 Project PPACTE (Pricing Policy and Tobacco Control in Europe) involving a very strong consortium of international experts.

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SCHEDULE OF PRESENTATIONS

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

KN1: KEYNOTE SESSION 1: PROF. IAIN THORNTON

Tuesday, June 29th 09:00 (O'Flaherty Theatre)

APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH Prof. Iain Thornton

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SSA: SPECIAL SESSION FOR PROF. IAIN THORNTON (A)

Tuesday, June 29th 10:00 (O'Flaherty Theatre)

COPPER AND ZINC IN SOILS: FROM DEFICIENCY TO TOXICI TY Brian Alloway

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SOIL INGESTION AND GEOPHAGIA: A SOURCE AND SINK OF MINERAL NUTRIENTS AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL ELEMENTS TO CONSUMERS OF EARTH MATERIALS Peter Abrahams

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RISK MANAGEMENT IN RELATION TO CONTAMINATION John Watt

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METAL CONTENT OF HOUSE DUSTS IN SYRACUSE, NY, USA Andrew Hunt, David Johnson, Daniel Griffith

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RESEARCH INTO ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY IN KOREA Hyo-taek Chon

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EPI A: EPIDEMIOLOGY (A)

Tuesday, June 29th 10:00 (Cairnes Theatre)

SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY & CANCER IN NORTHERN IRELAND Amy Barsby, Jennifer McKinley, Ulrich Ofterdinger, Michael Young, Anna Gavin

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ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT....IS THERE A LINK? Sandra Galvin, Fiona Boyle, Dearbhaile Morris, Martin Cormican

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PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL RISK FACTORS FOR INFANTILE PNEUMONIA IN A REPRESENTATIVE BIRTH COHORT IN TAIWA N Leon Guo, Chi-hsien Chen, I-chun Hsieh, Pau-chung Chen, Jung-der Wang, Shio-jean Lin, Tung-liang Chiang

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THE BURDEN OF CARE FOR TAIWANESE CHILDREN WITH ATOP IC DERMATITIS Judith Shiao, Tung-liang Chiang, Shio-jean Lin, Leon Guo

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ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF HUMAN SCALP HAIR SAMPLES FROM TEHRAN AND VILLAGES NEAR CASPIAN SEA, NORTHEN IRAN Asghar Samieyani, Hirokazu Fujimaki, Fatemeh Samieyani, Koichiro Sera

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PPD: POP'S, PESTICIDES, DIOXINS

Tuesday, June 29th 10:00 (Larmor Theatre)

PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN CALIFORNIA WOMEN: A BASELINE FOR THE CALIFORNIA BIOMONITORING PROGRAM Myrto Petreas, June Soo Park, Yunzhu Wang, Weihong Guo, Frank Reber Brown, Miaomiao Wang

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IDENTIFYING HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE POLLUTION STATUS O F CORK FORESTS Iain McLellan, Andrew Hursthouse, C. Morrison, Cristina Silva Pereira, A. Hassen, V. Mazzoleni, M. Blahgen, A. Varela, C. Rodrigues, C. Leitão, H. I. Ouzari, A. Jaouani, N. Gaâmour, M. D. Fumi, E. Novelli, M. Trevisan, K. Lyamiuoli

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS IN FISH AND SHELLFISH FR OM IRISH MARINE WATERS Evin McGovern, Eileen Joyce, Brendan McHugh, Christina Tlustos, Linda Tyrrell

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THE EFFECTS OF COPPER ON THE SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNI TY AND DEGRADATION OF PESTICIDES Sally Gaw, Katrina Dewey, Grant Northcott, Denis Lauren

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ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BY PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS Jiri Hrebicek, Miroslav Kubasek, Ladislav Dusek, Jaroslav Urbanek, Karel Brabec, Ivan Holoubek

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SSB: SPECIAL SESSION FOR PROF. IAIN THORNTON (B)

Tuesday, June 29th 11:45 (O'Flaherty Theatre)

CAN IN SITU MEASUREMENTS BE MORE FIT-FOR-PURPOSE TH AN EX SITU MEASUREMENTS? Michael Ramsey

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DIFFERENTIAL INDIVIDUAL PARTICLE ANALYSIS (DIPA): APPLICATIONS IN PARTICULATE MATTER SPECIATION RESEA RCH Andrew Hunt, David Johnson

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ADSORPTION OF HEAVY METALS BY SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER, DEPOSITED SEDIMENTS, NATURAL SURFACE COATIN GS AND THEIR COMPONENTS IN AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT Deming Dong, Xiuyi Hua, Liang Liu, Guangxin Zhang

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SCIENTIFIC ENVIRONMENTALIST OR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENT IST? THE ROLE OF THE SCIENTIST IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROVERSIES Janet Cotter

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EPI B: EPIDEMIOLOGY (B)

Tuesday, June 29th 11:45 (Cairnes Theatre)

EFFECTS OF FINE PARTICULATES AND FUNGAL SPORES ON L UNG FUNCTION IN SCHOOL CHILDREN Bing-yu Chen, H. Jasmine Chao, Chang-chuan Chan, Chung-te Lee, Hung-pin Wu, Tsun-jen Cheng, Leon Guo

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GEOGRAPHICAL CORRELATES OF FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS IN SOUTH ULSTER, 1995-2007 Dennis Pringle, Sami Omer, John Waddington

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THE POTENTIAL OF SPATIAL INFORMATION IN HUMAN BIOMONITORING BY EXAMPLE OF TWO GERMAN ENVIRONMENTA L EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES Roland Pesch, Gunther Schmidt, Winfried Schröder, André Conrad, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Stefan Feigenspan, Lorenz Dobler, Gerhard A. Wiesmüller, Manfred Dr. Birke, Jens Utermann

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MODELING OF HUMAN EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES IN THE CAMERON HIGHLANDS, MALAYSIA. Lidyayatty Abdul Malik

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ARSENIC AND RISK OF BIRTH DEFECTS: A POPULATION-BAS ED CASE-CONTROL STUDY USING GIS TECHNOLOGY Jilei Wu, Gong Chen, Yilan Liao, Xinming Song, Lijun Pei, Prof. Xiaoying Zheng

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BAB: BIOAVAILABILITY AND BIO-ACCESSIBILITY

Tuesday, June 29th 11:45 (Larmor Theatre)

DOES IODINE GAS RELEASED FROM SEAWEEDS CONTRIBUTE T O DIETARY IODINE INTAKE? Peter Smyth, Robert Burns, Karen Mullan, Rj Huang, Thorsten Hoffman, Colin O'Dowd

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A COMPARISON OF PAHS MOBILIZATION FROM URBAN AND CI TY CENTRE SITES USING FED AND FASTED IN-VITRO GASTRO-INTESTINAL MODELS Damien Lorenzi, Jane Entwistle, Mark Cave, John Dean

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ASSESSING THE LINK BETWEEN THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF SOIL S AND THE BIOACESSIBILITY OF ARSENIC, CADMIUM AND LEAD IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT Joanna Wragg, Mark Cave

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ZINC DEFICIENCY IN THE NIGER INLAND DELTA IN MALI Gunnar Jacks, Caroline Gårdestedt, Birgitta Jacks, Aly Barry

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CORRECTING IODINE DEFICIENCY: AN ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH THROUGH IRRIGATION WATER Qiang Ren, Jie Fan, Zhizhong Zhang, Prof. Xiaoying Zheng, G. Robert Delong

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KN 2: KEYNOTE SESSION 2: PROF. SHU TAO, CHINA

Tuesday, June 29th 14:30 (O' Flaherty Theatre)

EMISSION, FATE AND RESPIRATION EXPOSURE RISK OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN CHINA Shu Tao

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SSC: SPECIAL SESSION FOR PROF. IAIN THORNTON (C)

Tuesday, June 29th 15:30 (O'Flaherty Theatre)

ARSENIC GEOCHEMISTRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Kyoung-woong Kim

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HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN MINING ENVIRONMENTS OF KOREA Myung Chae Jung, You Sung Kim, Je Hyun Park, Jin Soo Lee, Hyun Ho Kwon

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A REVIEW ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES OF URBAN SOIL S IN CHINA Xiangdong Li, Shen Yu, Yonguang Zhu, Xiaosan Luo

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LEAD CONCENTRATIONS IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF SHANGHAI, CHINA Yong Wang, Iain Thornton

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HDA: HOUSE DUST (A)

Tuesday, June 29th 15:30 (Cairnes Theatre)

METALS IN RESIDENTIAL DUSTS: A REVIEW John Watt, Andrew Hunt

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SUSPENSION AND RESUSPENSION OF DRY SOIL INDOORS FOLLOWING TRACK-IN ON FOOTWEAR Andrew Hunt

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THE CONTRIBUTION OF GLACIALLY-DERIVED SEDIMENTS TO THE MINERALOGY OF HOUSE DUST IN ONTARIO HOMES Andre Lalonde, Michael Woldemichael, Pat Rasmussen

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INDOOR VERSUS OUTDOOR SOURCES OF LEAD AND OTHER METALS IN HOUSEHOLD DUST Heather Jamieson, Stephen Walker, Pat Rasmussen

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SYNCHROTRON MICRO-ANALYSIS OF HOUSE DUST: ARSENIC A ND METAL SPECIATION BY MICRO-XRD AND QUANTITATIVE MICR O-XRF Stephen Walker, Heather Jamieson, Pat Rasmussen, Antonio Lanzirotti

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WPA: WATER POLLUTION (A)

Tuesday, June 29th 15:30 (Larmor Theatre)

GROUNDWATER CHEMISTRY AND ARSENIC OCCURRENCE IN THE SHALLOW AQUIFER SYSTEM OF THE SAN VITALE PINE FORES T Martina Kralj, Enrico Dinelli, Marco Antonellini, Susanne Schwarz

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BIODEGRADATION AND ADSORPTION OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS Bing Li, Tong Zhang

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EUROPEAN GROUNDWATER GEOCHEMISTRY: BOTTLED WATER Manfred Birke, Clemens Reimann, David Banks

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SEASONAL PATTERN OF SURFACE WATER QUALITY AND ITS CONTROLLING FACTORS IN XIANGJIANG RIVER Zhao Zhang, Yi Chen, Yaobin Meng, Peijun Shi

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PHYTOPLANKTON ABUNDANCE IN RELATION TO CULTURAL EUTROPHICATION SOURCED FROM AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE IN A TROPICAL RIVER HOOGHLY AT THE LAND-OCEAN BOUNDARY OF SUNDERBANS, NE COAST OF BAY OF BENGAL, INDIA Dr Tarun Kumar De, Tapan Kumar Jana

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HMMA: HEAVY METALS AND METALLOIDS (A)

Tuesday, June 29th 17:15 (O'Flaherty Theatre)

MAJOR MERCURY DISASTER THREATENING THE PHILIPPINES Peter W. U. Appel

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SOLID SPECIATION AND AVAILABILITY OF NICKEL AND CHR OMIUM IN NI MINING SPOILS Sophie Raous, Jérémie Garnier, Thibault Sterckeman, Guillaume Echevarria, Thierry Becquer, Fabien Thomas

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USE OF A PHYSIOLOGICALLY-BASED EXTRACTION TEST TO ESTIMATE THE HUMAN BIOACCESSIBILITY OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN URBAN TOPSOILS FROM PUBLIC GREEN SPACE, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UK Jane Entwistle, Kelvin Gbefa, Damien Lorenzi

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THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF LEAD DERIVED FROM HUNTING ACTIVITIES ON YUCATAN'S PINK FLAMINGOS (PHOENICOPTE RUS RUBBER RUBBER). Flor Arcega, Walter Daesslé, Elsa Noreña

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GLOBAL IMPACTS OF GEOGENIC ARSENIC Jose A. Centeno

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HDB: HOUSE DUST (B)

Tuesday, June 29th 17:15 (Cairnes Theatre)

THE CANADIAN HOUSE DUST STUDY: STATISTICAL DESIGN A ND COMMUNICATION OF LEAD RESULTS Pat Rasmussen, Marc Chénier, Christine Levesque, Heather Jones-Otazo, Sanya Petrovic, Leonora Marro

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LEAD IN INDOOR DUST: AN IN SITU SPECIATION STUDY TO ASSESS OLD PAINT CONTRIBUTION Suzanne Beauchemin, Pat Rasmussen, Lachlan MacLean

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BIOACCESSIBILITY OF TRACE METALS IN HOUSEHOLD DUST Andrew Turner

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AMERICAN HEALTHY HOMES SURVEY: A NATIONAL STUDY OF RESIDENTIAL RELATED HAZARDS IN THE INDOOR ENVIRONME NT Karen Bradham, Daniel Stout, Ii, Stephen Vesper, Peter Egeghy, Peter Ashley, Warren Friedman, Eugene Pinzer, Mark Follansbee

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EXPOSURE TO SUBSTANCES VIA HOUSE DUST AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK THIS POSES FOR HUMANS Lisbeth Hall, Agnes Oomen

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WPB: WATER POLLUTION (B)

Tuesday, June 29th 17:15 (Larmor Theatre)

METAL IMPACT OF DOMESTIC WATER PIPES ON WATER QUALI TY AND HEALTH Samira Korfali

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NOVEL NANOCOMPOSITE HYDROGELS FOR WATER REMEDIATION Irina Savina, Ray Whitby, Sergey Mikhalovsky, Andy Cundy

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NEAR-REAL TIME, WIRELESS, AUTONOMOUS, BATTERY OPERA TED SENSOR FOR DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI Gary Nijak Jr., Jeffrey Talley

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CONTROLS ON VARIATIONS IN STREAM WATER QUALITY OVER AN AQUIFER OUTCROP – THE EFFECTS OF VARIABLE QUATERNAR Y DEPOSITS AND MINERALISATION OCCURRENCES Louise Ander, Paul Wilson

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WATER FLUORIDE, URINARY FLUORI DE, SERUM FLUORIDE AND FLUOROSIS Jaya Parkash Yadav, Sunil Kumar

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KN3: KEYNOTE SESSION 3: DR. OLLE SELINUS , SWEDEN

Wednesday, June 30th 09:00 (O'Flaherty Theatre)

THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL GEOLOGY - WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW AND IN THE FUTURE? Olle Selinus

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HMM B: HEAVY METALS AND METALLOIDS (B)

Wednesday, June 30th 10:00 (O'Flaherty Theatre)

PROVENANCING SOURCES OF PB CONTAMINATION IN MITROVI CA, KOSOVO: IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Graham Bird, Paul Brewer, Mark MacKlin

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COPPER STABILIZATION AND DETOXICATION VIA COPPER ALUMINATE SPINEL FORMATION Yuanyuan Tang, Kaimin Shih, Lingru Zhang

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CADMIUM IN PADDY FIELDS: FARM MANAGEMENT AS A TOOL TO REDUCE HUMAN EXPOSURE Paul Römkens, Horng-yuh Guo, Chih-min Chiang

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THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF FLOODPLAIN SEDIMENTS AS A MEANS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY IN MADRID (SPAIN) Paula Adanez, Angel Garcia-Cortes, Juan Locutura

45

ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY OF ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF IRON MINING IN CENTRAL SWEDEN Sophia Hansson, Richard Bindler, Ulf Segerström

46

MGA: MEDICAL GEOLOGY (A)

Wednesday, June 30th 10:00 (Cairnes Theatre)

DENTAL FLUOROSIS ATTRIBUTED TO VOLCANIC DEGASSING O N AMBRYM, VANUATU Rachel Allibone, Shane Cronin, Douglas Charley, Clive Oppenheimer, Vince Neall, Robert Stewart

47

SOIL SALINISATION AND VECTOR BORNE DISEASE EMERGENC E IN AUSTRALIA Andrew Jardine , Maree Corkeron, Philip Weinstein

47

EFFECTS OF SOIL COMPOSITION AND MINERALOGY ON THE BIOACCESSIBILITY OF ARSENIC FROM TAILINGS AND SOIL IN GOLD MINE DISTRICTS OF NOVA SCOTIA Stephen Walker, Louise Meunier, Joanna Wragg, Michael Parsons, Iris Koch, Heather Jamieson, Kenneth Reimer

48

HUMAN EXPOSURE TO FLUORIDE FROM TEA (CAMELLIA SINEN SIS) Laura Chan, Aradhana Mehra, Paul Lynch, Sohel Saikat

48

TRACE ELEMENTS AND HEALTH: SOME EXAMPLES FROM NIGER IA Uriah Alex Lar

49

WPC: WATER POLLUTION (C)

Wednesday, June 30th 10:00 (Larmor Theatre)

UNDERSTANDING NATURAL OCCURENCES AND TIME VARIATION OF SELENIUM IN DRINKING GROUNDWATER OF THE PARIS BA SIN Laurence Gourcy, Julie Lions, Robert Wyns, Cécile Garnier

51

PREVALENCE OF ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN HANOI2, VIETNAM Nuong Bui Thi, Suthipong Sthiannopkao, Kyoung-woong Kim, Duong Bui

51

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PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND OTHER HUMAN PATHOGENS IN MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER FROM A LOCAL POPULATION IN THE NORTH-WEST OF IRELAND Hui-wen Angel Cheng, Frances Lucy, Tk Graczyk, Michael Broaders

52

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NANO AND MICRO ZNO IN ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN WATER USING LASER INDUCED PHOTO-CATALYTIC PROCESS Mohammed A. Gondal, Abdulkader Dastageer, Amjad B. Khalil, Zain Hasan Yamani

53

PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF HEALTH HAZARDOUS MTBE IN WATER Mohammad N. Siddiqui, Mohammed A. Gondal

53

HMM C: HEAVY METALS AND METALLOIDS (C)

Wednesday, June 30th 11:45 (O'Flatherty Theatre)

ANALYSIS OF VARIABLE HIGH-MATRIX SAMPLES USING A NE W HELIUM-BASED COLLISION CELL ICP-MS WITH ON-LINE AER OSOL DILUTION Raimund Wahlen, Glenn Woods

55

REMEDIATION BY A NATURAL WETLAND OF ARSENIC CONTAMINATION FROM A MANITOBAN GOLD MINE Barbara Sherriff, Jill Maxwell, Elena Khozhina

55

ELEVATED ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER FROM THE WESTERN IR ISH CALEDONIDES: EVIDENCE FOR CROSS ATLANTIC CORRELATIO NS WITH HIGH ARSENIC GROUNDWATER PROVINCES ALONG THE APPALACHIAN-CALEDONIAN BELT Martin Gilligan, Martin Feely, Timothy Higgins, Tiernan Henry, Chaosheng Zhang, Liam Morrison

56

DETOXICATION OF ARSENIC SPECIES IN SPECIAL BIO-MINE RAL SYSTEMS Leonid Perelomov, Anna Corsini, Vincenza Andreoni

56

ARSENIC, ANTIMONY AND OTHER TRACE ELEMENT CONTAMINATION IN A MINING AFFECTED AREA AND PHYTOREMEDIATION Md Anawar Hossain, M.C. Freitas

57

MG B: MEDICAL GEOLOGY (B)

Wednesday, June 30th 11:45 (Cairnes Theatre)

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IS THE END-PERMIAN EXTINCTION STILL ACTIVE? Robert Finkelman, David Large, Shona Kelly, Baruch Spiro, Linwei Tian, Longyi Shao, Yiping Zhao

58

THE SOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF ARSE NIC IN THE MUTEH GOLD-MINING DISTRICT, ISFAHAN, IRAN Behnam Keshavarzi, Farid Moore, Maryam Kermani

58

INVESTIGATING A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN THE HYDROCHEMISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES AND THE HIGH INCIDENCE RATE OF ESOPHAGEAL CANCER IN GOLESTAN PROVINCE OF IRAN Farid Moore, Behnam Keshavarzi, Majid Yaghoobpour, Farah Rahmani, Zargham Mohammadi

59

GIS: GIS MAPPING AND SPATIAL ANANLYSIS

Wednesday, June 30th 11:45 (Larmor Theatre)

GIS AND SPATIAL DATA ANALYSES IN ENVIRNMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY: SOME PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS Chaosheng Zhang

60

TRACE ELEMENT FRACTIONATION IN SOILS AND STREAM SEDIMENTS IN THE ISTRIAN-LITTORAL RIVER BASIN, CROA TIA Ozren Hasan, Slobodan Miko, Martina Sparica Miko, Sasa Mesic, Tamara Markovic, Nikolina Ilijanic

60

SPATIAL PATTERN OF A NEW WATER QUALITY INDEX AND IT S CONTROLLING IN CHINA Yi Chen, Zhixing Guo, Zhao Zhang, Peijun Shi, Yaobin Meng

61

SPATIAL VARIABILITY AND SOURCES OF POLYCYCLIC AROMA TIC HYDROCARBONS IN LISBON URBAN SOILS Anabela Cachada, Ana Cláudia Dias, Carla Patinha, Amélia Paula, Eduardo Ferreira Da Silva, Armando Costa Duarte

61

MAKING HEALTH DATA ACCESSIBLE: HEALTH ATLAS IRELAND D. Pringle, H. Johnson, D. Beaton, E. Boyle, C. Cullen, P. Dack, D. De La Harpe, D. Doyle, C. Hennessy, B. McDonnell, P. KcKeown, M. McIntyre, B. O’Boyce, M. Owens, A. Staines

62

KN 4: KEYNOTE SESSION 4: PROF. LUKE CLANCY , IRELAND

Wednesday, June 30th 14:30 (O' Flaherty Theatre)

AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH IN IRELAND -OUTDOORS AND I N PUBS Luke Clancy

63

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SG A: SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY (A)

Wednesday, June 30th 15:30 (O'Flaherty Theatre)

BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF ANTHROPOGENIC LEAD IN TIME AND SPACE: RESULTS OF LEAD ISOTOPE STUDIES IN SWEDEN Richard Bindler

64

SELENIUM MOBILIZATION DURING RAIN-SOIL INTERACTION AT ETNA VOLCANO Geerke Floor, Sergio Calabrese, Gabriela Roman-Ross, Walter D´alessandro, Alessandro Aiuppa

64

GECHEMICAL MAPPING OF AGRICULTURAL AND GRASING LAND SOILS AT THE EUROPEAN SCALE Clemens Reimann, Alecos Demetriades, Manfred Birke

65

VANADIUM IN SOILS AND SEDIMENTS: DISTRIBUTION AND MOBILITY UNDER VARYING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Valerie Cappuyns, Emilie Slabbinck

65

CL: CONTAMINATED LAND

Wednesday, June 30th 15:30 (Cairnes Theatre)

QUANTIFICATION OF FOSSIL ORGANIC MATTER IN CONTAMIN ATED SEDIMENTS FROM AN INDUSTRIAL WATERSHED: VALIDATION OF THE QUANTITATIVE MULTIMOLECULAR APPROACH BY RADIOCARBON ANALYSIS Laurent Jeanneau, Pierre Faure

67

CONTAMINATION FROM METALLIFEROUS MINES AND THE NEED FOR NON-DISTRUCTIVE REMEDIATION TECHNIQUES: A CASE STUDY FROM ZLATNA/ROMANIA Aurora Neagoe, Denisa Jianu, Razvan Orza, Paula Stancu, Cezar Iacob, Virgil Iordache

67

NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION IN THE OLD MINING REGIONS Elena Panova, Galina Oleynikova, Vladimir Gavrilenko

68

REACTIVITY OF NEWLY GENERATED MAGNETITE TO PROMOTE FENTON-LIKE OXIDATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN CONTAMINATED SOIL MATRICES Muhammad Usman, Khalil Hanna, Pierre Faure, Christian Ruby

69

EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON GROWTH RATE CHARACTERISTI CS OF ISOLATED OSCILLATORIA SP. AND PHORMIDIUM SP. FRO M SEWAGE SOIL OF ROHTAK CITY, HARYANA, INDIA Rajesh Dhankhar, Lalita Rana

69

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APH A: AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH (A)

Wednesday, June 30th 15:30 (Larmor Theatre)

PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE FORMATION IN THE PEARL RIVER DE LTA OF SOUTHERN CHINA Hai Guo

71

STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TOXIC POTENTIAL OF METAL OXIDE WELDING AND FOUNDRY INDUSTRIAL AEROSOLS Beatrice Moroni, Cecilia Viti

71

INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF LISBON IN SPRING Priscilla Pegas, Célia Alves, Margarita Evtyugina, Teresa Nunes, Mário Cerqueira, Mariana Franchi, Casimiro Pio, Susana Marta Almeida, Nuno Canha, Maria Do Carmo Freitas

72

MEASUREMENT OF THE GEOGENIC CONTRIBUTION TO PM10 DA ILY DUST SAMPLES COLLECTED IN NORTHAMPTON Mark Cave, Simon Chenery

72

DUST LEAD EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN LIVING AROUND A FORM ER ARTISANAL ZINC SMELTING AREA IN GUIZHOU, CHINA Zhonggen Li, Xinbin Feng, Xiangyang Bi, Guangyi Sun

73

SG B: SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY (B)

Wednesday, June 30th 17:15 (O' Flaherty Theatre)

ASSESSING HEAVY METAL ENRICHMENTS IN THE TOP SOIL Gerben Mol, Job Spijker

74

EXPERIMENTAL AND MODELING STUDIES OF TRANSPORT OF NAPHTHOIC ACIDS IN SOIL MODEL COLUMNS Khalil Hanna, Muhammad Usman, Christian Ruby

74

SR-ND ISOTOPIC PATTERNS IN SOILS FROM THE SAN VITAL E PINEWOOD (RAVENNA, ITALY) : A LANDMARK ECOSYSTEM AFFECTED BY SALINE INTRUSION AND ANTHROPIC POLLUTIO N Francesca Castorina, Umberto Masi, Marco Dantona

75

ARSENIC CYCLING IN WETLANDS IN SULPHIDE RICH METASEDIMENT AREAS IN NORTHERN SWEDEN Gunnar Jacks, Magnus Mörth

75

SOIL IN NORWEGIAN CHILD-CARE CENTRES, RESULTS AND REMEDIATION Malin Andersson, Rolf Tore Ottesen

76

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ITT: IMPACT OF TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, June 30th 17:15 (Cairnes Theatre)

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PARTICULATE METAL CONTENT O F ROAD DUSTS FROM LANZHOU, CHINA BY COMPUTER CONTROLL ED SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (CCSEM) Andrew Hunt, Guan Wang

77

ENVIRONMENTAL URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY AT LISBON CITY: DISPERSION PATTERNS OF METAL-LADEN GROUND-LEVEL DUS TS Amélia Paula, Carla Patinha, Aj. Sousa, S. Bartolomeu, Eduardo Ferreira Da Silva, A. Dias, Anabela Cachada, Mj Batista, C. Prazeres

77

TRACING ZINC AND COPPER SOURCES IN URBAN PARTICULAT ES Shuofei Dong, Dominik J. Weiss, Robin North, Geoffrey D. Fowler

78

IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF METAL DISTRIBUTION IN ROAD DUSTS AND SOILS OF THE JIUZHAIGOU NATIONAL SCENIC A REA IN SICHUAN, CHINA Yuhui Xu, Ya Tang, Chaosheng Zhang

79

APH B: AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH (B)

Wednesday, June 30th 17:15 (Larmor Theatre)

OCCURRENCE AND EMISSIONS OF AIRBORNE FUNGAL SPORES IN AUSTRIA Heidi Bauer, Elisabeth Schueller, Alexandre Caseiro, Wilfried Winiwarter, Hans Puxbaum

80

FORGOTTEN BUT NOT GONE : SECONDHAND SMOKE RISKS AFT ER THE IRISH SMOKING BAN Maurice Mulcahy, Miriam Byrne, David Evans

80

TWENTIETH CENTURY POLLUTION DEPOSITION THROUGHOUT A N URBAN CONURBATION: LOCAL POLLUTION HISTORIES FROM SEDIMENTS OF SMALL URBAN PONDS IN HALTON, NORTHWEST UK Ann Power, Ann Worsley

81

ATMOSPHERIC DUST AND OTHER PARTICULATES - DEFINING THE RISKS FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE Jose A. Centeno

82

TOBACCO CONSUMPTION – REALITIES AND REMEDIES Mumtaz Hussain, Aizad Mumtaz Malik

82

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VW A: VAPOUR WORKSHOP (A)

Thursday, July 1st 10:00 (O'Flaherty Theatre)

INTRODUCTION TO VAPOUR BEHAVIOUR AND THE AUSTRALIAN SCENE Dr Greg Davis

84

THE CIRIA VOC HANDBOOK IN PRACTICE Katy Baker

84

MW A: MULTITUDE WORKSHOP (A)

Thursday, July 1st 10:00 (Cairnes Theatre)

COMPARISON OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS IN THREE DIFFERENT BIOINDICATORS (MOSS, GRASS AND SPRUCE NEEDLES) AT THE SCALE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC Ivan Suchara, Julie Sucharova, Clemens Reimann, Rognvald Boyd

85

ARSENIC BIOAVAILABILITY AND SPECIATION ISSUES IN TH E ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINUUM Enzo Lombi, Albert Juhasz, Euan Smith, John Weber, Ravi Naidu

85

QUANTIFYING EARTHQUAKE-INDUCED CASCADING EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT QUALITY: RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY FO R DISASTER CHAINS Liangxia Shi, Yaobin Meng, Zhao Zhang, Peijun Shi

86

REGIONAL ECOTOXICOLOGICAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ANTHROPOGENIC ENRICHMENT OF HEAVY METALS Job Spijker, Gerben Mol

87

LINKING MULTIMEDIA ENVIRONMENTAL AND PBPK MODELS ON A COMMON PLATFORM TO ASSESS HEALTH RISKS OF PAHS : A CASE STUDY INCLUDING UNCERTAINTY/SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS Philippe Ciffroy, Taku Tanaka, Sylvaine Maurau, Céline Brochot, Erik Johansson, Ettore Capri

87

WWM: WASTE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

Thursday, July 1st 10:00 (Larmor Theatre)

ASSESSMENT OF A POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION OF BANGKOK DIGESTED BIOSOLIDS Suthipong Sthiannopkao, Penradee Chanpiwat, Kyoung-woong Kim, Siranee Sreesai

89

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ARSENIC SPECIATION IN GALLIUM ARSENIDE WAFER SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING WASTE. Keith Torrance, Helen Keenan

89

FATE AND BIOACCUMULATION OF PHARMACEUTICALS IN MUNICIPAL WASTEWATERS – IMPLICATIONS FOR EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT Christian Gagnon, Lajeunesse André, Segura Pedro A., Sauvé Sébastien

90

MODEL OF COST AND PRICE RELATIONSHIPS IN MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC Jiri Hrebicek, Jana Soukopova

91

VW B: VAPOUR WORKSHOP (B)

Thursday, July 1st 11:45 (O'Flatherty Theatre)

PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON VAPOURS - A SPECIAL CASE Dr Matthew Lahvis

84

IMPACT OF ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL ON PETROLEUM VAPOUR BIODEGRADATION IN SANDY SOIL Mr Abdulmagid Ali, Dr David Werner

87

MW B: MULTITUDE WORKSHOP (B)

Thursday, July 1st 11:45 (Cairnes Theatre)

REDUCING THE RISK FROM ASBESTOS CONTAMINATION AFTER FIRES Alex Stewart, Gillian Gibson, John Reid, Richard Jarvis

92

THE 226RA, 232TH AND 40K LEVELS IN VEGETABLES GROWN IN PEARL-RIVER DELTA, CHINA Diyun Chen

92

IMPACTS OF CHANGES IN AGRICULTURE ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN CHINA Ya Tang, Chaosheng Zhang

93

CHALLENGES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVISI ON Martin Devine

94

AP: AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION

Thursday, July 1st 11:45 (Larmor Theatre)

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STEROIDS: MARKERS OF FAECAL CONTAMINATION Morgane Derrien, Emilie Jardé, Gérard Gruau, Anne-catherine Pierson-Wikmann

95

IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL-SOIL SOLUTION-CROP MODELS OF PT ES TO ASSESS FOOD CHAIN RISKS TO HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH Sónia Rodrigues, Eduarda Pereira, Armando C. Duarte, Paul Römkens

95

CHEMICAL AMENDMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE SLURRY FOR CONTR OL OF PHOSPHORUS IN RUNOFF FROM IRISH GRASSLANDS Raymond Brennan, Owen Fenton, Michael Rodgers, Mark G Healy

96

NUTRIENT EXPORT COEFFICIENTS AND THE NIEA RIVER NIT RATE DATA Judith Watson, Bob Foy, Dr. Crawford Jordan, Dr. Jennifer McKinley

96

ASSESSING THE RISK OF CHEMICAL SPRAY DRIFT IN AN AR EA OF MIXED LAND-USE IN THE SW OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Ron Watkins, Warren Moore, Andrew Hewitt

97

VW C: VAPOUR WORKSHOP (C)

Thursday, July 1st 14:00 (O'Flatherty Theatre)

BIODEGRADATION OF PETROLEUM VAPOURS Dr Greg Davis

84

BIOVAPOR – A VAPOUR INTRUSION SIMULATION TOOL INCLU DING BIODEGRADATION Dr Matthew Lahvis

84

UG A: URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY (A)

Thursday, July 1st 14:00 (Cairnes Theatre)

DEMONSTRATING THE CURRENT REALITY OF VARIATIONS IN AMBIENT METALLIFEROUS AEROSOL CONCENTRATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH EFFECT LEGISLATION Teresa Moreno

98

GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING OF THE DENVER, COLORADO (USA) URBAN AREA: A COMPARISON OF STUDIES IN 1972 AND 2005 David Smith, Robert Garrett, Graham Closs, Karl Ellefsen

98

GEOLOGICAL VS ANTHROPOGENIC INPUTS OF PARTICULATE POLLUTANTS IN A HEAVILY INDUSTRIALIZED BASIN VALLEY : THE CASE OF TERNI, CENTRAL ITALY Beatrice Moroni, David Cappelletti, Luca Ferrero, Ezio Bolzacchini

99

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MEASURING THE IMPACT OF URBANISATION ON SOIL CHEMIS TRY Louise Ander, Dee Flight, Nere Ruiz

99

MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN THE SOIL ENVIRONMENT OF LONDON, UK – AN EXAMPLE OF POLLUTION IMPACTS Cathy Scheib, Kate Knights, Dee Flight, Bob Lister, Fiona Fordyce

100

FC: FOOD CONTAMINATION

Thursday, July 1st 14:00 (Larmor Theatre)

CHARACTERISATION OF NOROVIRUS CONTAMINATION IN A SHELLFISHERY USING REAL-TIME QRT-PCR AND SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Paulina Rajko-Nenow, Bill Doré, John Flannery, Sinéad Keaveney

102

TOTAL AND INORGANIC ARSENIC IN IRISH SEAFOOD John Durcan, Rachel R Cave, Dagmar B Stengel, Linda Tyrrell, Evin McGovern

102

ESSENTIAL AND TOXIC ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN SATSU MA FRUITS (CITRUS UNSHIU CV. CHAHARA) GROWN ON FLOODPL AIN SOILS OF CROATIAN MEDITERRANEAN REGION Marija Romic, Tomislav Jemric, Davor Romic, Monika Zovko

103

FOOD CONTAMINATION: GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS Mumtaz Hussain, Aizad Mumtaz Malik

103

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT ON NOROVIRUS CONTAMINATION IN SHELLFISHERI ES John Flannery, Sinéad Keaveney, Paulina Rajko-Nenow, Bill Doré

104

VW D: VAPOUR WORKSHOP (D)

Thursday, July 1st 15:45 (O'Flaherty Theatre)

INFORMATION GAPS, ISSUES AND THE WAY FORWARD Dr Greg Davis

84

UG B: URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY (B)

Thursday, July 1st 15:45 (Cairnes Theatre)

SOURCES OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN PLAYGROUND SOILS OF ZAGREB (CROATIA) Martina Sparica Miko, Slobodan Miko, Ozren Hasan, Sasa Mesic, Bukovec Dragan

105

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CO-REMEDIATION OF HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM AND ARSENIC POLLUTED GROUNDWATER USING CRAB PROCESSING WASTE PRODUCTS. Keith Torrance, Helen Keenan

105

URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY OF DUBLIN (DUBLIN SURGE PROJECT) : SOIL QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH Patrick O'Connor, Mairead Glennon, Ray Scanlon, Rolf Ottesen and Malin Andersson

106

CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY AND THREE DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION OF BLACK CRUST FORMATIONS ON CARBONA TE STONE IN AN UNPOLLUTED ENVIRONMENT Liam Morrison, Martin Feely, Orla Curry, Éadaoin Timmins, Peter Dockery, Pierce Lalor, Peter Dunne

106

GENERATING HEAVY METAL POLLUTION MAP WITH MULTIFACTOR CONTRIBUTED IN SOIL Metin Altan

107

CCI: CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT

Thursday, July 1st 15:45 (Larmor Theatre)

CLIMATE DRIVEN RELEASE OF CARBON AND MERCURY FROM PERMAFROST MIRES INCREASES MERCURY LOADING TO SUBARCTIC LAKES Johan Rydberg, Jonatan Klaminder, Peter Rosén, Richard Bindler

108

ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH IMPACTS FROM CLIMATE POLICIES Alexandra Kuhn, Volker Klotz, Ulrike Kugler, Jochen Theloke, Philipp Preiss, Susanne Wagner, Peter Fantke, Balendra Thiruchittampalam, Sandra Torras Ortiz, Markus Blesl, Rainer Friedrich

108

CLIMATE CHANGE AS A DRIVER OF CONTAMINANT CYCLING I N THE SUB-ARCTIC: A NEAT THEORY BUT WHERE IS THE DATA ? Jonatan Klaminder

109

CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN HEALTH: PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE TRENDS Mumtaz Hussain, Aizad Mumtaz Malik

109

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION

ANTHROPOGENIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE NUTRIENT CONTENT OF SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER IN A SMALL CATCHMENT Adrienn Toth, Gergely Jakab, Balazs Madarasz, Zoltan Szalai, Péter Sipos

112

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EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FERTILISATION AND IRRIGATION PRACTICES ON YIELD, NITROGEN UPTAKE AND FERTILIZER USE EFFICIENCY OF WHITE CABBAGE Martina Šturm, Branka Bračič-Železnik, Nina Kacjan-Maršić, Vesna Zupanc, Sonja Lojen, Marina Pintar

112

MICROBIAL AND CHEMICAL MARKERS : RUNOFF TRANSFER IN PIG AND COW MANURE-AMENDED SOILS Emilie Jardé, Morgane Derrien, Anne Jaffrezic, Michele Gourmelon, Marie-paule Caprais, Sophie Mieszkin, Romain Marti, Anne-marie Pourcher

113

AIR (INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ) POLLUTION AND HEALTH

AIR POLLUTION DURING A LARGE TYRE FIRE: THE BENEFIT S OF REAL-TIME AIR MONITORING IN AIDING PUBLIC HEALTH RI SK ASSESSMENTS. Laura Mitchem, Andrew Kibble, Toby Smith

114

AIRBORNE PM10 AND ELEMENTS FROM MULTIFARIOUS SOURCE S IN AN INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AREA, KOREA Jin-hong Lee, Jong-myoung Lim, Jong-hwa Moon, Yong-sam Chung, Ki-hyun Kim

114

APPLICATION OF TELLUS AIRBORNE RADIOMETRIC AND SOIL GEOCHEMICAL DATA FOR RADON MAPPING IN NORTHERN IRELAND Donald Appleton, Jon Miles, Cathy Scheib

115

INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND HABITS OF THE BASIC SCHOOL-A GE POPULATION IN LISBON: ASSOCIATIONS WITH HEALTH PROB LEMS Priscilla Pegas, Célia Alves, Manuel Scotto, Margarita Evtyugina, Maria Do Carmo Freitas, Casimiro Pio, Susana Marta Almeida

115

INVESTIGATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, PARTICLE SIZ E AND MORPHOLOGY OF THREE BLACK TONER POWDERS CAUSING CYTOTOXIC AND GENOTOXIC EFFECTS IN HUMAN EPITHELIAL A549 LUNG CELLS IN VITRO Ella Goldenberg, Mathias Könczöl, Reto Gieré, Bernard Grobéty, Albrecht Seidel, Volker Mersch-Sundermann, Richard Gminski

116

TRACE ELEMENTS OF INDOOR AIR AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN LISBON BY PASSIVE METHODS Nuno Canha, Maria Do Carmo Freitas, Susana Marta Almeida, Ho M. Dung, Priscilla Pegas

117

BIOAVAILABILITY AND BIO-ACCESSIBILITY

EFFECT OF ROOT EXUDATES ON THE MOBILITY OF HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE ISOMERS. Beatriz Rodríguez-Garrido, Petra Susan Kidd, Felipe Macías Vázquez, Carmela Monterroso

118

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UNDERSTANDING BIOAVAILABILITY OF IODINE IN SOILS OF NORTHERN IRELAND Hannah Smith, Louise Ander, E. H. Bailey, N. M. J. Crout, Michael Watts, S. D. Young

118

BIOMONITORING

EVALUATION OF BIOCONVERSION LEVEL FOR HEAVY METALS OF SOME SPECIES BELONGING TO RUSSULA GENUS Busuioc Gabriela, Claudia Stihi, Carmen Cristina Elekes

120

CONTAMINATED LAND

A DIFFICULT DECADE: LAND CONTAMINATION AND DEVELOPM ENT MANAGEMENT– A UK REGULATORS PERSPECTIVE Roslyn McIntosh, Andrew Hursthouse, Mario Hair

121

ARSENIC CONTAMINATION IN LAND AFFECTED BY AN ABANDO NED TUNGSTEN MINE IN NW SPAIN Victor Cardenes Van Den Eynde, Remigio Paradelo, Carmela Monterroso, Alvaro Rubio

121

FRACTIONATION OF ARSENIC IN MINING IMPACTED SOILS A ND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY REMEDIATION APPROACH Anawar Hossain, Antonio Garcia-Sanchez

122

STUDY DESIGN FOR OPTIMISED INVESTIGATION OF RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED LAND Peter Rostron, Michael Ramsey

122

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION

THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON LEAF PROPERTIES OF PLANE Alireza Poorkhabbaz

124

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

INVESTIGATION OF TELLUS DATA TO PRODUCE PEAT DEPTH MODELS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND AND ITS APPLICATION TO CARBON STOCKS Martin Robinson, Jennifer McKinley, Alastair Ruffell, Michael Young

125

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EPIDEMIOLOGY

EVALUATION OF THE DRINKING WATER SELENIUM STANDARD: AN UPDATE Marco Vinceti, Francesca Bonvicini, Margherita Bergomi, Carlotta Malagoli

126

TRACKING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANT E.COLI FROM HOSPIT AL EFFLUENT THROUGH MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT. Carol Morris, Dearbhaile Morris, Martin Cormican

126

GIS MAPPING AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS

EMPLOYING A PORTABLE XRF ANALYSER AND GIS TO IDENTI FY AND MAP HEAVY METAL POLLUTION IN SOILS OF A TRADITI ONAL BONFIRE SITE Ligang Dao, Liam Morrison, Chaosheng Zhang

128

MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IN MATERNITY AND CHILD HEA LTH IN MALAWI: EXPLORING AGRICULTURAL, MEDICAL AND SOCI AL INFLUENCES Natalie Dickinson, Andrew Hursthouse, John Gulliver, John Atkinson, Jean Rankin

128

USE OF MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY TO PRODUCE HIGH RESOLUTION MAPS FOR HEAVY METAL SOIL CONTAMINATION IN SOUTH PARK GALWAY, IRELAND Nessa Golden, Yaxin He, Paul Gibson, Chaosheng Zhang

129

HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT

CHARACTERISATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN CHEWING STICK S (MISWAK) ON SALE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM Abdulgader Grain, Shaban Al-Rmalli, Richard Jenkins, Parvez Haris

130

NOSOGEOGRAPHYCAL (GEO-MEDICINAL) ASPECTS OF THE RESEARCH OF NATURAL-TERRITORIAL SYSTEMS IN UZBEKIST AN Nilufar Komilova

130

SYSTEMIC RISKS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS Lukas Kleppin

131

HEAVY METALS AND METALLOIDS

ASSESSMENTS OF HEAVY METALS DISTRIBUTION IN SOIL US ING EDXRF AND FAAS TECHNIQUES Claudia Stihi, Antoaneta Ene, Ion V. Popescu, Cristiana Radulescu, Busuioc Gabriela

132

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BIOACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN WILD MUSHROOMS FROM FOREST SITES BY USING SPECTROMETRIC TECHNIQUES Cristiana Radulescu, Claudia Stihi, Busuioc Gabriela, Ion V. Popescu, Anca Irina Gheboianu, Valerica Gh. Cimpoca, Carmen Cristina Elekes

132

CAN AN IN VITRO SCREENING BE USEFUL TO TEST THE TOLLERANCE AND THE ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN PLANTS? THE CASE OF THREE POPULUS ALBA L. CLONES Sara Di Lonardo, Maurizio Capuana

133

HYDROCHEMICAL ANOMALIES OF THE ROE VALLEY CATCHMENT , NORTHERN IRELAND Orla Gallagher, Louise Ander, Michael Young, Ulrich Ofterdinger

133

LEACHING PROPERTIES OF COAL CLEANING RESIDUES FROM SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL Maria Izquierdo, Xavier Querol, Marcus Wollenschlager, Robert. B. Finkelman, Luis Silva

134

MERCURY IN AMBIENT AIR FROM SMALL-SCALE GOLD MINING (SSM) COMMUNITIES IN TANZANIA Eike Marie Thaysen, Peter W. U. Appel, Henrik Skov, Gert Asmund, Michael E. Goodsite

135

NANOPARTICLES IN COAL AND ASHES: DIRECT IMPLICATION S FOR HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS Luis Silva, Marcos Oliveira, Katia Da Boit, Robert Finkelman, Maria Izquierdo

135

REGIONAL GEOCHEMISTRY OF NORTHERN IRELAND: ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS. Neil Breward, Dee Flight, Louise Ander, Phil Stone, Michael Young

136

SURFACE-FUNCTIONALIZED FISH BONE TO STABILIZE ARSEN IC FROM GROUNDWATER Brian Fisher, Andrew Quicksall, Jeffrey Talley

136

SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION OF METAL-CONTAINING HYDRI DE SILICAS FOR REMEDIATION OF MERCURY-CONTAMINATED WATERS Kseniia Katok, Raymond Whitby, Andrew Cundy

137

HOUSE DUST

AN EXAFS, MICRO-XRF AND MICRO-XRD STUDY OF THE CHEM ISTRY AND MINERALOGY OF LEAD IN HOUSEDUST Lachlan MacLean, Suzanne Beauchemin, Pat Rasmussen

138

EXTENDING WIPE SAMPLING METHODOLOGY TO ELEMENTS OTHER THAN LEAD Lauren McDonald, Pat Rasmussen, Marc Chenier, Christine Levesque

138

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MARINE POLLUTION

ACCUMULATION OF SELECTED ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING COMPOUNDS IN THE PACIFIC OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA GIGAS) DEPLOYED AT A WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT ON THE IRI SH COAST Jenny Ronan, Brendan McHugh, Evin McGovern, James Wilson, Michelle Giltrap, Silvia Hardenberg, Bill Dore, John Flannery

140

LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IN TWO MOROCCAN LAGOONS Mohamed Maanan, Marc Robin

140

MEDICAL GEOLOGY

A SEARCH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TERATOGENS CAUSING CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS IN SARDINIA Paolo Valera, Patrizia Zavattari, Emanuele Sanna, Loredana Boccone

142

BIOELEMENTS AND MINERAL MATTER IN A HUMAN LIVER FRO M THE HIGHLY INDUSTRIALIZED REGION OF UPPER SILESIA C OAL BASIN (POLAND) Lucyna Lewinska-Preis, Mariola Jablonska, Monika Fabianska, Andrzej Kita

142

BIOMONITORING OF RESIDENTS EXPOSED TO ELEVATED ARSE NIC IN DRINKING WATER IN SAN JUAN AND LA PAMPA, ARGENTI NA Michael Watts, J O'Reilly, A.l. Marcilla, N.i. Ward

143

GEOLOGICAL SOURCES OF FLUORIDE AND BORON IN SILURIA N-ORDOVICIAN AQUIFER SYSTEM, ESTONIA Marge Uppin, Enn Karro

144

MEDICAL GEOLOGY IN CHINA: THEN AND NOW Baoshan Zheng, Xue Wang, Binbin Wang, Tangfu Xiao, Shehong Li, Robert Finkelman

144

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS) AND RADON (RN) – AN IRISH PERSPECTIVE Eamonn Grennan, Margaret Gilmore

145

THE COMPOSITION OF KIDNEY STONES AND THE GEO-ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE ON THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION Maria Luigia Giannossi, Vito Summa

145

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M INERALS

AUTHIGENIC BARITE (BASO4) – SPHALERITE (ZNS) ASSOCI ATION IN A POLLUTED MIRE (SOUTHERN POLAND) Beata Smieja-Król, Barbara Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł

147

MINERAL COMPOSITION OF ATMOSPHERIC DUST FROM SVALBA RD (PRELIMINARY RESULTS) Mariola Jablonska, Wieslawa Ewa Krawczyk, Radosz Jodlowski

147

OTHERS

ESTIMATING THE CONSERVATION VALUES OF NATIONAL PARK S IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Saeideh Rasouli

149

POLLUTION ARCHIVE (CORES)

A PALEORECORD OF ATMOSPHERIC LEAD DEPOSITION IN FRA NCE. NEW DATA FROM “LA GODIVELLE” PEAT BOG (PUY DE DôME) De Vleeschouwer François, Mattielli Nadine, Renson Virginie, Le Roux Gaël, Fagel Nathalie

150

ATMOSPHERIC LEAD DEPOSITION IN AN OMBROTROPHIC PEAT BOG OF SOUTHERN POLAND Barbara Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł, Francois De Vleeschouwer, Beata Smieja-Król, Natalia Piotrowska, Bernard Palowski, Piotr Kołaczek, Nadine Mattielli, Nathalie Fagel

150

TUFA AS A PALEO-RECORD FOR MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS Neven Cukrov, Željko Kwokal

151

POPS, PESTICIDES, DIOXINS

A QUANTITATIVE APPROACH FOR RANKING RISKS FROM PESTICIDES USED IN THE IRISH AGRICULTURAL SECTOR Elysee Herve Labite, Enda Cummins

152

DISTRIBUTION OF PAHS IN DIFFERENT SIZE FRACTIONS OF SOILS AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS FROM A COKE OVEN PLANT Xiaoyong Liao

152

RADIO -NUCLIDES

INFLUENCE OF PHOSPHATE ORE TRANSHIPMENT ON 238U AND 226RA DISTRIBUTION IN KRKA RIVER ESTUARY, CROATIA Marina Mlakar, Neven Cukrov, Vlado Cuculić, Delko Barišić

153

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TESTING OF LINEARITY ASSUMPTION OF SOIL-TO-PLANT FA CTORS IN BOREAL FOREST Tiina Boman, Päivi Roivainen, Sari Makkonen, Toini Holopainen, Jukka Juutilainen, Mikko Kolehmainen

153

RISK ASSESSMENT

EFFECT OF ARSENIC CONCENTRATION IN COOKING WATER ON BIOACCESSIBILITY OF ARSENIC FROM COOKED RICE Antonio José Signes Pastor, Shaban W. Al-Rmalli, Richard Jenkins, Parvez I. Haris

154

HEALTH RISK FROM HUMAN INGESTION OF ARSENIC FROM CHARRED SOIL IN BANGLADESH Shaban Al-Rmalli, Richard Jenkins, Parvez Haris

154

SEDIMENT GEOCHEMISTRY

A 14,000 YR ELEMENTAL AND LEAD ISOTOPIC RECORD IN A PEAT CORE IN THE SOUTH OF POLAND - PRELIMINARY RESULTS A ND INTERPRETATIONS Konrad Tudyka, De Vleeschouwer François, Anna Pazdur, Leszek Chróst, Nathalie Fagel

156

DDTS AND PCBS IN LAKE AND RIVER SEDIMENTS, POLAND Izabela Bojakowska, Barbara Kamińska, Jolanta Gąsior

156

GEOCHEMISTRY OF ARSENIC IN THE ESTUARINE SEDIMENT O F DALIAO RIVER IN CHINA Shiliang Wang, Chunye Lin, Mengchang He, Ping Wang

157

LIPID BIOMARKERS IN SEDIMENTS IN THE SUBALPINE LAKE BLED, SW SLOVENIA Marinka Petrisic, Nives Ogrinc

157

TRACE ELEMENTS IN SEDIMENTS OF THE RIVER WIEPRZ AND ITS TRIBUTARIES, POLAND Izabela Bojakowska, Jarosław Kucharzyk, Dariusz Lech

158

SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY

BASELINES FOR POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN SOILS DEVELOPED ON KARST IN CROATIA Slobodan Miko, Zoran Peh, Ozren Hasan

160

BIOLEACHING OF HEAVY METALS FROM REFINERY SOIL USIN G A SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIUM, ACIDITHIOBACILLUS THIOOXIDANS Hyeop-jo Han, Jong-un Lee, Hyo-taek Chon, Young-ho Kwon

160

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COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT METHODS FOR ISOLATION OF NITRATE-N FROM SOIL WATER SAMPLES FOR DETERMINATION OF ITS ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION Martina Šturm, Sonja Lojen

161

ESTIMATION OF POTENTIALLY HARMFUL ELEMENT AMBIENT BACKGROUND CONCENTRATIONS IN SURFACE SOIL IN NORTHE RN IRELAND USING PARENT MATERIAL CLASSIFIED TELLUS SOI L CHEMISTRY DATA Donald Appleton, Claire McGinn

161

POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS ALONG SOIL PROFILES IN RAVENNA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS (ITALY) Enrico Dinelli, Alessandro Buscaroli, Gilmo Vianello, Livia Vittori Antisari

162

SOIL GEOCHEMICAL ATLAS OF CROATIA Josip Halamic, Zoran Peh, Slobodan Miko, Lidija Galović, Ajka Sorsa, Ozren Hasan

162

THE CHROMIUM OCCURRENCE IN SOILS-PLANTS-SURFACE WAT ERS SYSTEM IN THE BESKID SADECKI MTS (WESTERN CARPATHIA N, POLAND) Alicja Kicińska

163

URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY

COMPARING NORMAL AND ANOMALOUS LEVELS OF INHALABLE MANGANESE PARTICLES IN URBAN AIR: THE CASE OF SANTA NDER Teresa Moreno, Marco Pandolfi, Xavier Querol, Andrés Alastuey, Mar Viana, Javier Lavin, Wes Gibbons

164

ENVIRONMENTAL URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY AT LISBON CITY: DISPERSION PATTERNS OF LEAD AND CROMIUM IN THE TOP- SOIL Carla Patinha, Amélia Paula, Aj Sousa, Eduardo Ferreira Da Silva, A Dias, Anabela Cachada, Mj Batista, C Prazeres

164

PRELIMINARY INSIGHTS OF MINERAL MAGNETIC CONCENTRAT ION MEASUREMENTS AS A PARTICLE SIZE PROXY FOR URBAN ROADSIDE SOILS Colin Booth

165

SCREENING EFFECT OF HIGH BUILDINGS ON THE POTENTIAL LY TOXIC METAL CONTENT OF SETTLING DUSTS Péter Sipos, Tibor Németh

165

WASTE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

ANTIMONY LEACHING FROM MINE WASTES Suzanne Beauchemin, John Kwong, Jessica Adelman

167

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EFFECTS OF ULTRASONIC WAVES ON ZEOLITE SYNTHESIS FR OM COAL FLY ASH Claudia Belviso, Francesco Cavalcante, Antonio Lettino, Saverio Fiore

167

RISK EVALUATION OF SOIL APPLICATION OF MUNICIPAL SL UDGE IN NORTH CHINA Guoyuan Zou, Hongbin Liu, Yibing Ma, Xilong Cui, Meng Gui

168

WATER POLLUTION

FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER AND FLUOROSIS: A CASE ST UDY IN THE NORTHWEST OF IRAN Mohammad Mosaferi

169

GEOCHEMICAL CONTROLS ON ARSENIC MOBILITY IN UPLAND CATCHMENTS Augustine Nwabuzor, Andrew Hursthouse, Simon Cuthbert

169

INTERACTIONS OF AOA, AOB AND NOB IN PARTIAL NITRIFI CATION OF SALINE SEWAGE WITH HIGH AMMONIUM Lin Ye, Tong Zhang

170

LASER INDUCED PHOTO-CATALYTIC REMOVAL OF CHROMIUM USING ZNO SEMICONDUCTOR CATALYST Mohammed A. Gondal, Mohammed Qamar, Zain H. Yamani

170

REMOVAL OF AQUEOUS ARSENITE BY PD-AKAGANEITE NANOPARTICLES AND CLOSTRIDIUM SP. Hyun Choel Kim, Jong-un Lee, Yul Roh

171

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SEGH 2010 International Conference and Workshops

of the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health

on Environmental Quality and Human Health

National University of Ireland, Galway

June 27 – July 2, 2010

www.nuigalway.ie/segh2010

ABSTRACTS

OF ORAL PRESENTATIONS

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KEYNOTE SPEECH - PROFESSOR IAIN THORNTON

Tuesday, June 29th 9:00-9:55 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre

Session Chair: Xiangdong Li

APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH

Iain Thornton

Imperial College and Imperial College Consultants, London, UK This paper reviews the development of multi-purpose geochemical mapping and the progress of research in applied environmental geochemistry and health at Imperial College over the past forty years. With funding from the research councils, UK government, EU, industry and NGOs, research has provided the basis for postgraduate training in areas ranging from the applications of geochemistry to plant, agricultural livestock and wildlife nutrition, to evaluating contamination from metalliferous mining and smelting, understanding the chemical nature of the urban environment and relationships between geochemistry and human health and disease. Examples include (1) the influence of molybdenum in marine black shales on the copper nutrition of grazing cattle and sheep, (2) the importance of soil ingestion on trace element intake and metabolism and metal exposure in farm livestock, (3) the impacts of soil contamination from historical metalliferous mining and smelting on agriculture and human exposure to metals, including potential health problems from cadmium at Shipham and from arsenic in Southwest England, (4) the growth of urban geochemistry and the importance of lead in the urban environment, (5) the health impacts due to mercury losses from the informal sector gold mining in Brazil, and (6) health issues relating to fluoride excess and selenium deficiency in China.

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SPECIAL SESSION FOR PROF. IAIN THORNTON A

Tuesday, June 29th 10:00-11:15 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre

Session Chair: Xiangdong Li

COPPER AND ZINC IN SOILS: FROM DEFICIENCY TO TOXICI TY

Brian J. Alloway

Dept of Soil Science, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, University of Reading, UK (B.J.Alloway@reading.ac.uk) Copper and zinc are essential for the normal healthy growth of plants, animals and humans. Low available concentrations of these micronutrients in soils cause deficiencies that impair both yields and the quality of crops. Furthermore, low zinc concentrations in cereal grains are a major cause of zinc deficiency in approximately one third of the world’s human population. On the other hand, apart from toxicity in plants, high available concentrations of copper and zinc are toxic to soil organisms and pose a risk to sustainable soil fertility. Total and available concentrations of copper and zinc in different types of soils will be considered, together with the critical concentrations used in the interpretation of soil and plant analyses. Deficiencies of both elements occur predominantly on sandy and calcareous soils, but also organic-rich soils in the case of copper. Of the many different inputs of copper and zinc to soils, intensive livestock production, fungicidal formulations and fertilisers are the main sources of soil copper and zinc contamination except where sewage sludge is applied to land, or micronutrient fertilisers are used on a regular basis. Areas affected by acute toxicity from local industrial pollution tend to be relatively limited in scale. Soil properties affecting the bioavailability of copper and zinc can alter over time due to changes in climate and/or farming practice. These, together with new crop genotypes grown (such as high yielding varieties of cereals) need to be considered in relation to managing possible deficiencies and toxicities.

SOIL INGESTION AND GEOPHAGIA: A SOURCE OF MINERAL NUTRIENTS AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL ELEMENTS TO

CONSUMERS OF EARTH MATERIALS

Peter W. Abrahams

Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion SY23 3DB, UK (Tel: (44) 01970 622606; Fax: (44) 01970 622584; pwa@aber.ac.uk) Members of the animal kingdom, including humans, can ingest soil either involuntarily or deliberately, the latter practice being known as geophagy or geophagia. This paper documents the often significant quantities of soil that can be consumed, and discusses the importance of this ingestion in supplying important mineral nutrients and potentially harmful elements (PHEs) to consumers of earth materials. In grassland agricultural systems, two pathways of chemical elements are evident, the soil-plant-animal flow being complemented by the more direct soil-animal transfer of nutrients and PHEs. In locations where the pasture herbage

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absorbs very low concentrations of chemical elements relative to the soil content, ingested soil particles can often be observed to be the major source of elements consumed by livestock. However, further research is required in quantifying the bioaccessibility – defined as the fraction that is soluble in the animal gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is potentially available for absorption – of soil-elements to animals. In contrast, for more than a decade considerable work has been undertaken on the development of in vitro procedures that can rapidly and inexpensively estimate the bioaccessible portion of elements from soils ingested by humans. Work to date has demonstrated that significant amounts of nutrients, especially iron, can be bioaccessible, as can quantities of PHEs such as lead, a recognised neurotoxin. Paradoxically, some ingested soils can also result in mineral nutrient deficiency problems attributable, for example, to their adsorptive properties that can effectively bind elements including iron, potassium and zinc.

RISK MANAGEMENT IN RELATION TO CONTAMINATION.

John Watt

Centre for Decision Analysis and Risk Management, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London NW4 4BT The relationship between environmental contamination, human exposure and the risk to health is a complex and fascinating area of research. This paper reviews a number of earlier studies, which focussed on contamination by particulate material and sought to address this complexity; either by isolating a particular component to pinpoint its origin (lead in dust, fly ash in lake sediment studies) or by studying the effects (damage) caused by one or more particle type (soiling studies on heritage buildings). It places them within a historical context of different stages of the evolution of the field of risk analysis as applied to environmental research. A risk framework permits these scientific studies to be discussed in relation to the complex social and political environment within which the risks associated with particulate matter were managed (and policy was developed). This paper undertakes this analysis through a risk governance framework, which allows the relationship between the various functions required for management of the risks to be evaluated. It shows ways that values (e.g. economic and social factors) need to be included along with the science that underpins risk analysis to make sustainable judgments. It is such judgements that lie at the heart of risk management decision making, which may need to incorporate concepts such as the cost effectiveness of interventions and the ‘acceptability’ of damage levels or the ‘tolerability’ of pollution levels. The relationships between governments and related authorities, the scientific community and other stakeholder groups are discussed.

METAL CONTENT OF HOUSE DUSTS IN SYRACUSE, NY, USA

Andrew Hunt1,*, David L. Johnson2 Daniel A. Griffith3

1Earth and Environmental Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 2Department of Chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 3School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX Recorder elevated pediatric blood lead (Pb) levels (BLLs) have been a feature of urban Syracuse, NY for the last three decades. Historically, two of the city’s zip codes have had the most elevated BLLs of any zip codes in New York State. Infant ingestion of Pb contaminated

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soil, and dust dominates the exposure topology in Syracuse. As part of an exposure assessment program, house dust collection and analysis for metal content was undertaken in the inner-city. The principal objective was to clarify the importance of the indoor dust Pb hazard for the community. Floor dust metal loadings were obtained from the hard flooring of kitchens in 440 homes (or closest non-porous floor surface if the kitchen was carpeted). Metal concentrations were obtained from a subset of 264 homes. A floor wiping protocol that followed EPA and HUD guidelines employing a 1-ft2 plastic template (to define the wiping area) was used. The collected wipes were initially hot acid digested (boiled for 15-20 minutes in 10% HNO3). They were then filtered and the filtrate subject to ICPOES for Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ni, Co, Ca, and Fe determination. Metal loading results were variable; average Pb loading was 10.2 µg/ft2 (std 27.3 µg/ft2). The median Pb concentration was 108 µg/g (range 50-1100 µg/g). Median metal levels were higher than those found in Sydney, Australia, but lower than those found in Ottawa, Canada. Almost all metals were at elevated levels in the homes in the NW quadrant of the city. We suggest this corresponds to past industrial land usage.

RESEARCH INTO ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY IN KOREA

Hyo-Taek Chon

Department of Energy Resources Engineering, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-744, Korea The course on environmental geochemistry in Seoul National University was started in March of 1988 for senior students, and the first paper entitled on ‘Dispersion of toxic elements in the areas covered with uranium-bearing black shale in Korea’ (Jung and Chon, 1991) was published in Korean Mining Geology Journal. During these 20 years the number of published papers in domestic and international journals increased dramatically, for example, a total of 273 papers during 2001-2006. The first paper authored by Koreans (Chon et al.) was published in ‘Environmental Geochemistry and Health’ in 1995. Primary factors for rapid development were due to the public understanding about environmental issues in Korea, and to the active works by young environmental geochemists who studied in domestic(Seoul National University) and overseas University(Imperial College), and by senior economic and exploration geochemists. During the 1990s major research topics were on 1) enrichment, dispersion and speciation of potentially toxic elements in natural environment, 2) heavy metal contamination around metal mine sites and smelters, and in urban and industrial areas, 3) hydrogeochemistry around the site for drinking water supply, 4) radon geochemistry in geological and indoor environment, and 5) acid mine drainage. During these 10 years research areas has been widely expanded to the topics on the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of specific elements such as As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pt, and their health risk assessment, and the bioremediation of contaminated sites. In this paper development and some case histories on environmental geochemistry in Korea will be reviewed and presented.

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EPIDEMIOLOGY A

Tuesday, June 29th 10:00-11:15 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Olle Selinus

SOIL GEOCHEMISTY & CANCER IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Amy Barsby1, Jennifer McKinley1, Ulrich Ofterdinger2, Mike Young3, Anna Gavin4

1 School of Geography, Archaeology & Paleoecology, Queen's University Belfast, Elmwood Avenue, Belfast, BT7 1NN (Abarsby01@qub.ac.uk) 2 School of Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Kier Building, Stranmillis Road, BT9 5AG 3 Geological Survey Northern Ireland, Colby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast, BT9 5BF 4 Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Mulhouse Building, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BJ This project aims to explore the spatial correlation between selected trace element abundances in soils as provided by the Tellus Project and spatial disease patterns in Northern Ireland (comprehensive, anonymous disease data set has been provided by Northern Ireland Cancer Registry). Northern Ireland’s geology is a complex microcosm for the rest of the UK and as such any correlations found here could have wider impact. This study is also important because large areas of the province have been found to exceed the old Soil Guideline Values, implying that ingestion of these soils particularly by children would present a hazard. Methods utilised include GIS mapping, geostatistics and geographically weighted regression. A subset of the Tellus soils was subjected to bio-accessibility analysis, which was carried out using the Unified Barge Method at the British Geological Survey. Only weak correlations between the distribution of some of the toxic elements in soils and some of the diseases have been found and these correlations are currently being checked. The bio-accessibility results have shown that, by the digestion pathway, the compounds are of low accessibility. ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT....IS THERE A

LINK?

S. Galvin, F. Boyle, D. Morris, M. Cormican Dept. of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland The role of the environment in the wide proliferation of antimicrobial-resistance is only now being recognised and studied. The aim of this study was to analyse the aquatic environment, including effluents, recreational waters and drinking water to investigate the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and antimicrobial compounds in the environment. From April 2006 to June 2008 samples of hospital effluent, municipal effluent, treated effluent, sea water, river water, lake water and group water supply source and piped drinking water from three group water supplies were collected. Water samples were tested for the presence of AR E. coli and enterococci using an adaptation of the Colilert® system. Representative isolates were obtained from samples and molecular analysis was used to compare isolates with clinical isolates and investigate for plasmid mediated mechanisms of antimicrobial-resistance. Filtered water samples were analysed for antimicrobial compounds using a biological assay and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultra-violet and tandem mass spectrometry detection.

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An increase in AR E. coli and enterococci was repeatedly observed in municipal effluent downstream from a hospital. AR E. coli were detected in all samples with urban and agricultural locations having the largest proportions. Resistance to newer antimicrobial classes of agents was observed in urban areas with effluent from health care facilities having the largest impact. Antimicrobial agents such as trimethoprim and quinolone-like compounds were detected in hospital effluent. This study highlights the significant role of the environment in the spread and dissemination of AR E. coli. Results of this study could have importance consequences for public health.

PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL RISK FACTORS FOR INFANTILE PNEUMONIA IN A REPRESENTATIVE BIRTH COHORT IN TAIWA N

Y. Leon Guo1,2,*, Chi-Hsien Chen1,2, I-Chun Hsieh1, Pau-Chung Chen2, Jung-Der Wang1, 2,

Shio-Jean Lin3, Tung-Liang Chiang4 1 Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University (NTU) College of Medicine and NTU Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 2 Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 3 Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan 4 Institute of Health Policy and Management, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan Pneumonia is a major cause of mortality in children under the age of five. However, information on risk factors on pneumonia in infants younger than 6 months is limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the risk contribution of prenatal and postnatal factors to infantile pneumonia. The Taiwan Birth Cohort Study included 12% of all infants born in 2005, as well as their main caregivers. The main caregivers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire at the infants’ age of 6 months. Family environment and medical history, especially hospitalized pneumonia, were inquired. The infants with history of hospitalization due to preterm delivery or aspiration of meconium were excluded from the study. Potential risk factors were inquired and odds ratios were estimated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Adjusted attributable risks for statistically significant risk factors were calculated. A total of 20368 infants were included for the analysis, with 0.58% reportedly contracting pneumonia before 6 months of age. After mutual adjustment, significantly preventable risk factors were identified, including preterm birth (odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.0-3.3), congenital cardiopulmonary disease (4.3, 1.3-10.7), antibiotic use during pregnancy (3.8, 1.8-7.0), maternal overweight (1.9, 1.3-2.9), prenatal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke everyday (1.6, 1.0-2.6), maternal smoke during pregnancy (2.2, 1.0-4.4), and visible mould on wall in house (1.5, 1.1-2.2). We conclude that weight reduction before gestation, avoidance of antibiotics and tobacco exposure during pregnancy, and remediation of mouldy condition in indoor environment should be considered in order to reduce the risk of infantile pneumonia.

THE BURDEN OF CARE FOR TAIWANESE CHILDREN WITH ATOP IC DERMATITIS

Judith S.C. Shiao1, Tung-Liang Chiang2, Shio-Jean Lin3, Y. Leon Guo4,5,*

1 Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University (NTU) and NTU Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 2 Institute of Health Policy and Management, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

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3 Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan 4 Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University (NTU) College of Medicine and NTU Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 5 Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory skin disease among children. AD affects the life quality of children and their family. The aim of this study was to determine the burden of care in parents with AD children. In 2005, a representative sample of mother–newborn pairs was obtained by multistage, stratified systematic sampling from the Taiwan national birth registration. Questionnaire interviews were carried out by public health workers while the child was 6 months of age. Information on health conditions and burden of care was assessed. A total of 20,687 mother-infant pairs completed the study satisfactorily. AD was reportedly diagnosed in 7.0% of 6-month-old infants by physicians. The mothers or main caregivers of the children with AD considered the infants more difficult to care as compared to those without AD. The estimated cost spent on the infants with AD per month was 15% higher. Caring for the infants with AD was more likely to cause pressure on the mothers’ or the main caregivers’ time, mental stress, and difficulties in social life. The infants with AD had higher probability of clinic visits, emergency room visits in the past 12 months, but not hospitalization. We conclude that with a survey of representative participants in Taiwanese infants, AD in infants caused significant burden of care in mothers or the main caregivers. ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF HUMAN SCALP HAIR SAMPLES F ROM

TEHRAN AND VILLAGES NEAR CASPIAN SEA, NORTHEN IRAN

Asghar Samieyani1, Hirokazu Fujimaki1, Fatemeh Samieyani2, and Koichiro Sera3

1 Department of Earth and Planetary Material Science, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan (samieyani@m.tains.tohoku.ac.jp) 2 Tehran University of Medical Science, International Branch, Kish, Iran 3 Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan (ksera@iwate-med.ac.jp) Thirty elements including essential and non-essential elements and toxic metals were measured in human scalp hair samples, using PIXE (Proton Induced X-ray Emission) to understand the effect of geographical location, age, gender, and exposure to toxic metals in chemical composition of hair samples. The analytical results show higher mean concentrations of V, Mn, Fe, Cl, and Sr in samples from villages near Caspian sea compared with those from Tehran. People of Tehran have higher Ca, and Pb contents, probably indicating a more balanced diet and more exposure to Pb pollution. People living in northern Iran show anomalous concentration of Hg (up to 48 g/g). Fish and seafood consumption can contribute to higher Hg concentrations, but anomalous contents which observed mainly in women, make exposure to other sources responsible for this elevation. The most significant variations in chemical compositions of hair with increasing age, observed in samples from people under 20 years old. This group shows strong positive correlation between age and concentrations of Mg (r=0.82), Ca (r=0.89), Zn (r=0.76), Cu (r=0.75), Mn (r=0.73), Ti (r=0.76) and Si (r=0.67), demonstrating the build-up of these elements during the body growth. Ca and Sr show strong positive correlation ranging from r=0.80 to r=0.96, but average concentrations of these elements are much lower in the men (Ca=1510g/g, Sr= 10.99 g/g) than women (Ca=4330 g/g, Sr 35.1 g/g) in all locations.

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Several elements from the same group in periodic table show inter-dependence variations making more study necessary to understand their distributions and their kinetics behaviour in human body.

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POPS, PESTICIDES, DIOXINS

Tuesday, June 29th 10:00-11:15 Venue: Larmor Theatre Session Chair: Shu Tao

PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN CALIFORNIA WOMEN: A BASELINE FOR THE CALIFORNIA BIOMONITORING PROGRAM

Myrto Petreas*, June Soo Park, Yunzhu Wang, Weihong Guo, F Reber Brown,

Miaomiao Wang

Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, US (mpetreas@dtsc.ca.gov) In 2006, California passed legislation establishing the first State Biomonitoring Program in the USA. The main goals are to: 1) Determine levels of environmental chemical contaminants in a representative sample of Californians; 2) Establish trends in the levels of these chemicals over time; 3) Assess the effectiveness of public health efforts and regulatory programs to decrease exposures to specific chemicals. Prior to this new Biomonitoring Program, our laboratory had conducted a number of epidemiologic studies using blood, milk or adipose collected from the 1960s to the present. Samples were analysed for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), PCBs, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs), Triclosan, Phenols, OH-PCBs and OH-PBDEs. Following appropriate extraction and cleanup steps, samples were analysed by GC/ECD, HRGC/MS or LC/MS. A Quality Management system tracked all laboratory work. Following standard conventions, results were expressed on a lipid basis (PCBs, PBDEs, OCPs), or on a serum volume basis (PFCs, Triclosan, Phenols, OH-PCBs, OH-PBDEs). In addition to addressing the research hypotheses of each epidemiologic study, data compiled across studies showed trends such as the emergence of PBDEs, and the decline in PCBs, phenols, OCPs over time. In addition, significant determinants of exposures (age, country of birth, ethnicity and reproductive history) were identified. This information would allow for optimal sampling designs to account for the population diversity in California and can also be used in questionnaires to assess exposures. These data help establish a baseline of chemical contaminants before the new Biomonitoring Program launches its surveys.

IDENTIFYING HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE POLLUTION STATUS O F CORK FORESTS

I. McLellan1, A. Hursthouse*1, C. Morrison1, C. Silva Pereira2, A. Hassen3, V. Mazzoleni4,

M. Blahgen5, A. Varela2, C. Rodrigues2, C. Leitão2, H.I. Ouzari3, A. Jaouani3, N. Gaâmour3, M.D. Fumi4, E. Novelli4, M. Trevisan4, K. Lyamiuoli5

1 Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK (andrew.hursthouse@uws.ac.uk) 2 Institudo de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, 2781-901, Oeiras Portugal 3 Centre de Recherche en Sciences et Technologies de l’Eau, BP 273, Solimen, 8020, Tunisia 4 Instituto di Enolgia e Ingegneria alimentare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy 5 Faculty of Sciences Aïn Chock, University Hassan II – Aïn Chock, Casablanca, Morocco

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Cork (Quercus suber) forests are important ecological hotspots which are home to two of Europe’s most endangered species. They are also economically important as they used not only for cork stopper production but also crop growing, honey production and grazing animals; in Tunisia for example 10% of the population is estimated to rely on cork forests for their livelihood. It is evident though that cork forests cannot survive without human management as other vegetation types will overtake Quercus suber trees as the dominant species if the forests are not maintained. The wrong type of management however can have a detrimental affect; the use of persistent organic pollutants (e.g. chlorophenols) resulted in an industry wide problem that caused millions of dollars annually. By determining the presence of pentachlorophenol and its metabolites using LC-MS and metal content using ICP-OES, this NATO Science for Peace project has been investigating the extent of human impacts on cork forests. Other human impacts can be monitored by investigating the levels of metallic elements within the soil. Although some metals will be a result of the local geology, others can be related to human activity e.g. Cu, Pb and Zn. We report here the results from the evaluation of soil geochemistry in the assessment of human interaction in forest ecosystems. This focuses on a comparison between a control forest in Sardinia and Tunisian forests where industrial cork production has been disrupted due to contamination from pesticide use.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS IN FISH AND SHELLFISH FR OM IRISH MARINE WATERS

Evin McGovern1, Eileen Joyce1, Brendan McHugh1, Christina Tlustos2, Linda Tyrrell1

1 Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland (evin.mcggoven@marine.ie) 2 Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Abbey Court, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, Ireland Seafood is one of the most important contributors to human dietary intake of environmental contaminants. The Irish Marine Institute has routinely measured concentrations of environmental contaminants in marine fish and shellfish from Irish waters since the early 1990s to assess risk to consumers and assess pollution status of the marine environment. Target substances include trace metals, including mercury, cadmium and lead, and persistent organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorines pesticides, dioxins and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Monitoring and investigative studies are carried out in accordance with European legislation and the OSPAR Convention’s protocols and quality assurance requirements. Recent data are presented and related to maximum limits where these have been set by European legislation to protect human health. In general, Irish seafood complies with maximum limits set. For substances where no limits have been set, such as (BFRs), preliminary estimates do not indicate a significant risk to the consumer. Concentrations in bivalve molluscs also provide good geographical coverage and time series for Irish coastal waters. Contaminant concentrations tend to be highest closest to key pressures. These data are discussed in the context of overall trends for the North-East Atlantic as assessed under the OSPAR’s Quality Status Report 2010. Dietary intakes of contaminants for Irish consumers from the consumption of seafood are considered and the contribution of this data in determining Good Environmental Status with respect to marine pollution in accordance with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Dir 2008/56/EC) is discussed.

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THE EFFECTS OF COPPER ON THE SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNI TY AND DEGRADATION OF PESTICIDES

S.K. Gaw1, K. Dewey1, G.L. Northcott2, D.R. Lauren2

1Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand 2The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Hamilton, New Zealand The rate of degradation is a key determinant of the environmental impact of pesticides. Elevated concentrations of trace metals including copper are toxic to soil micro-organisms and have been reported to inhibit microbial degradation of pesticides. Copper based fungicides are widely used in horticulture alongside synthetic organic pesticides. A glasshouse study was undertaken to determine if copper inhibited the degradation of atrazine and indoxacarb in soil. A fine sandy loam agricultural soil was spiked with CuSO4 at five concentrations over a concentration range of 0 to 1000 mg/kg copper, then field aged for six months prior to spiking with either indoxacarb or atrazine at a rate of 2 mg/kg. The soils were sampled twice at intervals based on published half-lives. The samples were analysed for a range of parameters including total and bioavailable copper, urease and phosphatase activity, ergosterol and either indoxacarb or atrazine and its degradation products. The soil microbiomass and enzyme activities decreased with increasing copper concentration (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in atrazine and indoxacarb concentrations between the copper levels. At sampling time two, the hydroxyatrazine concentrations for the three highest copper concentrations were significantly greater (p<0.05) than for the control soil. Our results indicate that copper does not inhibit the degradation of indoxacarb and atrazine but may alter the degradation of hydroxyatrazine in soil.

ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BY PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS

Jiří Hřebíček1, Ladislav Dušek1, Miroslav Kubásek1, Jaroslav Urbánek1, Karel Brabec2,

Ivan Holoubek2

1 Masaryk University, Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Kamenice 125/3, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic (hrebicek@iba.muni.cz, dusek@iba.muni.cz, kubasek@iba.muni.cz, urbanek@iba.muni.cz) 2 Masaryk University, RECETOX, Kamenice 125/3, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic (brabec@recetox.muni.cz, holoubek@recetox.muni.cz) Institute RECETOX coordinates the “Central and Eastern European Centre for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)” environmental services: data sources, processing, storage and their management. This is supported by the Global Environmental Assessment and Information System (GENASIS) that utilizes data from national and international monitoring networks to obtain as-complete-as-possible set of information and a representative picture of environmental contamination by POPs. Its outcomes are useful as information source both for lay public, experts and for the process of the Stockholm Convention implementation. Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses (IBA) operates the System for Visualizing of Oncology Data (SVOD) for cancer epidemiology in the Czech Republic for data from Czech National Oncology Register. The synthesis of existing POPs pollution monitoring databases with epidemiological data is required for identifying some effects of POPs on human health (anthropogenic impact). This task requires new, rich, data and services discovery capabilities within the bodies of knowledge available, which are discussed in the paper. IBA and RECETOX anthropogenic impact studies requiring data discovery from a multitude of monitoring networks and resources. The FP7 project “TaToo - Tagging Tool based on a

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Semantic Discovery Framework” are setting up a semantic web solution to close the discovery gap that prevents a full and easy access to information resources on the web. The use of TaToo tools together with GENASIS and SVOD is presented for the discovery of anthropogenic impact in several examples. It is shown that an assessment of environmental and human health impact by POPs is easier and more efficient.

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SPECIAL SESSION FOR PROF. IAIN THORNTON B

Tuesday, June 29th 11:45-13:00 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre

Session Chair: Brian Alloway

CAN IN SITU MEASUREMENTS BE MORE FIT-FOR-PURPOSE THAN EX SITU LAB MEASUREMENTS?

M.H. Ramsey

Department of Biology and Environmental Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK (m.h.ramsey@sussex.ac.uk ) The traditional view is that lab measurements of environmental contamination made by laboratories are more reliable (and fit for purpose) than in situ or on-site measurements made in the field by portable devices (e.g. PXRF for Pb in soil, or γ-ray spectrometry for Cs-137). Recent studies will be used to demonstrated that this is not always the case, because:

1) Estimates of the uncertainty of measurements made by both in situ and ex situ techniques have shown that the limiting factor in both techniques is the uncertainty caused by the sampling technique. Measurement by both approaches can therefore effectively equally reliable.

2) In situ measurements often have very little sample preparation or storage, reducing the uncertainty from this cause (e.g. loss of volatiles during drying).

3) The definition of the measurand (or true value which is being estimated) is clearer for in situ measurements. For radioactively contaminated land, if the measurand required is the radioactive dose to a person standing on an area of soil, it is more helpful to measure the dose directly using a field measurement device, rather than taking and transporting a soil sample to the lab, and measuring the concentration of a radioactive element in a dried and ground fraction of the soil in order to estimate the dose.

4) In situ measurements are more affected by small scale heterogeneity than ex situ lab measurements using a homogenised sample. This can be seen as a disadvantage, but it can be viewed as an advantage that makes in situ measurements more reliable for studying the heterogeneity of the contamination and its environmental effects (e.g. metal uptake by plants).

When comparing the field versus the lab measurements there is usually the implicit assumption that the lab is correct, and the field should be ‘corrected’ to make it closer to the lab value, but the field value is often closer to the concentration present in the field and can represent more closely the true exposure experienced by living organisms

DIFFERENTIAL INDIVIDUAL PARTICLE ANALYSIS (DIPA): APPLICATIONS IN PARTICULATE MATTER SPECIATION RESEA RCH

Andrew Hunt1,*, David L. Johnson2

1Earth and Environmental Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, US 2Department of Chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science

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and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, US Operator controlled, and computer controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM), are used extensively to characterize particulate matter (PM) in environmental media. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis coupled with selective chemical extraction is a potentially powerful tool that is capable of determining how various sample components are associated at the individual particle level. This involves initial SEM characterization of the PM constituents of a sample, then the material is exposed to a suitable reagent for a specified time, and lastly the material is reanalyzed in the SEM. This particle analysis by difference, or differential individual particle analysis (DIPA), possesses considerable potential for describing the behavior of environmental PM under changing chemical conditions. Here, we describe DIPA applications and illustrate them with analyses of PM in various media. In situ DIPA permits the same PM to be analyzed in the SEM before and after exposure to a reagent. This is accomplished by bathing the particles (adhering to as suitable substrate) in a chosen reagent, and then following removal of the reagent, the same particles can be manually relocated in the SEM for examination. Repeated exposure to the same, or different reagents, provides information on the time dependence of specific reactions. Significant numbers of particles can be analyzed using CCSEM, and the same particles can be analyzed after the reaction by accurate sample relocating in the SEM using fiducial markers. Ex situ DIPA, which involves a bulk sample reaction with the reagent, uses CCSEM to characterize significant numbers of particles pre- and post-chemical reaction.

ADSORPTION OF HEAVY METALS BY SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER, DEPOSITED SEDIMENTS, NATURAL SURFACE COATIN GS

AND THEIR COMPONENTS IN AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT

Denming Dong*, Xiuyi Hua, Liang Liu, Guangxin Zhang

College of Environmental and Resources, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China (dmdong@jlu.edu.cn) Solid matters, such as suspended particulate matters (SPM), deposited sediments (DS) and natural surface coatings (SC), are important sinks and potential sources of pollutants in natural aquatic environments. They exist in the same body of water, but few studies have been conducted to compare their heavy metal adsorption properties, and their metal adsorption behaviours in single solid and multi solid systems. In this study, heavy metals adsorption to each solid were studied in single solid system, and the adsorption properties of the main components of the solids were also studied using the selective extraction followed by adsorption and statistical analyses. Also, heavy metal adsorption behaviour of solids in multi solid system were studied and compared with those in single solid system. The results showed that DS, SPM and SC existed in the same body of water had both similarities and differences in their compositions. Although the three solid phases were formed in the same body of water, significant differences were observed for their capacity to adsorb heavy metals. Cu was mainly adsorbed by organic matters while Pb and Cd were mainly adsorbed by Fe and Mn oxides. Extraordinary heavy metal adsorption ability of Mn oxides was observed in all these solids. Different behaviours were observed for metal adsorption to the solids in single solid system and in multi solid system.

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SCIENTIFIC ENVIRONMENTALIST OR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENT IST? THE ROLE OF THE SCIENTIST IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROVE RSIES

Janet Cotter

Greenpeace International Science Unit, Innovations Centre, Rennes Drive, Exeter UK EX4 4RN, UK (j.cotter@exeter.ac.uk) There is no doubt that science is vital in controversial environmental issues. Science plays an important role in identifying potential environmental hazards and assessing the exposure of humans and animals to such hazards. But how is the science in these controversial issues communicated to those outside the immediate scientific community, e.g. to policy markers and the media? How do policy markers make decisions based on incomplete and uncertain evidence? This review focuses on the activities of the Greenpeace Science Unit to examine the role of non governmental organisations (NGOs) in controversial environmental issues and how scientific evidence is communicated. Examples of topics include: organic and inorganic contamination, degradation of the oceans, GM crops and the interlinkages between forests and climate change.

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EPIDEMIOLOGY B

Tuesday, June 29th 11:45-13:00 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Philip Weinstein

EFFECTS OF FINE PARTICULATES AND FUNGAL SPORES ON L UNG FUNCTION IN SCHOOLCHILDREN

Bing-Yu Chen1, H. Jasmine Chao2, Chang-Chuan Chan1, Chung-Te Lee3, Hung-Pin Wu1,4,5,

Tsun-Jen Cheng1, Y. Leon Guo1,6* 1 Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 2 Graduate Institute of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; 3 Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, Taoyuan, Taiwan 4 Department of Otolaryngology, Buddhist Tzuchi General Hospital, Taipei Branch, Taipei, Taiwan 5 School of medicine, Tzuchi University, Hualien, Taiwan 6 Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University (NTU) College of Medicine and NTU Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Air pollutants and fungal spores have been known to affect lung function. However, studies examining combined health effects of both have been relatively lacking. We conducted a longitudinal school-based respiratory health study to investigate whether exposure to air pollutants and fungal spores affected lung function. Study participants were 100 elementary and middle school students in Taipei County, Taiwan. A structured questionnaire was administered, followed by monthly spirometry from October 2007 to June 2008. Forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow at 25%, 50%, 75% of FVC (FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75%) were recorded. Daily monitoring data for particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, organic carbon, elemental carbon, nitrates, and sulfates) and criteria air pollutants (CO, NO2, SO2, and O3) were obtained from Taiwan EPA monitoring station and Particulates Aerosol Supersite. Fungal spores were measured daily from Sunday to Saturday in the week of lung function measurements. Lung function measurements were compared to air pollutants and fungal spores using regression analysis with lag 1 day modelling. The results showed that PM2.5 and total fungal spores one day before the lung function measurements were negatively associated with FVC and FEV1 in both boys and girls. Further analysis of PM2.5 showed that nitrates and sulfates were those responsible for these effects. In addition, PM2.5 was negatively associated with FEF50%, FEF75%, and FEF25-75% for girls, with sulfates and nitrates being responsible for such effects. We concluded that exposure to PM2.5 and fungal spores might reduce lung function of school-age children.

GEOGRAPHICAL CORRELATES OF FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS IN SOUTH ULSTER, 1995-2007.

D. Pringle1,2,*, S.Omer2, J. Waddington2

1 Department of Geography, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth Co. Kildare, Ireland 2 Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

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The objective of this study is to assess whether there is evidence to suggest that the risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders is influenced by environmental factors using incidence data collected over a 12 year period in counties Cavan and Monaghan. Details were collected on all patients presenting for the first time between 1995 and 2007 (n=334). Patients were diagnosed using DSM IV criteria. Information on patients’ addresses at the time of onset and birth were geocoded using Health Atlas Ireland. This enabled counts of patients, classified by diagnosis and other factors (e.g. gender), to be made for 155 small areas (EDs). Incidence rates were calculated by combining these counts with population estimates from the 2002 census. The observed variations in the incidence rates were tested for statistical significance. Over 150 socio-demographic indicators, including measures of deprivation and population change, were constructed using 1996, 2002 and 2006 census data. Spatial correlations were calculated between incidence rates and socio-demographic indicators. Initial findings did not suggest that the spatial variations in incidence rates are statistically significant. However, statistically significant spatial correlations were found with a number of socio-demographic variables. The findings suggest that the risk of first episode psychosis may be influenced by a number of factors that collectively operate in an apparently random manner, but the significant correlations suggest that incidence rates may be raised in areas having a particular social milieu or physical environment.

THE POTENTIAL OF SPATIAL INFORMATION IN HUMAN BIOMONITORING BY EXAMPLE OF TWO GERMAN ENVIRONMENTA L

EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES

Roland Pesch1*, Gunther Schmidt1, Winfried Schröder1, André Conrad2, Marike Kolossa-Gehring2, Stefan Feigenspan3, Lorenz Dobler4, Gerhard A. Wiesmüller4,

Manfred Birke5, Jens Utermann5

1 Chair of Landscape Ecology, University of Vechta, PO-Box 1553, 49364 Vechta, Germany 2 Federal Environment Agency, Corrensplatz 1, 14195 Berlin, Germany 3 Federal Environment Agency, Am Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany 4 Environmental Specimen Bank, part: human specimens, Westphalian Wilhelms University Münster, Domagkstraße 11, 48149 Münster, Germany 5 Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Stilleweg 2, 30655 Hannover, Germany The study at hand aimed at statistically investigating the association between the internal exposure of children and young adults regarding uranium (U) and epidemiologically relevant external determinants of exposure. The according investigation was performed with help of data from two studies within the framework of the German health-related environmental monitoring program: The German Environmental Survey for Children (GerES IV) conducted by the Federal Environment Agency with data on 1,731 children 3 to 14 years of age and their home environment and the Environmental Specimen Bank (part: human specimens) with data on 2,253 students 20 to 29 years of age. Both studies provided data on the U-concentration in human urine for all subjects. GerES IV furthermore provided an extensive database on e.g. U-concentrations in drinking water. The data from both studies were linked to different exposure relevant geoinformation within a GIS environment including data on background values of U in brook sediments as well as in upper and lower soils, U-concentrations in mosses, concentrations of particulate matter in the lower atmosphere, precipitation, elevation as well as forest density. Bivariate correlation analysis and two decision tree models showed moderate but significant associations between U in human urine and the U-concentrations in drinking water and U values in brook sediments, in upper and lower soils. Future

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investigations considering additional epidemiologically relevant datasets may substantiate the results. Furthermore, the sample design of future environmental epidemiology studies should take the spatial evaluation of the data into greater account. MODELING OF HUMAN EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES IN THE CAM ERON

HIGHLANDS, MALAYSIA

Lidyayatty Abdul Malik

Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor D.E., Malaysia (Tel: +60195482717, leedselambe@yahoo.com) There is concern to address the potential risks of human exposure to residues from pesticides in the diet. Intake fraction (iF) is frequently used to express fate and exposure of chemical to human, representing the fraction of the quantity emitted that enters the human population. This paper describes a coupled multimedia fate and human exposure model to assess the impacts of pesticides applied to vegetation in agricultural area. This framework is illustrated through a case study of selected non-volatile organic chemicals in Cameron Highlands region, Malaysia. Chemical concentrations in environmental media were simulated using a multimedia environmental fate model which comprised of five environmental compartments, which are air, water, soil and sediment and vegetation. The model was parameterized for the Cameron Highlands region, Malaysia, and runs with an illustrative emission rate of 1 kg h-1. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) of pesticides in vegetation in Cameron Highlands was estimated. BCF was estimated supposing steady state equilibrium of the quotient between the pesticide concentration in the vegetations and the pesticide concentration in the soil solution. We estimated the bioconcentration factors (BCF) in the edible plant tissues for non-volatile organic compounds using crop-specific models for leafy vegetables, root vegetables, potatoes and tree fruits. The estimates were compared with results from the empirical regression of Travis and Arms for above-ground vegetation. With a multimedia fate and exposure model the intake fraction by the human population (iF) can be calculated by multiplying the total population size with the average human intake rate of pesticides through vegetation.

ARSENIC AND RISK OF BIRTH DEFECTS: A POPULATION-BAS ED CASE-CONTROL STUDY USING GIS TECHNOLOGY

Jilei Wu, Gong Chen, Yilan Liao, Xinming Song, Lijun Pei, Xiaoying Zheng*

Institute of Population Research/WHO Collaborating Center on Reproductive Health and Population Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China (xzheng@pku.edu.cn)

High infant mortality with birth defect has been found in Northern China for many years even after some interventions. Environment samples from the areas with high birth defect were analyzed and high arsenic concentrations were found in soils. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between arsenic levels in the soil and the risk of birth defects among people exposed to environmental pollution in an area of China. We compared 254 cases with diagnosed birth defects and 1183 controls randomly selected from 72232 registered newborns born between 2002 and 2004. We used a global positioning system to locate the coordinates of 80 villages in 40 towns for soil sampling. Soil samples were analyzed for arsenic content using inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry, and then arsenic levels were geo-coded and interpolated with the Kriging model using geographic information system technology. Logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between

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exposure to arsenic and birth defects controlling for potentially confounding factors. Factors such as rural residence, mother’s old age, and mother’s poor education increased the risk of birth defects. Exposure to arsenic increased the risk of birth defects. Mothers living in areas with very low levels of arsenic in the soil were about 5.30 times more likely (95% confidence interval, 3.41–8.22) than those living in areas with very high levels of arsenic to have a child at risk for birth defects also. The positive association found between arsenic exposure and birth defects warrants further study. People living in areas with low levels of arsenic in the soil are more likely to ignore its role in causing birth defects, especially given other adverse maternal factors.

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BIOAVAILABILITY AND BIO-ACCESSIBILITY

Tuesday, June 29th 11:45-13:00 Venue: Larmor Theatre

Session Chair: Mark Cave

DOES IODINE GAS RELEASED FROM SEAWEEDS CONTRIBUTE T O DIETARY IODINE INTAKE?

P.P.A. Smyth1,2, R. Burns2, K. Mullan3, R.J. Huang4, T. Hoffman4, K. Seitz5, U. Platt5,

C. O’Dowd1,*

1School of Physics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland 2 UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Ireland 3 Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, N. Ireland 4 University of Mainz, Germany 5 University of Heidelberg, Germany Thyroid hormone levels sufficient to promote brain development in the fetus and normal metabolic activities in the adult require a minimal supply of iodine. Such iodine is in the main supplied from dietary sources but living near the sea may confer advantages in terms of iodine intake. This communication tests the hypothesis that iodine (I2) gas or iodine oxides released from seaweeds may, through being inspired by respiration, supply a significant fraction of daily iodine requirements. Gaseous iodine released by day or night over and downwind of algae biomass rich seaweed beds was measured by a diffusion denuder system in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Iodine intake was assessed by measuring urinary iodine (UI) excretion using a dry ashing technique with Sandell Kolthoff colorimetry. Urine samples were obtained from populations living in coastal and inland areas of Ireland. Daytime downwind median I2 was 36 parts per trillion (PPT). Much higher values (~ 124PPT) were recorded on still nights. The greatest values were recorded over the seaweed mass (Median 186: range 110-301PPT). Median UI values were higher (140 v 80 µg/L) in coastal than in inland communities while the % of individual readings suggestive of iodine deficiency (< 50µg/L) were greatest in inland areas (Range 6.2 -37.6%). The lowest evidence of iodine deficiency recorded near seaweed hotspots may result from compensation for inadequate dietary intake in areas such as Ireland where iodine intake is traditionally low and bring new meaning to the expression “sea air is good for you”.

A COMPARISON OF PAHS MOBILIZATION FROM URBAN AND CI TY CENTRE SITES USING FED AND FASTED IN-VITRO GASTRO-

INTESTINAL MODELS

Damien Lorenzi1, Jane A. Entwistle1, Mark Cave2, John R. Dean1

1 School of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK 2 British Geological Survey, Kingsley Dunham Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK

In order to find a robust method to evaluate human health risk from contaminants in the environment, and to observe their mobilization inside the gastro-intestinal tract, physiologically based extraction tests (PBETs) have been developed. Principally, metals and organic contaminants, such as, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are under investigation. In

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the case of PAHs sixteen are of particular interest because of their possible mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Previously we have investigated the levels of PAHs in an urban (former industrial) site in North East England and found concentrations up to 1424 mg/kg for total PAHs in the <250 µm soil particle size fraction. To contrast the environmental health risk data from this site a comparison will be made to PAH levels in street dust collected from a city centre environment. A PBET has been developed and applied in both fasted and fed state to assess PAH mobility from urban soils and street dust. Initial results for the urban soils indicate that under the fasted state the potential mobility of PAHs was negligible indicating limited bioaccessibility. However, under the fed state the bioaccessibility increased dramatically with values approaching 36%.

ASSESSING THE LINK BETWEEN THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF SOIL S AND THE BIOACESSIBILITY OF ARSENIC, CADMIUM AND LEAD IN AN

URBAN ENVIRONMENT

J. Wragg, Mark Cave*

British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK, (mrca@bgs.ac.uk) One of the principal pathways for potentially harmful elements (PHE) in soil to enter the human body is through ingestion. The amount of PHE which enters the systemic circulation is governed by the amount of PHE released in the Gastrointestinal Tract, this is the bioaccessible fraction. A geochemical survey of the soils of Northampton, located on ironstone soils with naturally elevated arsenic concentrations, carried out by the BGS G-BASE project showed that 45% of the 275 soils sampled contained total arsenic concentrations exceeding the Environment Agency soil guideline value (SGV) of 32 mg kg-1. A newly validated in-vitro bioaccessibility test was used to measure the bioaccessibility of arsenic and other PHEs on a representative subset of 50 of the soils showed a maximum bioaccessibility value of 10 mg kg-1 arsenic. A systematic study of the relationship between the bioaccessible fraction of arsenic and other PHE with the geochemical make up of the soil, the solid phase distribution of PHE as measured by sequential extraction and the physical properties of the soil( as measured using NIR spectroscopy) showed that the bioaccessibility of different PHEs were governed by the source of the PHE (i.e. anthropogenic or geogenic) and their relative solid phase distribution between iron oxide phases and carbonates. Statistical modelling of the bioaccessible fraction using geochemistry and NIR data also helped to identify the factors controlling the mobility of PHE’s and provided a potential means for predicting bioaccessibility.

ZINC DEFICIENCY IN THE NIGER INLAND DELTA IN MALI - FROM SOIL TO HUMAN INTAKE

Gunnar Jacks1,2*, Caroline Gårdestedt1, Birgitta Jacks2, Aly Barry3

1 Dept. of Land and Water Resources Engineering, KTH, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden (+46 8 790 7380, gunnjack@kth.se) 2 Åbo Akademi, FI-20500 Åbo, Finland 3 Fondation Novartis, Ségou, Mali (barryaly@cefib.com) Zinc is an essential element for plants, animals and men. Zinc deficiency may seriously affect the yield of agricultural crops. Zinc is important for the human immune system and zinc deficiency could be responsible for 20 % of the elevated child mortality in African countries,

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in parity with the mortality caused by malaria. The objectives of this study were to assess the extent of soil zinc deficiency in the Niger inland delta and the zinc intake by humans. The plant available zinc in soils was assessed by DTPA extraction on 4 composite samples from each agricultural field. Total zinc contents in plants were analysed by ICP-OES after digestion in nitric acid. Meals were sampled and analysed for total zinc. In some cereals and some meals phytate content was analysed. Out of 96 composite samples from 5 sites along a stretch of 500 km 80 % were found to be zinc deficient. The samples having above the deficiency limit were from inside villages. This can be considered to be due to a constant flux of trace elements into villages through grazing animals and human food consumption. Plants and cereals were found to have low contents of zinc. The intake by adult as well as by children was found to be about half the recommended. The ratio of phytate to zinc was generally high indicating low zinc availability. In the absence of trace element enriched fertilisers the situation could be improved by choosing zinc efficient plants species and food preparation degrading phytate.

CORRECTING IODINE DEFICIENCY: AN ENVIRONMENTAL

APPROACH THROUGH IRRIGATION WATER

Qiang Ren1,*, Jie Fan2, Zhizhong Zhang2, Xiaoying Zheng1, G. Robert DeLong3

1 Institute of Population Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China (Tel: 86-10-62751974, Fax: 86-1-62751976, renqaing@pku.edu.cn, xzheng@pku.edu.cn) 2 The Inner Mongolia Center for Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control, Huhehaote City 010031, Inner Mongolia, P. R. China (Tel: 86-471-5984957, Fax:86-471-6928737, fjnm2008@sina.com & nmzzz@sohu.com) 3 Pediatric Neurology, Duke Medical Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, US (Tel: 1-919-9423710, Fax: 1-919-6818943,delon006@mc.duke.edu) Iodine deficiency disorders continue to be a severe problem in many parts of Central Asia, causing delayed mental development and cretinism in indigenous populations. In some areas iodized salt has not succeeded in controlling this problem. In southern Xinjiang Province of China we tried a new method of supplying iodine to rural populations by dripping potassium iodate into irrigation water canals, and repeated in the Inner Mongolia of China. By this means iodine was distributed into soil, crops, animals and people. This proved feasible and cost-effective; it reached all the people, required no medical expertise, required no continuing effort after the initial dripping, and had the important added benefit of improving livestock production. We serially monitored iodine concentrations in soil, crops, animal products and human urine for several years after the last dripping. In a similar project in Inner Mongolia, total soil iodine was determined in addition. Here iodine concentrations in soil, crops, animals and people have been monitored for five years after supplementation. After dripping, total iodine increased two-fold, while soluble iodine increased four- to five-fold. Iodine added to soil is available for more than four years after a single application. Potassium iodate added to soil appears to increase soluble iodine out of proportion to the amount added. This effect and the long persistence of dripped iodate in soil contribute to the efficacy and cost effectiveness of this method of iodine supplementation.

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KEYNOTE SPEECH - PROF SHU TAO

Tuesday, June 29th 14:30-15:25 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre

Session Chair: Andrew Hursthouse

EMISSION, FATE AND RESPIRATION EXPOSURE RISK OF POL YCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN CHINA

Shu Tao

Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China Emission of 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) listed as USEPA priority pollutants from major sources in China were compiled. Geographical distribution and temporal change of the PAH emission, as well as emission profiles are discussed. It was estimated that the total quantity of 16 PAHs emitted from China was 116,000 tons in 2003, more than half of which was from biomass burning. Although vehicular emission contributed to a relatively small percentage of the total emission, it was one of the major sources in urban areas. The emission profile featured a relatively higher portion of high molecular weight (HMW) species with carcinogenic potential due to large contributions of domestic coal and coking industry. The emission increased continuously for four decades starting from 1950 but fluctuated since 1990 due to variation in the production of small-scale coke ovens. A potential receptor influence function (PRIF) model, based on air mass forward trajectory calculations, was applied to simulate the atmospheric transport and outflow of PAHs emitted from China. With a ten day atmospheric transport time, most neighboring countries and regions, as well as remote regions, were influenced by PAH emissions from China. Of the total annual PAH emission of 116 Gg, 93% remained within the boundary of mainland China. Of the PAH outflow from China (8092 tons or 7.1% of the total annual PAH emission), approximately 69.9% (5655 tons) reached no further than the offshore environment of mainland China and the South China Sea. Interannual variation in the eastward PAH outflow was positively correlated to cold episodes of El Niño/Southern Oscillation. However, trans-Pacific atmospheric transport of PAHs from China was correlated to Pacific North America index (PNA) which is associated with the strength and position of westerly winds. An Euler atmospheric transport model CanMETOP was modified and applied to model the atmospheric transport and multimedia fate of PAHs in China based on the emission inventory. The model results were validated by the field observations for concentration levels in atmosphere and soil. The results showed that the spatial distributions of PAHs levels in atmosphere are greatly controlled by emission and meteorological conditions. Elevated concentration levels in both atmosphere and soil were observed in Shanxi, Guizhou, North China Plain, and Sichuan Basin. Significant seasonal variation was found for the transport pattern of PAHs in China with greatly elevated transport flux in winter. The model calculated ambient PAH concentrations were used to evaluate lung cancer risk for the Chinese population due to inhalation exposure to PAHs. The uncertainties of the transport model, exposure and risk analysis were assessed using Monte Carlo simulation, taking into consideration the variation in PAH emission, aerosol and OH radical concentrations, dry deposition, respiration rate and genetic susceptibility. The average benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration (BaPeq) was 2.43 (1.29~4.50 as interquartile range, IR) ng/m3. The population-weighted BaPeq was 7.64 (IR, 4.05~14.1) ng/m3 because of the spatial overlap of the emissions and population density. It was estimated that 5.8% (IR, 2.0~11%) of China’s land area, where 30% (IR, 17~43%) of the population lives, exceeded the national ambient BaPeq standard of 10 ng/m3. Taking into consideration the variation in exposure concentration,

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respiration rate and susceptibility, the overall population attributable fraction (PAF) for lung cancer due to inhalation exposure to PAHs was 1.6% (IR, 0.91~2.6%), corresponding to an excess annual lung cancer incidence rate of 0.65×10-5. While the spatial variability was high, the lung cancer risk in eastern China was higher than in western China and populations in major cities had a higher risk of lung cancer than rural areas.

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SPECIAL SESSION FOR PROF. IAIN THORNTON C

Tuesday, June 29th 15:30-16:45 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre

Session Chair: Michael Ramsey

ARSENIC GEOCHEMISTRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Kyoung-Woong Kim*, Kongkea Phan, Hoang Thi Hanh, Nguyen Van Anh, Sunbaek Bang, Suthipong Sthiannopkao, Ju-Yong Kim

School of Environmental Science & Engineering and International Environmental Research Center (IERC), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 500-712, Korea (kwkim@gist.ac.kr) Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid element in the earth’s crust and is very widely distributed in the environment. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified As and its compounds in group A chemicals which are causally associated with cancer in humans. Arsenic issues in groundwater from several countries have been well known and some researchers conducted a detailed study of As contamination from groundwater in West Bengal. We investigated the concentrations of As & other trace elements in groundwater and human hair collected from the suburban areas of Hanoi, Vietnam. Concentrations of As in groundwater near Hanoi area ranged from <0.10 to 330 ppb, with about 40% of these exceeding WHO drinking water guideline. The detailed study for the characteristics of As-enriched groundwater was carried out and the potential risks from groundwater were evaluated in Vietnam. Since groundwater has been used as one of the main drinking water sources in this region, groundwater and hair samples were collected from several districts including Vinh Tru district, Ha Nam province. The concentrations of As in hair samples and treated groundwater by sand filtration were compared, and As concentrations in female hair sample and the treated groundwater showed significant positive correlation with the Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.88 and the P-value of 0.001. Concentrations of As and trace elements in groundwater were examined at 3 provinces, Cambodia and up to 1543 µg/L of As was determined with As (III) of the most dominant speciation. Kandal Province consists of typical plain wet area, known as arsenic laden area, with being surrounded by Bassac & Mekong Rivers and covered by rice fields and other agricultural plantations. From the high As levels in groundwater from this Province, groundwater has not been used as drinking purpose but many arsenicosis patients were still found from the previous consumption. The detailed survey was carried out in February 2009 and human health issues are discussed in this study. These geochemical surveys were being carried out in other SE Asian counties such as Laos and the risk assessment result tentatively suggests that high cumulative As ingestion from groundwater poses a health threat to the resident in the study area.

HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN MINING ENVIRONMENTS OF KOREA

Myung Chae Jung1,*, You Sung Kim2, Je Hyun Park3, Jin Soo Lee3, Hyun Ho Kwon3

1 Dept. of Energy & Mineral Resources Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul, 143-747, South Korea (Tel. +82 2 3408-3827, Fax. +82 2 466-4795, jmc65@sejong.ac.kr)

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2 Soan Consultant Co. Daejeon, 305-509, South Korea (Tel. +82 42 863-2832, Fax. +82 42 863-2834, yskim@soamkim.com) 3 Korea Mine Reclamation Corporation, Seoul, 110-727, South Korea (jayhp@mireco.or.kr, jslee@mireco.or.kr, hyho57@hanmail.net) This study has focused on the influence of mining activities in Korea. Soils (6,045 samples), stream waters (1,066) and stream sediments (329) were taken at 100 representative abandoned mines, and analysed for As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn. Results of chemical analysis of the soils showed that soils from 89 mines were over the guidelines for Korean Soil Conservation Act (KSCA). Among the 6,045 soil samples, 1,198 samples exceeded the warning levels of the KSCA and 591 samples were over the action levels of the KSCA. In case of individual elements, the numbers of exceeding the guidelines of the KSCA were in the order of Zn > As > Cd > Pb > Ni > Cu > Hg. In water, 76 samples from 32 mines were over the guidelines for Korean Water Conservation Act (KWCA). In case of individual elements, the numbers of exceeding the guidelines of the KWCA were in the order of As > Zn > Cd > pH. In addition to sediment samples, 119 and 70 samples were over the guidelines of the warning and action levels for the KSCA, respectively. Individually, the numbers of exceeding the guidelines of the KSCA were similar to those of the soil samples. This study was also examined the remediation works for landfill cover using natural and artificial materials in tailings heap sites and for solidification/stabilization of the tailings using various binding materials including cement and pozzolan.

A REVIEW ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES OF URBAN SOIL S IN

CHINA

Xiaosan Luo1,2, Xiangdong Li1*, Shen Yu2, Yongguan Zhu2

1 Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong (cexdli@polyu.edu.hk) 2 Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China The paper provides a review on urban soil research in China with special reference to trace metals and organic pollutants. The characteristics, spatial distribution and major sources of various contaminants in urban soils of major Chinese cities were summarized, and the pollution levels at a national scale were drawn using trace metal concentrations, enrichment factors, composite pollution indexes and chemical fractionation. In the future research, more pollutants in urban environments need to be included in multi-compartmental environmental risk assessment of pollutants in Chinese cities and towns. In addition to routine urban soil pollution surveys, comprehensive and site specific urban soil quality assessments are urgently required for the control and management of urban brownfield sites. Considering the exposure pathways and site characteristics, land use-based and chemical speciation-based integrated risk assessment framework for urban soils may be developed. Such risk assessment schemes will include studies on the mobility, solubility, ecotoxicity, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of contaminants, and different urban soil properties. For remediation, common landscaping vegetation, as a major component of urban ecosystems, might be used for controlling complex urban pollution sites.

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LEAD CONCENTRATIONS IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF SHANGHAI, CHINA

Yong Wang1*, Iain Thornton2

1 Greenment Capital Co. Ltd., China (yong.wang@greenment.cn) 2 Centre for Environmental Technology, Imperial College, London, SW7 2BP, UK Since the mid 1970s, developed countries have taken successful steps to phase out risks of exposure to lead. However, little quantitative information is available on lead concentrations and exposure in those urban areas of developing countries where increasing consumption of leaded petrol and lead-bearing paint continues to threaten children’s health. Shanghai, the biggest city in China, was selected to represent a typical city with rapid economic development. A survey of heavy metals, with emphasis on lead in soils and dust, was implemented within the city between 1995 and 1996. Relatively low concentrations of lead were noted in the roadside dust, roadside souls, and garden soils, the geometric means values being 190 ug/g, and 55ug/g Pb, respectively. In contrast, elevated lead concentrations were found in household dusts, with the geometric mean value of 622 ug/g Pb and range of 92-12934 ug/g. High concentrations of lead (17400ug/g) were found in the paint used for floor decoration. Lead enrichment within the home was attributed mainly to the interior use of lead-bearing paint for floor decoration. These results reflected the fact that lead-containing paint has been and is still used for decoration of houses in Shanghai. Policies for reduction in lead emissions adopted since 1997 have resulted in significant reduction of childhood exposure to lead in Shanghai.

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HOUSE DUST A

Tuesday, June 29th 15:30-16:45 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Pat Rasmussen

METALS IN RESIDENTIAL DUSTS: A REVIEW

John Watt1*, Andrew Hunt2

1 Centre for decision Analysis and Risk Management, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, NW4 4BT, UK 2 Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, US The ingress of inorganic contaminants into residential indoor environments occurs by both infiltration of outdoor air containing suspended metal-bearing particles and by track-in of metal contaminated soil on footwear, or by pets. Here they combine with contamination from indoor sources to become part of the house dust reservoir. Metals in indoor dust continue to pose a health risk, especially for the developing child whose behaviour patterns facilitate inadvertent ingestion of dust. We review both historic data and current state-of-the-knowledge (including modelling) relating to the nature and extent of metal contamination of house dust, including sources, sinks, and transport processes (including fractionation/dilution effects). We also examine the methods used for sampling and analyzing dust for its metal content (including bio-accessibility assessment). Most research has focused on Pb in house dust because of its almost ubiquitous presence in urban soils and older paints but other metals such as Cr and As are considered. Models which quantify the input, output and residence time of dust in the indoor environment have been developed to assist in exposure assessment. Although much is known about the metal contamination of indoor dust, knowledge gaps persist in relation to how (i) residential factors (e.g., residence size, type of floor covering, presence of furnishing), and (ii) occupant factors (resident demographics, cleaning activities, recreational activities) can effect indoor metal contamination. Proven in-home intervention methods can be used to reduce exposure but further research is required to improve the effectiveness of removal methods.

SUSPENSION AND RESUSPENSION OF DRY SOIL INDOORS FOLLOWING TRACK-IN ON FOOTWEAR

Andrew Hunt1,*, David L. Johnson2

1 Earth and Environmental Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, US 2 Department of Chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, US Young children are particularly at risk to contaminants in indoor dust. Floor crawling can lead to inadvertent dust ingestion through hand-to-mouth transfer as a result of the mouthing behavior. Crawling also locates the young child’s breathing zone proximal to a region where mechanical resuspension poses a greater exposure threat. In this study we focused on the outcomes of small scale soil dispersion at the point of transition from the outdoor to the indoor environment. The point of ingress into the indoor environment is an important one as it likely represents a site of maximum deposition of external soil transported by track-in on footwear.

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A series of laboratory-based dry soil supension tests, using a composite soil, were conducted with four MetOne 237b laser particle counters. The counters were operated at a 2.83 L/min flow rate. Particle numbers were counted in 6 channels (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 µm). The sampling heads were located at horizontal distances of 25, 35, 55, and 65 cm (10 cm high) and at vertical heights of 10 and 20 cm at (25 and 55 cm horizontally distant), and at 10 and 30 cm heights (at the same horizontal distances) from a floor tile where footfall contact was made. Particle counts decreased both vertically and horizontally with distance. Superimposed on elevated background counts, the peak counts occurred after the initial footfall in each test. However, subsequent footfalls sometimes produced higher counts than preceding ones. This demonstrated that footfall impact can cause (possibly unexpectedly) the suspension of significant quantities of tracked particles.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF GLACIALLY-DERIVED SEDIMENTS TO THE MINERALOGY OF HOUSE DUST IN ONTARIO HOMES

Michael Woldemichael1, André E. Lalonde1, Pat E. Rasmussen2,1

1 Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5 (deansci@uottawa.ca) 2 HECS Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0K9 The mineralogical composition of urban house dust in six Ontario cities sampled in the context of the Canadian House Dust Study has been documented by combined polarized microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. The composition of the dust from the different localities is remarkably similar despite considerable differences in the nature and age of the bedrock geology. Major mineral components in all cases are quartz, feldspar, calcite, amphibole and lithic fragments. The occurrence of strain features and fluid inclusions in the quartz grains, the dominant mineral in the dust in all locations, indicates a metamorphic-igneous provenance. In all the cities sampled, fluvioglacial sand derived from the Canadian Shield is used on roads and sidewalks for traction in the winter. Tracking in of this sand is the most plausible mechanism by which quartz was introduced into the homes since all sampling was done in the winter. We conclude that the nature of the surficial deposits in the sampled localities exerts a greater control on the mineral composition of the dust than the nature of the underlying bedrock. INDOOR VERSUS OUTDOOR SOURCES OF LEAD AND OTHER METALS

IN HOUSEHOLD DUST

H.E. Jamieson*1, S.R. Walker1, P.E. Rasmussen2,3

1Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6 (jamieson@geol.queensu.ca) 2Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada 3Earth Sciences Department, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada Metal-bearing particles in household dust are expected to originate from both exterior (for example, soil tracked in by residents) and interior sources. We have developed a micro-analytical approach which characterizes individual metal-bearing particles in dust and soil samples by identifying element correlations and, where possible, microcrystalline structures. This is accomplished using a powerful, micro-focused synchrotron-generated X-ray beam and collecting X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction data.

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These methods were applied to dust samples collected using the high volume small surface sampler (HVS3) from different rooms within an urban house characterized by anomalously high indoor/outdoor metal concentration ratios. The identification of a variety of Pb-based and non-Pb paint pigments as well as gypsum plaster and portland cement in the bedrooms indicates in-home renovation as the source of elevated Pb and other metals. Zinc is present as zincite and wurtzite, likely associated with the paint pigment lithopone. However, Zn and Cu are also present in metallic forms, indicating other anthropogenic sources In contrast to anthropogenic and probably interior-sourced metal-hosting particles in the bedrooms, Pb is associated with Mn and Fe hydroxide and phosphate minerals in the living room, similar to particles identified in the garden soil collected outside the house. The results indicate that metal-bearing particles can originate from both indoor and outdoor sources. In the house studied, Pb and Zn both originated from paint pigments which were probably redistributed as small particles during home renovation. However, Pb is also associated with soil particles in other parts of the house.

SYNCHROTRON MICRO-ANALYSIS OF HOUSE DUST: ARSENIC AND METAL SPECIATION BY MICRO-XRD AND

QUANTITATIVE MICRO-XRF

Stephen R. Walker1, Heather E. Jamieson1, Pat E. Rasmussen2,3, Antonio Lanzirotti4

1 Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6 (walker@geol.queensu.ca) 2 Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada; 3 Earth Sciences Department, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada 4 Consortium for Advanced Radiation Sources, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, US Metals and metalloids in house dust may be of anthropogenic or natural origin. The exact metal species and origin are often difficult to ascertain. We have developed a synchrotron-based micro-analytical approach (< 10 µm scale) which characterizes individual metal-bearing particles in house dust by identifying element correlations and, where possible, quantitative analysis by X-ray fluorescence and microcrystalline structures by X-ray diffraction (XRD). These techniques were applied to archived house dust samples collected from homes displaying elevated indoor/outdoor metal concentration ratios, in a previous study of 22 single family dwellings in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Samples were the vacuum sampled and sieved (<150 µm) fraction of settled dust. To ensure dust metal concentrations adequately exceed microanalytical detection limits, samples were selected having concentrations in the upper 5th percentile for target elements (As, Cu and Ni). All samples investigated here contain concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb in the 10s to 100s of mg/kg concentration range. Metal forms identified include metal alloys and their oxidized counterparts (e.g. Cu metal with CuO and Cu2O), and trace metals associated with steel, and corrosion and weathering products (iron or iron-manganese oxides and oxyhydroxides). Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood fragments are identified in several samples that contain elevated As contents (10 to 30 mg/kg). Such As-bearing particles in dust exhibit a consistent association with Cr and variable Cu content with concentrations and Cr/As ratios consistent with weathered CCA wood. Micro-XRD patterns for these spots are consistent with wood cellulose.

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WATER POLLUTION A

Tuesday, June 29th 15:30-16:45 Venue: Larmor Theatre

Session Chair: Samira Korfali

GROUNDWATER CHEMISTRY AND ARSENIC OCCURRENCE IN THE SHALLOW AQUIFER SYSTEM OF THE SAN VITALE PINE FORES T

Martina Kralj1, Enrico Dinelli1*, Marco Antonellini1, Susanne Schwarz2

1 Interdepartmental Research Centre for Environmental Sciences (CIRSA) in Ravenna, University of Bologna, Via S. Alberto 163, I-48100 Ravenna, Italy (martina.kralj2@unibo.it, enrico.dinelli@unibo.it, m.antonellini@unibo.it) 2 Universität Bremen, Germany (susanne.schwarz@mail.com) The groundwater of the San Vitale Pine forest in Ravenna (Italy), are severely affected by coastal saline intrusion. Sixteen piezometers were sampled at various depths in order to understand the dynamics of groundwater chemistry occurring close to the freshwater/saline interface. A multilevel sampler was applied to recover 3 to 4 samples from the upper aquifer in each piezometer, sampling the top, the bottom of the upper aquifer (ca. 10 m) and some sample above and below the saline interface. Major chemical composition and selected trace elements were investigated in this study and were used to characterize the hydrogeochemical features of the phreatic aquifer in the area. Also arsenic was determined, and the results show total arsenic concentrations in the range of 0.5 to 330 µg/l, the average being 64 µg/l. About 22% of these wells reached arsenic concentrations which exceeded the current Italian legal maximum contaminant level of 10 µg/l. The maximum amounts of dissolved arsenic in the groundwater are related to the sample above the saline interface. The concentration profile correlates positively to Fe2+, and negatively to S2- and Eh, according to the characteristics of a strongly reducing aquifer derived from alluvium. The occurrence of high As contents in the upper aquifer is a new finding that stimulates further research on the subject.

BIODEGRADATION AND ADSORPTION OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS

Bing Li, Tong Zhang*

Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China The occurrence and fate of antibiotics in environment has drawn great attention of researchers because antibiotics may result in the development/maintenance/transfer/spread of antibiotics resistant bacteria and resistant genes in the long term and have serious impacts on the ecosystem. Up to now, the information on the removal and fate of antibiotics in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is still limited although WWTP is a dominant point pollution source for antibiotics entering the environment. Thus, the aims of this study were: (1) to measure the removal efficiency of 11 antibiotics of 6 different classes using two types of activated sludge treating freshwater sewage and saline sewage, respectively; (2) to investigate the elimination routes; (3) to study the biodegradation kinetics for the target antibiotics. Two series of batch experiments were conducted using fresh mixed liquor of aeration tanks from two Hong Kong WWTPs and UPLC-MS/MS was utilized for antibiotic detection. At environmental relevant concentration, cefalexin, sulfamethoxazole and sulfadiazine were

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predominantly removed by biodegradation in both freshwater and saline sewage systems. Ampicillin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, roxithromycin and trimethoprim were mainly removed by adsorption. Ca2+ and Mg2+ in saline sewage significantly decreased the adsorption of the three fluoroquinolones. These three fluoroquinolones also exhibited certain biodegradability in the saline activated sludge system. Erythromycin-H2O was persistent in both saline and freshwater systems under the experimental conditions. Kinetics study showed that biodegradation of cefalexin, the two sulfonamides and the three fluoroquinolones followed first-order model well (R2:0.921~0.997) with rate constants ranging from 5.2×10-3 to 3.6×10-1 h-1.

EUROPEAN GROUNDWATER GEOCHEMISTRY: BOTTLED WATER

Manfred Birke1, Clemens Reimann2*, David Banks3, Peter Filzmoser4 and the European Groundwater Geochemistry (EGG) Project Group

1 Federal Institute of Geosciences and Natural Resources, Postfach 510153, 30631 Hannover, Germany 2 Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway 3 Holymoor Consultancy Ltd., 8 Heaton Street, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 3AQ, UK 4 Institute for Statistics, Vienna University of Technology, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria In Europe 1800 "mineral water" brands are officially registered. Bottled water (usually groundwater) is rapidly developing into the main drinking water supply for the general population in large parts of the continent. Analysis of bottled water may be a cheap possibility to get a first impression of groundwater chemistry at the European scale. A dataset based on more than 1700 bottled water samples analysed for more than 70 parameters is used to gain a first impression about the natural variation of the determined chemical elements and additional parameters in groundwater at the European scale. Geology is determining element concentrations in bottled water for the majority of elements. Examples include: high values of Cr clearly related to ophiolites; Be, Cs, Ge, K, Li and Rb showing high values in areas underlain by Hercynian granites; Al, As, F, K, Rb and Si related to the occurrence of alkaline volcanic rocks. A key observation is that natural variation is enormous, usually 3-4 and for some elements up to seven orders of magnitude. For Sb leaching from the bottle material is so serious that the results for bottled water cannot be used as indication of natural concentration in ground water. Some elements, as observed in the bottled water, are clearly not representative for groundwater at large but tend to show unusually high concentrations, typical for "mineral water": examples are B, Be, Br, Cs, F, Ge, Li, Rb, Te, and Zr. For some elements the concentrations observed in the waters will clearly have health effects.

SEASONAL PATTERN OF SURFACE WATER QUALITY AND ITS

CONTROLLING FACTORS IN XIANGJIANG RIVER

Zhao Zhang, Yi Chen, Yaobin Meng, Peijun Shi*

State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Academy of Disaster Reduction and Emergency Management, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China In order to investigate the seasonal and spatial variations of 12 water quality parameters in the main channel and its tributaries of Xiangjiang river, surface water samples were taken from 30 sampling sites during the dry and wet seasons in 2000 and 2007. The results show that

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ammoniac nitrogen (NH4-N), total nitrogen (TN), and dissolved oxygen (DO) were significantly higher (p < 0.01) during dry season relative to wet season, while no such significant seasonal patterns for the other parameters. Further analysis indicated that water quality of upward channel and its tributaries was cleaner than the middle and down channel and their tributaries. For the later, less water quality parameters completely met the second level of Chinese surface water quality standards (GB3838-2002) during dry season than those of wet season. We also conducted analysis of variance (ANOVA) and found that more organic and nutrient parameters including PPI (potassium permanganate index), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), NH4-N,TN, and total phosphorus (TP) were significant higher during dry season than wet season in middle and down channel, while this was not the case of the upward channel and its tributaries. The yearly comparison between 2000 and 2007 indicated that concentrations of BOD5, NH4-N, TN have increased by an average of 60% during the last 8 years. This implies that the health of local communities using untreated water

for drinking purposes as well as irrigation of vegetables may be at risk，especially during dry seasons.

PHYTOPLANKTON ABUNDANCE IN RELATION TO CULTURAL EUTROPHICATION SOURCED FROM AGRICULTURAL AND

INDUSTRIAL WASTE IN A TROPICAL RIVER HOOGHLY AT THE LAND-OCEAN BOUNDARY OF SUNDERBANS, NE COAST OF BAY OF BENGAL,

INDIA

Tarun Kumar De, Tapan kumar Jana

1 Department of Marine Science, Calcutta University, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India (Tel: 9103326591494, Mob: 09432249136, Fax : 91-033-2461-4849, tarunde@yahoo.co.in, Jana : tkjana@hotmail.com) Human activities accelerate the input of plant nutrients in the Hooghly River at the land ocean boundary of Indian Sunderban mangrove (21032/ - 22040 / N and 88005/ - 890 E ) through agriculture and industrial effluents. The objectives of this study is to find the impact of cultural eutrophication on seasonal fluctuations in the phytoplankton community and the relationship between phytoplankton abundance and key environmental parameters in this tropical estuary. Bolting silk (20µm) plankton net was used to collect phytoplankton. For quantitative estimation sedimentation technique was followed. Nutrients and other physic-chemical parameters were estimated following standard methods as described by Grasshoff et al., 1983 and Strickland and Parsons, 1968 respectively. As far as seasonal perspective, the Hooghly estuarine system dominated by mangrove suffered complete change in terms of phytoplankton and other key parameters during monsoon compared to other times of the year. Diatoms were more abundant than dinoflagellates with 58 species. Annual fluxes of dissolved inorganic carbon(DIC), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved reactive phosphate (DRP) and silicate were calculated to be 230 x 109 mol, 4705 x 106 mol, 415 x 106 mol, 15.28 x 109 mol respectively in the River Hooghly. Low salinity and high nutrient levels, i.e., well above typical half saturation concentrations for eutrophic coastal water, could contribute to the predominance of diatoms over dinoflagellates in the Sundarban ecosystem. In general, phytoplankton are characterized by their rapid response to alterations in environmental conditions such as anthropogenically induced eutrophication of coastal water. This characteristic makes phytoplankton sensitive indicators of change in aquatic ecosystems.

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HEAVY METALS AND METALLOIDS A

Tuesday, June 29th 17:15-18:30 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre

Session Chair: Aradhana Mehra

MAJOR MERCURY DISASTER THREATENING THE PHILIPPINES

Peter W.U. Appel

Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark (pa@geus.dk) Mercury pollution in the Philippines has reached alarming levels. The mercury stems from small-scale gold mining which is carried out by more than 300.000 people. Small-scale mining is mining carried out by unskilled labourers with little technical equipment. The mercury is used in a primitive, but rather efficient gold extraction process. Documented release of mercury to the environment is 145 tons per year. The Minamata disaster in Japan was caused by ~27 tons of mercury released over ~34 years. This caused death of thousands of people and many more were born severely crippled. Most of the released mercury in the Philippines is hosted in extensive tailing dams which over time will be washed into the sea. The mercury in the tailings ends up in the mangrove swamps fringing the coastline of the country. The swamps serve as hatching grounds for fish and shell fish, which provide the main source of protein for the Filipinos. Large numbers of people on Mindanao already suffer from mercury poisoning; children are born mentally and physically disabled. Two problems have to be addressed in order to avoid the mercury disaster. 1. Clean-up of mercury in the numerous tailing dams. 2. Teach miners to recycle mercury or use other gold extraction methods. Tests of clean-up techniques are underway and will be presented. Results of teaching programmes will be reported at the conference

SOLID SPECIATION AND AVAILABILITY OF NICKEL AND CHR OMIUM

IN Ni MINING SPOILS

Sophie Raous1, Jérémie Garnier2, Thibault Sterckeman 1, Guillaume Echevarria1, Thierry Becquer3, Fabien Thomas4

1 UMR 1120 LSE, ENSAIA-INPL-INRA, Nancy-Université, F - 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France (Tel: +33-383-596-078; Fax: +33-383-595791, Sophie.Raous@ensaia.inpl-nancy.fr) 2 UMR 8148 IDES, Université Paris Sud XI - CNRS, Bat. 504, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France 3 UMR 210 Eco&Sols, IRD – INRA – SupAgro, 2 place Viala, Bâtiment 12, 34060 Montpellier Cedex, France 4 Laboratoire Environnement et Minéralurgie, UMR 7569 CNRS/Nancy-Université, BP 40, 54501 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France Nickel mining of ultramafic laterites generates different types of wastes, topsoils and ores that are too poor in Ni to be currently processed. These are mixed and stored on heaps which could be a potential source of Ni and Cr pollution. Chemical reactivity of the main metal bearing phases present in the mining spoils of Goiás (Brasil) was investigated. Principally a silicated ‘saprolite’ material and a Fe-oxide rich limonitic material were isolated from the wastes. Their total Ni and Cr content are high, respectively for Ni and Cr: 7,170 and 54,970 mg kg-1 in limonite and 12,200 and 12,650 mg kg-1 in saprolite. The main metal-bearing minerals, identified and localized using XRD and TEM-EDX, are goethite and chromite in

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limonite and ferruginous smectite in saprolite. Single and sequential extractions showed that the amounts of 1M KCl exchangeable Ni and Cr reached respectively 7.1% and 0.03% of total contents in saprolite. Moreover, Cr(VI) extraction by KH2PO4 showed that more than 2% of total Cr was under this labile toxic form in limonite. Metal desorption versus pH showed an increasing amounts of cations desorbed when the pH decreased. Between pH 5 and pH 7 (in situ pH) saprolite was the most reactive material and desorbed 0.3 (pH = 4.8) to 0.26 mg L-1 (pH = 6.9) of Ni and 1.8 to 1.4 mg L-1 of Mg. This study shows the need of chemical rehabilitation of mining wastes in order to avoid the dispersion of the high contents of Ni and Cr available.

USE OF A PHYSIOLOGICALLY-BASED EXTRACTION TEST TO

ESTIMATE THE HUMAN BIOACCESSIBILITY OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN URBAN TOPSOILS FROM PUBLIC GREEN SPACE,

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UK

Jane A. Entwistle, Kelvin Gbefa, John R. Dean

School of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK

The determination of total or pseudo total metal content of soil is often insufficient to assess the risk to humans. In this study, we apply a range of extraction protocols to 32 urban topsoils, and report on the correlations between results obtained following a modified two-stage physiologically-based extraction procedure (oral bioaccessibility), EDTA and acetic-acid extraction protocols (reagent-specific available fraction), a pseudo total digestion (aqua regia soluble fraction) and a XRF determined (total) concentration, for a broad range of metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb). Results of the single-reagent extraction procedures did not, in general, provide a good indication of oral bioaccessibility. The bioaccessibility data shows that considerable variation exists both spatially across the site, and between the different metals, but correlates well with the pseudo-total concentrations for all elements except Cd. Pb, Cd and Zn indicated higher extracted metal concentrations following stage I (gastric-phase), whilst Ni, Cu and Cr indicated higher extracted metal concentrations following stage II (intestinal-phase). Comparison of the pseudo total metal concentrations with soil generic assessment criteria (GAC) indicated that, for all of the 6 metals investigated, further investigation may be required. If we examine the oral bioaccessible fraction then a very different picture of the site emerges; one where only 3 (Cr, Cu and Zn) out of the 6 metals investigated potentially indicate the need for a more detailed site-specific risk assessment, refined on the basis of soil type, the metal bioaccessibility data, and receptors’ behaviours.

THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF LEAD DERIVED FROM HUNTING ACTIVITIES ON YUCATAN'S PINK FLAMINGOS

(Phoenicopterus rubber rubber)

F. Arcega-Cabrera1*, L.W. Daesslé2, E. Noreña1

1 Facultad de Química, Unidad Sisal, UNAM. Puerto de Abrigo Sisal, Yucatán, 97355 México (Tel: (52) 9889120147 ext. 7107, Fax: (52) 9889120147 ext. 7203, arcega@icmyl.unam.mx) 2 Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, UABC. Ensenada, Baja California, 22870 México

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Pink Flamingo is an economically important species for tourism and bird watching on the Yucatan Peninsula's northwestern littoral; and although protected, it cohabitates with duck species that are heavily hunted during the winter. As a result, the feeding habits of the Pink Flamingo put it in direct contact with lead waste (pellets) from hunting activities, making ingestion highly probable via direct (eating the lead bullets) or indirect (trophic web) pathways. Since the monitoring of live organisms is not permitted, total Lead and its geochemical fractionated forms were measured in core sediments from six selected sites in the “El Palmar” wetlands of the northwestern littoral. Moderate (17.4 to 22.1 µg g-1) to high (>22.1 µg g-1) levels of Lead pollution were documented in the recent sediments (0-10 cm deep) collected from feeding/hunting areas. Lead, in the top 6 cm of the soil column, was primarily associated with the Fe/Mn oxhydroxides fraction (average 40%) and secondarily with carbonates (average 30%). These results indicate that Lead in hunting areas poses a potential hazard for the Plink Flamingo.

GLOBAL IMPACTS OF GEOGENIC ARSENIC Natural History, Health Effects and Toxicology

Jose A. Centeno, Ph.D., FRSC

U.S. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Dept. of Environmental and Infectious Disease Sciences, Washington, DC 20306 Email: centeno@afip.osd.mil Arsenic is one of the oldest poisons known to men and examples of intentional human poisoning are abundant in history. Throughout the years a body of knowledge has been built up on the clinical and forensic toxicology of arsenic compounds. To date, the industrial use and manufacture of arsenic compounds are significantly developed and therefore the anthropogenic (man-made) sources of arsenic exposure include a.o. arsenic-based biocides, arsenic-based wood preservatives, arsenic-based food supplements, arsenic-based medicines. However, industrial poisoning is by far not the most significant arsenic health issue. In addition, in the last decades geological sources of arsenic exposure are recognized to contribute to human exposure. Arsenic is a ubiquitous element and it is the 20th most abundant element in the earth crust. Therefore - at the interface of geology and human activities – human arsenic exposure from groundwater, soils and coal burning is considered to pose a serious public health risk. As yet, worldwide environmental chronic poisoning with arsenic exceeds the scope of any industrial or other arsenic poisoning and victimizes millions of people in many areas of the world (e.g. arsenic in drinking water in Bangladesh, arsenic in coal in China). The continuous environmental exposure to very low levels of arsenic has opened a whole new array of syndromes. Many people suffer from irreversible health effects. To protect populations at risk prospectively, the health scientist may focus on the early recognition of arsenic exposure and health effects. Biological monitoring of arsenic in urine, blood and hair, and biological-effect monitoring of skin alterations may provide this information. However, the earth scientist may find an important role in the environmental monitoring; not only by analyzing arsenic levels in ground water or soil but also by mapping areas of arsenic containing strata. The prospective use of these data would provide an important contribution to evaluation and prevention of the public health risk.

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HOUSE DUST B

Tuesday, June 29th 17:15-18:30 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Agnes Oomen

THE CANADIAN HOUSE DUST STUDY: STATISTICAL DESIGN A ND COMMUNICATION OF LEAD RESULTS

Pat Rasmussen1,2, Marc Chénier1, Christine Levesque1, Heather Jones-Otazo1, Sanya

Petrovic1, Leonora Marro1

1 Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Canada 2 Earth Sciences Department, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada The Canadian House Dust Study is a four-year research study designed to address data gaps in residential risk assessments by providing statistically robust estimates of background levels of chemicals in urban household dust across Canada. A sampling design was developed to obtain a random and representative sample of Canadian cities with populations greater than or equal to 100,000. Based on existing information on the variability of metal concentrations in Ottawa households, it was determined that sampling approximately 1,000 homes in 13 cities across Canada was required. Sampling methodologies include collection of a composite vacuum sample and settled dust wipe samples from living areas of the home. Vacuum dust samples are air-dried and sieved for subsequent determination of a wide range of inorganic and organic constituents. Sampling was conducted in the winter seasons, from January 2007 to March 2010. At the time of writing (December 2009) more than 700 homes have been sampled. In the absence of published guidelines, a provisional, risk-based and tiered approach was developed to categorize the potential human health risk associated with lead in indoor dust. This risk-based approach was designed for communicating results to study participants and was deemed appropriately precautionary given the limited information regarding potential health risks of household dust.

LEAD IN INDOOR DUST: AN IN SITU SPECIATION STUDY TO ASSESS

OLD PAINT CONTRIBUTION

Suzanne Beauchemin1*, Pat Rasmussen2,3, Lachlan MacLean2

1 Natural Resources Canada, CANMET-MMSL, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (sbeauche@nrcan.gc.ca) 2 Health Canada, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 3 University of Ottawa, Earth Sciences Department, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada During renovation activities in older Canadian homes, contractors and residents may experience increased lead exposures, due to release of lead (Pb) from interior paints manufactured in past decades (especially pre-1960s). The objective of the study was to determine the speciation of Pb in settled dust from an urban home built during WWII, to assess its origins and bioaccessibility. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and micro X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were performed on paint and dust samples collected prior to renovation to determine the Pb species. The total Pb concentration in the dust varied from 200 to 1000 mg kg-1, while paint samples contained from 380 to 2920 mg Pb kg-1. Around 40% of the total Pb in 150-um dust fraction was bioaccessible, as estimated by

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simulated gastric acid digestion. All dust samples exhibited a Pb XANES signature identical to that of Pb found in the paints. Pb species commonly found as white paint pigments (Pb oxide, Pb sulfate and Pb hydroxyl carbonate) as well as rutile, a titanium-based pigment, were identified in the dust by bulk XANES and micro-XRD. These results confirm that subsurface layers of old paint are a major source of Pb in the settled dust for this 65 year old home. The Pb speciation also provided a clearer understanding of the bioaccessible phases (Pb hydroxyl carbonate > Pb oxide > Pb sulfate) and supported the results from chemical extractions. This study underscores the importance of taking precautions to minimize exposures to Pb in housedust, especially during renovations.

BIOACCESSIBILITY OF TRACE METALS IN HOUSEHOLD DUST

Andrew Turner

School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK (Tel: + 44 1752 584750, aturner@plymouth.ac.uk) Household dust is a heterogeneous mixture of micrometer-sized particulates derived from an array of internal and external sources. Many of these sources, including road dust, soil and decorative materials, are enriched in trace metals, and this is reflected in the composition of indoor dust. The exposure and risk posed by a trace metal in the indoor environment is dependent on the loading of dust and the absolute concentration and bioaccessibility of the metal of interest. Bioaccessibility is defined as the fraction of total metal that is accessible (or soluble) in the gastro-intestinal tract but little attention has been given to this measure in the indoor environment. In this study, a physiologically-based extraction test that mimics, sequentially, the chemical conditions in the human stomach (pH 2.5) and intestine (pH 7.0) is described, and results derived from the approach when applied to variety of household dust samples are presented. For a given metal, bioaccessibility varies among the samples studied, the environments sampled and the digestive phase simulated. General observations include a high bioaccessibility (> 50%) of some metals (e.g. Cd, Mn, Zn) in the stomach phase, a reduction in the accessibility from stomach to intestine for Cd, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn (> 50%) and an enhancement of accessibility in the intestine relative to the stomach for As, Cr, U and, in most cases, Cu. Since nutrients are absorbed in the epithelia of the intestine, accessibility in this phase affords a suitable measure of overall metal bioaccessibility and is more suitable for incorporation into risk assessments.

AMERICAN HEALTHY HOMES SURVEY: A NATIONAL STUDY OF

RESIDENTIAL RELATED HAZARDS IN THE INDOOR ENVIRONME NT

Karen Bradham1,*, Daniel M. Stout II1, Stephen Vesper1, Peter Egeghy1, Peter Ashley2, Eugene Pinzer2, Warren Friedman2, Marielle C. Brinkman3, Marcia G. Nishioka3, David

Cox4, Mark Follansbee5, Bill Thayer5

1 National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD-D205-05, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, US 2 Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20410, US 3 Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201, US 4 QuanTech, 2020 N 14th Street Suite 410, Arlington VA 22201, US 5 SRC, 7502 Round Pond Road Syracuse, NY 13212, US

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Environmental Protection Agency conducted a survey measuring lead, mould, arsenic, and insecticides in a randomly selected nationally representative sample of 1131 residences. Results of measurements from indoor dusts, soils, and hard surface wipes will be presented. Dust samples were collected in the bedrooms and living rooms. Sieved dusts were analyzed by mold-specific quantitative PCR for the 36 indicator species. Based on the results, an “Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI)” was created; it is being used in epidemiological studies to estimate home mold-burden. Isopropanol-wetted wipes of hard kitchen floor surfaces were analyzed for a suite of 24 compounds. The most commonly detected insecticides were permethrin (89%), chlorpyrifos (78%), chlordane (64%), piperonyl butoxide (52%), cypermethrin (46%), and fipronil (40%). Due to the potential for toxic elements in soil, including lead, to be transported indoors and contribute to the concentration in house dust, the EPA’s Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic model incorporates a soil-to-dust variable. Data from the AHHS are being used to refine the soil-to-dust default value. Refining this estimate will improve the risk assessments performed at contaminated sites utilizing the best and most recent science. Results from this study are being used by HUD, EPA, and risk assessors from other organizations to identify areas for future research, develop improved mitigation/risk reduction strategies, and reduce health risks from environmental hazards. EXPOSURE TO SUBSTANCES VIA HOUSE DUST AND THE POTENTIAL

HEALTH RISK THIS POSES FOR HUMANS

E.F. (Lisbeth) Hall, Agnes G. Oomen*

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands Humans are exposed to substances present in house dust, but the majority of these substances do not pose a risk to human health. Therefore, research was conducted to provide an overview of the substances in house dust which can exceed the accepted norm and for which the contribution of house dust to the total exposure is substantial. The substances investigated include metals, organotin compounds, phthalates, brominated flame retardants, pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. To assess the exposures to substances via house dust, mean ingestion rates for adults and children were estimated. Two scenarios for exposure, average and worst case, were calculated based on the mean and maximum concentrations of substances in house dust reported in the literature. Whenever possible, this study focussed on the situation in the Netherlands or countries with a similar lifestyle. The exposure of adults and children to substances via house dust was compared to the tolerable daily intake, which was used as the criterion for a potential health risk, and to the background exposure (via food and water consumption). The substances that may exceed a critical level and thus have the potential to be a health risk are lead and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, followed by arsenic, cadmium, combined sum of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and PBDEs (flame retardants). Based on these findings, the presence of these substances (with the exception of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate) in house dust of a random sample of Dutch homes was investigated. The theoretical approach to identifying the substances that may, in specific situations, potentially pose a health risk, and the results of the experimental study in which substances in house dust of Dutch homes were measured, will be presented and discussed in relation to their potential to pose a human health risk.

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WATER POLLUTION B

Tuesday, June 29th 17:15-18:30 Venue: Larmor Theatre

Session Chair: Greg Davis

METAL IMPACT OF DOMESTIC WATER PIPES ON WATER QUALI TY AND HEALTH

Samira Ibrahim Korfali

Natural Science Department, Lebanese American University, P.O.Box, 13-5053, Chouran Beirut: 1102 2801 Beirut, Lebanon (skorfali@lau.edu.lb) Conventionally, the main risk to human health is associated with the consumption of microbiological polluted water. However, the chemical contamination is of importance and should not be underestimated. Some of these chemical contaminations in domestic water are due to the leaching of metals from water distribution systems and formed metal scales, since metals constitute large portions of the domestic water distribution systems. The objective of this study is domestic water quality assessment in terms of total metal content, metal speciated forms and metal scales due to pertaining water parameters that relate to corrosion of water distribution systems. Domestic water samples were collected from water taps of different houses of different water types and different piping and plumbing materials. The following parameters were measured in water: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, sulfate, chloride, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and the toxic metals copper, cadmium and lead. The scaling indices (LSI, RSI and Larson-skold Index) were predicted by AquaChem Software. The chemical metal specie forms, and metal scales were predicted using the geochemical models “FREEQCE” and the collected data were analyzed using the “SigmaStat statistical Package software. The results from this study revealed that scaling indices were inhibited by chloride content. High levels of toxic metals were present in some domestic water samples. The toxic metal specie (free aqua metal ion), the metal scales and internal corrosion depended on water pH, hardness, and alkalinity, and primarily chloride content. NOVEL NANOCOMPOSITE HYDROGELS FOR WATER REMEDIATION

Irina Savina1*, Ray Whitby2, Sergey Mikhalovsky2, Andy Cundy1

1 School of Environment and Technology, University of Brighton, Cockcroft Building, Lewes Road, BN2 4GJ, Brighton, UK (i.n.savina@brighton.ac.uk 2 School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, UK Using nanoparticles in environmental remediation technologies offers a new approach for developing cost-effective solutions for many environmental clean up problems. Nanoparticles have extremely large reactive surface areas available for contaminant adsorption or break down, however, their use could itself present a major environmental problem: due to the very small size of the particles, and the consequent ease with which they may be inhaled or ingested, large-scale release of nanoparticles to the environment may pose significant health risks. Embedding the nanoparticles into polymer or other substrates however significantly reduces the environmental risk, while retaining the bulk of the particle reactivity. In this work novel (environmentally safe) nanocomposite devices with iron nanoparticles imbedded into a

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macroporous polymer structure were produced, and their efficiency for removal of contaminants, particularly As(III), from aqueous media was tested. Nanocomposite hydrogels containing iron nanoparticles were prepared in the form of monoliths by polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in semi-frozen conditions. The efficiency of the nanocomposite materials for removal of As(III) from water, depending on pH, flow rate and the presence of competing substances, was studied. ICP-OES was used for estimation of contaminant concentration. The nanocomposite devices showed promising results for the removal of trace concentrations of As(III) from solution. 100% (within measurement uncertainties) of As(III) was removed from 10 bed volumes of 5 mg/L As(III) solution. The total capacity of the nanocomposite was 0.2 mg As / per ml of gel. The leaching of iron was minimal and the device could operate at a pH range 3.0 – 9.0 without loss of removal efficiency. Further work is aimed at up-scaling and configuring the devices for larger-scale environmental application. NEAR-REAL TIME, WIRELESS, AUTONOMOUS, BATTERY OPERA TED

SENSOR FOR DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI

Gary Nijak, Jr., Jeffrey W. Talley, PE*

Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Southern Methodist University, 3101 Dyer St, Room 203, Dallas, Texas, US The Talley Research Group demonstrated what is believed to be the first autonomous, wireless, battery operated optical sensor for the detection of Escherichia coli (EC). The demonstration was conducted in the East Race of the St. Joseph River in South Bend, IN, USA and consisted of a ruggedized prototype sensor that continually transmitted data monitoring EC levels. The sensor utilizes fiber optic waveguides to transport light to a reactor filled with sample and reagent where a fluorescent byproduct hydrolyzed by the ß-glucuronidase enzyme unique to EC is detected with a miniature spectrometer. Our sensor is capable of detecting low concentrations in less than 7 hours (>100CFU/100mL). Higher concentrations indicative of a sewage discharge can be detected in less than 1 hour (>5000CFU/100mL). The river deployment from June 28-July 4, 2009, produced 19 individual sampling events of which 15 were verified by Coliscan Easygel. The sensor was configured to draw and assay samples every 6 hours. Of the 15 samples, 13 corresponded to actual conditions (i.e. above or below the US EPA threshold of 125CFU/100mL) while two samples produced incorrect results (one false positive and one false negative). Under a more aggressive power management scheme, minituratization will allow for mounting inside of buoys for a sensor network that will provide both spatial and temporal monitoring of EC concentrations. This information could be used for advanced warning of outbreaks and attacks, greatly decreasing response time for municipalities and government bodies. CONTROLS ON VARIATIONS IN STREAM WATER QUALITY OVER AN

AQUIFER OUTCROP – THE EFFECTS OF VARIABLE QUATERNAR Y DEPOSITS AND MINERALISATION OCCURRENCES

E.L. Ander1*, P.R. Wilson2

1 British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK (l.ander@bgs.ac.uk) 2 Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Belfast, BT9 5BF, UK (paul2@bgs.ac.uk)

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Understanding the concentration of ecologically significant trace elements is an important component of establishing the status of surface-water bodies for the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Hydrochemical data from the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland’s Tellus stream water mapping (total n = 5,900) have been used to provide additional information, in relation to WFD standards, focusing initially on the Ordovician-Silurian outcrop (1,000 sample sites). Understanding natural baseline conditions is a pre-requisite for assessing whether there is contamination of a water body, and the first-order stream data provides supporting evidence as to the quality of shallow groundwater where there are few wells or boreholes. These stream water data show systematic variations in baseline quality, and provide information for catchments not yet otherwise sampled in Northern Ireland. They also provide information for parameters which are likely to be regulated in future assessment rounds (e.g. Mn, Al). The aqueous concentration of some trace elements (e.g. Mn, Fe) are relatively high when compared to other European data. Other elements (e.g. As, Ni) vary significantly and systematically across the area studied, resulting in a measurably different baseline characteristic composition between these catchments. Controls on these absolute and relative variations have been quantified using spatial geological and soil (type, physical and chemical properties) information. These show the influence of Quaternary environmental change in the coastal region, and increasing sulphide abundance in County Armagh. Anthropogenically driven increases have also been observed for nitrate, although this is more limited than measured in some other UK areas. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WATER FLUORIDE, URINARY FLUORI DE,

SERUM FLUORIDE AND FLUOROSIS

J.P.Yadav1*, Sunil Kumar2

1 Department of Genetics, M. D. University, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India (yadav1964@rediffmail.com) 2Department of Environment Science, M.D.University, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India The ingestion of excessive quantities of fluoride during the period of pre- eruptive tooth formation resulted in chronic endemic fluorosis. The estimation of fluoride in the urine and plasma is a good index of fluoride status in the human system. Since the relationship between fluoride levels in water, urine, serum and the prevalence of dental fluorosis has had only limited study. Therefore, it has become imperative to study the relationship between fluoride in water, urine, serum and their relationship to the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis. Water and urine fluoride concentration was determined spectrophotometrically by using acid zirconyl and SPADNS reagents while the level of fluoride in serum samples was determined by ion specific electrode. The fluorosis data was taken from the school going children to investigate the impact of fluoride on dental health. The fluoride in different water samples collected from three different places of Jhajjar district revealed the mean values 2.17 to 2.81 ppm. Mean fluoride level in the urine samples of individuals have been found in the range of 1.45 to 1.71 ppm. Serum fluoride was detected from the 65 individuals those have high urinary fluoride.The mean serum fluoride was in the range of 0.17 to 0.34ppm. The same individuals were analysed for dental fluorosis. The range of affected individuals was 36.84% to 94.63%. There was significantly higher correlation reported in water, urine and serum fluoride. The fluorosis patients were significantly higher in areas where higher fluoride has been detected in water, urine and serum

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KEYNOTE SPEECH - DR OLLE SELLINUS

Wednesday, June 30th 9:00-9:55 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre Session Chair: Joy Carter

This speaker is sponsored by NUI Galway's Millennium Fund.

THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL GEOLOGY - WHAT WILL HAPPEN

NOW AND IN THE FUTURE ?

Olle Selinus

Geological Survey of Sweden, PO Box 670, 75128 Uppsala, Sweden (Tel +46 18 179000, olle.selinus@gmail.com) Medical Geology has grown rapidly in ten years. It brings together geoscientists and medical/public health researchers to address health problems caused by geological materials and processes. In January 2006 the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) was established. Information can be found on the website http://www.medicalgeology.org. IMGA has organised itself in regional divisions all over the world and also chapters in several countries. Regular conferences have started, e.g. hemispheric conferences in South-Central America. Medical geology is involved in promoting medical geology at meetings around the world by organizing and/or sponsoring special sessions or symposia on medical geology. Short courses have been presented in 40 countries and have been attended by thousands of students and professionals with backgrounds in geoscience, biomedical/public health science, environmental science, geography, engineering, chemistry, etc. The lecture will bring to attention the activities going on now, e.g. local offices, new books and publications, international activities, education activities, conferences, new activities with ICSU etc. It will also analyse the future of medical geology and new concepts for bringing medical geology scientists together.

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HEAVY METALS AND METALLOIDS B

Wednesday, June 30th 10:00-11:15 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre

Session Chair: Ron Watkins

PROVENANCING SOURCES OF PB CONTAMINATION IN MITROVI CA, KOSOVO: IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN HEALTH AND

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT.

Graham Bird*, Paul A. Brewer, Mark G. Macklin

Centre for Catchment and Coastal Research, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB, UK (Tel: +44 (0)1970 622780, grb@aber.ac.uk) Mining and smelting of Pb/Zn ores associated with the Trepca deposits of northern Kosovo has resulted in widespread metal-enrichment of surface waters, river sediments and soils in the Mitrovica region. Lead levels in soils have been measured in excess of 30,000 mg kg-1 whilst Pb in water from the Rivers Ibar (290-1600 µg l-1) and Sitnica (500-8000 µg l-1), exceed the WHO drinking water standard by up to 800 times. Conflict in 1999 led to the resettlement of displaced populations in makeshift camps on land adjacent to heavily-contaminated mine and smelter waste. Exposure to water and wind-bourne contaminants has resulted in severe cases of Pb poisoning amongst these populations (20-1200 µg g-1 and 13->65 µg dl-1 measured in hair and blood samples, respectively). Whilst establishing the magnitude of Pb and other metal contamination in current centres of population and in locations proposed for resettlement is required, of more pressing concern for effective long-term environmental management; is establishing the provenance of Pb, due to the wide range of potential contaminant sources. Lead isotopes signatures (notably 207/206Pb, 208/206Pb) offer the potential to be used as geochemical tracers of contamination and provenance Pb in environmental (e.g. soils and sediments) and biological samples (e.g. scalp hair).

COPPER STABILIZATION AND DETOXICATION VIA COPPER

ALUMINATE SPINEL FORMATION

Yuanyuan Tang, Kaimin Shih*, Lingru Zhang

Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China The discharge of hazardous metals into receiving waters is detrimental to human health and the environment. Copper exists in waste sludge may lead to bioaccumulation, and this study aims to evaluate the feasibility of stabilizing copper-laden sludge by commonly available ceramic products. The thermal treatment condition, leaching behaviour, and the effect of detoxification through the product phase were investigated in details. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) was performed to observe the incorporation efficiency of copper into copper aluminate spinel (CuAl2O4) in the ceramic products. It was found that the development of CuAl2O4 increased with elevated temperatures until reaching 1000oC in the 3-hour short sintering scheme. When the sintering temperature was higher than 1000oC, the peak intensity of CuAl2O4 began to decrease due to the high temperature transformation to CuAlO2. The leachability and leaching behaviour of CuO and CuAl2O4 were compared by a prolonged leaching test modified from U.S. EPA’s toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP).

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The leaching results show that CuAl2O4 is superior to CuO for copper immobilization over longer leaching periods, and may also trigger the reprecipitation of aluminium hydroxide in the leaching environment. Furthermore, the detoxification effect of CuAl2O4 was tested by bacteria adhesion with E. coli K12, and the comparison of bacteria adhesion on CuO and CuAl2O4 surface reveals the detoxification effect due to the formation of CuAl2O4 spinel. This study demonstrates the feasibility of transforming copper-laden sludge into spinel phase by using readily available and inexpensive ceramic material, and achieving successful reduction of metal mobility and toxicity.

CADMIUM IN PADDY FIELDS: FARM MANAGEMENT AS A TOOL TO REDUCE HUMAN EXPOSURE

Paul F. Römkens1, Horng-Yuh Guo2, Chih-Min Chiang2

1 Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre. PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands (paul.romkens@wur.nl) 2 TARI – Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute No.189, Chungcheng Rd., Wufong, Taichung 41301 Taiwan, R. O. C. Cadmium (Cd) uptake by rice is one of the major pathways of human exposure in areas where rice is a staple food. Especially in heavily industrialized areas across Asia like Taiwan, soils have received poor quality irrigation water resulting in elevated levels of metals including Cd. Cadmium levels in 19 different paddy fields increased from background levels around 0.3 mg kg-1 to more than 20 mg kg-1 close to irrigation water inlets. Levels of Cd in both Japonica and Indica type brown rice grains exceed the WHO (0.2 mg kg-1) and Taiwanese (0.4 mg kg-1) food quality standard, even at low Cd levels in soils. The chemical availability of Cd as measured by extraction using 0.01 M CaCl2 proved to be a practical tool to identify those soils that pose a risk for human exposure. Also, the clear impact of soil properties like pH and organic matter content on the availability of Cd in soil and hence uptake by rice enables the farmers to manage polluted soils to such an extent that rice meets the food quality criteria. Soil management including application of lime, water management and careful selection of rice varieties significantly reduces the number of samples that exceed the food limit. Soil – plant transfer relationships for Cd derived from the field work are used as well to derive local and national standards for Cd in soil aiming at the protection of crop quality and hence human exposure.

THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF FLOODPLAIN SEDIMENTS AS A MEANS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY IN MADRID (SPAIN)

Paula Adánez*, Angel García Cortés, Juan Locutura

Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), Ríos Rosas 23, 28003 Madrid, Spain (p.adanez@igme.es) Floodplain sediments are expected to inform about the source and the evolution of contamination through time. The study area is the one with major industrial and urban activity in Spain. Floodplain sediment profiles have been studied in three rivers (Manzanares, Guadarrama and Jarama) in order to deduce the degree and history of environmental pollution in Madrid. At each site, samples were taken, corresponding each to different flood sequences. A composite stream sediment sample was also taken. Trace elements have been afterwards analysed in the

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samples subjected to total and partial digestion by ICP-MS and INAA and previously sieved at <63 µm grain size. By evaluating the vertical distribution at each site it can be assumed that the concentration of elements varies with depth, showing some flood episodes with higher contents that can be related to increasing pollutant activities in the site. It is revealed an important contamination in the Manzanares profile (downstream the city of Madrid), being here the contents of elements as Pb, Zn, Cu, Sb twice or three times higher. Furthermore, while in the Jarama and Guadarrama rivers, the values in stream sediments are similar to the highest ones in their floodplain, in the Manzanares River exists an important reduction of concentrations in some elements (Ba, Pb), however, other elements (Zn, Ni, Cr) increase their concentrations abruptly. The influence of the urban and industrial activity is evident mainly in the Manzanares River although it seems to be a recent improvement in the sediment quality.

ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY OF ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF IRON MINING IN CENTRAL SW EDEN

Sophia Hansson1*, Richard Bindler1, Ulf Segerström2

1 Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden (sophia.hansson@emg.umu.se) 2 Department of forest Ecology and management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden In the public consciousness Sweden is often viewed as a largely natural landscape. However, many parts of the landscape have undergone substantial changes. In the historically and culturally important Bergslagen region in central Sweden agriculture and mining have transformed the landscape over the past 1000 years. In this project we have studied the sediment record from three lakes in the Norberg iron-mining district, which covers 1000 km2 and is the oldest of Sweden’s 23 mining districts. One of these sediment records is annually laminated, giving us a precise chronology of environmental changes. Our analyses include C, pollen, mercury and multi-element analyses using XRF, which provides data on lithogenic elements (e.g. Ca, K, Mg, Na, Rb, Sr, Zr), ferrous metals (Fe, Mn) and trace elements (e.g. As, Cu, Pb, Ti, U, Zn). The earliest evidence of human impact in the area is c. AD 950, with diffuse signs of forest grazing and a small source of locally derived Pb. From 1250 evidence for an increasing scale of forest clearance (loss of pine, increased charcoal particles) and cultivation (rye) and mining begin, and by 1300 – along with the establishment of a blast furnace – the alteration of the landscape was comprehensive. About AD 1500 the concentrations of many metals increased by 2–10-fold (Zn 2x; Cu 3–5x; As 5x; Hg 10x). Despite declines in mining and metallurgy since 1800 and complete cessation of activities since the mid-20th century, metal concentrations in most cases have remained consistently elevated over the past 500 years.

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MEDICAL GEOLOGY A

Wednesday, June 30th 10:00-11:15 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Robert Finkelman

DENTAL FLUOROSIS ATTRIBUTED TO VOLCANIC DEGASSING O N AMBRYM, VANUATU

Rachel J. Crimp1,2*, Shane J. Cronin1, Douglas T. Charley3, Clive Oppenheimer4,

Vince E. Neall1, Robert B. Stewart1

1 Institute of Natural Resources, Private Bag 11 222, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand 2 Now at AECOM, PO Box 1942, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia (rachel.allibone@aecom.com) 3 Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources, Port Vila, Vanuatu. 4 Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

Fluorosis is caused primarily by the prolonged ingestion of fluoride-rich drinking water, which is usually groundwater. The indigenous people of Ambrym, Vanuatu, live in close proximity to a degassing volcano and harvest rainwater for their potable water needs. This study investigated whether rainwater harvesting in close proximity to a degassing volcano was having an impact upon human health. A dental survey was undertaken of 835 children aged six to 18 years using Dean’s Index of Fluorosis. Of this number, 253 came from the target area of West Ambrym. For comparative analysis and a regional perspective, the remaining 582 surveyed were from other nearby locations. Drinking water samples were collected and analysed for fluoride (F). Dental fluorosis prevalence was found to be 96% in West Ambrym, 85% in Malakula, 71% in North Ambrym, 61% in Southeast Ambrym, 36% in Tongoa, 43% in an ‘incidental islands’ group, and 100% on Tanna. Drinking water samples from West Ambrym ranged from 0.7 to 9.5 ppm F (average 4.2 ppm F). Groundwater sources ranged from 1.8 to 2.8 ppm F (average 2.2 ppm F). Of the 158 drinking water samples, 99% were over the World Health Organisation recommended concentration of 1.0 ppm F. This research has shown that semi-continuous volcanic degassing can introduce significant levels of fluoride into human diets via rainwater harvesting. In West Ambrym, this has resulted in the development of widespread dental fluorosis. Rainwater harvesting had not previously been demonstrated in the aetiology of fluorosis.

SOIL SALINISATION AND VECTOR BORNE DISEASE EMERGENC E IN AUSTRALIA

Andrew Jardine1, Maree Corkeron2, Philip Weinstein1

1 University of Queensland, Australia (p.weinstein@uq.edu.au) 2 Queensland University of Technology, Australia Broadscale clearing of native vegetation for agriculture in southwestern Australia has resulted in severe ecosystem degradation, which has been compounded by the subsequent development of large areas of dryland salinity: decreased transevaporation allows the water table to rise, dissolving ancient aeolian salt deposits and creating saline surface pools. The

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mosquito-borne disease Ross River virus (RRV) has been noted as a potential adverse human health outcome in these salinity affected regions because the principal vector, Aedes camptorhynchus, is salt tolerant and thrives preferentially in such systems. To understand the geology and ecology underlying the relationship between land clearing and disease emergence, we examine (1) the soil geochemistry that determines the dissolved solids profile of saline pools in affected areas, and (2) the salinity tolerance limits of Aedes camptorhynchus in such pools. We review the dynamics of soil salinisation processes to determine the theoretically possible range of salinities in surface water in salinised areas, and compare these to the laboratory-derived salt concentrations that can be tolerated by Aedes camptorhynchus larvae. Aedes camptorhynchus is able to survive in a wide range of salinities in pools created by soil salinisation processes, suggesting direct linkages between human activity, geological change, and resultant disease emergence.

EFFECTS OF SOIL COMPOSITION AND MINERALOGY ON THE BIOACCESSIBILITY OF ARSENIC FROM TAILINGS AND SOIL IN GOLD

MINE DISTRICTS OF NOVA SCOTIA

Stephen R. Walker1, Louise Meunier2, Joanna Wragg3, Michael B. Parsons4, Iris Koch2, Heather E. Jamieson1, Kenneth J. Reimer2

1 Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6 (walker@geol.queensu.ca) 2 Environmental Sciences Group, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario K7K 7B4, Canada 3 British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom 4 Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic), 1 Challenger Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada Bioaccessibility tests and mineralogical analysis were performed on arsenic-contaminated tailings and soils from gold mine districts of Nova Scotia, Canada, to examine the links between soil composition, mineralogy and arsenic bioaccessibility. In this study, the bioaccessibility of arsenic was determined using an in-vitro physiologically based extraction test. The percent arsenic bioaccessibility ranges from 0.1% to 49%. A weak correlation was observed between the total and the bioaccessible arsenic concentration, and the arsenic bioaccessibility was not correlated with the presence of other elements. Bulk X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis shows arsenic in these near-surface samples is mainly in pentavalent form, indicating that most of the arsenopyrite (As1-) originally present in the tailings and soils has been oxidized during weathering reactions. Detailed mineralogical analysis of individual samples identified up to seven arsenic species, the relative proportions of which appear to affect arsenic bioaccessibility. The highest arsenic bioaccessibility is associated with the presence of calcium-iron arsenates. Samples containing arsenic predominantly as arsenopyrite or scorodite have the lowest percent arsenic bioaccessibility. Other arsenic species identified (predominantly amorphous iron arsenates and arsenic-bearing iron(oxy)hydroxides) are associated with intermediate arsenic bioaccessibility. These geochemical trends shed light on the complex bioaccessibility responses from mixed arsenic phases present in tailings and mine-impacted soils.

HUMAN EXPOSURE TO FLUORIDE FROM TEA (CAMELLIA SINENSIS)

Laura Chan1, Aradhana Mehra1*, Paul Lynch2, Sohel Saikat3

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1Geographical, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK 2Biological, Forensic and Sport Science, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK 3Health Protection Agency, London, UK Fluoride is recommended as an essential element to promote healthy bone growth and prevent dental caries. In excess amounts fluoride can cause detrimental effects such as mottling of teeth and skeletal fluorosis. Tea is one of the world’s most popular beverages and the plant is a known to accumulate fluoride in its leaves. The present study investigates the human exposure to fluoride from the tea beverage. This is achieved through determination of total fluoride and its leach-able content in UK commercially sourced tea. Total fluoride in a range of black and green tea samples was analysed using ion chromatography. To provide an indication of the amount of fluoride available from tea beverage as a dietary source, tea infusions were prepared over 1, 10, 30 minutes and the leachate-fluoride content analysed by Ion Selective Electrode. Total fluoride content (ranging between 312-385 mg/kg) in the tea leaf and bag samples analysed are comparable to literature values. In terms of the leaching of fluoride in tea infusions, significantly higher concentrations of fluoride are leached from the <125 µm sieved samples than from the non-sieved samples (non-sieved - as purchased). Although in the non-sieved samples, the order of fluoride leached in the infusion is 1 minute< 10 minutes< 30 minutes, most of the fluoride is leached in the 1 minute infusion in the <125 µm sieved samples. The findings from the study are assessed in terms of our dietary intake of fluoride from tea drinking and its associated concerns are discussed. TRACE ELEMENTS AND HEALTH: SOME EXAMPLES FROM NIGER IA

Uriah Alexander Lar

Department of Geology and Mining University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria Trace elements are elements that occur in minute but detectable quantities in minerals and rocks much less than 1%. The study of the distribution and behavior of individual elements in the various parts of the earth (the atmosphere, hydrosphere, crust. etc) and in rocks and minerals is referred to as geochemistry, while health has to do with the state of being well and free from illness of the body or mind. It is known that both natural and anthropogenic processes contribute to the introduction or removal of trace elements in the environment and which could be beneficial or detrimental to human, animals and plants. The big question here is: What are the human health risks associated with exposure to these elements? How do these elements get into the human body? Most trace elements are taken into human body in essentially water, but also in air and food. The water we drink has a history of percolation through rocks and soils as part of the water cycle, and leached out chemical elements in solution. Most population in Nigeria depends on groundwater for drinking and other domestic purposes. Thus, the concentration levels of these elements in drinking water and food pose potential health risks to man and therefore require great attention. Studies on iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) indicate goiter prevalence in areas underlain by metamorphic Basement and Younger Granite rocks and its near absence in the sedimentary terrains. There are cases of dental fluorosis resulting from the excessive ingestion of fluoride in both children and adults living in both the crystalline and sedimentary terrains in Nigeria with none reported from the coastal areas. The incidence of abnormally high natural radiation (radon gas) associated with most rocks and the exceptionally higher natural radiation associated with cassiterite mill tailings of the Jos Plateau, north central Nigeria, is a source of worry. Epidemiological records have indicated the increasing rate of lung cancer prevalence on the Jos Plateau and studies carried out elsewhere in Europe have linked about 13% of deaths associated with lung cancer to exposure to natural radiation. Preliminary hydro-geochemical study indicates high concentrations of potentially harmful elements (PHE) (Pb, Cu, Zn, As,

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Cd, Hg, V, Co, Cr, Ni, etc.) in the soils and water bodies in the crystalline and inland sedimentary terrains especially close to sulfide mineralization. In addition, high levels of these elements from anthropogenic sources have also been reported in soils and water in most urban centres. The knowledge of the relationships between trace elements and human health issues is at its infancy in Nigeria. To adequately understand these relationships, there is need for geoscientists to intensify research on trace elements in the environment and together with professionals in community health so as to identify health issues arising from trace elements in the environment.

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WATER POLLUTION C

Wednesday, June 30th 10:00-11:15 Venue: Larmor Theatre

Session Chair: Eduardo Ferreira Da Silva

UNDERSTANDING NATURAL OCCURENCES AND TIME VARIATION OF SELENIUM IN DRINKING GROUNDWATER OF THE PARIS BASIN

Laurence Gourcy1*, Julie Lions1, Robert Wyns1, Cécile Garnier2

1 BRGM, WATER Dpt, 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France 2 AESN, Service Eaux Souterraines et Agriculture, 51, rue S. Allende, 92027 Nanterre Cedex, France Selenium intake is made through various alimentary sources one being water. The concentration of selenium in water depends on soil and geological environment. In France, Paris Basin is showing concentration of selenium in groundwater above maximum acceptable concentration for drinking water (10 µg.l-1). The main objective of the project is to understand solubility and transfer of selenium in groundwater explaining space and time variation and propose measures for exploiting the water resource in the region where the natural background level of selenium is high. Two field sampling campaigns for collection of groundwater and analyses of major, trace elements, Se(IV), Se(VI), isotope data and dissolved gases for age dating were carried out in 2009. Monthly sampling is realised for one year at 10 sampling points. Rocks samples were analysed in order to confirm the presence of selenium in geological formation. The hydrogeochemical information is coupled with geological knowledge for extension of the information to the whole basin. In Paris Basin, selenium is a naturally occurring substance that is widely distributed in tertiary sedimentary rocks enriched in organic matter. Selenium is « sensible » to oxydo-reduction condition but is mainly encountered as Se(VI). Spatial and time dependant variations of Se are not following major inorganic ions concentration nor dissolved organic carbon. Relationships with other parameters such as volume of water extracted or geochemical processes represented by pH or dissolved O2 were observed. The project gave valuable data for a sustainable management of groundwater in this region.

PREVALENCE OF ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN HANOI2, VIETNAM

Bui Thi Nuong1, Suthipong Sthiannopkao2,*, Kyoung –Woong Kim1,*, Bui Du Duong3

1 Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Gwangju Institution of Science and Technology (GIST), Republic of Korea (Tel: 82-62-970-2447, nuong@gist.ac.kr, kwkim@gist.ac.kr) 2 UNU & GIST Joint Programme on Science & Technology for Sustainability, International Environmental Research Centre, Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology (GIST), Republic of Korea (Tel: 82-62-970-3390, Fax: 82-62-970-3394, suthi@gist.ac.kr) 3 Faculty of Hydrology and Environment, Hanoi Water Resources University (HWRU), Vietnam (duonghwru@yahoo.com)

Although arsenic contamination in groundwater resources has emerged as a major public-health concern and taken lots of attentions from researchers over the world, it has still not

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been fully understood yet in Vietnam, especially in new urban areas like Hanoi2 (formerly Hatay Province), mainly due to the lack of available data. In addition, Hanoi2 depends entirely on groundwater for its domestic water supply. Recently, we have been nominated to conduct the first comprehensive arsenic sampling project for groundwater over eight main districts of Hanoi2. The totals of 2,731 groundwater samples were analyzed by utilizing Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping and spatial analysis in order to explore the prevalent distribution of arsenic concentration in groundwater resources. As for the results, the percentage of the samples having arsenic concentration exceeding 10ppb set by World Health Organization (WHO) occupied almost 46%, in which, especially up to 16.38% of samples having arsenic concentration exceeding 50ppb. Arsenic concentration greatly varied from 0 to 668ppb and was highly locally distributed with high level in Danphuong and Hoaiduc districts up to 486ppb and 412ppb, respectively. Vertically, average arsenic concentration in the deep aquifer (36.4ppb) was higher than that in shallow aquifer (19.2ppb). The high arsenic concentrations found in the groundwater indicate that local people consuming untreated groundwater might be at a considerable risk of arsenic poisoning. These findings are indispensable for further researches on management of arsenic contaminated groundwater and its impacts on human health.

PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND OTHER HUMAN PATHOGENS IN MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER FROM A LOCAL

POPULATION IN THE NORTH-WEST OF IRELAND

H.W. Cheng1, F.E. Lucy1,2, T.K. Graczyk1,3,4, M.A. Broaders1,2 1 Centre for Biomolecular Environmental Public Health Research, School of Science, Institute of Technology, Sligo, Ireland (s00084467@itsligo.ie) 2 Department of Environmental Scien ce, Institute of Technology, Sligo, Ireland (lucy.frances@itsligo.ie, broaders.michael@itsligo.ie) 3 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Environmental Health Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD21205, US 4 Johns Hopkins Center for Water and Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD21205, US (tgraczyk@jhsph.edu) Since the outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in County Galway in 2007, public awareness concerning health issues relating to wastewater management has dramatically increased in the Republic of Ireland. However very little published data is available on the efficiency of municipal wastewater treatment systems in pathogen removal. In this study, raw wastewater, activated sludge, and the resulting end products: final effluent and biosolids in four municipal secondary wastewater treatment plants (Plants A-D) were investigated for the human-virulent protozoa, Cryptosporidium parvum/ hominis, Giardia duodenalis and the microsporidia Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon hellem and E. intestinalis in April, July and October 2008 and in January 2009. Physicochemical parameters of the wastewater were recorded and 18S rRNA (C. parvum/hominis and G. duodenalis) and 16S rRNA (microsporidian spores) were hybridised with species-specific fluorochrome-labelled probes using Fluorescent In Situ Hybridisation (FISH) and in the case of protozoan (oo)cysts the resulting pellets were stained with immuno-fluorescence antibody. Higher abundance of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in raw sewage were noticed in April and October 2008 with highest concentration at Plant A (304 oocysts/L ; 104 cysts/L) and at Plant B (248 oocysts/L; 72 cysts/L), respectively. For microsporidia, E. bieneusi was predominant and significantly higher abundance was found in July samples (R: 0.86, P< 0.05). In most cases, the removal efficiencies of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were over 80%. This paper demonstrates the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum/ hominis and Giardia

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duodenalis in studied human populations and indicates possible seasonal trends in human populations.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NANO AND MICRO ZNO IN ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN WATER USING LASER INDUCED

PHOTO-CATALYTIC PROCESS

M.A. Gondal1,2, A.Dastageer1, A. Khalil1 and Z.H.Yamani1,2

1 Laser Group, Department of Physics 2 Center of Excellence in Nanotechnolgy, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (Tel: + 966556211252, magondal@kfupm.edu.sa) Polluted drinking water claims as many as two million lives worldwide annually, according to the recent reports published by World Health Organization, and the supply of clean and safe drinking water is of paramount importance for the environment and human health. The increase of pathogenic related water borne diseases has become so alarming that forced the world regulatory bodies to enact stringent regulations on monitoring and controlling the microbiological contamination of drinking water. Among the many disinfection processes, the most common methods for water disinfection are using chemicals, ozonation, ultraviolet ray, membrane processes and chlorination. In the past, the primary emphasis of disinfection was prevention of water-born diseases by controlling some bacteria such as Coliform. Recently it has been revealed that disinfection by products formed by the reaction between disinfectants and certain organic matters in water may also be harmful to human health. Furthermore, these conventional technologies only convert the contaminated substances from the treated water to another solid form, requiring further treatment and disposal which needs time and capital investment. Thus, the new methods for decreasing the side effects of disinfectants must be explored. In this work, Nano ZnO (n- ZnO ) was prepared by precipitation method and high purity micro ZnO (m - ZnO )was procured from Sigma Aldrich. Both of these materials were tested as photo catalyst for complete inactivation and killing of coliform bacteria, by applying 355 nm-pulsed UV laser radiations, generated from the third harmonic of Nd:YAG laser, to a model water sample, prepared using bacteria strains of Escherichia coli. The killing effect of n-ZnO and m-ZnO on coliform bacteria was characterized by means of selective culture media. The photo-catalysis process did result in a very high irreversible injury (90 %) under investigated conditions in short time period of 40 minutes. This process is cost-effective because no bacteria re-growth was recorded under optimum environment conditions. The disinfection rate of bacteria was estimated by exponential decay which obeys first order reaction kinetics. The decay rate for bacteria removal for commercially available m-ZnO for bacteria removal from water is much lower as compared with the n- ZnO.

PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF HEALTH HAZARDOUS MTBE IN WATER

Mohammad N. Siddiqui1*, Mohammad A. Gondal2

1Department of Chemistry (Tel: +966 3 8602529 mnahid@kfupm.edu.sa) 2Laser Research Group, Physics Department and Center of Nanotechnology (CENT) King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) enters the ground water and soil by leaking from storage fuel tanks, pipelines, refueling spills and other sources. MTBE exposure causes potential health risks such as, skin eruption, respiratory problems and diarrhea. The EPA-USA has defined the

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adverse health affects of the presence of MTBE in water based on its concentration. According to EPA, MTBE is a potential human carcinogen and has issued a drinking water advisory of 20-40 micrograms/liter. Therefore, effective elimination/removal of MTBE from water is very important and essential for safe drinking water and waste water treatment. Many methods have been reported in the literature; however, we developed an effective technique based on laser induced photo-catalytic process for the removal of MTBE in water. We have studied the laser based photo-oxidation of MTBE using ZnO and WO3 semiconductor catalysts at 355 nm laser radiation generated by third harmonic of Nd: YAG laser. The effect of laser irradiation time and other important parameters for efficient removal of MTBE from water using ZnO and WO3 catalysts were investigated. It was found that with increasing the laser exposure time from 10 to 60 minutes, the MTBE degraded up to 72% in water which is considered as an excellent achievement. The authors would like to acknowledge the facility and financial support provided by the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, through project grant SB090020 for carrying out this work.

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HEAVY METALS AND METALLOIDS C

Wednesday, June 30th 11:45-13:00 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre Session Chair: Joy Carter

ANALYSIS OF VARIABLE HIGH-MATRIX SAMPLES USING A NE W HELIUM-BASED COLLISION CELL ICP-MS WITH ON-LINE AER OSOL

DILUTION

Raimund Wahlen, Glenn Woods

Agilent Technologies UK (Ltd), Lakeside, Cheadle, Stockport, Cheshire, SK8 3GR, UK In this paper we present data from performance evaluations of the new Agilent 7700x ICP-MS for variable high-matrix samples such as soil and waste-water digests. The results of the successful evaluation highlight the benefits of the unique high-matrix introduction (HMI) mode using online aerosol dilution and the performance of the new octopole based collision cell operating with pure He for simultaneous removal of multiple polyatomic interferences. At the same time as extending the range of total dissolved solid levels (TDS) in solutions up to 2-3%, and allowing the direct analysis of concentrated (>12% v/v/) aqua-regia solutions the HMI also offers benefits for difficult to ionize elements, such as Be, As, Se, Cd and Hg, since a side effect of the aerosol dilution is a reduction in the plasma oxide-formation ratio (down to 0.2% CeO/Ce) and a resulting increase in the temperature in the central channel which improves ionization for all elements. The combined benefits of both features mean that a) more concentrated matrix samples can be analysed directly without the need for prior liquid dilutions to reduce the matrix loading in the plasma and b) a larger range of analytes can be measured simultaneously under identical instrument settings at lower levels. The performance of the helium mode of the ORS3 cell also eliminates the need for mathematical interference corrections for polyatomic ions. Together these benefits greatly improve the productivity for environmental or other high-matrix applications by combining a simple instrument set-up, improved data integrity, the capacity for running a greater number of higher-matrix samples at potentially lower method detection limits whilst at the same time reducing instrument downtime due to routine maintenance.

REMEDIATION BY A NATURAL WETLAND OF ARSENIC CONTAMINATION FROM A MANITOBAN GOLD MINE

Jill Maxwell, Barbara L. Sherriff, Elena Khozhina

Department of Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Tel 204 474 9786, BL_sherriff@umanitoba.ca) Gold has been extracted from arsenopyrite in Snow Lake Manitoba by Nor Acme from1949 to 1958 and then by New Britannia Mine from 1995 to 2002. Nor Acme left two major sources of arsenic contamination on the mine property, the Arsenopyrite Residue Stockpile (ARS) and an area of emergency tailings (NATA). An attempt to extract gold from the ARS residue by leaching added to the contamination. Although New Britannia covered the ARS and revegetated the area of the leach pad, there is still high arsenic contamination (<13 ppm) in a wetland runoff area (RA) on the mine property. Water from the RA flows through a

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wetland toward Snow Lake, which provides drinking water for the town of Snow Lake. Arsenic concentration of the surface water has been reduced to 0.06 ppm as it leaves the mine property and to 0.004 ppm in Snow Lake. This study examined the mechanism for the removal of arsenic from the water by plants and soil in the wetland. Separate analysis of cell vacuoles and envelopes and electron microprobe imaging showed that sedge and cattail plants sequester arsenic with iron from contaminated water in the cell envelopes. On death of the plants, this arsenic is incorporated into organic soil. Plants and soils collected in a region of an ore deposit show that arsenic is also being incorporated into the plants and organic soils directly from the mineral soil, illustrating the use of plants as indicators of ore deposits. ELEVATED ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER FROM THE WESTERN IR ISH CALEDONIDES: EVIDENCE FOR CROSS ATLANTIC CORRELATIO NS

WITH HIGH ARSENIC GROUNDWATER PROVINCES ALONG THE APPALACHIAN-CALEDONIAN BELT

Martin Gilligan1*, Martin Feely1, Timothy Higgins2, Tiernan Henry1, Choasheng Zhang3,

Liam Morrison1 1 Earth and Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland 2 School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland 3 School of Geography and Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland A study of total arsenic levels in 37 groundwater wells located in the gold mineralised coastal region of Clew Bay in the western Irish Caledonides reveal concentrations ranging between ~5 and 100 µg L-1 of which 24 percent are above the drinking water limit of 10µg L-1. The area in which the wells are located stretches in an E-W direction for ~ 10 km and is ~ 3 km wide. It is underlain by Cambrian to Silurian metamorphic rocks. The gold mineralisation is hosted in quartz veins which occur along a 12km strike length. Arsenopyrite, niccolite, pyrite and chalcopyrite are all reported in the Clew Bay area spatially related to the well-documented gold mineralization occurring in the Cregganbaun and Killadangan Formations comprising greenschist facies rocks e.g. quartzites and pelitic schists. Geochemical studies conducted by mineral explorationists in the past outline the spatial distribution of Au and As in stream sediment, soil, till and overburden. This data together with new whole rock and mineral analyses will be presented in conjunction with recently generated GIS based hydrogeological maps of the area. The relationship between these elevated groundwater As levels and bedrock geology and specifically to the gold (+arsenopyrite) mineralisation will be discussed. Evidence of cross Atlantic correlations with high arsenic groundwater provinces along the Appalachian-Caledonian belt will also be examined.

DETOXICATION OF ARSENIC SPECIES IN SPECIAL BIO-MINE RAL SYSTEMS

Leonid Perelomov1, Anna Corsini2, Andreoni Vincenza2

1 Tula State University, Lenin Avenue, 92, Tula, 300600, Russia (Fax: +7-4872-331305, perelomov@rambler.ru) 2 Universita degli studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy

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It is known the two most commonly occurring forms of As in the environment are anionic arsenate [AsO4

3-] and arsenite [AsO33-]. Arsenite has been found to be the more mobile and

toxic species in the environment. Special ternary bio-mineral systems, consisting of iron minerals (synthetic goethite and magnetite), strain of arsenite-oxidizing microorganisms (Ancylobacter dichlorometanicus) and arsenite solution, were constructed and processes of arsenic adsorption and oxidation were studied. Magnetite and goethite, with very small size of particles, have high chemical affinity to arsenite at wide range of pH values. In model systems, consisting of fresh-prepared magnetite,

the effect of arsenite-oxidizing microorganisms on the oxidation process was negligible in all cases, because magnetite demonstrated very high oxidation ability in comparison with bacteria. During 4 hours all arsenite, adsorbed on the magnetite surface, was chemically oxidized to arsenate (concentration in the solution 0,6 mmol), while for bacteria for oxidation was necessary about 24 h. During time magnetite changed the surface properties, which resulted in reduction of adsorption capacity and oxidation ability. In the ternary bio-mineral systems, consisting of goethite, the mineral showed very low oxidation ability. In the presence of microorganisms, added to the mineral before arsenite solution, adsorption of arsenite by goethite decreased sufficiently, but about 15% of arsenic species in the equilibrium solution was as arsenate. Desorption of arsenic species from the bio-mineral surface was low and all recovered arsenic was oxidized.

ARSENIC, ANTIMONY AND OTHER TRACE ELEMENT CONTAMINATION IN A MINING AFFECTED AREA AND

PHYTOREMEDIATION

Hossain M. Anawar*, M. C. Freitas

Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear Reactor, Apartado 21, E.N. 10, 2686-953, Sacavém, Portugal (anawar4@hotmail.com) Historical mining and smelting operations, dispersion and transport of mine tailings led to contamination of the agricultural land and surrounding environment with highly toxic trace elements at Sao Domingos mine, Portugal, a copper-sulphide open pit mine. This investigation has conducted a detailed survey to measure the contamination levels of above elements in the mining affected area. Concentrations of more than 30 different toxic trace elements, natural radionuclide, major, biologically important, and rare earth elements are determined in mining soils and plant samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The concentrations of As, Sb, Sn, Zn and La are very high in all samples exceeding the regional background levels; and indicate the high levels of contamination in soils and the possible health risk for the people living around the mining affected area. Patterns of bioaccumulation of elements throughout the study area are quite similar for pollutants such as As, Sb, Zn, Br, Co, La, and Cr. The plant samples accumulated high concentrations of trace elements indicating that plants and grasses grown in the area is not safe for animal feed. Although soils contained excessively high concentrations of toxic trace elements, plants grew abundantly in soils indicating that the plant species grown in the mining area are hypertolerant. However, bioaccumulation capacity of the plants does not satisfy the criteria of hyperaccumulating plant. Therefore, some of the plant species with high biomass and extensive root systems are suggested as the suitable candidate for phytostabilisation of mining contaminated soils.

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MEDICAL GEOLOGY B

Wednesday, June 30th 11:45-13:00 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Jose A. Centeno

IS THE END-PERMIAN EXTINCTION STILL ACTIVE?

Robert B. Finkelman1, David J Large2, Shona Kelly3, Baruch Spiro4, Linwei Tian5, Longyi Shao6, Yiping Zhou7

1 The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, US (bobf@utdallas.edu) 2 Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK 3 Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK 4 Dept of Mineralogy, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road London, SW7 5DB, UK 5 School of Public Health, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China 6 State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China 7 Yunnan Institute of Coal Geology Prospection, Kunming, 650218, China Parts of Xuan Wei and neighbouring Fuyuan County, Yunnan Province, China have the highest known lung cancer mortality in non-smoking women. This high mortality displays a clear spatial relationship to the mines producing coal from the uppermost Permian. Geochemical, petrographic and grain-size analysis of coal samples from Xuan Wei demonstrate that the single geochemical property that makes this coal unusual is its high concentration of quartz (13.5 wt%) most of which occur as <10 µm grains. We have proposed silica-volatile interaction as a new method for assessing the combined influence of silica and volatile organic matter and use this as a basis for explaining this exceptional incidence of lung cancer. The silica in the coal may be related to the end of the Permian Period (250 million year ago) event that exterminated 90-95% of life on Earth. It is widely believed that this geological event was triggered by massive volcanism releasing enormous amounts of CO2 and

other acid gases into the atmosphere. This is believed to have resulted in global warming, massive acidic rain, and other environmental changes leading to the near extinction of life. Another consequence of the acid rain was increased weathering and the production of silica rich ground water. Precipitation of silica would have been promoted by a change in pH as the groundwater solutions entered the acidic peat deposit. Domestic combustion of the coal resulted in the release and inhalation of end-Permian fine-grained silica.

THE SOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF ARSE NIC IN THE MUTEH GOLD-MINING DISTRICT, ISFAHAN,

Behnam Keshavarzi1,*, Farid Moore1, Maryam Kermani2

1 Department of earth sciences, Shiraz University, Iran (behnamkeshavarzi@yahoo.com) 2 Isfahan Environmental Protection Office, Iran Following the appearance of symptoms of arsenic toxicity in the inhabitants of villages in the vicinity of Muteh gold mining region, central Iran, the concentration of this element in various parts of biogeochemical cycle is investigated. For this purpose, rock, water, soil, plant, livestock hair and wool, and human hair samples are collected and analysed. Total

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arsenic content ranges from 23 to 2500 mgkg-1 in rock samples, 5 to 1061 µgkg-1 in water, 12 to 232 mgkg-1 in soil, 0.5 to 16 mgkg-1 in plant samples, 5.10 to 6.69 mgkg-1 in livestock hair and wood, and 0.64 to 5.82 mgkg-1 in human hair. As concentration in the proximity of the gold mining area in a metamorphic complex and also near the gold-processing plant, is very high and decreases exponentially with increasing distance. As concentration in water from a well close to the Muteh gold mine is above 1 mgL-1. Natural background in soil is also above the mean concentration given for arsenic. Artemesia sp. livestock main forage, is a metallophyt that among other potentially toxic element accumulates arsenic in the Muteh area and hence poses a potential threat to the food chain. Arsenic concentration in hair samples of local inhabitants is above the recommended levels, and the control samples from Shahre-Kord city. As concentration is higher in male population and correlates positively with age. Gold mining and processing has undoubtedly enhanced the release of arsenic and intensified the observed adverse effects in Muteh area.

INVESTIGATING A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN THE HYDROCHEMISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES AND THE HIGH INCIDENCE RATE OF ESOPHAGEAL CANCER IN GOLESTAN

PROVINCE OF IRAN

Farid Moore*1, Behnam Keshavarzi2, Majid Yaghoobpour3, Farah Rahmani1, Zargham Mohammadi1

1 Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Iran (farid1328@gmail.com) 2 Department of Geology, College of Sciences, Tarbiat Moalem University, Iran 3 Geological Survey of Iran Esophageal cancer is a relatively rare from of cancer. However, some regions of the world including the Golestan province of Iran located around the Caspian Sea are well-known for the high incidence rate of this type of cancer. Many risk factors are listed by various authors for esophageal cancer incidence in Goletan province ranging from hot tea to obesity and heredity factor to tobacco smoking. A probable risk factor yet to be considered is Hydrochemistry of water resources used for drinking by the local population. The main purpose of this study is to investigate a possible link between anomalous concentration of certain ions in water resources occurring in a aeolain sediment (loess), and used for drinking purpose with high incidence rate of EC. In order to achieve this goal, surface and groundwater samples were collected and analysed. The collected samples include both past and recent sources of drinking water. Comparison of measured parameters indicates that the quality of old water resources is much lower than the new ones. The Average chloride and sulfate content in the old and new water resources is 948 and 635 mgL-1 and 206 and 126 mgL-1, respectively. The considerable Sulfate and Nitrate ions content that mostly comes from the Loess deposits in Golestan province is well correlated with the reported spatial distribution of Esophageal Cancer in this Province, probably suggesting a link between water chemistry loess geochemistry and the incidence of Esophageal cancer.

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GIS MAPPING AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS

Wednesday, June 30th 11:45-13:00 Venue: Larmor Theatre

Session Chair: Dennis Pringle

GIS AND SPATIAL DATA ANALYSES IN ENVIRNMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY: SOME PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Chaosheng Zhang

School of Geography and Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland (Chaosheng.Zhang@nuigalway.ie) Databases in environmental geochemistry are being constructed at the regional, national and international scales, and they often end up in geochemical atlas. This study discusses some of the problems and solutions during environmental geochemistry mapping exercises. The topics discussed included probability features, spatial outlier identification, spatial autocorrelation, spatial interpolation, spatial change and spatial hazard assessment. The non-normality and non-lognormality features have been widely observed in environmental geochemistry, and a power transformation or normal score transformation is recommended prior to further parametric data analyses. Outliers in a dataset can cause biased statistical results and thus should be identified. Spatial outliers are indentified based on a comparison with their neighbouring data, and they may imply a different process from the background such as pollution. Spatial autocorrelation is the theoretical basis for spatial interpolation, and should be justified. Spatial interpolation, together with uncertainty analyses, provides an effective way for spatial change analyses and hazard assessment. Further development of spatial data analyses in environmental geochemistry includes 3-D modelling, spatio-temporal modelling, non-parametric and robust spatial statistics, as well as visualization on the Internet.

TRACE ELEMENT FRACTIONATION IN SOILS AND STREAM SEDIMENTS IN THE ISTRIAN-LITTORAL RIVER BASIN, CROA TIA

Ozren Hasan1*, Slobodan Miko1, Martina Šparica Miko1, Saša Mesić1, Helena Crnojević2,

Tamara Marković1, Nikolina Ilijanić1

1 Croatian Geological Survey, Sachsova 2, Zagreb 10000, Croatia (ozren.hasan@hgi-cgs.hr) 2 Croatian Waters, Vukovarska 220, Zagreb 10000, Croatia (helena.crnojevic@voda.hr) The study focuses on application of GIS to study of the relationships between land cover/use, geomorphology, erosion, water quality, and leaching experiments of forest and arabale topsoils (0-5 cm depth) and subsoils (40-50 cm), stream sediments and suspended mater in the streams, from 59 sub-catchments of the Dragonja, Mirna and Raša rivers (Istria, Croatia). The influence of different soil environments as sources metal species bound to sediments discharged into the mainstreams of the rivers flowing into the northern Adriatic. Leaching experiments have been performed on soil and sediment samples in order to recover water soluble and adsorbed trace elements (0.11 M acetic acid, HAc) or those fixed in acid soluble mineral phases such as Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides. High concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn, Co, V and Mn are found in the Mediterranean cambisols and luvisols of the Croatian coastal region, which are a consequence of the specific conditions of their formation. Forest topsoil was found to be enriched Pb, Hg, Cd, Mo, and Se, agricultural topsoil in Cu and Cd, while As, Ni, Zn and Tl showed no enrichment in the analysed soils. The HAc extractable Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn,

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As, Tl, Ni, was highest in stream sediments compared to topsoil and subsoil. The HAc extracted contents of Co, Cd, and Ba found to be the same soils and corresponding sediments. Metal contents and extracted metal pools of stream sediments are closely associated with both the proportions of soil type, land use and the amount of runoff from agricultural, and forest areas in the catchments.

SPATIAL PATTERN OF A NEW WATER QUALITY INDEX AND IT S CONTROLLING IN CHINA

Yi Chen, Zhixing Guo*, Zhao Zhang, Peijun Shi*, Yaobin Meng

State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Academy of Disaster Reduction and Emergency Management, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China Abstract: In China nowadays, water quality degradation and water scarcity have been recognized as one of the critical crisis for the sustainable socioeconomic development. The deteriorating water quality critically reduces the amount of freshwater available for living, agricultural, and industrial use. Ultimately, the degraded water quality, in turn, exacerbates the water shortage. Thus, it is prerequisite for effective and efficient water management to comprehensively study on the spatial characteristics and their controlling factors of river water quality. Such studies will provide evidence for decision-makers to establish priorities in management policies, and consequently manage water resources efficiently to meet sustainable socioeconomic development. In this study, a new index was defined to assess the surface water quality throughout China. From examination of spatial patterns in water quality index, spatial dataset based on GIS, and some social economic parameters, it is suggested that the indexes increasing in response to a combination of rapid urbanization rate and decreasing distance from sampling sites to the outlet of watershed. However it is difficult to isolate mechanisms controlling the spatial pattern based on monitoring data alone. Full understanding of the mechanism requires further knowledge of the series of long-term variability, and of the natural ‘reference’state of these river systems.

SPATIAL VARIABILITY AND SOURCES OF POLYCYCLIC AROMA TIC HYDROCARBONS IN LISBON URBAN SOILS

A. Cachada1,*, A.C. Dias2, C. Patinha2, A.P. Reis2, E. Ferreira da Silva2, A.C. Duarte1

1 CESAM & Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal (acachada@ua.pt) 2 GeoBioTec, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of semivolatile, chemically stable and hydrophobic compounds. Thus, they can be highly persistent in the environment, accumulating in soils and through the food chain. Since some of them are carcinogenic and/or mutagenic, it is important to assess their levels in soils, which are good indicators of environmental risks. The aim of this work was to characterize the spatial distribution and identify sources of PAHs in urban soils from Lisbon. Topsoils were collected from 90 sites and a general characterization performed. The sixteen EPA PAHs (∑16PAHs) were determined by GC-MS after soxhlet extraction. A great natural heterogeneity of soils was observed, with several texture classes found, being sandy loam and loam the dominant. Soils are mainly alkaline, with high cation exchange capacity and relatively high percentages of organic matter. Multivariate statistics and GIS tools were used to identify the main sources of pollution and the spatial distribution of PAHs. The ∑16PAHs was in general low, with

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concentrations bellow 1000 µg kg-1 in majority of sites. Nevertheless, due to soils natural variability and point or diffuse sources, PAHs concentrations vary remarkably even over very short distances. Some areas of potential risk for the environment and human health were identified, with concentrations as high as 60,000 µg kg-1. PAHs profiles were interpreted on the basis of compounds properties and related sources, being possible to identify diffuse sources such as traffic as the most important.

MAKING HEALTH DATA ACCESSIBLE: HEALTH ATLAS IRELAND

D. Pringle1*, H. Johnson2, D. Beaton2, E. Boyle2, C. Cullen2, P. Dack2, D. De La Harpe2,

D. Doyle2, C. Hennessy5, B. McDonnell2, P. KcKeown3, M. McIntyre5, B. O’Boyce2, M. Owens2, A. Staines4

1 Department of Geography, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland 2 Health Intelligence, Health Service Executive, Dublin. 3 Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HSE, Ireland 4 School of Nursing, Dublin City University 5 Openapp, Dublin, Ireland Accessing large datasets, conducting sophisticated analyses, and mapping health events and activity patterns were traditionally time consuming and costly tasks for the Health Services in Ireland, and were often outsourced on a once-off basis resulting in little institutional learning. The objective of this project was to provide easy access for Health Service personnel to data, and the tools required to analyse it, at minimal cost. Health Atlas Ireland is an open source web-based geographical information system, specifically developed for the Health Services using only open source components. It can be accessed on-line using an ordinary web browser. The system permits the analysis and integration of numerous attribute datasets, including census, hospital activity, cancer incidence, road collision locations, mortality, births, perinatal data, and vaccine uptake. Whilst the census data are pre-aggregated for small areas, most other types of attribute data can be queried from case records and aggregated as required, to produce tables which can be mapped in a variety of ways, including cartograms. Analytical options include area counts, standardised rates, Bayesian estimates, kernel smoothing, cluster tests and trend analyses, plus other more specialised tasks. Tables can be exported, and publication quality PDF and PNG maps can be generated in A4 to A0 sizes. Health Atlas Ireland provides the HSE with many advantages including cost savings, enhanced information governance, data protection and time efficiency. It meets the diverse and challenging intelligence needs of public health and informs critical service decision making at the highest level.

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KEYNOTE SPEECH - PROFESSOR LUKE CLANCY

Wednesday, June 30th 14:30-15:25 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre

Session Chair: Maurice Mulcahy

AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH IN IRELAND -OUTDOORS AND I N PUBS

Luke Clancy

Director General, Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society, Dublin, Ireland In the 80s some 30 years after the London smog Dublin experienced a decade of severe air pollution. In one particularly severe event we witnessed a doubling of case fatality in St James Hospital. We subsequently learned that particulates reached a level of 1500 µg/m3 at individual monitoring points and a citywide average of 750 µg/m3 during this episode. The source of this pollution was found to be the burning of coal in open grates. The use of solid fuel had been encouraged by government grants and a policy of solid fuel public heating. A decade of campaigning led to the banning of the sale, marketing and distribution of bituminous coal in Dublin in 1990 and subsequently Cork (1995), Limerick (1998) and Galway (2000). These bans led to immediate reduction in particulate pollution and highly significant reductions in mortality. In Dublin there was a 71% reduction in Black Smoke (BS) 16% reduction in respiratory deaths and 10% reduction in cardiovascular deaths. There had been very significant debate as to whether the coal ban would be adhered to and civil unrest was predicted. It had immediate practically 100% compliance. This acceptance by a convinced population was seen again when Ireland became the first country in the world in 2004 to introduce a comprehensive Smokefree Legislation to include bars restaurants and clubs. Pre and post ban particulate measurements showed a 90% drop in PM2.5 and in Benzene in pubs so that particulates and benzene inside pubs were similar to ambient air. We also noticed significant respiratory health benefits in bar workers showing the success of the legislation in achieving its primary aim.

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SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY A

Wednesday, June 30th 15:30-16:45 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre

Session Chair: Neil Breward

BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF ANTHROPOGENIC LEAD IN TIME AND SPACE: RESULTS OF LEAD ISOTOPE STUDIES IN SWEDEN

Richard Bindler

Dept. of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Sweden Lead concentrations in soils and vegetation in northern Scandinavia are generally much lower than in mainland Europe and until the 1990’s it was assumed that these values were an approximation of ‘natural’ or ‘background’ conditions—a belief still deeply rooted among the general public and some scientists. However, CC Paterson and colleagues demonstrated already four decades ago that the lead cycle was greatly altered on a global scale by humans. Moreover, this change occurred long before the implementation of monitoring programs designed to study lead and other trace metals. Patterson and colleagues also developed stable lead isotope analyses as a tool to differentiate between natural and pollution-derived lead. Since then, stable isotope analyses of sediment, peat, herbaria collections, soils and forest plants have given us new insights into lead biogeochemical cycling in space and time. Three important conclusions from our studies in Sweden are: 1) lead deposition rates during the 20th century were 100–1000 times higher than a few thousand years ago, and today are still 10–100 times greater than natural rates. This increase is similar to estimated changes in body burdens of lead. 2) In southern Sweden the cumulative anthropogenic burden of atmospherically deposited lead is ~2–5 g Pb m-2 and ~1 g Pb m-2 in the ‘pristine’ north. Half of this cumulative total was deposited before industrialization. 3) In the cold climate of Scandinavia predicted recovery rates for soils are slow; we find that the soil surface (O horizon), where most soil biota reside, retains lead deposited over the past 150–500 years.

SELENIUM MOBILIZATION DURING RAIN-SOIL INTERACTION AT ETNA VOLCANO

Geerke H. Floor1,2*, Sergio Calabrese3, Gabriela Roman-Ross1, Walter D´Alessandro4,

Alessandro Aiuppa3,4

1 Department of Chemistry, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain (geerke.floor@aquatrain.eu) 2 BRGM, Metrology Monitoring Analysis Department, BP 36009. Orléans, France 3 Department of Chemistry, University of Palermo. Via Archirafi 36, Palermo, Italy 4 INGV-PA, Via La Malfa 153, Palermo, Italy Humans are attracted by the fertile properties of volcanic soils. Currently around 10% of the world population lives within active volcanic areas. Volcanoes emit enormous amounts of potentially toxic elements, even in the absence of obvious volcanic activity. Selenium is particularly interesting due to it geochemical similarities with sulphur, a major compound in volcanic gasses. Although selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans, ingestion of an excess amount of Se can produce adverse effects. Mt. Etna, the biggest volcano in Europe, is persistently active for the last 200,000 years. It is one of the most intensely monitored volcanoes. In the area, volcanic gasses, rainwater and groundwater are enriched in selenium.

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Although soils play an important role in the Se level in food and water and thereby human health, the behaviour of Se in Etnean soils is currently unknown. We studied the Se sorption during rainwater-soil interaction in batch experiments with soils and synthetic rainwater with different pHs. Our results show spatial trends with soil sample location. Trace element deposition from the plume cannot explain the observed elemental patterns. Moreover, Fe oxides do not control the geochemical Se cycle in this environment. However, the stage of soil development and especially the presence of Al compounds and organic matter play an important role in the behaviour of Se. These results have implications for the chemical composition of the aquifer. In addition, the mobility of Se influences the bioavailability and potential toxicity through agricultural activities, essential to the local economy. GECHEMICAL MAPPING OF AGRICULTURAL AND GRASING LAND SOILS

AT THE EUROPEAN SCALE

Clemens Reimann1*, Alecos Demetriades2, Manfred Birke3, the EuroGeoSurveys Geochemistry Expert Group4

1 Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway (Clemens.Reimann@ngu.no) 2 Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME), 1, Spirou Louis Street, 13677 Achamae, Greece 3 Federal Institute of Geosciences and Natural Resources, Postfach 510153, 30631 Hannover, Germany 4 EuroGeoSurveys (EGS), The Geological Surveys of Europe, Rue Joseph II 36-38, 1000 Brussels, Belgium During 2008 agricultural soils (Ap-horizon, 0-20 cm, regularly ploughed fields) and soils from land under permanent grass cover (grazing land soil, 0-10 cm) were collected at the European scale at an average sample density of 1 site / 2500 km2 (2211 samples of agricultural soil and 2118 samples of grazing land soil). Following an aqau regia extraction concentrations of the elements Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, Hg, In, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn and Zr were determined. Natural variation is large (3-4 orders of magnitude for most elements) and results can be reliably mapped. Most elements show that the European scale distribution patterns are still governed by nature, geology and climate are the major driving forces. Anthropogenic anomalies occur on a more local scale. Many elements show substantially lower concentrations in the North European than in the South European soils. The project will provide background values for a large variety of elements/parameters in agricultural and grazing land soil at the European scale. The results indicate that the chosen sample density of 1 site / 2500 km2 is sufficient to detect and document large scale processes determining element distribution at the European scale. These soils are the soils that produce the foodstuff for the European population.

VANADIUM IN SOILS AND SEDIMENTS: DISTRIBUTION AND MOBILITY UNDER VARYING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

V. Cappuyns1,2*, E. Slabbinck1

1 Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel, Stormstraat 2, 1000 Brussels, Belgium (valerie.cappuyns@hubrussel.be)

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2 Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Geologie, Celestijnenlaan 200 E, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium Vanadium (V) is a naturally occurring trace element, but total concentrations in soils and sediments are also dependent on the parent material and might be influenced by anthropogenic activities (e.g. steel industry). Despite the fact that threshold values for V in soils and/or sediments exist in various European countries, in Flanders (Belgium), V is not taken into account when the environmental quality of soils and sediments has to be evaluated, despite the existence of several (diffuse) sources for V in Flanders. In a first part of the study, the occurrence of V in soils and sediments in Flanders was compared with V-concentrations in soils and sediments across Europe. By analysis of both the Flemish and European data, the relationship between physico-chemical soil and sediment characteristics and total V-concentrations was quantified and some areas polluted with V were detected. A background value, corrected for the clay and organic matter content of soils and sediments, was proposed for Flanders. Secondly, the mobility of V in soils and sediments under varying environmental conditions of pH and Eh was assessed based on porewater analysis, resuspension tests, pHstat leaching tests and column experiments. V generally displayed a low mobility, although in a few particular cases attention should be paid to the potential mobilization of V.

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CONTAMINATED LAND

Wednesday, June 30th 15:30-16:45 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Andy Cundy

QUANTIFICATION OF FOSSIL ORGANIC MATTER IN CONTAMIN ATED SEDIMENTS FROM AN INDUSTRIAL WATERSHED: VALIDATION OF

THE QUANTITATIVE MULTIMOLECULAR APPROACH BY RADIOCARBON ANALYSIS

Laurent Jeanneau1*, Pierre Faure2

1 Géosciences Rennes UMR 6118, CNRS, Université de Rennes 1, 35042 Rennes, France (laurent.jeanneau@univ-rennes1.fr) 2 G2R UMR 7566, Nancy-Université, CNRS, BP 239, 54506 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France The quantitative multimolecular approach (QMA) based on an exhaustive identification and quantification of molecules from the extractable organic matter (EOM) has been recently developed in order to investigate organic contaminations in sediments by a more complete method than the restrictive quantification of target contaminants. Such an approach allows the comparison between natural and anthropogenic inputs and the differentiation between several anthropogenic sources, providing useful information in order to decrease anthropogenic inputs. However QMA is based on the quantification of molecules recovered by organic solvent and then analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry, which represent a small fraction of sedimentary organic matter (SOM). In order to extend the conclusions of QMA to SOM, radiocarbon analyses have been performed on organic extracts and raw sediments. This analysis allows (i) the differentiation between modern biomass (contemporary 14C) and fossil organic matter (14C-free) and (ii) the calculation of the modern carbon percentage (PMC). PMC of Fensch and Moselle Rivers sediments, contaminated by petroleum byproducts, coal tar and vehicle exhausts are well correlated with the percentage of natural molecular markers determined by QMA. It highlights that, for this contamination context, the conclusions of QMA can be scaled up to SOM. QMA is an efficient environmental diagnostic tool that leads to a realistic quantification of fossil organic matter in sediments.

CONTAMINATION FROM METALLIFEROUS MINES AND THE NEED FOR NON-DISTRUCTIVE REMEDIATION TECHNIQUES: A CASE STUDY

FROM ZLATNA/ROMANIA

A. Neagoe1*, D. Jianu2, R. Orza2, P. Stancu1, I. Cezar2, V. Iordache3 1 Research Centre for Ecological Services (CESEC), Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Romania (aurora.neagoe@unibuc.ro) 2 Lythos Centre, Romania, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Romania 3 Department of Systems Ecology, University of Bucharest, Romania In the contaminated area Zlatna/Romania the metal extraction process involved mechanical, chemical as well as physical steps. Our objectives are 1) to identify and characterize the contaminated sites from Zlatna area. 2) to perform experiments at growth chamber scale in

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order to obtain results which permit us the next researches at mezo- and plot scale, necessary for a phytostabilization process. The identified polluted sites from Zlatna were: mining dumps (Hg) abandoned since 1960s, catchments polluted by atmospheric depositions from smelter (abandoned since 1990s), two tailing dams (abandoned since 1990s), Pb mining dumps (abandoned since 2000s), and secondary contaminated floodplains. We selected the most contaminated sites (tailing dams), and characterized of the stocks and distribution of microelements by geochemical and geophysical methods. Then we performed small scale experiments using Festuca rubra and Melilotus albus grown on two different substrates from the tailing dams. The selected experimental variants were: 1. contaminated amended with clay, 2. contaminated amended with clay and inoculated with Glomus intraradices fungi, 3. contaminated amended with top soil, 4. contaminated inoculated with Rhizobium. The variants were designed in function of the characteristics of the sampled substrate. The most effective variants from the point of view of plant growth and soil respiration have been variants with top soil and that amended with clay and inoculated with G. intraradices.

NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION IN THE OLD MINING REGIONS

Elena Panova, Galina Oleynikova, Vladimir Gavrilenko

Dep. of Geochemistry, Faculty of Geology, Saint-Petersburg State University, University Enb. 7/9, 199034, Saint-Petersburg, Russia (Tel: +7 (812) 328 94 89, Fax: +7 (812)328 95 30, geochemistry@geology.pu.ru, Elena-geo@list.ru) Mining has a long history in Europe with a start in pre-medieval times in many countries. Remains are mine waste deposits and regions that are contaminated. Mining waste products are the sources of pollution due to weathering, denudation and biogenic erosion. The burning processes inside waste dumps cause evaporation of gases which transport toxic elements to considerable distance. The most dangerous is transform chemical compounds into mobile forms which migrate into soils and ground water. The neogenic metallo-organic forms are actively involved into biocenoses. Elements originating from mining areas generally have a negative impact on the ecosystem. The strategy is based on nanotechnology - on the insight that a major fraction of the trace elements in the waste and soil is associated with the nano-size particle fractions (below 1000 nm) which form ion, molecular, colloid and claster systems. Nano-fraction was extracted from a soil sample under special conditions (Patent RF №2370764 (2007148380)). Then the sample and its nano-fraction have been analyzed by ISPMC method. By this way we can registrate of low contents of chemical elements. In the end: understanding and monitoring processes in the biogeosphere and ecosystems related to the transport and distribution of trace elements; explanation of potential hazards and health effects due to metal pollution; reinforcement of the scientific influence on policy and strategy for solving global ecological problems and for sustainability; improvement and restoration of contaminated environments and restoration of urban areas; reducing the impact of toxic elements that may exist in mobile and bioactive forms.

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REACTIVITY OF NEWLY GENERATED MAGNETITE TO PROMOTE FENTON-LIKE OXIDATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN CONTAMINATED SOIL MATRICES

M. Usman1, 2, K. Hanna1, P. Faure2, C. Ruby 1

1 Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l’Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 CNRS, 405 rue de Vandoeuvre, 54600, Villers Les Nancy, France (musman@lcpme.cnrs-nancy.fr) 2 Géologie et Gestion des Ressources minérales et énergétiques, G2R, UMR 7566, 54506, Vandoeuvre Les Nancy, France Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic pollutants which are resistant to environmental degradation due to their highly hydrophobic nature. Concerns over their adverse health effects and their toxicological properties have resulted in extensive studies on the remediation of soils contaminated with PAHs. Since the soil iron minerals containing both (FeII-FeIII ) are more reactive but rare in soil system, endogenous iron minerals were transformed into more reactive phases and their reactivity to promote the remediation of various soil pollutants was investigated. The oxidative degradation of Fluorenone (used as a model pollutant) was investigated in the presence of magnetite (FeIIFeIII

2O4) through fenton-like oxidation to evaluate the surface reactivity of this magnetite. The kinetic degradation of various PAHs was also evaluated in the PAHs polluted soil from an industrial site in the north of France. Almost 90% of fluorenone abatement was achieved after 48 hours of reaction with H2O2 in the presence of magnetite while no pollutant traces were detected after one weak. Also no toxic by-products were observed through GC-MS analysis which indicates the complete oxidative degradation of pollutants. Significant degradation of 16 PAHs was found in case of polluted soil. Total organic carbon (TOC) abatement was also monitored for both liquid and solid phases and showed that the mineralisation was increased with an increase in H2O2 dose. This study has important implications in the remediation of polluted soils by using the reactivity of soil endogenous iron which acts as an effective source of Fenton catalyst. EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON GROWTH RATE CHARACTERISTI CS OF ISOLATED Oscillatoria sp. AND Phormidium sp. FROM SEWAGE SOIL

OF ROHTAK CITY, HARYANA, INDIA

Rajesh Dhankhar*, Lalita Rana

Department of Environmental Sciences, M.D. University, Rohtak, Haryana, India (dhankhar.r@rediffmail.com)

Cyanobacteria is a fascinating group of primitive prokaryotic, photosynthetic organisms. They serve vital ecological functions by maintaining soil fertility. These organisms are endowed with tremendous capacity to adapt in extreme conditions. Due to their pivotal importance, cyanobacteria are being increasingly used as bioremediation organisms in polluted environments. A variety of toxic effects have been observed in cyanobacteria, exposed to high heavy metal concentrations, the relative importance of which depends on the nature and concentration of the metal, the organism affected and different environmental conditions. In the present study, sewage soil was analysed, according to APHA, (1992) and revealed high nutrient and heavy metal content of the soil. The Oscillatoria sp. and Phormidium sp. were isolated from the sewage waste water irrigated soil of Rohtak city, Haryana. Dilution method involving solid media was used to count the cyanobacteria which enabled the distinction and separation of cyanobacteria. Streaking plate method was adopted to get unialgal cultures.

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These species were confirmed at I.A.R.I., New Delhi, for identification. On prolonged exposure to extreme conditions, microbes are known to show resistance depending on the heavy metal status of the sites. The extent of tolerance to heavy metals namely zinc, copper, nickel, cadmium and lead shown by Oscillatoria sp. and Phormidium sp. was investigated. The Oscillatoria sp. and Phormidium sp. were exposed to elevated concentrations, 0.5mg/l, 1mg/l, 2mg/l, 5mg/l, 10mg/l using CuSO4, Zn SO4, NiCl2, CdCl2 and PbNO3 respectively, supplemented with BG-11 medium. With increasing time period, the variations in the growth rate of Oscillatoria sp. and Phormidium sp. were determined spectrophotometrically. It was found that these two studied cyanobacterial species were tolerant to heavy metal concentrations. They showed reduced growth rate even at high concentration of heavy metals. The results of the investigation suggested that the studied cyanobacteria tended to show resistance to heavy metals and heavy metal uptake ability of Oscillatoria sp. and Phormidium sp. can be exploited for metal detoxification and environmental clean-up operations.

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AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH A

Wednesday, June 30th 15:30-16:45 Venue: Larmor Theatre

Session Chair: Maurice Mulcahy

PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE FORMATION IN THE PEARL RIVER DE LTA OF SOUTHERN CHINA

Hai Guo1*, Fei Jiang1,2, Hairong Cheng1, Donald R. Blake3, Sam Saunders4, Xinming Wang5

1 Air Quality Studies, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 2 School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China 3 Department of Chemistry, University of California at Irvine, CA, USA 4 School of Biomedical, Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia

5 Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China A concurrent field measurement was conducted in Guangzhou (WQS) and Hong Kong (TC) of Southern China in fall 2007. A variety of air pollutants including CO, SO2, NOx, O3, VOCs and Carbonyls were monitored. The purpose is to better understand the interaction of air masses between inland PRD and Hong Kong. An interesting O3 pollution event was captured during 9 – 17 November. The O3 episode (> 122 ppbv) retained from 10 to 17 November at WQS, while only one O3 episode day (i.e. 10 November) was observed at TC. The mean O3 concentrations at TC and WQS were 38 ± 3 (mean ± 95% C.I.) and 51 ± 7 ppbv, respectively, with a mean difference of 13 ppbv and a maximum difference of 150 ppbv. In this study, we will utilise various approaches to in-depth analyse the mechanism of O3 formation at these two sampling sites with a distance of only 62 km. The tools for data analysis cover ratios of chemical species, air quality model (WRF-CMAQ), Photochemical Box models, meteorological conditions, and particle release simulations. The results indicate that the O3 pollution in eastern PRD has significant influence on western Hong Kong. STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TOXIC POTENTIAL OF M ETAL

OXIDE WELDING AND FOUNDRY INDUSTRIAL AEROSOLS

Beatrice Moroni1*, Cecilia Viti2

1 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Perugia, Piazza Università, 06123 Perugia, Italy 2 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Siena, Via Laterina 8, 53100 Siena, Italy Epidemiological studies have shown that, when compared to the general population, welders and iron foundry workers have a higher incidence of respiratory diseases and, possibly, cancer. Due to the complex array of morphological and chemical features in these working environments, direct evaluation of the health risk in terms of threshold limit values of exposure seems to be a very difficult, even unrealistic, goal. Detailed chemical and structural characterization of aerosol particles is necessary when reliable health risk factors are to be assessed. In this work particles from stainless steel welding fumes and cast iron foundry aerosols were characterized by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy coupled with

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image analysis, EDS microanalysis, electron diffraction and phase contrast imaging in order to make some inferences on particle toxicology in these fields of industrial activity. Particle number size distributions revealed the dominant contribution of fine-ultrafine particles. TEM structural determinations of ultra-fine particles revealed the major occurrence of randomly oriented, highly crystalline, ordered magnetite nanocrystals. Particles showed high Fe and variable contents of Mn, Si, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Pb. A trend of relative Ni, Mn, Si, Zn and Pb enrichment for decreasing particle size was also evidenced. These facts along with the measured low water-solubility of the dusts point to a remarkable toxic potential of both types of particles via cellular uptake. In addition, when considering the health risk in the foundry plant activities concomitant exposure to other potentially carcinogenic agents such as PAHs and crystalline silica should not be ruled out.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF LISBON IN SPRING

P.N. Pegas1*, C.A. Alves1, M.G. Evtyugina1, T. Nunes1, M. Cerqueira1, M. Franchi1, C.A.

Pio1, S.M. Almeida2, N. Canha2, M.C. Freitas2

1 Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal (priscillapegas@ua.pt, website: http://www.cesam.ua.pt) 2 Nuclear and Technological Institute, Estrada Nacional 10, 2686-953 Sacavém, Portugal Indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools usually presents higher levels of pollutants than outdoor environments. The first aim of this study was to measure NO2, speciated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyls. The second aim was to study associations between these pollutants and possible sources inside or outside the schools. Indoor and outdoor air samples were collected at fourteen schools in Lisbon (Portugal), in May-June 2009. Three of these schools were selected to also measure comfort parameters, such as temperature and relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), total VOCs, and bacterial and fungal colony-forming units per cubic metre. VOCs, carbonyls and NO2 concentrations were passively monitored indoors (in two classrooms of each school) and outdoors, for a two-week period. The indoor concentrations of CO2 in the three main schools showed inadequate classroom air exchange rates. The indoor/outdoor (I/O) NO2 ratio ranged between 0.36 and 0.95. At the three main schools, the total bacterial and fungal colony-forming units in both indoor and outdoor air were above the advised maximum value of 500 CFU/m3 defined by the Portuguese legislation. Excepting one of the 14 schools, the concentrations of VOCs were higher indoors than outdoors. Carbonyls and alcohols represented the VOC classes with highest levels in indoor and outdoor air for all schools. The concentrations of esters were always higher indoors than outdoors for all schools. Formaldehyde, isopropyl alcohol and methyl acetate were the compounds with highest concentrations. The inadequate ventilation observed likely favours accumulation of pollutants with additional indoor sources. MEASUREMENT OF THE GEOGENIC CONTRIBUTION TO PM10 DA ILY

DUST SAMPLES COLLECTED IN NORTHAMPTON

M. Cave,*, S. Chenery

British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK (mrca@bgs.ac.uk) The adverse affects of ambient air particulate matter (PM) on human health are well documented. Whilst anthropogenic activities are making an increasing contribution to PM, natural soils also have a significant input.

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In this study 14 consecutive 10 µm PM (PM10) 24 h quartz filters, collected at a sampling site in the north of the town of Northampton were digested under microwave heating using a hydrofluoric acid /nitric acid dissolution medium and the resulting solutions were analysed by ICP-MS for 55 elements. The data was subjected to self modelling mixture resolution to identify the chemical composition of the different inputs to the PM10. Nine geochemically distinct components were identified of which 5 could be directly related to the total mass of particulate matter collected on the filter: One component related to traffic inputs – low mass contribution on Sundays and high Pb content. Two components related to fuel combustion - low inorganic matter content high in V and Cu. Two components from geogenic sources – negatively correlated with humidity, high inorganic content and high rare earth element composition. Carrying out a mass balance over the total PM10 collected over the two week period 45% was estimated to have come from geogenic sources.

DUST LEAD EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN LIVING AROUND A FORM ER ARTISANAL ZINC SMELTING AREA IN GUIZHOU, CHINA

Zhonggen Li1, Xinbin Feng1,*, Xiangyang Bi2, Guangyi Sun2

1 State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China (Tel: +86-851-5891356, Fax: +86-851-5891609, fengxinbin@vip.skleg.cn) 2 Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China. Lead (Pb) in the dust has proven to be an important exposure source for children, especially in the high background or contaminated area. Artisanal zinc smelting activities in some provinces in China had resulted in excessive contamination to the surrounding environment. Although these activities has been restrictedly prohibited in the past several years, the follow up influence of former smelting area on the children health is obscure. In this study, we reported the dust lead concentration and the bio-availability in a former artisanal zinc smelting area in Guizhou province, SW China. As a comparison, a village with no zinc smelting was selected as a control. The dust in the smelting area, collected interior or exterior of the residential houses, the village roads and playground of the preliminary school, feathered with elevated Pb levels (range: 281-6648 mg/kg, median: 1696 mg/kg, N=37) as compared with the control site (range: 58-187 mg/kg, median: 90 mg/kg, N=15). Dust Pb were usually well above the agricultural soil concentrations (range: 68-1023 mg/kg, median:287 mg/kg, N=15) in the smelting area. The in vitro gastrointestinal experiment, dedicated to estimate relative bioavailable Pb in contaminated dust, showed that 38.9% Pb on average was gastric extractable, 4.9% was intestinal extractable and 56.2% was in residue form. Exposure of the local children to the highly Pb-polluted dust will be undoubtedly a health concern and measures should to be taken to reduce the risk.

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SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY B

Wednesday, June 30th 17:15-18:30 Venue: O'Flaherty Theatre

Session Chair: Clemens Reimann

ASSESSING HEAVY METAL ENRICHMENTS IN THE TOP SOIL

Gerben Mol1,*, Job Spijker2

1 Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR), PO Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands (gerben.mol@wur.nl) 2 National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands (job.spijker@rivm.nl) For assessment of the possible threats of metal concentrations in soils to the quality of food for man and animal it is paramount to be able to distinguish between the reactive and inert part of the metal content. A common idea is that anthropogenic enrichments of metals in the soil are more reactive than natural occurrences. Based on total concentrations (XRF, HF-destruction) we have derived a geochemical baselinemodel for 10 trace elements and four lithologies in the Netherlands to distinguish between natural concentrations and enrichments. We compared the estimated enrichments with the results of 0.43 M HNO3 extractions of the samples to assess the idea that these enrichments determined the reactivity of the metals. The analysis was done on samples from 358 locations where both top and subsoil were sampled (Dutch Geochemical Atlas). The results show two typical types of elements. The anthropogenically dominated elements like Cd, Cu and Pb show strong linear relations between measured potential reactivity and estimated enrichment. This relation is virtually absent for geogenic elements like Ni, Cr and Ba. Zinc, Mo, and V hold an intermediate position. The spatial patterns of the geogenic elements (strongly) reflect lithology, whereas this relation to lithology is obfuscated for the anthropogenically influenced elements. We conclude that geochemical baseline models are useful for estimating enrichment of metals in the topsoil, that these enrichment can be measured by extraction with 0.43 M HNO3, and that the enriched part of the total metal content is indeed more reactive than the natural part.

EXPERIMENTAL AND MODELING STUDIES OF TRANSPORT OF NAPHTHOIC ACIDS IN SOIL MODEL COLUMNS

K. Hanna, M. Usman, C. Ruby

Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement, LCPME, UMR 7564 CNRS-Université Henri Poincaré, 405, rue de Vandoeuvre, 54600 Villers-les-Nancy, France (khalil.hanna@lcpme.cnrs-nancy.fr) Naphthoic acids are primary product of the biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) composed of three rings such as phenanthrene and anthracene and are also metabolic end-product in the biodegradation of the four-ring PAHs. The environmental fate of PAH metabolites is prompted by their ubiquitous distribution and their potentially deleterious effects on human health. While there are numerous studies on the transport of low-molecular-weight organic acids, the mobility of the carboxylate compounds containing double rings in soils has been scarcely explored. In the present study, the mobility of two naphthoic acids (HNA and NA) was studied under column flow-through conditions in three

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synthetic soils representative of natural soils: goethite coated-sand (GCS); GCS + Gibbsite and GCS + Kaolonite. Firstly, the aqueous transport was described with surface complexation model incorporated in PHREEQC, implemented with the hydrodynamic parameters and by adjusting the sorption constants of solute breakthrough. The modeling approach using SCM surface complexation model is used to fit batch experimental curves and then describe the breakthrough curves. Two surface complexation reactions were proposed in accordance with batch results to describe the sorption versus pH. In this study, it was found that the SCM was able to simulate the mobility of organic ligands from soil by assuming one type of site on the surface of mineral soil dominant sorbents (Fe- or Al-oxides and clay). The multisurface modeling approach would be suitable to predict the transfer of organic ligands in soils and to a better understanding of the relationships between leaching and mineral oxides surfaces properties.

Sr-Nd ISOTOPIC PATTERNS IN SOILS FROM THE SAN VITAL E PINEWOOD (RAVENNA, ITALY): A LANDMARK ECOSYSTEM

AFFECTED BY SALINE INTRUSION AND ANTHROPIC POLLUTIO N

F. Castorina*, U. Masi, M. D'Antona

Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy The Sr and Nd isotopic patterns have been determined in several soil samples from the San Vitale Pinewood near Ravenna, in northern Italy. The study has been carried out in the framework of a multidisciplinary research project aimed at ascertaining the environmental quality of a landmark ecosystem undergoing the effects of a saline intrusion and the pollution from the adjacent industrial and agricultural areas. The isotopic study applies the sequential extraction approach to detect the contributions of the two elements from the different sources, either geogenic and/or anthropogenic, in the various horizons of the soils. Throughout the soil profiles, the Sr isotopes display patterns opposite to those of the Nd isotopes; that may be explained by the different sources and the different behaviours of the two elements in the soil system. In particular, the isotopic systematics allow for describing the effects of the salinization process affecting the ailing ecosystem. Lastly, as Sr and Ca share similar geochemistry, the Sr isotopes allow for tracing also the contributions of Ca from possible sources.

ARSENIC CYCLING IN W ETLANDS IN SULPHIDE RICH METASEDIMENT AREAS IN NORTHERN SWEDEN

Gunnar Jacks1,2*, Magnus Mörth3, Zdenka Slejkovec4

1 Dept. of Land and Water Resources Eng., KTH, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden (Tel. +46 8 790 7380, gunnjack@kth.se) 2 Dept. of Geology and Mineralogy, Åbo Akademi. FI-20500 Åbo, Finland 3 Dept. of Geology and Geochemistry, Stockholm University, SE-116 53 Stockholm, Sweden (magnus.morth@geo.su.se) 4 Jozef Strefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia (zdenka.slejkovec@ijs.si) Sulphide rich metasediments are underlying about 4000 km2 of the Västerbotten county in Northern Sweden and mixed into the overlying till. The sulphur content is about 1 % and is present as pyrite with minor amounts of arsenopyrite. The objective of the study was to study

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the cycling of arsenic in wetlands and to assess the environmental risk for grazing animals and fish consumers. Sampling in the area comprised soil profiles, groundwater, stream sediments, wetland plants, macroinvertebrates and fish. The solid samples were digested in nitric acid and analysed by ICP-OES. Arsenic in water was speciated into As(III) and As(V) on site. Arsenic species in macroinvertebrates and fish were analysed by HPLC. Arsenic was accumulated in B-horizons in the podsolic soils but remobilised by ferric reduction in wetlands. When discharging into streams the ferrous iron precipitated as ferrihydrite covering sandy sediments. The sandy sediments contained 100-400 mg/kg and ferric precipitates up to 0.5 % arsenic. The discharging groundwater contained predominantly As(III). Among plants only Equisetum spp showed largely elevated arsenic contents. Macroinvertebrates had elevated organic arsenic contents. Arsenic in fish was predominantly arsenobetaine. Equisetum spp are due to high silica content not palatable for grazing animals, thus the uptake in plants does not constitute a risk. While sediments were enriched in arsenic, the fish contained largely organic arsenic of low toxicity. In local lakes the arsenic was elevated above a background level. However, the arsenic was correlated to iron and to DOC indicating that it may have low bioavailability.

SOIL IN NORWEGIAN CHILD-CARE CENTRES, RESULTS AND REMEDIATION

M. Andersson*, R.T. Ottesen

Geological Survey of Norway, Leiv Eirikssons vei 39, 7491 Trondheim, Norway (Tel: +47 73904321, Fax: +47 73921620, malin.andersson@ngu.no) As a part of the Norwegian Government's "clean soil" policy, a systematic geochemical mapping was carried out at 1 735 child-care centres and public playgrounds in the ten largest cities and four industrial towns. The aim of the project is to protect the 80 % of children that attend day-care from long term exposure effects from pollutants in soil, since Norwegian children spend a lot of time outdoors in day-care centres. In addition they ingest soil due to hand-to-mouth activity. A total of 17 001 samples of surface soil were collected, all analysed for arsenic, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The analytical programme also included dioxins/furans and Cr6+ for the industrial towns. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health developed health based quality criteria for soil for As, Cd, Cr6+, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, PAHsum16, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), PCBsum7, and dioxins/furans. If the quality criterion for any one pollutant was exceeded in just a single sample from a child-care centre, remediation of soil was implemented. 31% of the child-care centres needed remediation. The most common elements and compounds exceeding the quality criteria for soil in the ten cities were Pb, BaP, As, PAH, Ni, Hg, PCB and Cd, while BaP, PAH, Pb, Hg, As, PDDD/F, PCB, Cr6+ in the industrial towns. The main source for arsenic is (CCA)-impregnated wood used in playing equipment, for Pb leaded petrol, lead paint and city fires and for PAHs domestic heating. PCB-paint is the main source for PCB contaminated soil.

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IMPACT OF TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, June 30th 17:15-18:30 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Albert Daly

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PARTICULATE METAL CONTENT O F ROAD DUSTS FROM LANZHOU, CHINA BY COMPUTER CONTROLL ED

SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (CCSEM)

Andrew Hunt1,*, G. Wang2

1 Earth and Environmental Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, US 2 Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Western China's Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China The city of Lanzhou is one of the most polluted cities in China, and is one of the dirtiest in the world. In the 2007 report from the Blacksmith Institute, Lanzhou was included in “The Dirty Thirty” of the world’s most polluted places. The city is highly industrialized; dominated by petrochemical, manufacturing, and oil refining operations. Lanzhou’s location is one that is conducive to exposure to air pollution (located in an arid valley with minimal wind circulation). Emissions from industry and automotive sources are substantial. Lanzhou has the highest rate of respiratory diseases in China. To understand the sources of pollution in Lanzhou we investigated metal contamination of the city’s street dusts. The metal-bearing particles in Lanzhou dusts were characterized by computer controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM). To date, several dust samples have been analyzed. We have captured composition and morphological information on heavier element (average atomic number >Ti) particles in the analysis of between approximately 2,500 and 6,000 particles per sample by CCSEM. We categorized the metal particles by the major element present. Each dust was dominated by a different metal-particle type (suggesting a different contributing source). We classified the particles as, Pb-, W-, Cu-, Ni-, Cr-, or Zn-bearing. Pb particles consisted of aggregates, or Pb particles in a lighter element matrix (consistent with a Pb-paint origin). W particles, often containing Co, were angular (consistent with hard metal grinding). Cu+S particles were spehroidal (consistent with a high temperature origin). Cu+Zn, Ni, and Cr+Fe particles resembled turnings (consistent with metal cutting).

ENVIRONMENTAL URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY AT LISBON CITY: DISPERSION PATTERNS OF METAL-LADEN GROUND-LEVEL DUS TS

A.P. Reis1*, C Patinha1, A.J. Sousa2, S. Rodrigues1, E. Ferreira da Silva1, A. Dias3,

A. Cachada3, M.J. Batista4, C. Prazeres2

1 GEOBIOTEC, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal 2 CERENA, Technical Superior Institute, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal 3 CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal 4 LNEG, Estrada da Portela, Zambujal, 2720-866 Amadora, Portugal This study presents preliminary results of an ongoing project untitled URBSOIL-LISBON: Geochemical survey of Lisbon urban soils: a baseline for future human health studies”. This project uses a strategy based on a target land use/vulnerable organism survey. As children are particularly vulnerable to potentially toxic substances (PTSs), only urban facilities visited by

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them were sampled. Fifty one ground-level dust samples of were collected in playgrounds, urban parks and public gardens. In this survey the <500 µm was selected for analysis as it includes PM10, PM2,5 and particles that are either capable of entering ones lungs or easily adhere to hands becoming available for ingestion. Concentrations of 67 trace elements (including heavy-metals, platinóides and REE) were determined for the 51 samples at a commercial laboratory. The results indicate different urban dispersion patterns for different trace elements. Urban site-specific characteristics as the geography of the buildings, the weather conditions during the sampling or the intensity of anthropogenic activities nearby the sampling point seem to exert a significant control in such dispersion patterns. It is expected that this urban characteristics will greatly difficult the identification of the different metal sources. At present Lisbon is not an industrial city and its main anthropogenic sources are urban traffic and housing. However, the city periphery holds several industries as oil refineries, iron smelters and shipyards that are potential metal sources. A survey on past industries in Lisbon city is gathering as much information as possible to future data integration with the results of the dusts geochemistry and lead isotopes.

TRACING ZINC AND COPPER SOURCES IN URBAN PARTICULAT ES

S. Dong 1*, D.J. Weiss1 2, R. North1, G.D. Fowler1

1Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW72AZ, UK 2The Natural History Museum, London, SW75BD, UK Recent work on the isotopic composition of Zn and Cu in urban aerosols detected significant variations between fine and course particles, and a dependency on sampling location and time of day. This leads to the hypothesis that these isotope systems trace their sources in the urban atmosphere. Key for this, however, is a thorough isotopic characterisation of the potential sources. To this end, we present here preliminary data for Zn and Cu isotopes measured in traffic (including tyre, brakes, exhaust dust, and gasoline) and natural (rock and sediment) sources. We found significant variability ranging between 4.15‰ for δ66Zn and 2.84‰ for δ65Cu. The tyres were isotopically heavy for Zn and Cu gained from industrial smelting processes, and the signature of natural sources were lighter. Present work is improving on the characterisation of other main contaminant sources including street furniture (lamp post, signage, and crash barrier) and roadware (painting), and of main receptors entering the human body, including road dust and aerosols. As the isotopic variations appear to be significant and the heterogeneity of the sources small, we should be able to conduct a source apportionment for Zn and Cu and identify the contributions of each source to the total heavy metal load. This will have important policy implications through better targeting of policies to regulate sources of harmful urban aerosol.

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IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF METAL DISTRIBUTION IN ROAD DUSTS AND SOILS OF THE JIUZHAIGOU NATIONAL SCENIC A REA

IN SICHUAN, CHINA

Yuhui Xu1, Ya Tang1,*, Chaosheng Zhang2

1 College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China (XuYuhuicn@gmail.com, tangya@scu.edu.cn) 2 Department of Geography, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland (Fax: +353 91 495505, Chaosheng.Zhang@nuigalway.ie) In order to characterize the elemental composition of road dusts and soils, and study the status of heavy metal pollution of tourist buses in Jiuzhaigou National Scenic Area in Sichuan Province of China, 44 road dust samples (ID) and 16 top soil samples (S) inside the scenic area, and 15 road dust samples (OD) outside the scenic area were collected. The samples were sieved into three particle size ranges: <2, 0.15-2 and <0.15mm and then analyzed for 17 elements (Fe, Cr, Mn, Ti, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Sn, Mo, Zr, Rb, Sr, Ba, Cd) by a portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) analyzer. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques were applied to the dataset to create elemental spatial distribution maps. Cluster analysis was also carried out to define the possible origin of metals in dusts. Results indicate that most elements in dust samples are enriched in medium-sized particles (0.15-2mm). Road dusts appear to be the potential threat for the quality of soils because the metal contents in road dusts are higher than that of soils, especially Zn, Cu and Pb. The origins of elements in dusts include both natural and anthropogenic sources. Bus transportation is strongly suggested to be the main source for anthropogenic metals and the influence is most probably characterized by Zn. In addition, corrosion of tourist traffic structures such as antiseptic treated plank road and galvanized railings is also responsible for the metals in the dusts.

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AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH B

Wednesday, June 30th 17:15-18:30 Venue: Larmor Theatre

Session Chair: Martin Fitzpatrick

OCCURRENCE AND EMISSIONS OF AIRBORNE FUNGAL SPORES IN AUSTRIA

Heidi Bauer1,*, Elisabeth Schueller2, Alexandre Caseiro3, Wilfried Winiwarter4,5, Hans

Puxbaum1

1 Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria (heibauer@mail.zserv.tuwien.ac.at, hpuxbaum@mail.zserv.tuwien.ac.at) 2 Institute of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria (elisabeth.schueller@gmail.com) 3 CESAM and Environment and Planning Department, University of Aveiro, Portugal (alexandrecaseiro@ua.pt) 4 International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria (winiwarter@iiasa.ac.at) 5 AIT - Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria Airborne fungal spores are important constituents of atmospheric PM10 aerosols in the growing season. Some fungi are major pathogens or allergens for humans, animals and plants. We performed several studies in rural, suburban and urban areas in Eastern Austria to derive source contribution of the main aerosol components. Samples were collected with filter samplers and/or with impingers. Detailed investigations involving microscopic techniques, chemical tracers and molecular biological methods were used to assess the concentration of airborne fungal spores, their contribution to organic aerosol carbon and PM10 aerosols, as well as biodiversity. The concentration of fungal spores shows a high seasonality and less site dependence. Highest concentrations were measured in summer and autumn with monthly mean number concentrations of up to 53,000 and 66,000 spores/m3, respectively, lowest concentrations were found in winter. First results of identification suggest that the composition of the fungal flora differs by site; around 20% of the detected species are known as allergens. The data have also been used to estimate the release of primary biological aerosol particles into the atmosphere. Emission flux data of surrogate compounds, for which concurrent concentration measurements were available, were used to quantify the release of fungal spores as PM10 mass. We estimated area-based emission rates of fungal spores for Europe at 18 kg km-2 and year.

FORGOTTEN BUT NOT GONE: SECONDHAND SMOKE RISKS AFTE R THE IRISH SMOKING BAN

Maurice Mulcahy*1, Miriam Byrne 2, David Evans3

1 Environmental Health, HSE, The Annex, Seamus Quirke Road, Galway, Ireland (mauricemulcahy@eircom.net) 2 School of Physics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland 3 Department of Public Health,HSE, Merlin Park, Galway, Ireland

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Since Ireland became the first country to ban smoking in indoor workplaces many jurisdictions have implemented similar restrictions. Although commonly reductions of 80-90 % in secondhand smoke markers are achieved- the goal of 100% smoke-free air is still yet to be achieved. We report on extensive investigations of the residual level of risk, obtained by measurements of PM 2.5, vapour phase nicotine and 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the indoor air of Galway bars. Also we present findings from experiments into the potential for the exhaled breath of smokers to be a factor in the pollution of indoor air. We have found that secondhand smoke exposure levels have reduced dramatically but not been eliminated and that infiltration and exhaled breath of smokers are possible contributors to ongoing risks Additionally we found correlations between vapour phase nicotine and 6 PAH. These findings have significance for international smoke free initiatives, the formulation of legislation and future evaluation studies. TWENTIETH CENTURY POLLUTION DEPOSITION THROUGHOUT A N

URBAN CONURBATION: LOCAL POLLUTION HISTORIES FROM SEDIMENTS OF SMALL URBAN PONDS IN HALTON, NORTHWEST UK

A.L. Power*, A.T. Worsley

Geographical and Applied Sciences, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP, UK (powera@edgehill.ac.uk) Retrospective urban air quality assessments are imperative in understanding health effects of long-term (lifetime) exposures to pollution; however, insufficient evidence is available of historical pollution trends within the urban environment. Therefore, air pollution records captured in the sediments of small urban ponds, important sedimentary archives impacted by localised industrial and urban activity, have been explored. Four urban ponds in Halton (UK), a heavily industrialised area with poor health amongst the population, have yielded depositional histories (>100-years) of local air pollution. Proxy pollution flux profiles derived from isotope chronologies and mineral magnetic, trace metal, fly ash and geochemical properties of sediment cores, detail high-resolution temporal changes in pollution deposition. A cross-regional air pollution history, reconstructed using these local contamination signals, demonstrates pollution deposition across Halton during the 20th Century, reflecting local air quality, experienced by the urban population. The cross-regional signal exhibits distinct pollution increases at the start of the 20th Century, reaching mid-century pollution peaks. This correlating trend identified in all four ponds, highlights air quality degradation pre-Clean Air Acts (1956) attributed to population increases, domestic coal burning, wartime demands on industry and industrial diversification. The post-1950 cross-regional signal is complex, revealing spatial variations in pollution deposition reflecting modern urban expansion (industrial and residential) throughout Halton, modern industrial processes and increases in road and air travel. Pollution reductions are observed ~post-1970 due to increasingly stringent air pollution legislations; however, pollution does not consistently decline throughout the borough, due to potential air quality impacts of aviation and vehicular particulates.

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ATMOSPHERIC DUST AND OTHER PARTICULATES DEFINING THE RISKS FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

PERSPECTIVE

José A. Centeno, PhD, FRSC US Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC, 20306-6000. : (centeno@afip.osd.mil) It has been estimated that as much as 2 billion tonnes of dust is entrained in the atmosphere per annum. Exposure to dust in the open environment is usually accepted as a fact of life, while exposure to dust in the workplace is regulated to a greater or lesser degree in many countries. While the impacts of dust from industrial processes on human health is well recognized and widely regulated, less attention has been paid to dust from geological sources and to less visually obvious finer particulates. This is, perhaps, due to information being widely scattered in scientific papers with few, if any, widely accessible syntheses of the key facts. Also, research is in many respects at an early stage because of practical difficulties of observing, monitoring and sampling diffuse aerosols in the complexly moving atmospheric column. However, dust performs an important function in the atmosphere, with individual particles acting as nucleation centers for droplets that become precipitation (rain, snow etc) that is essential to life and geomorphological processes. Deposited dust may also, in time, add beneficially to soil formation. There is a need to promulgate present knowledge more widely and to identify matters that need more research in order to address the impacts on people, agriculture, livestock and the natural environment. An important step in elucidating the role of atmospheric dusts and health is to facilitate cooperation among geologists, environmental scientists, and medical specialists (including epidemiologists), to characterize the properties of contaminants, their dispersal, and the toxicological pathways of the elements they transport. Of relevance is the emerging field of Medical Geology which is aimed at assessing the impacts of natural environmental risk factors and processes on animal and human health. This presentation stresses the global scale of the problem, which is under-evaluated and under-reported in terms on environmental management and health implications.

TOBACCO CONSUMPTION – REALITIES AND REMEDIES

Mumtaz Hussain1, Malik Aizad Mumtaz2

1 Society for Conservation of Environment and Sustainable Development and The Environ Monitor, W-715, Defence Housing Authority, Lahore 54792, Pakistan 2 Clinical Research Fellow, Ireland Tobacco had been indigenous to “New World” (America) till its discovery by Columbus. Thereafter, it spread like a wild fire in world. Today this gateway drug has become a global menace and consumed in a variety of ways. Maximum smoking at continent and country levels is done in Asia and Russia respectively. One quarter population of world is addicted to this curse. Incidence of smoking is increasing because some consider it a symbol of status & sophistication, source of thrill & enjoyment and relief from mental stresses. This tendency is more prevalent in youth and labour.

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There are 400 toxic substances and 4000 chemicals in tobacco. These the most injurious are tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide. Common diseases caused are chest infections, cataract, dental damages, asthma, oral ulcers, high blood pressures, fertility disorders, liver & kidney failures, throat complications, cancer, cardiovascular & pulmonary declines, functional disabilities and reduced life expectancy. Expecting women face premature deliveries, placental issues and bleeding. Babies are exposed to contracting lung cancer, low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory disease syndrome, and newborn respiratory conditions. Tobacco is number one killer of humanity. Society should encourage the addicts to shun smoking by implementing preventive and corrective steps. United Nations bodies should support the nations technically and financially against this common enemy. Joint strategies at global and local levels should be adopted for inhibiting cultivation and processing of tobacco.

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VAPOUR WORKSHOP

Thursday, July 1st 10:00-17:00 Venue: O’Flaherty Theatre Session Chair: Greg Davies

VAPOUR BEHAVIOUR AND ASSESSMENT AT CONTAMINATED SIT ES:

RISKS POSED TO HUMAN HEALTH

Time Presentation 9:45 Welcome 10:00 Topic 1: Vapour Assessment in Australian and the UK - State of the Art

Learn about the status of policy and field vapour assessment approaches in Australia and the UK. View example field data to assist understanding of vapour behaviours.

10:00 Dr Greg Davis, CSIRO Land and Water, Australia “Introduction to vapour behaviour and the Australian scene”

10:30 Ms Katy Baker, Principal Risk Assessor, ARCADIS UK “The CIRIA VOC Handbook in practice”

11:15 Morning Tea/Coffee 11:45 Topic 2: Petroleum Vapours – Why are they a Special Case?

Learn why exposures and human health risks from petroleum hydrocarbon vapours may be significantly less than from chlorinated hydrocarbon vapours. See how fuel additives change that potential exposure and risk.

11:45 Dr Matthew Lahvis , Shell Global Solutions, UK “Petroleum hydrocarbon vapours – a special case”

12:30 Mr Abdulmagid Ali and Dr David Werner Newcastle University, UK “Impact of ethanol and biodiesel on petroleum vapour biodegradation in sandy soil”

13:00 Lunch 14:00-15:15

Topic 3: Quantifying and Modelling the Biodegradation of Petroleum Vapours Find out about rates and limitations to biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon vapours, and learn about a new model that accounts for biodegradation in a Human Health vapour exposure assessment.

14:00 Dr Greg Davis, CSIRO Land and Water, Australia “Biodegradation of petroleum vapours”

14:30 Dr Matthew Lahvis , Shell Global Solutions, UK “BioVapor – a vapour intrusion simulation tool including biodegradation”

15:15 Afternoon Tea/Coffee Topic 4: Workshopping the Issues

Have your say, and learn about research and policy directions for vapour exposure assessment for defining Human Health risks from volatile organic chemicals.

15:45 Moderated discussion lead by Dr Greg Davis “Information gaps, issues and the way forward”

16:30 End

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MULTITUDE WORKSHOP A

Thursday, July 1st 10:00-11:15

Venue: Cairnes Theatre Session Chair: Alex Stewart

COMPARISON OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS IN THREE DIFFERENT BIOINDICATORS (MOSS, GRASS AND SPRUCE

NEEDLES) AT THE SCALE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Ivan Suchara1, Julie Sucharova1, Clemens Reimann2, Rognvald Boyd2

1 Silva Tarouca Reserach Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, 252 43 Pruhonice, Czech Republic (suchara@vukoz.cz) 2 Geological Survey of Norway, 7491 Trondheim, Norway Moss (Pleurozium schreberi), grass (Deschampsia flexuosa) and spruce needles (Picea abies) were collected at 250 sites evenly spread across the Czech Republic and analysed for the concentrations of 35 chemical elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Th, Tl, U, V, Y and Zn). Maps of the regional distribution of these elements in the territory of the Czech Republic show that three materials have different uptake characteristics for a number of elements. The distribution patterns are compared to the known geology and to the distribution of contamination sources. Results indicate that terrestrial moss is generally the best indicator of contamination. The concentration of many elements is at least ten times higher in moss than in remaining materials, most likely an indication of the high surface area of moss. Grass as well as biennial spruce needles will also indicate the most prominent contamination sources but at a more local scale. For some elements (e.g., S) the three media return surprisingly different distribution patterns that indicate completely different uptake mechanisms. Hotspots of some micronutrients (e.g., Cu, Co) in grass and spruce needles are clearly not related to contamination. The maps provide baseline data for studies into health effects of contamination on the territory of the Czech Republic. A first step would be to compare these data to data in urine, blood or hair of the general population.

ARSENIC BIOAVAILABILITY AND SPECIATION ISSUES IN TH E

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINUUM

Enzo Lombi1,2*, Albert L. Juhasz1, Euan Smith1, John Weber1, Ravi Naidu1,2

1 Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Building X, Mawson Lakes Campus, Mawson Lakes, SA-5095, Australia (enzo.lombi@unisa.edu.au) 2 CRC CARE, P.O. Box 486, Salisbury South Australia 5106, Australia Bioavailability and speciation of metal(loid)s play a crucial role in environmental risk assessment. A strict parallel is also available for human health risk assessment since the speciation of contaminants and (micro)nutrients is increasingly being recognised as a pivotal part of availability to humans. The issues related to availability and speciation are therefore central across the environmental continuum.

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The investigation of As speciation and bioavailability is a prime example of how an environmental-wide investigation can provide a clear assessment of the fate and behaviour of this important contaminant. While the research effort for many years has focused on the issue of As in drinking water, recently the contribution of other pathway of exposure have gained more attention. This is due to the realisation that As in rice constitutes an important exposure pathway. In this case the speciation of As plays a critical role in terms of As bioavailability in soil, rhizosphere, soil solution, plant and finally in terms of As availability to humans. Various changes in As speciation occur along the soil-plant-human exposure pathway that ultimately are relevant in terms of human health. We employed a range of synchrotron techniques to investigate how As is translocated, uploaded and distributed in the seed. This was complemented by animal studies which demonstrated that the bioavailability of As is species specific. This case exemplifies how the final outcome in terms of animal/ human risk assessment is the result of a series of processes related to transfer and transformation of metal(loid)s in the environmental continuum.

QUANTIFYING EARTHQUAKE-INDUCED CASCADING EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT QUALITY: RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY FO R

DISASTER CHAINS

Liangxia Shi1,2,3, Yaobin Meng1,2,3.*, Zhao Zhang3, Peijun Shi1,2,3 1 Academy of Disaster Reduction and Emergency Management, Ministry of Civil Affairs & Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100875, China (yaobin-meng@bnu.edu.cn) 2 Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Natural Disasters, Ministry of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China 3 State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China This paper discusses the methodology to assess the environmental risks introduced by natural disasters such as earthquakes, which is characterized as abrupt contaminants release followed by chain events. The earthquake-induced disaster chain is formulated as earthquake→facility failure→pollutants release→pollutants dissipation→hazardous impacts on human/ecological entities, and each propagation process is featured by certain stress-response relationship, or vulnerability curve. The propagation of uncertainties, which features the risk assessment methodology pertaining to disaster chains, was dealt with by bootstrap re-sampling and Monte Carlo simulation techniques. As a case study, the environmental risks triggered by Wenchuan Earthquake in China 2008 were conducted. In the case study, the quantitative/semi-quantitative fragility curves of typical chemical facilities were first extracted from seismic literature and field investigation; second, pollutant release rates were estimated for each damage state of the facilities; third, the AERMOD model was applied to model the spread of the pollutants in the region, which was integrated into Geographic Information System (GIS) platform to facilitate spatial modelling and visualization as well; and finally the spatially resolved hazard quotients were calculated by combining the pollutants’ concentrations and the relevant environmental standards at each spatial grids. The methodology introduced in this paper is deemed appropriate for environmental risk assessment triggered by other natural disasters and accidents, such as typhoon, hurricane, flood, etc, and facilitates a comprehensive loss estimation and risk assessment of disasters.

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REGIONAL ECOTOXICOLOGICAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ANTHROPOGENIC ENRICHMENT OF HEAVY METALS

Job Spijker1*, Gerben Mol2

1 National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands (job.spijker@rivm.nl) 2 Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR), PO Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands (gerben.mol@wur.nl) Regional geochemical data of heavy metals are commonly used for environmental risk assessment and management. Often these data are based on so called total concentrations, whereas the exposure to the mobile or reactive fraction of these elements finally determines whether the exposed ecosystem is at risk. So a distinction is necessary between total concentrations and the chemically available fractions. The objective of our research was to perform a countrywide assessment for the risks of diffuse heavy metal pollution towards soil ecosystems in the rural/agricultural area of the Netherlands using data of the Dutch Geochemical Atlas. Using a robust regression model with Al2O3 as conservative element, a geochemical baseline model was created. With this model the natural background and anthropogenic enrichment could be quantified. The chemical availability (0.43 M HNO3 extractable concentrations) of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn appeared strongly related to the estimated anthropogenic enrichment. Using logistic dose/response models parameterised with ecotoxicological effect data we assessed the risks associated with the enrichment for the ecosystem. Our results indicate that the risk of the diffuse pollution in the Netherlands is in general low, in most areas less then 10% of the soil organisms is exposed beyond a no-effect concentration. The highest risks are associated to areas with known regional pollution. We conclude that regional patterns of the risk map are more distinctive and informative than the maps of total concentrations when considering known diffuse polluted areas. LINKING MULTIMEDIA ENVIRONMENTAL AND PBPK MODELS ON A COMMON PLATFORM TO ASSESS HEALTH RISKS OF PAHS : A CASE

STUDY INCLUDING UNCERTAINTY/SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

P. Ciffroy1, T. Tanaka2, S. Maurau1, C. Brochot3, E. Johansson4, Y. Roustan1, E. Capri

1 EDF, Division Recherche et Développement, Département Laboratoire National d’Hydraulique et Environnement, 6 quai Watier, 78401 Chatou, France 2 Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Instituto di Chimica Agraria ed Ambientale, Sezione Chimica Vegetale, Via Emilia Parmense 84, Piacenza, Italy 3 INERIS, Parc Technologique ALATA, BP2, 60550 Verneuil en Halatte, France 4 Facilia AB, S-167 51, Bromma, Sweden The health risk assessment paradigm is based on two main pillars, i.e. the exposure and effect assessments respectively. Exposure of humans to chemicals through multiple pathways is classically estimated by the so-called ‘multimedia models’, calculating the distribution of contaminants among products of interest for humans. Combined to data describing human behavior (diet composition, time spent outside, etc), such multimedia models provide an estimation of the daily quantity inhaled or ingested by humans. So far, such exposure outputs were compared to Reference Doses, estimated from toxicological data. However, such approaches only provide binary 'risk/no risk' information without quantitative reference to actual health endpoints and probability of occurrence.

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To conduct a full-chain ‘exposure-effect’ assessment instead, it is necessary to couple, and better to integrate in the same software, both environmental multimedia, physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) and pathology models, able to provide an estimation of the actual magnitude of health risks These objectives were treated in the European 2-FUN project, aiming at building an integrated approach for health risk assessment. The main product of this project is a software: (i) integrating environmental multimedia, PBPK and pathology models on the same platform, allowing comprehensive assessments; (ii) including specific environmental and metabolic pathways for vulnerable individuals (i.e. lifetime risk assessments including exposure during child ages, pregnant women); (iii) incorporating tools for uncertainty and sensitivity analysis (propagation of parametric uncertainties by Monte Carlo approach, sensitivity analysis by regression or Fourier approaches). The objective of this conference is to demonstrate the concrete linkage between multimedia and PBPK models on a common platform with the functionalities previously indicated. A case study, related to PAHs contamination of river waters of the Seine watershed was selected as an example for illustrating how to conduct full-chain integrated assessments with the 2-FUN tool.

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WASTE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

Thursday, July 1st 10:00-11:15 Venue: Larmor Theatre

Session Chair: Martin Feely

ASSESSMENT OF A POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION OF BANGKOK DIGESTED BIOSOLIDS

Penradee Chanpiwat1, Suthipong Sthiannopkao2,*, Kyoung-Woong Kim1,*, Siranee Sreesai3,*,

Panadda Peapueng3, Taninporn Tippayamongkonkun3

1 Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 261Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea (Tel: 82-62-970-3366, Fax: 82-62-970-3394, kwkim@gist.ac.kr) 2 International Environmental Research Center, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 261Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea (Tel: 82-62-970-3390, Fax: 82-62-970-3394, suthi@gist.ac.kr) 3 Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Ratchawithi Rd., Ratchathewi District, Bangkok 10400, Thailand (Tel: 66-2354-8543, phssr@mahidol.ac.th) The objective of this study was to assess potential agricultural uses and environmental impact of anaerobically digested biosolids. The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics as well as heavy metal speciation of biosolids were determined. The studied biosolids were collected from a belt filter press by a grab sampling at the Nong Khaem biosolids treatment center. The results revealed that the digested biosolids had slightly acidic pH (5.75±0.35) and contained high salt content (1977.6±280.6 meq/l of extract). High fertilizing values of total nitrogen and total phosphorus ranged from 18.8-23.3 g kg-1 and 8.5-18.1 g kg-1, respectively. Meanwhile, organic matter was low (11.3-12.6%). All total heavy metal contents (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were well below the pollutant limits for the land application established by US EPA and EU. Regarding the chemical speciation results, the digested biosolids had relatively low mobility and availability index for all metals. The distribution of both most mobile exchangeable and moderately mobile carbonate fractions ranged from 0.3-30%. Faecal coliform, Salmonella spp. and parasites (entamoeba histolytica cyst, hook worm and taenia egg, amoeba spp. cyst) were presented in the digested biosolids, treated by an anaerobic digestor at 35oC. This indicated a possible contamination of raw biosolids by night soil. In order to destroy the potential pathogenic organisms as well as increase C/N ratio of biosolids, composting of digested biosolids with high carbon content materials is recommended.

ARSENIC SPECIATION IN GALLIUM ARSENIDE W AFER SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING WASTE.

K.W. Torrance, H.E. Keenan

David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XN, UK Waste streams from three different gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductor wafer processing steps, backside grinding, lapping and polishing, were investigated to determine the form of the arsenic in solution. Total arsenic content was determined using inductively coupled

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plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and found to be in excess of the EU discharge limit of 0.5mgL-1 for all three processes, with arsenic content highest in wafer polishing waste slurry (>2,000mgL-1), followed by wafer lapping (10 – 100 mgL-1) with wafer grinding having the lowest arsenic content (<10mgL-1). To better understand the chemistry of the waste slurries, arsenic speciation was performed on the slurries using IC-ICP-MS and anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). Results are presented, which show that the highest As (V): As(III) is found in polishing slurry waste, where almost 100% of the arsenic present is in the form of As(V). This is consistent with chemical polishing using a strong oxidising agent at high pH. The As(V) content of the lapping and grinding slurries showed greater variability and changed over time. We interpret this as being due to progressive oxidation of As(III), particularly in the presence of aluminium oxide. It is found that the mechanism of GaAs removal from the wafer during polishing is controlled by the redox chemistry and solubility of the oxide products. Arsenic speciation has important implications for the environmental impact of semiconductor processing waste and recommendations made for the safe handing and disposal of arsenic-rich waste.

FATE AND BIOACCUMULATION OF PHARMACEUTICALS IN

MUNICIPAL WASTEWATERS – IMPLICATIONS FOR EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT

Christian Gagnon1, André Lajeunesse1, Pedro Segura1, Sébastien Sauvé2

1Environment Canada, 105 McGill st., 7th floor, Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 2E7, Canada (Tel: 514 496-7096, Fax: 514 496-7398, christian.gagnon@ec.gc.ca) 2 Dept Chemistry, Université du Montréal, Montréal, Canada Municipal effluents are important source of contaminants including many so-called emerging substances, whose potential impacts on the receiving environment are poorly understood. Substances of concern, in the form of pharmaceutical drugs like antibiotics and anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and anti-convulsive drugs, are now being frequently measured in these wastewaters. Some substances undergo major transformation at the treatment plant and again in the receiving waters, and thus their bioavailability and toxicity may be modified considerably. The influence of different wastewater treatment processes on pharmaceutical products was investigated. The targeted substances were eliminated at variable rates ranging from < 10% to >50%. The paper also presents new methods for the trace detection of these pharmaceuticals using limited mass of tissue sample, allowing their sensitive quantification in different target tissues. Key information on the bioavailability and bioaccumulation of antidepressant and anti-convulsive drugs in aquatic organisms exposed to municipal effluents is given. To assess the impacts of all these contaminants on the environment and human health, we still need to better understand the chemical and physical transformations occurring at the treatment plant and in the receiving waters.

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MODEL OF COST AND PRICE RELATIONSHIPS IN MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Jiří Hřebíček1, Jana Soukopová2

1 Masaryk University, Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Kamenice 125/3, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic (hrebicek@iba.muni.cz ) 2 Masaryk University, Faculty of Economics and Administration, Lipová 41a, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic (soukopova@econ.muni.cz) There is presented the developed model for the evaluation of cost and price relationships in the municipal waste management of the Czech Republic (CZ), created by the authors for the Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic. The model was developed based on appropriate input macroeconomic variables and production of municipal waste of every municipality in CZ. It enables to simulate the influence of different waste landfill fees and the inclusion or exclusion of certain equipment in preparation for energy recovery (EVO) or mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) of waste in selected locations and the prescribed annual capacity. It comes out data from municipality annual reports (if available) on the production of municipal waste and its estimation by using an additional sophisticated model of authors, including demographic and socio-economic impacts. The model is based on an analysis of factors determining the costs for landfills, EVO and MBT facilities and calculates the price for waste management for each municipality of CZ, including its foreseeable development by 2020. It foresees the implementation of legislative commitments of the CZ to EU waste management, particularly as regards the proportion of waste going to landfill. It envisages the modalities of variable fees for land filling of municipal waste and their impact on the cost of municipal waste management every municipality of CZ. The paper gives a detailed description of the model and its outputs in relation to changes in modelling fees in accordance with the implementation of the European Waste Framework Directive into Czech legislation.

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MULTITUDE WORKSHOP B

Thursday, July 1st 11:45-13:00 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Andrew Hursthouse

REDUCING THE RISK FROM ASBESTOS CONTAMINATION AFTER FIRES

Alex Stewart1, Gillian Gibson2*, John Reid3, Richard Jarvis3

1 Cheshire & Merseyside Health Protection Unit, Countess of Chester Health Park, Chester CH1 2UL, UK (Tel: +44 (0)1244 366 776, alex.stewart@hpa.org.uk) 2 Excel Partnership, Braeside, Utkington Lane, Cotebrook, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0JH, UK (Teil: +44 (0)1270 668871, gillian@gbgibson.com) 3 Cheshire & Merseyside Health Protection Unit, Moorgate Point, Moorgate Rd., Knowsley Industrial Park, Kirkby L33 7XW, UK (Tel: +44 (0)151 290 8360 Asbestos can lead to air and ground contamination nearby buildings which are involved in fires, as well as further afield, with potentially adverse effects on human health. The historical records (health authority and media) of four important fires in the North West of England (1994-2005) were used to assess changes in incident responses and risk assessment over this time, using WHO guidelines for risk phases (risk assessment, management, and communication) to assess the impact on the environment and human health of the release of asbestos from the fire and clean-up. Reporting improved over the 10 years, particularly following the inception of the Health Protection Agency (2003), with its formalisation of incident records. Earlier, fires with asbestos were often seen as the domain of the emergency services, with little Public Health input. Improving records has led to better risk assessment, management, and communication. The health problems resulting from the fires have been anxiety and worry; there is little evidence that exposure levels have been high enough to cause physical disease. Guidelines have been developed for Public Health staff responding to an incident, leading to improved control. However, there is still no means to evaluate the effectiveness of the Public Health response. Improvements in recording incident details, inter-agency communication, and a greater consistency of approach have the potential to further reduce exposure to asbestos. This approach is transferable to any incident where there is contamination (acute or chronic) by any chemical, reducing risk at several levels. THE 226RA, 232TH AND 40K LEVELS IN VEGETABLES GROWN IN PEARL-

RIVER DELTA, CHINA

Chen Diyun*, Zhang Zhiqiang, Song Gang, Luo Dinggui

School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guihuagang, Guangzhou, PR, China The radionuclides present at environment can enter the food chain directly via the soil–plant-animal pathway. The concentrations of natural radionuclides in soil at Zhujiang-Delta area are higher than China as well as the globe average value. Especially mean value of 232Th (226 Bq kg-1) is 5.6 times higher than the globe average value. The objective of this research was to investigate natural radionuclides the levels in vegetables grown in this area. The

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concentrations of radionuclides in plants and theirs corresponding soils were determined, and soil to plant transfer factors (TF) were estimated. 28 samples of 12 plant species and theirs corresponding soils were collected from Pearl-River Delta area. Radionuclide concentrations in different samples are measured by using HP-Ge gamma-ray detector. The values of concentration in plants varied from 3.4 to 285.9 Bq/kg for 226Ra, from 12.9 to 968.5 Bq/kg for 232Th, from 90.8 to 1985.3 Bq/kg for 40K. This difference in the concentrations of radionuclides among the plants shows differential uptake of radionuclides by plant species. The highest levels of 226Ra and 232Th are found in Dicranopteris dichotoma and Pteris vittata L, while other species presented the concentration of Ra falling within the range of values reported in literatures. But for K, the concentration is quite higher in some crop species, especially in Sweet potato vine and Cassava which have a concentration of 1591.9 and 1985.3 respectively. The highest TF values for Ra and Th were

observed in Dicranopteris dichotoma，which are 4.20 and 9.06 respectively, which are far bigger than 1, implying the two plants may be potential hyperaccumulators for Ra and Th.

IMPACTS OF CHANGES IN AGRICULTURE ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN CHINA

Ya Tang1,*, Chaosheng Zhang2

1 Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Architecture & Environment, Sichuan University, No 24, South Section One, First Ring Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China (Tel: +86-28-8541 5108, Fax: +86-28-8540 5613, tangya999@gmail.com; tangya@scu.edu.cn) 2 School of Geography and Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland (chaosheng.zhang@nuigalway.ie)

Fast economic development in the recent three decades is the most characteristic feature of China. Rural population, as the main source of seasonal and migration labors, has made great contribution to this transformation in economic development. A majority of rural labors work in cities especially in eastern China, leaving the aged, children, and women at home, which has brought about great changes in agriculture. These change include increasing prime cropland lost to urbanization and infrastructure development, increasing industries in rural areas, increasing rural population moved to cities, increasing use of polluted water in irrigation, increased acreage of economic crops, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, increasing use of artificial animal feed, declining use of organic fertilizers, discontinuation of traditional soil fertility management practices, decreasing agricultural diversity, etc. Such changes have caused many environmental and health problems, including deterioration of soil quality, decreased profits of agriculture, pollution of drinking water due to excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers and industrial pollution. Agriculture has become one of the important sources of nutrients in rivers and lakes and the increasing non-point pollution has contributed greatly to eutrophication in the aquatic system. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers, plant protection materials, and concentrated feed, and increasing soil pollution have raised big issues of food safety and sustainability of agriculture in China.

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CHALLENGES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVISI ON

Martin Devine

Population Health -Environmental Health, Health Service Executive, Ireland This paper will cover the challenges in connecting the health data with the environmental data, assessing the gaps and evaluating proposals for advancing the development of environmental data sets. The following topics will be investigated: the opportunities to influence and shape environmental policies and strategies; the need to include the environmental health dimension in these strategies and the practical benefits when we do so; and the need to broaden the public perception of environmental health and the real contribution that Environmental Health practitioners can make in reducing morbidity.

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AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION

Thursday, July 1st 11:45-13:00 Venue: Larmor Theatre

Session Chair: Aidan Moody

STEROIDS: MARKERS OF FAECAL CONTAMINATION

Morgane Derrien*, Emilie Jardé, Gérard Gruau, Anne-Catherine Pierson-Wickmann

Geosciences Rennes, UMR 6118 CNRS-Université Rennes 1, France The faecal pollutions contribute to the degradation of aquatic ecosystems, affect water quality and thus generate public health problems. In a context of intensive agriculture, animal faeces or sludge from wastewater are applied to fields in the place of traditional mineral fertilizers. According to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive [DCE 52006/7/CE], the level of faecal contamination is based on the analysis of microbiological markers (E. coli, enterococci). However, they are not suitable for monitoring faecal pollution and are not able to distinguish the different sources of pollution. Therefore, it is necessary to develop tools to discriminate the origin of faecal contamination. Molecular markers, such as steroids can be used as indicators of faecal contamination. This study aims to propose an absolute tool that is able to differentiate a set of animal manures (cow and pig faeces) and different types from the same origin (cowpat, fresh and old cow manures, fresh and treated pig slurries and separated pig solids). The results show that cow and pig faeces have different steroids fingerprints. For cow faeces, there is an increase in the phytosterols content from cowpat to cow manure. For pig faeces, there is an important heterogeneity in pig slurry sub-group. Nevertheless, on the diagram plotting the %C27 versus the %(C28+C29), the two types of animal manures are well separated one from the other. Combined with statistical analysis (PCA), we have a model to distinguish the origin of faecal contamination in agro-hydro-systems. IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL-SOIL SOLUTION-CROP MODELS OF PT Es TO

ASSESS FOOD CHAIN RISKS TO HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH

Sónia M. Rodrigues1*, Eduarda Pereira1, Armando C. Duarte1, Paul F.A.M. Römkens2

1 CESAM/Departamento de Química, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal (smorais@ua.pt) 2 Alterra – Wageningen University and Research Center, PO Box 47, Wageningen, 6700 AA, The Netherlands The assessment of total pools of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils is not necessarily indicative of risks to the environment and to human health including accumulation of PTE’s in the food chain. Especially in agricultural areas it is essential to effectively assess the impact of soil contamination on the quality of feed and food. . This work focussed on the assessment of soil-soil solution-crop relationships to improve risk assessment tools. A large array of PTEs (As, Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr, Co, Ba, U, Fe, Mn, Al, Sb, Li, Be, Se, B and Mo) was considered. In Portugal, information on soil contamination problems is very scarce, which urged the need to use Portuguese soils for this study. A total of 136 soils and 129 crops geographically distributed over the country were sampled and analysed.

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We applied recently developed concepts to assess the biogeochemical reactivity of contaminants in soils and the solid:solution partition of PTEs using Freundlich-type empirical models. We observed that the variability of soil properties was able to effectively explain differences in the reactivity and availability of contaminants to plants. Finally, soil-plant transfer functions were used to back-calculate critical thresholds of PTEs in soils considering legal standards for feedstuff and food. The findings of this work can serve as a first step towards the development of soil quality criteria for agricultural areas and also as a conceptual basis for future risk assessment studies to be conducted in contaminated areas in Portugal and elsewhere. CHEMICAL AMENDMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE SLURRY FOR CONTR OL

OF PHOSPHORUS IN RUNOFF FROM IRISH GRASSLANDS

R.B. Brennan1, O. Fenton2, M. Rodgers1, M.G. Healy1,*

1 National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland (mark.healy@nuigalway.ie) 2 Johnstown Castle Research Centre, Teagasc, Johnstown, Co. Wexford, Ireland In intensively farmed systems, surplus phosphorus (P) can be applied to soil. This can result in high soil test P (STP), which increases the risk of P loss to surface and ground waters. The aim of this study is to identify chemicals with the potential to reduce P and suspended sediment (SS) loss from grassland arising from the land application of dairy cattle slurry. Laboratory runoff experiments were used to compare the nutrient loss from chemically-amended dairy cattle slurry during three 1-hr-duration rainfall events at time intervals of 1 hr and 24 hr. Alum resulted in the best reduction in dissolved reactive P (DRP) in runoff. At a stoichiometric rate of 0.68:1 aluminium (Al): total P (TP), alum reduced the mean flow-weighted concentration (MFWC) of DRP by 87% during the first (Rainfall 1) and second rainfall (Rainfall 2) events, and by 66% during the third rainfall event (Rainfall 3). Lime was best at reducing SS loss from the flume, lowering it by 83%, 85% and 64% in the 3 successive rainfall events, compared to 60%, 86% and 21% for alum-amended slurry. Lime reduced MFWC of TP and particulate P (PP) loss from the flume by an average of 85% and 89%. Alum reduced TP loss by 68% and PP by over 65%. Of 15 metals analysed in the surface runoff, only arsenic – at a MFWC of 68 µgL-1- exceeded the limits for surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water (50 µgL-1) during the slurry-only treatment.

NUTRIENT EXPORT COEFFICIENTS AND THE NIEA RIVER NIT RATE DATA

Judith Watson1*, Bob Foy2, Crawford Jordan2, Jennifer McKinley1

1 School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK (jwatson12@qub.ac.uk) 2 Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX, UK In 2000 a DARDNI study of nutrient export coefficients according to CORINE land cover showed that nitrate (NO₃N) exports vary with land cover classes in Northern Ireland. In order to comply with European regulations associated with the EC Nitrates Directive, this study needs to be updated. Using NIEA river monitoring data for the years 2000-2008, monthly nitrate and ammonium concentrations were averaged to produce mean annual concentrations for three time periods, 2000-2002, 2003-2005 and 2006-2008. Met Office long term (1971-2000) monthly and annual averages for rainfall and potential evaporation were used within

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ArcGIS to estimate annual flow rates for rivers in Northern Ireland. Weighted mean runoff rates and annual average nutrient concentrations were multiplied to estimate NO₃N and NH₄N loads for the Bush, Colebrooke, Moyola, Sixmilewater and Upper Bann catchments and their corresponding subcatchments. Each catchment boundary was overlaid with CORINE landcover within ArcGIS to derive the differing landcover classifications and areas per catchment. From these loadings and CORINE classification catchment areas, predicted nitrate exports per land cover class were derived using stepwise backward linear regression. Results show the diffuse export of nitrates from varying CORINE land cover types for the years 2000-2008 and these are used as a basis for comparison with the 2000 study. Conclusions quantify the diffuse agricultural nitrate loadings and exports in Northern Ireland river catchments both spatially and temporally.

ASSESSING THE RISK OF CHEMICAL SPRAY DRIFT IN AN AR EA OF MIXED LAND-USE IN THE SW OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Ron Watkins1*, Warren Moore2, Andrew Hewitt3

1 EIGG, Department of Applied Geology, Curtin University, GPO Box 1987, Bentley, WA 6845, Australia 2 Denmoore Farms, Box 855, Cloverdale, WA 6985, Australia 3 School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia Productive land is an increasingly valuable resource, and intensive agricultural production is required for future food security. Agrichemical use is likely to remain essential for increasing yields. This study investigates the impact of spray drift resulting from the growth of aquaculture and viticulture in the SW of Western Australia. Contamination of ponds producing marron, a freshwater crustacean, from spraying of pesticides in a neighbouring vineyard has been evaluated by means of spray drift modelling and toxicity testing. While the toxicities of organic pesticides used in viticulture are well known, assessing instances of contamination can be difficult when, as in the case of marron, effects may be chronic and delayed. Further difficulties include identification of the particular toxicant(s) (including reluctance of parties to release information where litigation may eventuate), variations in spraying equipment and weather conditions, and lack of knowledge of impact on the receiving organisms. In this study, valuable data have been obtained from known spray events and the spraying of non-toxic substances. Results indicate that in locally prevailing weather conditions drift is capable of carrying pesticides >1000 m to give rise to toxic concentrations (e.g. 0.2 µg/L) to ponds in its path. However, the full effects of such contamination will remain difficult to quantify and there is need for careful planning where chemical applications are required in areas of multiple land-use. Proximity of viticulture to certain types of commercial aquaculture appears unrealistic in the absence of the most stringent and restrictive regulations for spraying.

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URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY A

Thursday, July 1st 14:00-15:15 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Liam Morrison

DEMONSTRATING THE CURRENT REALITY OF VARIATIONS IN AMBIENT METALLIFEROUS AEROSOL CONCENTRATIONS:

IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH EFFECT LEGISLATION.

Teresa Moreno

Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA, CSIC, Barcelona, Spain. (teresa.moreno@idaea.csic.es) We use our large analytical database from sites across Spain to demonstrate the great chemical variability of inhalable anthropogenic metalliferous aerosols both in space and time, depending on the interplay between contributions from different sources (traffic, industrial and recreational events such as firework displays). Combining high volume 24-hour sampling (Graseby–Andersen, MCV) with full ICP-MS and ICP-AES chemical analyses on thousands of ambient PM10 and PM2.5 samples enables us to apply source apportionment methodologies to reveal the origins of anomalous metal concentrations. Chemical variations can be graphically represented using 3-component diagrams and the use of trace element ratios Different sites with similar levels of air pollution in terms of mass, show wide ranges in metal contents. Whereas traffic pollution involves a wide range of metalliferous emissions which include Fe, Ba, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd, other types of emissions can be specifically targeted using elements such as V, La, Hg, Sb, Sr and Mn. Legislation based simply on measurement of particle mass does not address the reality of ambient levels of metals across an area. Instead it is becoming clear that, as well as controlling PM mass, the air pollution signature for each urban centre needs to be individually characterised if we are better to understand PM health effects, especially if there are nearby sources of industrial metalliferous emissions.

GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING OF THE DENVER, COLORADO (USA) U RBAN AREA: A COMPARISON OF STUDIES IN 1972 AND 2005

David B. Smith1,*, Robert G. Garrett2, L. Graham Closs3, Karl J. Ellefsen4

1 U.S. Geological Survey; MS 973; Denver, CO 80225, US (Tel: +1-303-236-1849, dsmith@usgs.gov) 2 Geological Survey of Canada; 601 Booth Street; Ottawa, ON K1A 0E8 Canada (Tel: +1-613-995-4517, garrett@NRCan.gc.ca) 3 Colorado School of Mines; Department of Geology and Geological Engineering; Golden, CO 80401, US (Tel: +1-303-273-3856, lcloss@mines.edu) 4 U.S. Geological Survey, MS 964, Denver, CO 80225, US (Tel: +1-303-236-7032, ellefsen@usgs.gov) A soil geochemical survey was conducted over approximately 1,000 km2 of the Denver, Colorado (USA) metropolitan area in 1972 and again in 2005. Samples were collected at a depth of 0-15 cm from mostly roadside soils at the same 433 sites. The samples were air-dried and sieved to <250 µm. Both the newly-collected samples from 2005 and archival samples from 1972 were analyzed in 2006 by the same methods. Lead, As, Hg, Cd, Cu, Mo, Sb, Sn,

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and Zn were found to have elevated concentrations in the central part of the urban area in both surveys, most likely as a result of anthropogenic activities such as historical use of leaded gasoline and smelting of metal ores. Many of the As and Pb concentrations exceed human health standards. The concentrations of the elements elevated in central Denver generally decrease to within the background variation within 10-20 km of the city center. Other elements such as Mg, K, Ce, and Cr showed a spatial distribution that was more indicative of geogenic sources. Elements exhibiting a decrease in concentration from 1972 to 2005, as demonstrated by their failure of the Wilcoxon rank-sum test applied at the 95% confidence level, included Pb, As, Cd, and Hg. The observed geochemical change represents a complex interaction of human-induced change (e.g., phasing out of leaded gasoline, reduction of emissions from coal-fired power plants) and change that occurs as a result of the dynamic nature of the mostly roadside soils collected for each survey.

GEOLOGICAL VS ANTHROPOGENIC INPUTS OF PARTICULATE POLLUTANTS IN A HEAVILY INDUSTRIALIZED BASIN VALLEY :

THE CASE OF TERNI, CENTRAL ITALY

Beatrice Moroni1,*, David Cappelletti1, Luca Ferrero2 and Ezio Bolzacchini2

1 Università di Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy (b.moroni@tiscali.it) 2 Università Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy Terni, a medium size town in central Italy, is the largest stainless steel production site in Europe; local industrial activities include also various chemical and technological industries. The urban and the industrial areas overlap in a closed basin valley characterized by a continental climate with a marked atmospheric stability. This limits the dispersion of the urban and industrial emissions, which mix together producing a very complex pollution scenario. The distinctive morphochemical features of particulate matter of various origin (industrial, anthropogenic, long-range transport) have been characterized in the last year by an intensive sampling campaign at ground (HVS multistage impactors) and in the atmosphere (tethered balloon), followed by ICP-AES bulk chemical analysis coupled with single particle morphological and chemical characterization by SEM-EDS methods. Results point to the existence of six different classes of particles in the aerosol, namely silicates, carbonates, carbonaceous particles, sulphates, metal oxides and Ca-phosphates. Except for silicates and carbonates, the rest of particles are from urban and industrial anthropogenic sources. Metal oxides, in particular, result from a mix of sources from ground (car exhaust) to upper level (steel plant) in the troposphere. No significant size reduction is observed from ground to upper levels in the troposphere, while a general tendency towards increasing size and size heterogeneity is observed when passing from atmospheric stability to convective conditions. A model is proposed which takes into account the contribution of natural and different anthropogenic sources to evaluate the effectiveness of policies of local abatement strategies and emission control.

MEASURING THE IMPACT OF URBANISATION ON SOIL CHEMIS TRY

E.L. Ander1*, D.M.A. Flight1, N. Ruiz2

1 British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK (l.ander@bgs.ac.uk) 2 Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK

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Urbanisation is implicitly associated with changes to pre-existing soils arising from sources such as construction, industry and transport. Widespread unregulated direct and diffuse contamination sources have existed, historically, in UK towns and cities. Understanding the scale (geographical extent and concentration) of contamination is important, because it has implications for both human and ecosystem health. Rural and urban shallow soil baseline geochemical data for 55 analytes, have been collected for 25 urban centres by the British Geological Survey’s G-BASE project. This ‘seamless’ baseline inventory enables us to quantify concentrations and, using statistical methods, to characterise some of their controlling processes. The data structure requires utilisation of non-parametric statistical methods; use of measures of central tendency (e.g. the median) and measures of distribution (e.g. median absolute deviation), allows the following conclusions to be reached.

� Widely recognised contaminants (e.g. lead, arsenic) do not ubiquitously have an elevated urban baseline when compared to the local rural baseline;

� The soil parent material may give rise to ‘contaminant’ concentrations greatly exceeding soil quality standards;

� Analyte concentrations may vary significantly within an urban area, due to soil parent material changes; and

� Results of statistical analyses are characteristically different for anthropogenic contamination when compared to geogenic sources.

Thus, the effects of urbanisation on inorganic soil chemistry are not consistent or systematic between, or within, urban areas. Urban areas need to be studied individually, and to be evaluated against rural data to validate assumptions about the extent and impacts of urbanisation.

MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN THE SOIL ENVIRONMENT OF LONDON, UK – AN EXAMPLE OF POLLUTION IMPACTS

C. Scheib1*, K.V. Knights1, D.M.A. Flight1, T.R. Lister1, F.M. Fordyce2

1 British Geological Survey, Kingsley Dunham Centre, Keyworth NG12 5GG, UK (cemery@bgs.ac.uk) 2 British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA. Mercury is present in trace amounts only in most natural circumstances but anthropogenic sources such as coal combustion enhance environmental loadings. High Hg concentrations are of concern as it has immunotoxic, genotoxic and teratogenic effects on humans and animals. Despite these concerns, because Hg is difficult to analyse, data on its environmental distribution are limited. This is the first time that the UK Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment (G-BASE) has systematically determined soil Hg. Over 200 < 2 mm surface soils (0-2 cm) and topsoils (5- 20 cm) were collected at a density of 4 per km2 from two urban test areas in Camden-Hamstead and Hammersmith-Fulham, London. Total Hg was analysed by cold-vapour atomic absorption, involving pre-concentration on Au-amalgam before detection with an Advanced Hg-Analyser. The uncertainty of the analysis was typically better than ± 10%, with 0.0001 mg kg-1 the lower limit of quantification. Hg distributions showed a high correlation (r = 0.88, n = 216) between the two soil depths. Concentrations in surface soil (min 0.09; median 0.66; max 12.2 mg kg-1) and topsoil (min 0.06; median 0.67; max 12.1 mg kg-1) were elevated relative to European topsoils (median 0.04 mg kg-1) and English shallow urban soils (median 0.39 mg kg-1) reported elsewhere. Our results demonstrate significant enrichment of soil Hg in London almost certainly indicating anthropogenic contamination although natural processes may be locally important. The results were well below the current UK Soil Guideline Value for inorganic Hg2+ (80 mg kg-1).

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However, further instigations would be required to determine the form of Hg present and therefore the potential impacts on human and ecosystem health.

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FOOD CONTAMINATION

Thursday, July 1st 14:00-15:15 Venue: Larmor Theatre

Session Chair: Luke Clancy

CHARACTERISATION OF NOROVIRUS CONTAMINATION IN A SHELLFISHERY USING REAL-TIME QRT-PCR AND SEQUENCE

ANALYSIS

Paulina Rajko-Nenow*, Bill Doré, John Flannery, Sinéad Keaveney

Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland (Tel: 353 91 387243, paulina.rajkonenow@marine.ie) Norovirus (NoV) is commonly known as the “winter vomiting bug” and is the single most important agent of food-borne viral gastroenteritis worldwide. Bivalve shellfish grown in areas contaminated with human waste may become contaminated with human pathogens including NoVs. Shellfish, particularly oysters, may subsequently be eaten raw and can cause illness. A study was undertaken to investigate NoV contamination in a shellfishery over a 24 month period from September 2007 until September 2009. Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were collected monthly. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was used to determine the levels of human NoV genogroups (GI and GII). NoV GII was detected in 21 samples; 15 of these samples also contained NoV GI. The highest levels of NoV were detected during the winter months. To examine the genetic characteristics of NoV GI and GII, nested RT-PCR analysis was undertaken to amplify a partial region of the RNA polymerase gene (~113bp). The resulting sequence data was analysed using the genotyping tool available on the Food-borne Viruses in Europe network website. Whereas most community outbreaks are associated with NoV GII.4 genotype, multiple NoV genotypes were identified in many of the shellfish samples during this study. The dominant genotype was NoV GI was I.4 which was detected in 13 samples. The data highlights the diversity of NoV genotypes found in contaminated shellfish and highlights the potential role shellfish play as a vector for infections in humans involving multiple NoV genotypes.

TOTAL AND INORGANIC ARSENIC IN IRISH SEAFOOD

John Durcan1,2,3, Rachel R. Cave2, Dagmar B. Stengel3, Linda Tyrrell1, Evin McGovern1

1 Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Galway, Ireland (Tel: +353 91 387517, john.durcan@marine.ie) 2 Earth and Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland 3 Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Arsenic occurs naturally in both organic and inorganic forms in marine waters and sediments, and is readily incorporated into, and accumulated within marine biota. Metabolic detoxification of arsenic is highly efficient in marine food webs and as a consequence this naturally arsenic-rich seafood is exempt from Irish legislation. However, toxic inorganic arsenic does persist to varying and unpredictable degrees. This project aims to deliver a comprehensive data set for total and inorganic arsenic in a broad selection of Irish marine

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biota. It also aims to investigate a number of ecological factors influencing this data, and assess the dietary consequences for the Irish population. To date, over 800 finfish, shellfish and seaweed samples have been analysed for their total arsenic content (Microwave Digestion-HG-AFS), a selection of which will be screened for inorganic arsenic (HPLC-HG-AFS). Irish shellfish contain, in general, <4 ppm arsenic, finfish range from <1 to >150 ppm arsenic, and dried seaweeds <20 to >100 ppm arsenic. Data for shellfish and finfish indicates a positive correlation with trophic status, with some extreme outliers suggesting a dominance of alternative ecological factors. Irish seafood consumption data have been used to estimate the mean arsenic intake arising from finfish and shellfish consumption while inorganic data will be used to estimate the toxic loading from seafood to the consumer. This project addresses one of the most prevalent food safety concerns from a uniquely Irish perspective.

ESSENTIAL AND TOXIC ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN SATSU MA FRUITS (Citrus unshiu cv. Chahara) GROWN ON FLOODPLAIN SOILS OF

CROATIAN MEDITERRANEAN REGION

Marija Romic1*, Tomislav Jemric2, Davor Romic1, Monika Zovko1

1 University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. of Amelioration, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia (Tel: +385 1 2394014, Fax: +385 1 2394099, mromic@agr.hr) 2 University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. of Pomology, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia The downstream of the Neretva River basin, located in the southern part of the Croatian Adriatic sea coast, is an agricultural region, producing generally vegetables and fruits, mostly Satsuma mandarin. Estuarine sediments and alluvial soils may represent important sinks of contaminants as a result of the deposition of contaminated sediments along the river by overbank flooding or after dredging. It's also well known the ability of sediments to faithfully record environmental impact, including the heavy metal contamination, on fluvial systems over time. Soil and water salinization due to sea water intrusion is an additional treat in the region because increased concentration of dissolved Cl- ligands may significantly influence solubility of some trace elements like cadmium. The research was carried out to determine nutritional value and accumulation of potentially toxic elements in Satsuma fruits, harvested from three locations in two maturity stages. Element concentrations in fruit peel and pulp were determined by using ICP-OES on a Vista MPX AX (Varian). The peel accumulated more Ca (six times higher concentration than in pulp), Fe, Mn and Na, and pulp accumulated Cu, K (almost three times higher concentration than in peel), Mg and P (almost two times higher concentration than in peel). The interaction between maturity stage and location strongly influenced Zn concentration which is evident in high element variation in both peel and pulp. More matured fruits tended to have lower Ca concentration in peel. Cd concentration was negligible in all samples despite the increased salinity of soil.

FOOD CONTAMINATION: GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Mumtaz Hussain1, Malik Aizad Mumtaz2

1 Society for Conservation of Environment and Sustainable Development and The Environ Monitor, W-715, Defence Housing Authority Lahore 54792, Pakistan 2 Clinical Research Fellow, Ireland

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Food is contaminated by pathogenic organisms and toxic chemicals. Common pathogens are coliforms, salmonella, pseudomonas, and staphylococcus. Toxic chemicals include agricultural chemicals, preservatives, industrial & domestic wastes & effluents, prohibited colours, hazardous utensils and processing ingredients like nickel, acids, mercury & chromium. At global level 500 million people are hungry and 90% belong to developing world. 800 million people face malnutrition. 12 million children of age up to 5 years die annually in developing nations. Two billion people suffer from deficiency of micronutrients. 20 million people are mentally handicapped due to iodine deficiency. 1.5 billion cases of diarrhea, 70% are caused by contaminated food. Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent among 100 – 140 million children. In Pakistan 30% people are hungry and 70% are deprived of balanced diet. Most of human population is entangled in clutches of food borne diseases which levy huge losses on national economies. Present world population is 6.5 billion. It will rise to 8 & 13 billion by years 2030 and 2099 respectively. Peoples are facing daunting challenges of food security and food contamination. For meeting pure food needs of world population three pronged policy covering population control, enhanced agricultural productivity and healthy food processing, preparation, storage & consumption is suggested. It may lead to minimization of food pollution & allied diseases. United Nations organizations can coordinate the global efforts for welfare of world communities through exchange of food and medical technologies.

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT ON NOROVIRUS CONTAMINATION IN SHELLFISHERI ES

John Flannery*, Sinéad Keaveney, Paulina Rajko-Nenow, Bill Doré

Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co Galway Ireland (Tel: 353 91 387240, Fax: 353 91 387201, john.flannery@marine.ie) Under current regulations the microbiological impact of human waste on shellfish is assessed using bacterial indicator organisms to protect human health. However, the behaviour of bacterial indicators does not reflect that of pathogenic human viruses such as norovirus (NoV). NoV is commonly called the “winter vomiting bug” and is often associated with large outbreaks of gastroenteritis. We monitored a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) providing secondary treatment from June to December 2009. In addition, shellfish placed in close proximity to the outfall were monitored. Levels of E. coli and NoV genogroups I and II (GI and GII) were quantified in untreated, primary treated and final effluents and oysters (Crassostrea gigas). Mean log reductions of 1.62, 0.95 and 0.88 between influent and final effluents were recorded for E. coli, NoV GI and NoV GII respectively. In wastewater, levels of E. coli and NoV remained consistent throughout the current study period. In contrast, levels of NoV in oysters showed an increase during the winter months with levels peaking at 1.60 x 104 genome copies g -1 oyster hepatopancreas in early December. E. coli levels detected in the oysters generally reflected those of a category B harvest area which means that they could go for human consumption with only minimal treatment despite containing significant levels of NoV. This highlights the difficulty of using bacteria to determine the health risks associated with viral contamination of shellfish. Further monitoring of the WWTP and oysters through a current large community outbreak is ongoing.

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URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY B

Thursday, July 1st 15:45-17:00 Venue: Cairnes Theatre

Session Chair: Ray Scanlon

SOURCES OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN PLAYGROUND SOILS OF ZAGREB (CROATIA)

Martina Šparica Miko1, Slobodan Miko1, Ozren Hasan1, Saša Mesić1, Dragan Bukovec2

1 Croatian Geological Survey, Sachsova 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia (slobodan.miko@hgi-cgs.hr) 2 Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 8, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia (bukovec@hpm.hr) Playgrounds associated with day-care centers in Zagreb are located at 191 sites and host about 28.000 pre-school children. An evaluation of soil concentrations of potentially toxic elements for 150 child-care centers and 50 playgrounds in Zagreb determined that Pb, Hg, P, Cu, Sb, Ag and Au, can be attributed to anthropogenic sources. In the case of Pb, Sb, Hg and Cu their anthropogenic input through industrial and urban development is also shown with higher mean concentrations in the subsoil mainly restricted to the old parts of the city. Lead and Hg show the most number of outliers with anomalous values. Using PCA, 5 major components were extracted which are responsible for variation in elemental distribution. The influence of lithological bedrock composition is pronounced by Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Th, Co, Cr, and Ni while Pb, Hg, P, (Cu) Sb, Ag (Au) can be attributed as an anthropogenic pollution signature. The significant inputs of anthropogenic origin are present in 20% of the playgrounds. Most analyzed old paints from playing equipment we identified as lead-based paint (Pb content >0,5%). Sixteen playgrounds contained more 100 mg/kg Pb. In total Pb, Hg, As, Zn, Cd and Cu concentrations in topsoils were found to be higher than those defined by health-based soil quality criteria at 10% of the child-care playgrounds. The association of Sb with Pb (r=0.8) in soils indicates that a large part of lead in the soil is derived from road dust, since Sb in urban soils has been attributed to wear of brake linings.

CO-REMEDIATION OF HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM AND ARSENIC POLLUTED GROUNDWATER USING CRAB PROCESSING WASTE

PRODUCTS.

K.W. Torrance*, H.E. Keenan

David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XN, UK Groundwater samples containing elevated concentrations of Cr(VI) and As(III) were collected from boreholes in the Glasgow area that were known to contain waste in-fill from chromite ore processing (COPR). As Cr(VI)pollution is usually addressed by chemical reduction to the less mobile and toxic Cr(III) species, there is concern whether this will cause other contaminants such as arsenic to become mobile from the reduction of the less-mobile As(V) to the more toxic As(III). Chromium speciation was determined using ICP-MS and colourimetry, then compared to analysis after laboratory-scale remediation by passing samples through columns containing mixtures of sorbants, including crab processing waste, chitosan and zero-valent iron under

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different redox conditions. Arsenic speciation was determined by IC-ICP-MS and anodic stripping voltammetry and monitored for each experiment. Results are presented on the effectiveness of different sorbants to reduce the mobility of Cr(VI) as an alternative to chemical reduction, and rated on consequential arsenic mobility. URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY OF DUBLIN (DUBLIN SURGE PROJECT) : SOIL

QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH

P. J. O’Connor1*, M. Glennon1, R. Scanlon1, Rolf Ottesen2, Malin Andersson2

1 Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), Beggars Bush, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland 2 Geological Survey of Norway (NGU)

Major cities have evolved over a long period and urban air, water and soil have been the receptors of a wide range of contaminants as a consequence of human activities. Concentrations of contaminants in urban soils may reach levels that give rise to concern for human health, particularly in sensitive public lands where human contact with soil is likely, such as schools, parks and allotments. Urban soil quality has received little attention in Ireland compared to air and water quality. Dublin represents the major conurbation in Ireland with a population exceeding 1.5 million people. For the first time, as part of a European soil quality baseline study, GSI and the Norwegian Geological Survey (NGU) are undertaking geochemical mapping of surface soils in the greater Dublin area. A soil sampling campaign involving the collection of over 1000 samples across the greater Dublin area (c.600km2) was completed in November 2009. A sampling density of 3-4 samples per km2 in the inner city and 1 sample per km2 in rural areas was achieved. Samples will be analysed for 31 inorganic elements at NGU laboratories. Over 100 samples will be analysed commercially for 7 PCBs and 14 PAHs to determine the levels of organic pollutants in inner city areas. The data will be mapped using GIS and will be made freely available to stakeholders, including local authorities and the public in 2011. It is anticipated that there will be a number of follow-up actions arising from this initiative, including research opportunities.

CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY AND THREE DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION OF BLACK CRUST FORMATIONS ON CARBONA TE

STONE IN AN UNPOLLUTED ENVIRONMENT

*Liam Morrison1, Martin Feely1, Orla Curry2, Éadaoin Timmins3, Peter, Dockery4, Pierce Lalor4, Peter Dunne2,*

1 Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Martin Ryan Institute and Environmental Change Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland (liam.morrison@nuigalway.ie) 2 School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland 3National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland 4 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Gypsum-rich, black crusts resulting from carbon and sulphation staining are common features on limestone buildings in polluted urban environments, while in unpolluted environments; such crusts or patinas are produced predominately by the biological activity of dark-coloured, mainly filamentous cyanobacteria. Soiling and staining developed on sheltered areas,

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particularly within recesses (e.g. under hood mouldings and within the window tracery) on two limestone buildings in Galway City, Ireland (19th century - Quadrangle Building, NUIG and 14th century St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church) have been analysed and characterised by FTIR, ICP-MS, XRD, SEM/EDS and image processing stereophotogrammetry software. The results have shown that these crusts are primarily comprised of a network of lenticular gypsum crystals enriched with elevated concentrations of metals (Fe, Cd, Hg, As, Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn) deposited from the atmosphere. Airborne particulates (porous, perforated, carbonaceous cenospheres and Fe – rich spheres) confirm that the particulate matter on the surface of the crusts originated from the burning of fossil fuels. The combined application of SEM and stereomicroscopic techniques has allowed the first ever 3D reconstruction of the crust surface, enabling the investigation of topographic features, (texture and structure) including the adherence of fly ash particles and micro-spheres which become incorporated with the gypsum crystals as they develop. The formation of these crusts, as determined by SEM observations has lead to aesthetical and microstructural alterations in the building stone surface. From these experimental findings it is evident that in relatively unpolluted environments, micro-environmental and –climatic conditions facilitate the formation of these crusts typically associated with more polluted atmospheric conditions. GENERATING HEAVY METAL POLLUTION MAP WITH MULTIFACT OR

CONTRIBUTED IN SOIL

Metin Altan1*, Ömer Ayyildiz1, Semra Malkoç2, Berna Yazici3, Savaş Koparal2 1 Anadolu University, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, Yunusemre Campus, Eskişehir, Turkey (maltan@anadolu.edu.tr) 2 Anadolu University, Applied Research Centre for Environmental Problems, Đkieylül Campus, Eskişehir, Turkey 3 Anadolu University, Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Yunusemre Campus, Eskişehir, Turkey A detailed investigation was conducted to understand the contamination characteristics and distributions of heavy metal pollution in terms of contributions of the heavy metal concentrations as mg/kg of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Fe and Mn in the urban soil in Eskişehir city center. The amount of these heavy metals were determined from 15 soil sample points collected within urban area and every sample point included 6 separated samples for chemical analyses. The results indicated that concentration values of all metals except Ni and Cr in soils were below the risky limit pollution values which are recommended by Turkey Ministry of Environment and Forestry in some sample points. Spatial distribution maps were created and recoded, in terms of these heavy metals concentrations as contribution to heavy metal pollution in soil, through Geographical Information Systems techniques. As a result, risky areas were modeled in terms of contamination of heavy metal and it is shown that, every different risky area can be interpreted based on buildings in city center quickly and easily.

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CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT

Thursday, July 1st 15:45-17:00 Venue: Larmor Theatre Session Chair: Ya Tang

CLIMATE DRIVEN RELEASE OF CARBON AND MERCURY FROM PERMAFROST MIRES INCREASES MERCURY LOADING TO

SUBARCTIC LAKES

Johan Rydberg1, Jonatan Klaminder1, Peter Rosén2, Richard Bindler1

1 Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå Sweden

2 Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, PO Box 62, SE-981 07 Abisko, Sweden

In subarctic and arctic regions mercury is an element of concern for both wildlife and humans. Over thousands of years large amounts of atmospherically deposited mercury, both from natural and anthropogenic sources, have been sequestered together with carbon in northern peatlands. Many of these peatlands are currently underlain by permafrost, which controls mire stability and hydrology. With the ongoing climate change there is concern that permafrost thawing will turn large areas of these northern peatlands from carbon/mercury-sinks into much wetter carbon/mercury-sources. Here we can show that such a change in mire structure in the subarctic Stordalen mire (northern Sweden) actually is responsible for an increased export of mercury to the adjacent lake Inre Harrsjön. We also show that sediment mercury accumulation rates during warm periods in the pre-industrial past were higher than in the 1970s, indicating that, in areas with permafrost, climate can have an effect on mercury loading to lakes as large as anthropogenic emissions. Thawing of permafrost and the subsequent export of carbon is a widespread phenomenon, and the projection is that it will increase even more in the near future. Together with our observations from Stordalen, this makes northern peatlands into a substantial source of mercury, at risk of being released into sensitive arctic fresh water and marine systems

ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH IMPACTS FROM CLIMATE POLICIES

Alexandra Kuhn, Volker Klotz, Ulrike Kugler, Jochen Theloke, Philipp Preiss,

Susanne Wagner, Peter Fantke, Balendra Thiruchittampalam, Sandra Torras Ortiz, Markus Blesl, Rainer Friedrich

IER, Institute for Energy Economics and Rational Use of Energy, University of Stuttgart, Hessbruehlstrasse 49 a, Stuttgart, Germany Climate change mitigation and adaptation measures suggested by science and policy makers focus mainly on their climate reduction potential. The effect of those strategies on health impacts in Europe is investigated in the present study to provide additional, relevant information for policy makers to avoid conflicting outcomes. Links and interrelations between climate policies and other policy areas are examined, namely regarding the agriculture, energy, water and transport sectors and urban and indoor environments. Health impacts are considered under several scenarios in the years 2010, 2020, 2030 and 2050 for Europe. The study follows the impact pathway approach, starting with the emission of pollutants and stressors into the environment; regarding their dispersion in the different

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environmental media; identifying the exposure of the human receptors and calculating the related impacts and damages which can be expressed as DALYs (disability adjusted life years) or monetary values. First results indicate that the health impacts of quite a number of climate change mitigation policies and adaptation measures (e.g. energy efficiency in the transport and housing sectors, alternative fuels and technologies for energy conversion) are as important as the climate change effects; some policies, e.g. biomass burning or reduction of air exchange in buildings might cause quite high additional health impacts. CLIMATE CHANGE AS A DRIVER OF CONTAMINANT CYCLING I N THE

SUB-ARCTIC: A NEAT THEORY BUT WHERE IS THE DATA?

Jonatan Klaminder

Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden (Jonatan.klaminder@emg.umu.se) That climate change in the arctic might trigger an accelerated release of contaminant from thawing permafrost soils to surrounding arctic surfaces waters has been hypothesized in the latest assessment reports from the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) and Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program (AMAP). Hence, the hypothesis appears deeply rooted in the scientific community and is currently affecting the minds of decision makers. Still, empirical data in support of this hypothesis are rare. In this presentation, I summarize some tentative indications from the Swedish sub-arctic that appears to support this hypothesis including: i) a limited recovery in the accumulation rate of Hg and Pb in lake sediments deposited during a period of increased permafrost thawing, despite large reductions in atmospheric fallout; ii) limited changes in the 206Pb/207Pb ratio of the sediment deposited since the 1990s, despite a strong atmospheric increase in this ratio; iii) stratigraphic evidences of large peat erosion events in ancient times found in sediments of a lake surrounded by a mire where the climate-driven erosion has been documented; and iv) mass-balance calculation suggesting significant losses of Hg from eroding peat underlain by thawing permafrost. Even though the findings are tentative, they together provide some empirical data indicating that climate-driven export processes from the arctic soil can be significant and that these are stimulated by the ongoing climate warming.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN HEALTH: PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE TRENDS

Mumtaz Hussain1, Malik Aizad Mumtaz2

1 Society for Conservation of Environment and Sustainable Development and The Environ Monitor, W-715, Defence Housing Authority Lahore 54792, Pakistan 2 Clinical Research Fellow, Ireland Climate change has engulfed Planet Earth. Its manifestations are more pronounced on natural resources, natural disasters and anthropogenic performances. Global warming, extreme events, terrestrial degradation, ensuing chemical hazards, extinction/endangering of biodiversity species and deteriorating health and well being of human beings, plants and animals are consequence of climatic upheavals. Flooding causes immediate, short & and long terms morbidity by drowning, injuries and infectious vector borne diseases in developing and tropical regions. Flooding accounts for 40% of all natural disasters. Droughts impact human

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health through increasing temperatures, decreasing precipitation, lack of safe drinking water, increased incidence of diseases and prolonged exposure to sun rays. People are under constant threat of mental & physical disorders and scores of deadly diseases. Adverse impacts of climate change on health of children are more glaring as these are more exposed to environmental vagaries. Multiplying human needs and misuse of natural capital are contributory factors for climate change trends. According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global temperature is increasing from 1.4oC – 5.8oC, sea level rise by 150cm and submergence of 10% territory of Bangladesh & disappearance of certain islands in Pacific Ocean by end of 21st Century. Higher latitudes and coastal regions will be more affected. Humanity is facing tremendous economic losses due to deteriorating health status. To combat worsening meteorological phenomena there is necessity of formulating joint policies, strategies and action plans at local, national, regional and international rungs.

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SEGH 2010 International Conference and Workshops

of the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health

on Environmental Quality and Human Health

National University of Ireland, Galway

June 27 – July 2, 2010

www.nuigalway.ie/segh2010

ABSTRACTS

OF POSTERS PRESENTATIONS

SEGH2010 - Posters - Agricultural Pollution

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ANTHROPOGENIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE NUTRIENT CONTENT OF SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER IN A SMALL CATCHMENT

Peter Sipos1, Adrienn Tóth2*, Gergely Jakab2, Balázs Madarász2, Zoltán Szalai2,

Adam Kertesz2

1 Institute for Geochemical Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1112 Budaörsi út 45, Budapest, Hungary (Tot8371@helka.iif.Hu) 2 Geographical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1112 Budaörsi út 45, Budapest, Hungary The widely studied phenomenon of eutrophication accelerated by human activity endangers surface waters. Our aim was to study the change of P and N content of the surface runoff and subsurface flow caused by rainfall events, from the watershed to the stream. Samples were taken from the surface runoff water after each rainfall events from five sampling points along a representative slope, from the groundwater at two points of the slope section, from the stream at the valley bottom and from the precipitation water. The nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and phosphate content of water samples were analyzed by spectrophotometry. Our results show that P also moves in dissolved form and appears both in surface runoff water and groundwater. The P concentrations measured in the stream water is always lower than that of surface runoff, while the P amounts are high in the groundwater near the stream. The dissolved P migrates probably by the groundwater towards the lake. There was no relation between the intensity and amount of precipitation as well as the amount of dissolved nutrients. The dissolved N appears as nitrate in the groundwater. The enhanced nitrate concentrations are due to communal pollution, which exceeds the N contribution of agricultural activity. Contrarily, the dissolved N appears as ammonium in the surface runoff waters, while it is present as nitrate in the groundwater. With full knowledge of manures and fertilizers applied in the study area, the different anthropogenic sources deriving from the agricultural and from communal pollution can be distinguished.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FERTILISATION AND IRRIGATION PRACTICES ON YIELD, NITROGEN UPTAKE AND FERTILIZER USE

EFFICIENCY OF WHITE CABBAGE

Martina Šturm1,*, Branka Bračič-Železnik2, Nina Kacjan-Maršić3, Vesna Zupanc3, Sonja Lojen1, Marina Pintar3

1 Department of Environmental Sciences, »Jožef Stefan« Institute, Slovenia (martina.sturm@ijs.si) 2 Drinking Water and Sewerage System Public Utility, Slovenia 3 Agronomy Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia Due to limited arable agricultural land, intensive vegetable production is frequently performed on fields located above shallow groundwater bodies which are very susceptible to nitrogen leaching and prone to pollution of groundwater, which in Slovenia represents the most important source of drinking water. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted with white cabbage (Brassica oleracea) to study the effect of different fertilisation and irrigation practices on yield, N-fertiliser use efficiency, and the potential for N losses in order to obtain data which could lead to recommendations for farmers growing white cabbage on sandy-loam soils inside groundwater protection areas. 15N labelled fertiliser was used as a tracer. It was found that different practices significantly affected yield (quantity and quality), N uptake, as well as fertiliser use efficiency. Under the environmental conditions, highest yield (93 t ha-1),

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plant N uptake (246 kg ha-1), and fertiliser use efficiency (42 %) were obtained under treatment with broadcast fertilisation with farmer’s practice of irrigation (tank sprinkler). N surplus after harvest was –41 kg N ha-1, indicating the lowest potential for N losses. Treatment by fertigation and drip irrigation covering 100 % of crop’s water requirements did not result in the highest yield as expected (72 t ha-1), N surplus after harvest was about +38 kg ha-1. Lowest yield (58 t ha-1), fertiliser use efficiency (30 %) and hence the highest potential for N losses (N surplus +68 kg ha-1) were found in treatment with broadcast fertilisation and drip irrigation covering 50 % of crop’s water requirements.

MICROBIAL AND CHEMICAL MARKER: RUNOFF TRANSFER IN P IG AND COW MANURE-AMENDED SOILS

Emilie Jardé1,*, Morgane Derrien, Anne Jaffrezic2, Michèle Gourmelon3, Marie-Paule

Caprais, Sophie Mieszkin, Romain Marti4, 5, Anne-Marie Pourcher4, 5

1 Geosciences Rennes, UMR 6118 CNRS-Université Rennes 1, France 2 INRA Agrocampus, Rennes, France 3 Ifremer, EMP, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Plouzané, France 4Cemagref, UR GERE, F-35044 Rennes, France 5Université européenne de Bretagne, France Fecal pollution affects environmental waters through spreading of animal manure and runoff of agricultural soils. However, the indicator bacteria (E. coli and enterococci) do not identify the source of the contamination and the development of fecal source tracking tools is crucial for water management and remediation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the transfer of chemical and microbial fecal markers during a runoff simulation on an agricultural plot previously spread with bovine or pig manure. Four types of markers have been analysed: 15 fecal sterols and stanols quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, chemical fingerprint obtained by 3D-fluorescence excitation–matrix spectroscopy, F-specific RNA specific bacteriophages (FRNAPH) and bacterial markers belonging to the Bacteroidales (Rum-2bac and Pig-2-Bac) and to the species Lactobacillus amylovorus. The results show that animal FRNAPH genogroups, sitostanol/coprostanol and cholestanol/cholesterol steroids ratios and tryptophan/ fulvic-like fluorescence differentiated pig and bovine fecal contamination. Sitostanol/coprostanol > 1 and cholestanol / cholesterol <1 are specific of bovine manure amended plot, whereas sitostanol / coprostanol <1 and cholestanol / cholesterol > 1 are characteristic of pig manure amended plot. L-amylovorus and Pig2-bac were only present in runoff water collected on pig manure amended plot whereas Rum2-bac was only detected in runoff water collected on bovine manure amended plot. Combined analyses of chemical and microbial markers provide relevant information on the determination of fecal contamination during runoff on agricultural soils. The next step is to test the applicability of these markers in watercourses submitted to nonpoint source fecal pollution.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Air (indoor and outdoor) Pollution and Health

114

AIR POLLUTION DURING A LARGE TYRE FIRE: THE BENEFIT S OF REAL-TIME AIR MONITORING IN AIDING PUBLIC HEALTH RI SK

ASSESSMENTS

Laura Mitchem1*, Toby Smith1, Robert Carr2, Andrew Kibble1 1 Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (Birmingham), HPA, UK (laura.mitchem@hpa.org.uk; Andrew.kibble@hpa.org.uk; toby.smith@hpa.org.uk) 2 HPA West Midlands North, UK On 8/9/09 10,000 tonnes of shredded tyres caught fire, producing dense plumes of black smoke over 10 days across Wem, North Shropshire. The Environment Agency, with the Health Protection Agency, deployed real-time air quality monitoring equipment and performed ambient air sampling (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, CO, NOx, HCl, phosphine, acrolein) at a number of locations based on modelling data, observations from scene and locations of susceptible receptors. Public health interventions were based on a guideline value of 150 µg m-3 as a 24-hour average (World Health Organisation 24-hour average targets for polluted developing countries), which relates ‘roughly to a 5% increase in mortality…for which immediate mitigation would be recommended.’ Local concentrations of PM10 above the UK Air Quality Strategy objective (50 µg m-3 as 24-hour mean) were found, with hourly averages of 6-880 µg m-3, and a maximum 24-hour means concentration of 194 µg m-3

, Concentrations were not sustained throughout the fire. Gaseous pollutants were generally below limits of detection or relevant health based standards. Monitoring provided valuable information on 24-hour peak concentrations. On the first day, PM10 concentrations spiked at over 6000 µg m-3, necessitating shelter advice to local populations. Despite unfavourable weather and the length of the fire, monitoring showed that elevated PM10 concentrations were not sustained falling to almost ambient concentrations within several days. This case demonstrates the value of real time air quality monitoring during an incident with monitoring data used throughout to aid in the public health decision making, minimising the local impact of the fire.

AIRBORNE PM10 AND ELEMENTS FROM MULTIFARIOUS SOURCE S IN AN INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AREA, KOREA

Jin-Hong Lee1,*, Jong-Myoung Lim2, Jong-Hwa Moon2, Yong-Sam Chung2,

Ki-Hyun Kim3

1 Department of Environmental Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea (jinlee@cnu.ac.kr) 2 Department of Nuclear Basic Science, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon 305-353, Republic of Korea 3 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Sejong University, Seoul 143-747, Republic of Korea The emission characteristics of airborne PM10 in the Sihwa and Banwol Industrial Complex Area of Korea are highly complicated because of diverse man-made activities (about 4,000 stacks). The measurements of 16 elements were undertaken using collision cell technology-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CCT-ICP-MS) from two industrial sites and one reference site in the vicinity of a residential area. Based on our measurements, we attempted to characterize the pollution status of PM10 and elements in the study area. The

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spatial differences in the PM10 and element levels were significant except for the crustal and marine derived elements. Temporal variations in the PM10 and most element data were fairly distinct so that their highest concentrations generally occur in the fall or spring, while the lowest in the summer. The daily concentrations of most elements and PM10 showed strong or moderate correlations among the three sites; however, results of conditional probability function (CPF) obviously accounted for the influences of industrial activities. Thus, concentrations of airborne PM10 and anthropogenic elements in residential area adjacent to Sihwa and Banwol (S/B) industrial areas were tightly affected by industrial activities. Data from this study can be used further for source apportionment and health risk assessment studies to help determine policies and strategies for a regional air quality management.

APPLICATION OF TELLUS AIRBORNE RADIOMETRIC AND SOIL GEOCHEMICAL DATA FOR RADON MAPPING IN NORTHERN IREL AND

J.D. Appleton1, J.C.H. Miles2, C. Scheib1

1 British Geological Survey, Kingsley Dunham Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK (jda@bgs.ac.uk) 2 Health Protection Agency, Radiation Protection Division, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ, UK

Indoor radon concentrations in buildings depend, among other factors, on the amount of radium in the soil and the permeability of the ground. Publicly available information about radon potential in Northern Ireland is currently based on indoor radon results averaged over 1 x 1 km squares, an approach that does not take into account the geological origin of the radon. The purpose of the study reported here is to provide a spatially more accurate estimate of the radon potential of Northern Ireland using a radon potential mapping method originally developed for mapping radon in England and Wales. A refinement of this method was investigated using multivariate linear regression analysis of a selection of relevant Tellus airborne and soil geochemical parameters. The most significant independent variables were found to be the estimated permeability of the ground and eU, a parameter derived from airborne gamma spectrometry measurements of radon decay products in the top layer (about 30 cm) of soil. The radon potential map generated from the Tellus data agrees in many respects with the integrated geological-grid square potential map based on indoor radon data and geology but there are several areas where radon potential estimated from the airborne radiometric data is substantially less than that shown on the integrated geological-grid square radon map. This underestimation may be because the radon concentration may be lower in the top 30 cm of the soil than at greater depth, because of the loss of radon from the surface rocks and soils to air.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND HABITS OF THE BASIC SCHOOL-AGE POPULATION IN LISBON: ASSOCIATIONS WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS

P.N. Pegas1*, C.A. Alves1, M. Scotto2, M.G. Evtyugina1, M.C. Freitas3

C.A. Pio1, S.M. Almeida3

1 Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal (priscillapegas@ua.pt website: http://www.cesam.ua.pt) 2 Department of Mathematics, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal 3 Nuclear and Technological Institute, Estrada Nacional 10, 2686-953 Sacavém, Portugal

SEGH2010 - Posters - Air (indoor and outdoor) Pollution and Health

116

Children are more vulnerable than adults to the adverse effects of air pollution. They have increased exposure to many air pollutants because they have higher breathing rates and higher levels of physical activity compared to adults. In addition, the human lungs continue to develop through adolescence, and exposure to harmful air pollutants during childhood has a significant impact on the evolution of the respiratory system. This age group spend a noteworthy part of the day in indoor environments. Indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools usually presents higher levels of pollutants with an origin in building materials, consumer products and occupants than outdoor environments. The aim of this work was to identify children with respiratory problems aged between 5 and 12 years, as well as nutrition habits, environmental issues, among others, in 14 basic schools of Lisbon. It was carried out from October to December 2008. The students answered a questionnaire similar to that of ISAAC - International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Program. The questionnaire inquired about wheeze, asthma and rhinitis, as well as nutrition practice, environmental aspects, among other facets. Results indicated that 43.3% of children presented wheezing symptoms, while 7.8% and 42.9% suffered from asthma and rhinitis, respectively. The achievements of this study were compared to those of ISAAC programs. This investigation will be followed by further studies aiming to relate indoor air pollution with acute episodes of respiratory diseases in the same population. INVESTIGATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, PARTICLE SIZ E AND

MORPHOLOGY OF THREE BLACK TONER POWDERS CAUSING CYTOTOXIC AND GENOTOXIC EFFECTS IN HUMAN EPITHELIAL A549

LUNG CELLS IN VITRO

Ella Goldenberg1, Mathias Könczöl², Reto Gieré1, Bernard Grobéty3, Albrecht Seidel 4, Volker Mersch-Sundermann2, Richard Gminski²

1 Department of Geosciences, University of Freiburg, Germany (Ella.goldenberg@minpet.uni-freiburg.de) 2 Department of Environmental Health Science, University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany (Mathias.koenczoel@uniklinik-freiburg.de) 3 Department of Geosciences, University Fribourg, Switzerland 4 Biochemisches Institut für Umweltcarcinogene, Grosshansdorf, Germany In humans, acute effects such as irritated eyes, headache and itching skin have been reported as being caused by exposure to toner powders for laser printers. A recent study revealed that the examined, commercially available black toner powders as sonicated suspensions and as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) extracts showed significant genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in human epithelial A549 lung cells in vitro. In this study, the toner powders and their DMSO extracts are physically and chemically characterized in order to investigate the influence of particle size, morphology and chemical composition on cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in A549 cells. Three black toner powders, their suspensions and DMSO extracts were examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, graphite-furnace and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, photometry, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The toner powders consist of C-bearing, rounded to slightly elongated particles (2-12µm) which are covered by rounded submicrometer-sized magnetite particles (0.03-0.2µm). All examined toner powders contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We conclude that the effects cannot be linked to one particular mechanism or substance, but to a complex interaction of particles, their metal content and their contaminants. While the genotoxicity is most likely caused by the PAHs, the cytotoxic effects can be explained by the presence of particles and their metal content.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Air (indoor and outdoor) Pollution and Health

117

TRACE ELEMENTS OF INDOOR AIR AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN LISBON

BY PASSIVE METHODS

Nuno Canha1, Maria do Carmo Freitas1, Susana Marta Almeida1, Ho M. Dung1, Priscilla Pegas2

1 Nuclear and Technological Institute, Estrada Nacional 10, 2686-953 Sacavém, Portugal 2 Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal Most individuals spend about 80% of their time indoors and, consequently, the exposition to the indoor environment is much higher than the outdoors. In fact, children spend most of their time at home or at school and the concentrations at these areas are important for the time-weighted exposure of them. Due to their undeveloped airways, children are more exposed to pollutants which can have an impact in health as well in their educational performance. The aim of this study was to assess the children exposure to trace elements (such as As, Sb, Zn, Fe, Cr) in the total particulate matter (TPM), present at indoor environments and which can be breathed by them, using passive methods. A study for the pollutants indoor and outdoor sources was conducted as well. A passive sampling is an easier and cheaper method than using automatic samplers. A methodology based up on a TPM passive sampling was applied in 14 schools (two classrooms each), which were representative of the Lisbon urban area, from May to June of 2009. The collected TPM was analysed by INAA – Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. The trace elements results were converted in the quantity breathed by an average child and then compared with the maximum values allowed by the Portuguese legislation. The schools location (nearby motorways, for example) was an important factor as well the classrooms ventilation towards the variation of the trace elements indoor exposure.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Bioavailability and Bio-accessibility

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EFFECT OF ROOT EXUDATES ON THE MOBILITY OF HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE ISOMERS.

B. Rodríguez-Garrido1*, P.S. Kidd1, F. Macías Vázquez2, M.C. Monterroso2

1 Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas de Galicia (IIAG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Santiago de Compostela E-15706, Spain (beatriz@iiag.csic.es) 2 Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela E-15782, Spain Plants and their associated microorganisms play an important role in governing contaminant behaviour in soils. Plant root exudation of organic compounds can significantly modify the bioavailability of the soil contaminants. This can be particularly important in the case of hydrophobic organic compounds, such as hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), since it can accelerate their degradation and/or mineralization. In this study, we evaluate the effect of root exudates (natural and artificial) on the mobility of HCH isomers in soil. The effect of 15 different compounds (mostly low molecular weight organic acids, LMWOA) was tested, either individually or in combination (artificial exudate solution) at a concentration of 1 or 10 mM. Natural exudates were collected from the hydroponically-grown gramineae Holcus lanatus, which is found growing in a HCH-contaminated area in Porriño (Pontevedra, NW Spain). Desorption experiments were carried out in a batch system using soil from Porriño which is highly contaminated with α-, β-, γ- and δ-HCH. Results show that the mixture of LMWOAs, natural exudates, and many of the individual LWMOAs tested, mobilised HCH isomers present in the soil. This effect was particularly pronounced in the case of α-, β- and γ- HCH: compared to water the solubility of α-, β- and γ- HCH increased by 23.0, 26.8 and 15.5 % using natural exudates, and by 40.1, 25.9 and 25.6 % using artificial exudates, respectively. These results may have important implications in improving phytoremediation processes in soils contaminated with hydrophobic contaminants.

UNDERSTANDING BIOAVAILABILITY OF IODINE IN SOILS OF NORTHERN IRELAND

H.E. Smith1,2*, E.L. Ander2, E.H. Bailey1, N.M. Crout1, M.J. Watts2, S.D. Young1

1 Division of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biology Building, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK (plxhes@nottingham.ac.uk, liz.bailey@nottingham.ac.uk, neil.crout@nottingham.ac.uk, scott.young@nottingham.ac.uk) 2 British Geological Survey, Kingsley Dunham Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK (l.ander@bgs.ac.uk; M.J.W. mwatts@bgs.ac.uk) Iodine is essential to mammalian health but occurs at trace concentrations in the natural environment. Even in locations where there are relatively high concentrations of iodine in surface soils, Iodine Deficiency Diseases (IDD) have been identified. The critical importance of iodine nutrition to both humans and livestock suggests further study is required to understand how environmental conditions affect transfer of iodine into the biosphere. The recent geochemical survey undertaken by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, the Tellus project, has utilised high-resolution soil sampling (1 per 2 km2) of the entire Northern Ireland land area. Iodine concentrations were determined, as part of a suite of ~50 analytes, alongside soil pH and ‘loss-on-ignition’ as a proxy for organic content. Study of the topsoil iodine concentrations (Smyth & Johnson, in press, Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis) showed that:

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- iodine concentrations in Northern Ireland’s surface soils are generally high (median 6.7 mg kg-1; mean 10.6 mg kg-1);

- a coastal fringe of high iodine concentrations was identified, linked to marine sources;

- iodine concentration elsewhere in Northern Ireland depends on soil characteristics which affect retentive capacity, including organic matter content.

The ‘availability’ of the soil iodine has now been studied further using leaching tests, and linked to physico-chemical parameters, including pH, organic matter content and the major oxide composition of the soils. This fundamental information is vital to allow future modelling of the speciation, retention and movement of iodine in these soils.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Biomonitoring

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EVALUATION OF BIOCONVERSION LEVEL FOR HEAVY METALS OF SOME SPECIES BELONGING TO RUSSULA GENUS

Gabriela Busuioc, Claudia Stihi, Carmen Elekes, Cristiana Radulescu, Anca Gheboianu

Valahia University from Targoviste, Romania This paper is part of a large research project won by national competition PN II-ID_624. It is about the capacity of some wild macromycetes belonging to Russula genus for accumulated heavy metals in natural condition of pH. The pH values was determinated between 6,5 and 6,8. Russula species studied are: R. virescens, R. cyanoxantha, R. vesca R. foetens, R. nigrescens and R. lutea and were harvested from forestry ecosistems of Dambovita county in south of Romania. It were collected also the substrate under their fruitbody. Both kind of samples, biologic and substrate were analysed by two spectrometry methods. By spectrometry with fluorescence were determinated the quantities of Fe, Zn, Ti, Mn, Cu, Sr, Co, and others. By AAS were determinated the concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Cd. For examples iron content of substrate was between 7,2% and 8,92%; Mn content was 0,06-0,08%; concentration of Zn was between 0,18 and 0,3%; Ti was between 2,2 to 14,5% and Sr was in all cases 0,1%. The metal content in macromycetes species studied variated comparatively with those of their substrate. So was possible to calculate the rate of bioconversion factor for each macromycetes species and each metals and the influence of pH on their accumulation capacity.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Contaminated Land

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A DIFFICULT DECADE: LAND CONTAMINATION AND DEVELOPM ENT MANAGEMENT– A UK REGULATORS PERSPECTIVE

McIntosh, Roslyn1,2, Hursthouse, Andrew1, Hair, Mario1

1 University of the West of Scotland, School of Science, Paisley, Renfrew, PA1 2BE, Scotland 2 Inverclyde Council, Safer Communities, Greenock, Inverclyde, PA15 1YA, Scotland The sustainable redevelopment of land within the urban environment requires consideration of land contamination as a statutory requirement by the local authority’s Development Management. The soil is recognised in the European Commission Thematic Strategy on the Protection of Soils and the revised draft Soil Framework Directive as a significant indicator of land contamination which forms a critical part of our urban ecosystem. A decade ago, the UK contaminated land regime was introduced under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This not only required statutory remediation of determined contaminated land but also required land contamination issues to be considered in the development management process. To date, development management has dominated the regime in Scotland. The Part IIA approach requires the local authority to demonstrate significant pollutant linkage. However, with the requirement for land to be suitable for its intended use, development management instigates a more conservative approach to assessing pollutant linkages. Consequentially, the majority of justifications for human health remediation are based on exceedance of generic criteria, which may incur exaggerated remediation schemes. In response to the requirements of the contaminated land regime, local authorities have amassed extensive data resources in order to characterise the land quality in their region and assess its potential to be ‘contaminated’. This study examines approaches to interrogating this data resource, focusing on the application of generic assessment criteria to justify human health remediation schemes and considers whether this approach is conducive to sustainable redevelopment of land.

ARSENIC CONTAMINATION IN LAND AFFECTED BY AN ABANDO NED

TUNGSTEN MINE IN GALICIA (NW SPAIN)

Victor Cárdenes1,2, Remigio Paradelo1, Carmela Monterroso1, Álvaro Rubio2 1 Dpto. Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain (remigio.paradelo@usc.es, carmela.monterroso@usc.es) 2 Área de Petrología y Geoquímica, Dpto. de Geología, Universidad de Oviedo. C/ Jesús Arias de Velasco s/n, 33005 Oviedo, Spain (victor@valdeorras.com) The soil contamination levels were studied in the land affected by a tungsten mine in Galicia (NW Spain). The mine worked mainly in the first half of the twentieth century, and it was definitely closed by 1953. Soil samples were taken in six points of the mine, and in two natural soils close to the mine area. Total heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni and Cu) and As were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence in sieved (< 2 mm) ground samples. Extremely high As levels (>1000 mg kg-1) were found in all the samples analyzed, whereas for the heavy metals analyzed no abnormally high concentrations were observed. Although high As background levels are common in soils developed over slates in the area, the concentrations found here for

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the natural soils were too high, so they are probably due to contamination from the mine dumps. The As concentrations in the mine soils were higher than in the natural soils, ranging from 0.5-1% approximately. The highest As concentrations (over 3%) were found in iron oxyhydroxide deposits, which precipitate directly from water in some places in the area, working as an important sink for As. Although additional research is needed to determine the potential ecological and human health risks associated with the mine, our results suggest that this location can act as a dangerous As source.

FRACTIONATION OF ARSENIC IN MINING IMPACTED SOILS A ND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY REMEDIATION APPROACH

Hossain M. Anawar1*, A. Garcia-Sanchez2

1 Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear Reactor, Apartado 21, E.N. 10, 2686-953, Sacavém, Portugal (anawar4@hotmail.com) 2 Department of Environmental Geochemistry, IRNASA-CSIC, Aptdo 257, Salamanca, Spain

Arsenic (As) concentration and fractionation in soils and plants, mineralogical composition, and mobility under changing pH and redox conditions were studied on several mining contaminated areas of Spain using single and sequential chemical extraction, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), column leaching test, microbial incubation study and agricultural cultivation. Total As concentrations in all mining soils were in the range 96-27,350 mg/kg demonstrating extremely high concentrations of As. Arsenic concentrations in majority of plants were very low except a few plant species. The concentrations of potentially mobile and exchangeable As were relatively low in mining soils. Chemical extraction, either single or sequential, showed that the major fraction of As is predominantly bound to poorly crystalline Fe, Mn and Al oxides. Microbial activities and agricultural cultivation exert environmental influences to change the pH value and redox potential of soils, eventually causing reductive dissolution of Fe and Mn oxides and As mobility. Besides these, the use of iron oxides as a medium for a long-term storage of As has to be considered with a great caution because it will tend to release As as it ages. On the other hand, high concentrations of residual As fractions that are bound in the crystalline lattices of silicate and phyllosilicate minerals, the most stable mineral phase, are not easily leached and mobilized by microbial and redox change. Therefore, phytostabilization of As contaminated soils after applying mineral amendments like silicate and phyllosilicate can become a promising strategy for managing mining contaminated sites.

STUDY DESIGN FOR OPTIMISED INVESTIGATION OF RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED LAND

P.D. Rostron*, M.H.Ramsey

Department of Biology and Environmental Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK (pr52@sussex.ac.uk) It has been estimated that there could be up to 20,000,000 cubic metres of radioactively and non-radioactively contaminated land at Sellafield alone. Other sites such as Harwell and Dounreay are also known to have significant amounts of contaminated land some of which is radioactively contaminated. It is therefore important to devise cost-effective methods of characterising areas of land for radionuclide content. The OCLI method, developed by Ramsey et al., aims to optimise the costs of surveys of chemically contaminated land. This is achieved by minimising an economic loss function which includes the potential costs of misclassification due to uncertainty in the measurements.

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OCLI was further developed into the WSOCLI method Boon to include the numbers of samples in the cost optimisation process. The objective of this new study is to adapt and apply these methods to radioactively contaminated land investigations, which introduce a number of particular issues such as:

a) The high costs of intrusive investigations of radioactively contaminated ground and disposal of radioactive materials;

b) Unlike chemical contaminants, some radioactive substances can be remotely detected; c) Natural attenuation of radionuclides is by dispersion and radioactive decay, leading to

separation of mixtures of nuclides;; d) The presence of some radionuclides must be inferred by the presence of surrogates

rather than by direct field measurement, e.g. Pu-241 by its daughter radionuclide Am-241.

The application of the OCLI and WSOCLI methods to investigations at nuclear sites is expected to further develop them as generalised techniques for the cost effective characterisation of both chemically and radioactively contaminated land. Initial findings will be discussed in the context of these objectives.

SEGH2010 - Posters – Environmental Impact of Traffic and Transportation

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THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON LEAF PROPERTIES OF PLANE

A.R. Poorkhabbaz

Environment Department, Birjand University, Shokatabad Paradise, 97175/615, Birjand, Iran (Tel: +989151609066, Fax: +985614430475, apourkhabbaz@yahoo.com) Plane (Platanus orientalis L.) trees occur alongside roads, where exposed to traffic pollution. To investigate whether leaves of plane trees growing in urban centers are damaged by pollution compared to rural, leaves from Mashhad city center and Torghabeh sites, (20 km from the city center) were investigated. For morphology, twenty leaves of each 10 trees were chosen and done by IAS. Microscopical anatomical studies the leaf pieces were fixed in FAE for SEM. Determining epidermal cell frequency , stomatal index and pore size was observed under a light microscope. To observe particulate matter on leaf were studied under SEM. No visible leaf damage observed. In September, leaves from the urban site were significantly smaller, the frequency of stomata, and leaf epidermal cells were lower than the rural site. Stomatal indices showed no significant difference. Stomatal pores, which were significantly smaller at the urban site, were not occluded by particles. The upper surface of leaves from the urban site was heavily loaded by dust particles. Cuticle plus cutinized epidermis cell outer walls were significantly thinner in the urban than in the rural site. Leaves from the city showed more intense autofluorescence of polyphenolics in and around the minor veins. Thus, plane leaves from the urban site show morphological and anatomical changes that may influence gas exchange. As leaves did not show macroscopic or microscopic injury, our data indicate that plane trees can cope with traffic exhaust and are therefore excellent roadside trees for megacities.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Environmental Policy

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INVESTIGATION OF TELLUS DATA TO PRODUCE PEAT DEPTH MODELS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND AND ITS APPLICATION TO

CARBON STOCKS

M.Robinson1, J.McKinley1, A.Ruffell1, M.Young2

1 School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. Ireland 2 Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Colby House, Belfast, N. Ireland Under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UK is committed to implementing policies that protect reservoirs of greenhouse gases. Soil carbon stores and changes are a major component of the required annual returns made by participating countries to the IPCC. The high proportion of soil carbon in peat (42% of soil C in NI) is explained by the relatively high carbon density of peat and peaty soils. Soil C density, the mass of organic C per unit area, is calculated using %C, depth and bulk density values. This research investigates the use of TELLUS gamma-radiation data to produce peat depth models for Northern Ireland and improve estimates of carbon stocks. Gamma-radiation from rocks is attenuated by overlying peat; previous tests show some correlation between gamma-radiation and peat depths to at least 2 m. We are using GIS to examine existing estimations of soil carbon stores. Peat depths from historical sources (1956) and recent surveys (1997/98) have been incorporated into GIS through georeferencing and digitisation. Visual outputs displaying average peat depths for individual 1km² grid squares have been compared with existing estimates. The spatial interpolation of peat-depth values for individual bogs has been completed. Current work is assessing the relationships between the TELLUS data and previous peat depth measurements using geostatistical techniques. Peat depth estimations made from TELLUS radiometric data will be crosschecked using geophysical methods. An improved peat depth model, produced through the integration of the TELLUS data and known peat depths, could improve carbon stock calculations.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Epidemiology

126

EVALUATION OF THE DRINKING WATER SELENIUM STANDARD: AN UPDATE

Marco Vinceti*, Francesca Bonvicini, Margherita Bergomi, Carlotta Malagoli

Dipartimento di Scienze di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy (Tel: + 39 059 2055481, Fax: + 39 059 2055483, marco.vinceti@unimore.it)

Recent studies suggesting a diabetogenic activity of selenium (Se) have raised concern about the human health effects of this metalloid of considerable nutritional and toxicological interest. Uncertainties exist about the adequate environmental levels of this metalloid, in particular, regarding the safe upper standard in drinking water, considering the very few epidemiologic studies carried out on this topic. We summarize results of our epidemiologic studies on long-term effects of consumption of municipal tapwater with naturally-occurring unusually high levels of Se (7-9 µg/l), within a non-seleniferous Italian area. Speciation analyses demonstrated that in that tapwater Se was almost entirely present in its hexavalent inorganic form, selenate. After checking for potential confounders, long-term consumers of the high-Se drinking water experienced no substantial change in overall mortality and in prevalence at birth of congenital anomalies, whilst incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and of some site-specific cancers exceeded that expected on the basis of reference rates. No beneficial effect on prostate cancer risk emerged, consistently with results of a recently published large trial carried out in the US. Our results are corroborated by laboratory studies, which demonstrated that inorganic (tetravalent) Se is toxic at concentrations as low as 0,8 µg/l, also confirming that toxicity of inorganic Se species far exceeds that of the organic forms. Overall, these findings indicate that current WHO drinking water upper Se standard, 10 µg/l, might be inadequate to protect human health, suggesting the need for additional epidemiologic studies on health effects of exposure to specific Se species through drinking water.

TRACKING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANT E. COLI FROM HOSPITAL EFFLUENT THROUGH MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT

C. Morris, D. Morris, M. Cormican

Dept. of Bacteriology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Acquired antimicrobial resistance in E. coli is a growing public health problem in the hospital and the community. Hospitals are centres of intense antimicrobial use and selection of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. We and others have previously documented evidence of discharge of antimicrobial agents and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria into the environment. This report documents data collected as an initial step in performing a quantitative microbial risk assessment to assess the potential for hospital effluent to lead to human exposure to antimicrobial resistant E. coli. In early 2009 on 6 occasions a series of samples were collected from a series of points through a municipal sewage system. Sampling points were upstream from a hospital (UH), hospital effluent (H), city effluent downstream from a hospital (DH). Untreated municipal effluent entering the waste water treatment plant (UE) and treated effluent (TE) as it leaves the waste water treatment plant. All samples were screened for penicillins, tetracyclines, macrolides, quinolones and aminoglycosides using a 5 plate bioassay, and for the presence of antimicrobial resistant E. coli by quantitative culture in the presence and absence of ampicillin (Am) 32µg/ml, streptomyocin (S) 32µg/ml, cefoxitin (X) 32µg/ml, cefotaxime (F) 2µg/ml, tetracycline (T) 4µg/ml, sulphonamides (Su) 256µg/ml and ciprofloxacin (P) 4µg/ml.

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Penicillins were detected in H and DH on all six sample dates. Quinolones were detected in H samples on all six sample dates and in DH on occasions. Am resistant E. coli were detected in all effluent samples on all sample dates. S and Su resistant E. coli were detected on all sample dates in H, DH, UE and TE samples. X and F resistant E. coli were detected on all sample dates in H and DH. P resistant E. coli were detected on one sample date in H, DH and TE. This data represents further evidence of discharge of antimicrobial agents and E. coli resistant to antimicrobials in hospital effluent and the persistence of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli through the sewage treatment process. Additional sampling to provide data for quantitative risk assessment is ongoing.

SEGH2010 - Posters - GIS Mapping and Spatial Analysis

128

EMPLOYING A PORTABLE XRF ANALYSER AND GIS TO IDENTI FY AND MAP HEAVY METAL POLLUTION IN SOILS OF A TRADITI ONAL

BONFIRE SITE

Ligang Dao1, Liam Morrison2, Chaosheng Zhang3,*

1 School of Geography and Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland (daoligang@gmail.com) 2 Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Martin Ryan Institute and Environmental Change Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland 3 School of Geography and Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland (Chaosheng.zhang@nuigalway.ie) Soils in the vicinity of bonfires are recipients of metal contaminants from burning of metal-containing materials. In order to better understand the impacts of bonfires on soils, a total of 218 surface soil samples were collected from a traditional bonfire site in Galway City, Ireland. Concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn were determined using a portable X-ray Fluorescence (P-XRF) analyser. Strong variations were observed for these metals, and several samples contained elevated Zn concentrations which exceeded the intervention threshold of the Dutch criteria (720 mg kg-1). Spatial clusters and spatial outliers were detected using the local Moran's I index and were mapped using GIS. Two clear high value spatial clusters could be observed on the upper left side and centre part of the study area for all studied metals. Results of variogram analyses showed high nugget-sill-ratios for Cu, Pb and Zn, indicating strong spatial variation over short distances which could be resulted from anthropogenic activities. The spatial interpolation method of ordinary kriging was applied to produce the spatial interpolation maps for Cu, Pb and Zn, and the areas with elevated concentrations were in line with historical locations of the bonfires. The hazard maps showed small parts of the study area with Zn concentrations exceeding the Dutch intervention values. In order to prevent further contamination from bonfires, it is advised that tyres and other metal-containing wastes must not be burnt. The results in this study provide useful information for management of bonfires. MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IN MATERNITY AND CHILD HEA LTH IN MALAWI: EXPLORING AGRICULTURAL, MEDICAL AND SOCI AL

INFLUENCES

Natalie Dickinson1,2, Andrew Hursthouse1, John Gulliver1,2, John Atkinson2, Jean Rankin2

1 School of Engineering and Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley Campus, High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK 2 School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley Campus, High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK We report on an interdisciplinary project, bringing together environmental science, nutrition, epidemiology, social science and public health, to address the issue of micronutrient malnutrition in Malawi, Southern Africa. Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in Malawi, as staple diets are maize based, and animal source food intake is low. The concentrations and bioavailability of iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin A are often low in these rural diets. These micronutrients have a critical role in growth and the immune system, and deficiencies have been associated with stunting and morbidity in children, and with increased maternal morbidity and mortality. The overall aim of the study is to identify the status of deficiencies of micronutrients in soils from two distinct regions of Southern Malawi, in the food crops grown on these soils, and in

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the blood of pregnant women who eat these crops. The study also aims to assess the impact of human behaviour on micronutrient cycling and human micronutrient status in these subsistence farming communities, by means of questionnaire and observation. We present a methodology for the investigation of micronutrient status, covering project setup and execution in rural Malawi. Preliminary results focus on questionnaire and blood analysis. Deficiencies of micronutrients are observed in the study communities, and differences occur between the two regions, geographically and socially. GIS is used to analyse and display the data in a spatial context, and conclusions from relationships between environmental and social factors are described in the context of interventions to improve nutritional health.

USE OF MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY TO PRODUCE HIGH RESOLUTION MAPS FOR HEAVY METAL SOIL CONTAMINATION IN

SOUTH PARK GALWAY, IRELAND

Nessa Golden1, Yaxin He1, Paul Gibson2, Chaosheng Zhang1,*

1 School of Geography and Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland (Chaosheng.Zhang@nuigalway.ie) 2 Environmental Geophysics Unit, Department of Geography, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland Maps of heavy metal pollution in soils are important for both understanding the pollution processes and environmental management. This study investigates the relationship between heavy metal contamination and magnetic susceptibility of soils in the contaminated land of South Park, Galway Ireland. Field data were collected using a Bartington MS2 susceptibility system with an MS2D probe for in situ analysis of magnetic susceptibility at a grid density of 10 m x10 m. Soil samples were collected for a portable X-ray fluorescence (P-XRF) analysis for heavy metal concentrations at a lower density of 20 m x 20 m grid. Strong positive correlations were found between magnetic susceptibility and heavy metal concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn. A geographically weighted regression (GWR), within a geographical information systems (GIS) environment, was used to model the spatially varying relationships between magnetic susceptibility and heavy metals. The model results were subsequently used to predict heavy metal concentrations at locations where only magnetic susceptibility data were obtained, enabling production of heavy metal pollution maps at a higher resolution.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Health Impact Assessment

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CHARACTERISATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN CHEWING STICK S (MISWAK) ON SALE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

A M Grain, S W Al-Rmalli, R O Jenkins, P I Haris*

Faculty Health and Life sciences, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, UK (pharis@dmu.ac.uk) The twigs of the Salvadora persica plant are used in many parts of the world as chewing sticks (Miswak) for the cleaning of teeth and general oral hygiene. Chewing sticks originating from different parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East are sold in ethnic shops in the UK and are used by members of certain communities. We have undertaken a study surveying the type of chewing sticks sold in ethnic shops in Leicester, Birmingham and London with a view to also characterize their trace element composition and role in oral health. We analysed the trace element content of both the bark (which is generally removed before chewing) and flesh components of twigs from Salvadora persica. The samples were dried and digested using a microwave digester and the content of trace elements analysed by ICP-MS. The mean concentrations of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn were 9.6, 2.9, 12.9, 43.2, 324, 17.7, 15.5 mg/kg for the bark and 7.2, 1.2, 9.8, 37.5, 84.8, 13.7, 12 mg/kg for the flesh, respectively. Low concentrations of Ni, Mo, Ti, and Pb were detected, the mean concentrations of these elements were 1.7, 1.7, 4.7, 4.7 mg/kg for bark and 1.4, 1.2, 1.3, 2.5 mg/kg for the flesh, respectively. The concentrations of elements in the bark were higher compared to the flesh. This could partly be due to air pollution or contact with soil, it is therefore recommended that users take extra care to fully remove the bark before using the chewing stick.

NOSOGEOGRAPHYCAL (GEO-MEDICINAL) ASPECTS OF THE RESEARCH OF NATURAL-TERRITORIAL SYSTEMS IN UZBEKIST AN

Nilufar Komilova

Faculty of Geography, National University of Uzbekistan, Studencheskaya St, Tashkent-100174, Uzbekistan (Tel: 99871-2465321, Fax: 99871-2465321, nilufar_komil@mail.ru) Natural-geographical conditions in Uzbekistan are that various types of landscapes having, in turn, specific social and economic and nosogeographycal characteristics here are combined. About 70% of the territory of Uzbekistan is occupied by deserts, mainly, sands of Kyzyl-Kum. Mountain ridges are mainly in the south and the southeast. These two large natural-territorial systems, their interposition and interrelation, a combination of oases and intermountain valleys define the general geographical picture of Uzbekistan. They are primary factors of a territorial division of labour, formation socio-economical and nosogeographycal areas. The main lines of nosogeographycal situations are caused here with arid climate, distribution of precipitations and temperatures on territory of Uzbekistan, a hydrographical network which, basically, has transboundary character. The territorial distribution of illnesses within the geographical areas of Uzbekistan, also it’s nosogeographycal zoning were investigated. In detail this question is studied on an example of Bukhara region - one of the typical deserted areas in Uzbekistan. Results of the research have allowed allocating various taxonomical levels of nosogeographycal zones: nosogeographycal hotbeds, centres and areas. Hence, improvement nosogeographycal situation in such areas demands, first of all, creation of corresponding system of a social infrastructure, in particular, improvement of supply of the population by pure drinkable water. The priority attention is given to these and other problems of social and economic development of rural territories in «the Program of development of a countryside» which is

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developed and realized by the republic government in connection with the announcement of 2009 «Year of well-being and village development».

SYSTEMIC RISKS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

Lukas Kleppin, Broder Breckling, Gunther Schmidt, Winfried Schröder

Chair of Landscape Ecology, University of Vechta, Germany The introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in agricultural ecosystems may cause adverse and irreversible impacts. The main issues of concern for human health are allergic reaction (allergenicity), gene transfer and outcrossing. The movement of genes from GM plants into conventional crops or related species in the wild (outcrossing), as well as the mixing of crops derived from conventional seeds with those grown using GM crops, may have an indirect effect on food safety and food security. This risk is real, as was shown when traces of a maize type which was only approved for feed use appeared in maize products for human consumption in the United States of America. Several countries have adopted strategies to reduce mixing, including a clear separation of the fields within which GM crops and conventional crops are grown. Feasibility and methods for post-marketing monitoring of GM food products, for the continued surveillance of the safety of GM food products, are under discussion. The GeneRisk research consortium analysed the implications of the cultivation of GMO. The risks involved transcend the borders of very different systems. Therefore, they were analysed by interdisciplinary approaches. One central scientific issue was the assessment of the spatial implications of GMO cultivation for areas of large extent by example of Bt-maize as the most relevant GM crop. This was achieved by means of modelling impacts of GM crops at large spatial scales within a WebGIS environment. This approach enables assessing benefits and risks for stakeholders, such as farmers, beekeepers, or consumers.

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ASSESSMENTS OF HEAVY METALS DISTRIBUTION IN SOIL US ING EDXRF AND FAAS TECHNIQUES

Claudia Stihi1*, Antoaneta Ene2, Ion V. Popescu1,3, Cristiana Radulescu1, Gabriela Busuioc4,

Antoaneta Gheboianu3, Alina Bosneaga2

1 Valahia University of Targoviste, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Sciences Department, 2 Carol I street, 130022, Targoviste, Romania (stihi@valahia.ro) 2 ”Dunarea de Jos”University of Galati, Faculty of Sciences, Physics Deprtment, 111 Domneasca steet,800201, Galati, Romania (aene@ugal.ro) 3 Valahia University of Targoviste, Multidisciplinary Research Institute for Sciences and Technologies, Targoviste, Romania 4 Valahia University of Targoviste, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnologies, Targoviste, Romania The main goal of this work is to determine the level of soil pollution with heavy metals in the vicinity of Iron and Steel Works at Targoviste and Galati, Romania. This is one of the first studies on soil pollution realized in these regions related with the industrial activity. The investigated soil samples were collected in open places at different depths, at different distances from the metallurgical plants. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb) were determined using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Florescence (EDXRF) and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry techniques. The experimental results indicate that the concentration of heavy metals decrease with the distance from the metallurgical works and they are greater than the levels detected in a control soil collected from an area situated far from vehicle traffic and industrial activity. Anthropogenic releases give rise to higher concentrations of the metals relative to the normal background values and in some locations their levels exceed the alert level admitted by the Romanian guidelines.

BIOACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN WILD MUSHROOMS FROM FOREST SITES BY USING SPECTROMETRIC TECHNIQUES

Cristiana Radulescu1*, Claudia Stihi1, Gabriela Busuioc2, Ion V. Popescu1,3,4, Anca Irina

Gheboianu3, Valerica Gh. Cimpoca1,3, Carmen Cristina Elekes2

1 Valahia University of Targoviste, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Sciences Department, 130082, Targoviste, Romania 2 Valahia University of Targoviste, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnologies, Environmental Engineering Department, 130082, Targoviste, Romania 3 Multidisciplinary Research Institute for Science and Technologies, Valahia University of Targoviste, 130082, Targoviste, Romania 4 Academy of Romanian Scientists, 54 Splaiul Independentei, Bucharest 050094, Romania The aim of this study is to biomonitoring the polluted and non-polluted forest sites, from Dambovita County, Romania, on the large period, by using eight wild mushrooms, e.g. Amanita sp., as bioaccumulator species of heavy metals. The principal objective of these researches is to achieve of complete data base concerning the pollution grade of sixteen forest soils with heavy metals which affected directly the health. The Cr, Pb, Cd, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Co, Se concentrations from fruiting body of mushrooms species and their substrate were determined using Energy Dispersive X-ray and Flame Atomic Absorption spectrometries. The validation methods of microwave digestion, FAAS and EDXRF, are important for the final results of this research. Periodic testing of standard solutions to verify of reliability of the measuring apparatus is performed. Accuracy has been checked using quality control test for

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fungi and their substrate to show the degree of agreement between the standard values and measured values, the difference was less than 5%. Standard reference materials for soil (SRMs 2711) and for mushrooms, orchard leaves (SRMs 1571) and Bovine Liver (SRMs 1577c) was tested. A highest accumulation of Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr and Zn (mg/kg d.w.) in 32 mushrooms samples has been observed comparative with the similar content of metals from sixteen soil samples and this high level depends by pH of the forest sites (pH 4.98 - 5.62) and the location (altitude, period, type of soil, vegetation). The coefficient of accumulation of heavy metals has been calculated as well. CAN AN IN VITRO SCREENING BE USEFUL TO TEST THE TOLLERANCE

AND THE ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN PLANTS? THE CASE OF THREE POPULUS ALBA L. CLONES

Sara Di Lonardo1*, Maurizio Capuana2

1 Department of Plant Biology, University of Florence, Via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy 2 Institute of Plant Genetics, National Research Council (IGV-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Fi), Italy Plant-based remediation techniques are showing increasing promise for use in soils contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants thus being less expensive and less damaging to the environment than conventional remediation systems. Woody plant species have been suggested because of their characteristics, such as the ability to accumulate and translocate metals, the fast growth, the deep and extended root system. Among them, poplars have been proposed for phytoremediation. Therefore, for improving the application of these plants to phytoextraction, our study aimed at the characterization of three clones of Populus alba L. to assess their effectiveness in tolerating and accumulating only one metal at a time, in particular arsenic (0, 5, 50, 250 µM), cadmium (0, 5, 50, 250 µM), zinc (0, 250, 1000, 2000 µM) and copper (0, 5, 50, 250 µM), in an in vitro system. Data showed that clones with contrasting phenotypes for accumulation-related traits were found even if they all can accumulate high levels of the applied metals with no adverse effect on biomass production. Metal concentration in the roots was always higher than in the shoots and, in roots, metal content did not increase proportionally to metal medium concentration, suggesting for our Populus alba clones and the studied elements a metal exclusion strategy from stems and reproductive tissue by retaining the metal in the roots. In addition, these data demonstrated that in vitro screening represents an easily reproducible test method for determining the ability of different poplar clones to take up, tolerate and survive metal stress. HYDROCHEMICAL ANOMALIES OF THE ROE VALLEY CATCHMENT ,

NORTHERN IRELAND

Orla Gallagher1*, Louise Ander2, Michael Young3, Ulrich Ofterdinger1

1 Environmental Engineering Research Centre, The Queen’s University, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK (ogallagher09@qub.ac.uk) 2 British Geological Survey, Keyworth, NG12 5GG, UK 3 Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Belfast BT9 5BF, UK Anomalies in stream water concentrations for several metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb Zn) over the Roe Valley, Co. Londonderry, were detected in 1996. The catchment has a variety of geological formations, with base-rich and base-poor lithologies, and peat dominated headwaters. These give rise to systematic geochemical variations in soils and stream

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sediments, which differ from those in stream waters. A selection of stream water sites was re-sampled (2009) to compare with the older survey sampling (1996), and to try to elucidate the hydrochemical processes. Additionally, some of the sites had concentrations close to, or exceeding those, of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) Environmental Quality Standards (EQS). Observations comparing the 1996 and 2009 data are:

� Chromium, nickel and zinc concentrations have changed only moderately, and their relative abundance within the overall dataset is very similar:

� Nickel concentrations are significantly correlated; � Chromium and zinc are positively correlated, but individual outliers distort

the relationship. � Copper concentrations have decreased significantly between 1996 (median 2.7 µg/l)

and 2009 (1.3 µg/l). The linearity of the relationship is also affected by some individual outliers.

The trace element concentrations can be related to local natural sources (such as mineralisation in the Sperrin Mountains), and solubility controls related to pH and dissolved organic carbon. The change in copper concentrations is incompletely understood, but may relate to subtle variations in solubility controls, or a decline in the sources of copper to the catchment.

LEACHING PROPERTIES OF COAL CLEANING RESIDUES FROM

SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL

Maria Izquierdo1, Xavier Querol1, Marcus Wollenschlager2, R.B. Finkelman3, Luis F.O. Silva2*

1 Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC) C/Lluis Solé y Sabarís s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain 2 Catarinense Institut of Environmental Research and Human Development – IPADHC, Capivari de Baixo, Santa Catarina, Brazil 3 University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Geosciences, Richardson, TX 75083, US

The geochemistry of coal cleaning residues (CCR) in Santa Catarina State (Brazil) was investigated. 3 million ton/year of coal waste are dumped in Santa Catarina State. Froth flotation for coal beneficiation results in large amounts of CCR composed of coaly and mineral matter, the latter characterised by the occurrence of sulfide minerals and a broad array of trace pollutants. The modes of occurrence in which pollutants are hosted play a critical role in their mobility and release to the environment. Since the influence of metals on health and ecosystems is a growing concern, an accurate study on the occurrence and leaching of pollutants in CCR is of major importance. The total and leachable contents of more than 60 elements in 18 samples were analysed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. and the occurrence of mineral species was investigated by SEM-EDX and TEM. Brazilian coal is characterised by high sulfide contents. The oxygen-rich water used for coal beneficiation in conjunction with atmospheric exposure of wastes promotes pyrite oxidation, which releases substantial amounts of Ca and SO4

2-. Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni and Cd showed the highest discharges. Most trace pollutants in CCR displayed a pH-dependent solubility, being immobile in near-neutral samples. The comparison with waste acceptance criteria for landfilling pointed to Zn, sulfates and acidity of leachates as the main concern in CCR. Very few samples revealed potentially deleterious releases surpassing the limit values, which suggests that this issue could be solved if properly addressed.

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MERCURY IN AMBIENT AIR FROM SMALL-SCALE GOLD MINING (SSM) COMMUNITIES IN TANZANIA

Eike Marie Thaysen1, Peter W.U. Appel2*, Henrik Skov1, Gert Asmund1,

Michael Even Goodsite1

1 National Environmental Research Institute (NERI), University of Aarhus, Denmark 2 Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Denmark (pa@geus.dk) In Tanzania, 200.000 small-scale miners extract gold using mercury. This called for a study of communities with dangerously high concentrations of atmospheric mercury. Concentrations of mercury in ambient air, soil and maize at two SSM sites in Tanzania were quantified. Atmospheric mercury was measured at each location using Radiello passive sampling devices that apply a gold core as sorbent for mercury. Analysis proceeded through heating of the gold cores in Ar at 500°C. Thermally released mercury was detected by a Tekran Analyzer 2537A. Average concentrations of Hg0 in Itumbi (TZ) calculated back from the quantified amounts were 0.317-0.438 µg m-3 while in Londoni (TZ) absorbed amounts of Hg were so high that they exceeded the linearity range of the Tekran Analyzer. While global background concentrations of atmospheric Hg are low (∼1.5-1.7 ng Hg0 m-3 and ∼1.1-1.3 ng m-3 in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere, respectively [1] the obtained results show that concentrations in SSM communities are increased with a factor of more than 260. [1] Lindberg, S., Bullock, R., Ebinghaus, R., Engstrom, D., Feng, X.B., Fitzgerald, W., Pirrone, N., Prestbo, E., and Seigneur, C. (2007): A synthesis of progress and uncertainties in attributing the sources of mercury in deposition. Ambio 36. 19-32. NANOPARTICLES IN COAL AND ASHES: DIRECT IMPLICATION S FOR

HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS

Luis F.O. Silva1,2, Marcos L.S.Oliveira1, Katia da Boit2, Felipe Macias2 *,,Robert Finkelman3

1 Catarinense Institut of Environmental Research and Human Development – IPADHC, Capivari de Baixo, Santa Catarina, Brazil 2 Soil Science Department / Departamento de Edafologia y Quimica Agrícola Facultad de Biología - Campus Sur – Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain 3 University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Geosciences, Richardson, TX 75083, US Environmental and human health risk assessments of nanoparticle effects from coal and fly ash require thorough characterization of nanoparticles and their aggregates. In this manuscript, we expand the study of human exposure to nanosized particles from coal combustion sources (typically <100 nm in size), characterising the complex micromineralogy of these airborne combustion-derived nanomaterials (CDNs). Our study focusses on coal and fly ash enriched in Cr, Cu, Ni, U, V, Zn, and pyrite. Transmission electron microscope data reveal nanoscale C deposits juxtaposed with and overgrown by slightly larger aluminosilicate (Al-Si) glassy spheres, mullite, quartz, calcite, Fe oxides, Ca silicates, and sulphates. Iron oxides (mainly hematite and magnetite) are the main fly ash products of the oxidation of pyrite, sometimes via intermediate pyrrotite formation. The presence of iron oxide nanocrystals mixed with silicate glass particles emphasises the complexity of coal fly ash micromineralogy. Given the potentially bioreactive nature of such transition metal-bearing materials, there is likely to be an increased health risk associated with their inhalation.

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REGIONAL GEOCHEMISTRY OF NORTHERN IRELAND: ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Neil Breward1*, Dee Flight1, Louise Ander1, Phil Stone2, Michael Young3

1 British Geological Survey, Keyworth, NG12 5GG, UK (nbr@bgs.ac.uk) 2 British Geological Survey, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA, UK 3 Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Belfast BT9 5BF, UK

The Tellus Project geochemical survey of Northern Ireland generated high quality spatially contiguous datasets of soils, stream-sediments and stream-waters for 55 chemical elements and compounds. Many of these are of considerable environmental and health interest, including heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni and Cr); metalloids (Se, Sb and As); and halides (F, Br and I). This new multi-media dataset is a valuable resource for environmental geochemists, as it enables us to compare geochemical patterns in the different sample media and thus to assess elemental mobility and potential bio-availability, in association with parameters such as soil and stream water pH, and other geographic information such as land-use data. This informs improved understanding of possible health risks to crops, livestock and humans. Several areas of particular interest are identified. In west Co. Tyrone and in the Sperrin Mountains there are sites with very high sediment As values and corresponding low values in stream waters, whereas others have high sediment As values coincident with elevated levels in waters, implying different primary and secondary sources and speciation. In Co. Antrim, high Cr and Ni values in soils and stream sediments over the Tertiary basalts are not reflected by elevated concentrations in waters, showing the low environmental mobility of these elements. Mineralisation is locally important, notably in the Armagh mining district, where several stream sediment and soil sites have very high Cd and Zn concentrations. Elevated Cd and Zn levels in stream waters here show that significant mobilisation is occurring, with possible health consequences.

SURFACE-FUNCTIONALIZED FISH BONE TO STABILIZE ARSENIC FROM GROUNDW ATER

Brian Fisher1, Andrew Quicksall2, Jeffrey W. Talley1,*

1 Southern Methodist University, Environmental and Civil Engineering, Dallas, TX, 75275, US 2 University of Notre Dame, Civil and Geological Sciences, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, US Both natural and anthropogenic metal contamination of soil and natural waters result in environmental problems and serious health risks globally. Some metals such as arsenic often form negatively charged ions that hydroxyapatite, or fish bone, does not immobilize efficiently. The effectiveness of surface-functionalization, or modification, using iron-amendments on a super cleaned (boiled, bubbled (density separation), bleached (H2O2), and baked) commercial biogenic fishbone product (Apatite II™) and raw catfish head were examined. Bench-scale batch reactor experiments conducted in triplicate demonstrated the ability of surface-functionalization using ferrous and ferric iron chloride amendments to modify Apatite II™ and catfish bone, which resulted in significant improvement in arsenate and arsenite removal efficiency in a simulated groundwater. Isotherm experiments suggested an increased optimal pH compared to iron-oxides for best removal efficiency. Complete characterization and the treatment mechanisms were also examined. Advanced Photon Source spectroscopy (Argonne National Lab, Argonne, IL, USA) determined sorbed arsenic speciation and suggested iron-phosphate formation may be significantly greater than

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iron-oxide formation. Sequential extraction procedures were also conducted to further determine the arsenic sorbed phase, as well as other characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD, and BET. Surface-functionalied fish bone may be a world-wide solution to treatment of arsenic contaminated soils and waters where fish are often widely available. It may be used under conditions, such as high pH, where iron-oxides are generally less effective, while also reducing risk of iron-loading, and precipitating other potential cationic metals of interest.

SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION OF METAL-CONTAINING HYDRI DE SILICAS FOR REMEDIATION OF MERCURY-CONTAMINATED WAT ERS

K.V. Katok1*, R.L.D. Whitby2, A.B. Cundy3

1 O.O. Chuiko Institute of Surface Chemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 17 General Naumov Str., Kyiv, Ukraine (k.katok@brighton.ac.uk) 2 School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Cockcroft Building, Lewes Road, BN2 4GJ, Brighton, UK 3 School of Environment and Technology, University of Brighton, UK Mercury is released into the atmosphere from a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources. Due to the potentially severe effects of mercury on human health, the WHO has set a limit for mercury in drinking water of 0.001 mg/L. Different technologies such as adsorption, ion exchange, and chemical precipitation are available for the removal of mercury from contaminated water systems, although the use of these methods may be limited by their ability to cost-effectively treat large volumes of water, and the generation of toxic sludges and wastes which require subsequent disposal. In recent years a number of studies have examined the use of nanomaterials in water purification, which may offer enhanced remediation capacities due to the unique properties of nanomaterials such as high surface area (and consequent high adsorption capacity), the ease with which they can be anchored onto solid matrices and the ability to functionalize the materials to enhance their affinity towards target molecules / contaminants. The research discussed here examines the synthesis of metal-containing silicas with supported nanoparticles of silver, their properties and their application in the sorption of mercury from aqueous media. Nanocomposites were generated via silica modification with triethoxysilane. After interaction between modified silica and AgNO3, reduction of metal ions and formation of silver nanoparticles was observed. Thermogravimetric analyses, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and XRD were used to study the structural characteristics of the metal-containing silicas. Sorption properties of the synthesized materials toward mercury were studied via ICP-MS. The composites show good potential for use as effective, high capacity adsorbers of trace Hg from environmental samples.

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AN EXAFS, MICRO-XRF AND MICRO-XRD STUDY OF THE CHEM ISTRY AND MINERALOGY OF LEAD IN HOUSEDUST

Lachlan C.W. MacLean1, Suzanne Beauchemin2, Pat E. Rasmussen1,3,

1Health Canada, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 2 Natural Resources Canada, CANMET-MMSL, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 3 University of Ottawa, Earth Sciences Department, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada The total amount of a metal in a system is not necessarily a good measure of its potential health risk; rather it is the chemical and physical form (i.e. speciation) of the metal which dictates its reactivity and toxicity. Thus, where anomalous metal concentrations are encountered metal speciation needs to be elucidated in order to refine the risk assessment of these substances. In particular, knowledge of metal speciation is needed to: a) understand the oral bioaccessibility of the metal compounds in the host matrix b) identify their chemical form (e.g. mineral, amorphous, adsorbate or organometallic); and c) determine their probable sources. In this paper we combined bulk extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) analysis with spatially-resolved X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (micro-XRF) and X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD) in order to determine the speciation of lead (Pb) present at elevated concentrations (>1000 mg Pb kg-1) in settled house dust. Linear combination fitting of numerous Pb standard spectra to the Pb EXAFS data collected from the house dust shows that Pb is complexed in a variety of molecular environments, associated with both the inorganic and organic fractions of the dust samples. The inorganic species of lead identified were: Pb metal, nanocrystalline Pb hydroxyl carbonate (hydrocerussite mineral), Pb oxide and adsorbed Pb. Pb citrate was the only organic species identified. Micro-XRF and micro-XRD analyses of the same dust determined the crystallinity and size of the Pb dust fraction and supported the EXAFS conclusions.

EXTENDING WIPE SAMPLING METHODOLOGY TO ELEMENTS OTH ER

THAN LEAD

Lauren T. McDonald1, Pat E. Rasmussen1,2*, Marc Chenier2, Christine Levesque2

1University of Ottawa, Earth Sciences Department, 140 Louis Pasteur, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada 2 Health Canada, 50 Columbine Dr, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9, Canada (Tel: 613 941 9868, Fax: 613 952 8133, Pat_Rasmussen@hc-sc.gc.ca)

Few studies have applied the residential wipe sampling method to metals other than lead (Pb). This Canadian study was undertaken to develop and expand the wipe method to quantify additional metal(loid)s including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sb; and to provide information on typical baseline loadings of metals in the indoor urban environment. A total of 932 Ghostwipe™ samples were collected in 222 homes from three cities in Ontario, Canada. Additional quality assurance wipes (n=440) consisting of one field blank and one side-by-side duplicate were collected in each home. Samples were digested according to a modified version of the ASTM 1644 protocol, and subsequently analysed by ICP-MS. The modification consisted of adding hydrofluoric acid to nitric acid to enhance recoveries. Generally a large proportion of the wipe measurements fell below the limits of detection (LOD) which were (in micrograms/m2): 0.1 for Cd; 0.2 for As and Sb; 0.9 for Cr and Pb; 1.2 for Ni; and 4.1 for Cu. For As and Cu, more than 50% were < LOD and 95th percentile

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loading values were 9.1 and 46 respectively (n=932). For the other elements, median and 95th percentile loading values (in micrograms/m2) were: 0.24 and 2.3 for Cd; 5.9 and 43 for Cr; 2.0 and 29 for Ni; 2.1 and 64 for Pb; 0.30 and 3.7 for Sb, respectively. Strengths and weaknesses of the wipe sampling method are discussed, and it is concluded that wipe sampling is a viable method for multi-element monitoring.

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ACCUMULATION OF SELECTED ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING COMPOUNDS IN THE PACIFIC OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA GIGAS)

DEPLOYED AT A WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT ON THE IRI SH COAST

J. Ronan1, 2, B. McHugh2, E. McGovern2, J. Wilson, M. Giltrap, S. Hardenberg, B. Dore2, J.

Flannery2

1 Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland 2 Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland Natural and synthetic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) may be released into the marine environment via a number of sources, including municipal wastewater effluent. Concern has been raised as to the fate and potential deleterious effects of these compounds on exposed marine organisms with imposex and intersex among the effects noted in organisms exposed to EDCs. These compounds generally have sub-lethal chronic effects but may potentially biomagnify in the organism. Filter feeding bivalves, as sentinel organisms, are routinely used as indicators of water quality as they may accumulate anthropogenic compounds via their diet or from the water column. This study was conducted to examine the uptake and concentrations of selected EDCs in the oyster (Crassostrea gigas) transplanted in cages at 1m depth in the vicinity of the wastewater diffuser pipe of a coastal wastewater treatment plant located in Ireland. This secondary treatment facility treats both municipal and industrial waste up to a capacity of 91,600PE. Oysters were sampled biweekly and analysed for the presence of estrone, 17β estradiol, estriol, 17α ethynyl estradiol using liquid chromatography/ tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Concentrations detected in whole body oyster tissue, and temporal variations in concentration are reported. The potential for the bioaccumulation of these compounds within oyster tissues and the suitability of transplanted oysters as biomarkers in environmental monitoring programs is discussed. This work forms part of a larger collaborative project, integrating chemical and biological effects measurements for the assessment of pollution in the Irish marine environment.

LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IN TWO MOROCCAN LAGOONS

Mohamed Maanan, Marc Robin

Géolittomer, UMR-6554 LETG, Université de Nantes, France This study presents the results of the systematic analysis of heavy metals in surficial sediments and marine molluscs from Oualidia and Sidi Moussa lagoons. The present field investigation determines baseline heavy metal conditions in two Atlantic lagoons for the purpose of prioritizing future lagoon remediation efforts. Heavy metal levels in the two lagoons were exceedingly high, but varied widely among sampling stations. PEC (probable effects concentrations) concentrations were often exceeded for heavy metals in the lagoon sediments, especially for Pb, Cd, As and Hg, and some stations had multiple metals at presumptively toxic levels. These comparisons suggest that sediment metal levels in the lagoons are clearly high and probably pose an environmental risk at some stations. Although a complete inventory of pollutant inputs has not been completed, major pollutant sources have been identified and they should be given first attention in remediation efforts. Therefore, a two-tiered remediation strategy is suggested: one tier aimed at source reduction by installing wastewater purification station at Oualidia lagoon and a second tier aimed at

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minimizing metal re-mobilization impacts, possibly via finer-sediment dredging, as water quality improves.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Medical Geology

142

A SEARCH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TERATOGENS CAUSING CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS IN SARDINIA

Paolo Valera1, Patrizia Zavattari2, Emanuele Sanna3, Loredana Boccone4

1 Dipartimento di Geoingegneria e Tecnologie Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Italy 2 Servizio di Endocrinologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Microcitemico, ASL Cagliari, Italy 3 Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Italy 4 II Clinica Pediatrica, Ospedale Microcitemico, ASL Cagliari, Italy Importance of the work and objectives: Aim of our project is to investigate a possible correlation between geochemical data and congenital malformations in Sardinia. This would facilitate the understanding of the possible role of such elements, like heavy metals, to the etiopathogenesis of these birth defects, suggesting treatments necessary to minimize and eventually remove these teratogenic effects on the territory. Methodologies: Researchers of the Cagliari University, since several years, sampled rocks, soils, stream sediments of the whole island and collected the relative data organized in a database for GIS analysis. We intend to create a database including clinical and epidemiological data of all patients afferent to the Microcitemico Hospital in Cagliari. This database will be interfaced with the geochemical one to set up the study of any possible correlation between them. Main results and conclusion: In a preliminary analysis of the geochemical database we found high values of well known dangerous elements, such as Cd, As, Pb, V, Hg. These unexpected findings together with reports in literature about this subject, suggest us to study the possible correlation between geochemical data and syndromes characterized by multiple congenital malformations. About 700 patients come every year for investigations at the clinical unit involved in this project. To date despite improved analysis and refinements of diagnostic techniques, the etiology remains unknown in about 40 - 50% of patients. These genetic defects may be either hereditary or de novo mutations, often due to environmental causes mostly unknown.

BIOELEMENTS AND MINERAL MATTER IN A HUMAN LIVER FRO M THE HIGHLY INDUSTRIALIZED REGION OF UPPER SILESIA C OAL

BASIN (POLAND)

Lucyna Lewińska-Preis1*, Mariola Jabłońska1, Monika J. Fabiańska1, Andrzej Kita2

1 Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, 41-200 Sosnowiec, ul. Bedzinska 60, Poland 2 Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, 40-006 Katowice, ul. Szkolna 9, Poland

In human livers concentrations of mineral substance, silica, bioelements and toxic elements were investigated. The elements set selected for research comprised magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, barium, zinc, chromium, phosphorus, aluminum, cadmium, manganese, copper, nickel, lead, strontium and iron. A total trial population included 38 liver samples (24 – male, 14 – female) of donors living in the highly industrialized urban agglomeration of Upper Silesia Coal Basin, in Poland. Samples were taken from donors in the age range from 18 to 87 y. Mineral substance content was found as a mass difference loss after incineration. Elements were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP) while silica content was found colorimetrically. Concentrations, concentrations variability and correlations between selected liver components were found in the total trial

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population and according to the donor’s age range, sex and occurrence of lesions in livers. We were determined range of average concentrations, standard deviation and concentration variability. Correlations between particular elements were found using correlation coefficient values and Fisher Transformation. Elements present in human liver are a part of mineral substance being in the range from 0.40 to 5.03% (wt.). Increasing donor’s age caused decrease in mineral matter content with minimum of concentrations for the range of 40-60 y. Microbioelement concentrations showed a similar tendency, while microbioelements and toxic elements reached maximum of concentrations for donors being in the 60-80 y. age range. All elements showed concentration decrease in livers of the oldest group (< 80 y.) while silica content increased with age.

BIOMONITORING OF RESIDENTS EXPOSED TO ELEVATED ARSE NIC IN DRINKING WATER IN SAN JUAN AND LA PAMPA, ARGENTI NA

J. O’Reilly1, 2, M.J. Watts1, A.L. Marcilla2, N.I. Ward2*

1 British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK (Tel: +44 (0)115 9363042, mwatts@bgs.ac.u) 2 ICP-MS Facility, Chemical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK, GU2 7XH (Tel: +44 (0)1483 689303, n.ward@surrey.ac.uk) This study examined two populations exposed to naturally elevated levels of arsenic (As) in groundwater (drinking water source) in Argentina, namely from the provinces of San Juan (community of Encon) and La Pampa (towns of Eduardo Castex and Ingeniero Luiggi). Human scalp hair, urine and drinking water samples were collected from individuals in the study areas for the determination of total and arsenic species. Total arsenic in washed scalp hair ranged from 0.01 – 10.1 µg g-1 (n = 83) for the high natural groundwater arsenic populations and 0.01 – 1.77 µg g-1 As (n = 30) for the control province of Río Negro. A mild leaching procedure was applied to the washed scalp hair samples for the determination of arsenic species, in which arsenite (AsIII ) and arsenate (AsV) were detected. AsIII levels ranged from 0.14 – 0.82 µg g-1 (n = 35) in the naturally high groundwater arsenic regions, with the highest levels seen in San Juan, conversely AsV levels ranged from 0.11 – 3.43 µg g-1 (n = 35) with the highest reported concentrations seen in La Pampa. The concentration of inorganic arsenic in washed scalp hair from Río Negro (n = 5) was undetectable by this method (< 0.01 µg g-1). Literature values for the typical natural concentration of total arsenic in human scalp hair range from 0.08 – 0.25 µg g-1, whereas above 1 µg g-1 is considered an indication of arsenic toxicity. Total urinary arsenic concentrations by ICP-MS were 3 – 334 µg As g-1 creatinine for La Pampa (n = 34). The composition of arsenic species in La Pampa urine samples were of the order dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV) > monomethylarsonic acid (MAV) > AsV > AsIII > arsenobetaine (AB). Total arsenic concentrations in drinking water samples (n = 68) from study individuals ranged from 3 – 637 µg l-1 As and 21 – 303 µg l-1 As for San Juan and La Pampa. A significant positive correlation was established between total arsenic in scalp hair and urine (R2 = 0.40; P < 0.05). A positively correlated relationship was also seen between the washed scalp hair and drinking water arsenic concentrations (R2 = 0.34, P < 0.01). A less significant correlation was established between the arsenic levels in the urine samples and drinking water (R2 = 0.11; P = 0.22). The correlation between scalp hair and elevated drinking water arsenic concentrations seen in the Argentinean populations suggests the possible effective use of scalp hair as a biomarker for arsenic exposure. The significance of biomonitoring for assessing exposure to arsenic using various tissues and fluids will be discussed.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Medical Geology

144

GEOLOGICAL SOURCES OF FLUORIDE AND BORON IN SILURIA N-ORDOVICIAN AQUIFER SYSTEM, ESTONIA

Marge Uppin, Enn Karro

1Department of Geology, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411 Tartu, Estonia (Tel: +372-737-6686, Fax: +372-737-5836, marge13@ut.ee, enn.karro@ut.ee) The aim of this study was to analyse the fluorine and boron content of aquifer-forming sedimentary rocks and to find out the geological sources of the fluoride and boron anomalies in groundwater. High natural fluoride (up to 6.1 mg/l) and boron (2.1 mg/l) contents in groundwater are found in western Estonia, where the drinking water source is carbonaceous Silurian-Ordovician aquifer system. This is the region, where a strong correlation between natural fluoride levels in drinking water and the prevalence of dental fluorosis has been detected. The chemical type of the groundwater is an important factor controlling the dissolution of fluoride and boron in water. The highest concentrations of those elements are detected in deep wells, where the groundwater has a long residence time in the host rock. Fluoride exhibits a good relationship with the boron content, which points to a similar origin (marine, volcanic) and hydrochemical behaviour of those elements. In order to determine the total fluorine and boron content of aquifer material 50 limestone, dolomite and K-bentonite (a clay-rich sediment formed by the weathering of volcanic ash deposits) samples were analysed. The total fluorine and boron content of carbonate rocks is 100-500 and 5-20 mg/kg, respectively, being highest in clayey limestones and dolomites. K-bentonites are rich in total fluorine (4000-4500 mg/kg) and boron (50-350 mg/kg). The dissolution of carbonate rocks and clayey K-bentonite beds, providing adsorption and ion exchange sites, are the natural sources of fluoride and boron in groundwater.

MEDICAL GEOLOGY IN CHINA: THEN AND NOW

Zheng Baoshan1,*, Wang Xue, Wang Binbin1, Xiao Tangfu1, LI Shehong1, Robert Finkelman2

1 The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, P.R.China, 55002 (Tel:86-851-5891373, Fax:86-851-5891609, zhengbaoshan@vip.skleg.cn) 2 University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA (bobf@utdallas.edu) The impact of the natural environment on human health has been a subject of study in China for at least 5,000 years. China’s varied geology and geography and its large population living off the land has resulted in the presence of virtually every known environmental health problem and some of the most serious medical geology problems. Fluorosis in China has been caused by drinking fluoride-rich waters, burning coal briquettes using fluorine-rich clay binders, and eating high-fluorine salt. Iodine deficiency disorders such as goiter and cretinism were common in central China but the introduction of iodized salt has greatly reduced these health problems. Arsenic poisoning has been widespread in China, mainly caused by drinking arsenic-rich ground water but burning arsenic-rich coals and metal mining have also contributed to this problem. Selenium deficiency that is believed to be a causative factor in Keshan Disease and Kashin-Beck Disease was widespread in a zone from northeast China to Tibet. Human selenosis, thallium poisoning and various respiratory problems caused by exposure to minerals have also been reported from China.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Medical Geology

145

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS) AND RADON (RN) – AN IRISH PERSPECTIVE

Eamonn Grennan, Denis Carroll, Margaret Gilmore

IT Sligo, Ash Lane, Ballinode, Sligo, Ireland (grennan.eamonn@itsligo.ie; gilmore.margaret@itsligo.ie) Dating back some ten years, the authors have actively, albeit intermittently, pursued the concept of a relationship between MS and radon gas. The development of MS is thought likely to have an environmental component in addition to a genetic disposition. This paper gives an overview of the steady progress towards the proof of a hypothesis that radon may be the much sought after environmental triggering mechanism for MS. Many mechanisms fundamentally environmental in nature have been suggested, all have faded away except radon, which is often a common thread running through the various theories and it also ties together many of the loose ends. With its high density relative to air; aerial restrictions relative to radon producing granites; the absence of MS amongst outdoor indigenous living peoples; the higher prevalence rate amongst women; and in the northern hemisphere the south-north increase, which is also manifested in Ireland. The work is summarised and based on this and using a derived mathematical model, a prevalence rate for Ireland is calculated. An estimated prevalence rate of 164/100,000 has been calculated for the country and the difference between the prevalence rate for the southeast and the northwest shows an increase of about 60/100,000.

THE COMPOSITION OF KIDNEY STONES AND THE GEO-ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE ON THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL

DISTRIBUTION

Maria Luigia Giannossi*, Vito Summa

Laboratory of Environmental and Medical Geology, IMAA-CNR, Tito Scalo (PZ), 85050, Italy (Tel: +390971427247, giannossi@imaa.cnr.it) The aims of this study are to identify the main types of kidney stones found in Basilicata (southern Italy) and analyze the geo-environmental factors which can influence their formation. The characterization of the kidney stones collected showed that the Lucanians are mostly affected by stones with a predominant component of calcium oxalate (59%). Among these the most common are those made of weddellite (29%) formed in renal cavities but there is also a high percentage (11%) of papillary kidney stones consisting of whewellite developed on kidney wall. There are usually more cores within whewellite kidney stones which are the result of several simultaneous nucleation and growth processes. The presence of mixed stones is high (>50%). A new type of kidney stone made of weddellite mixed-struvite was finally found. In the Basilicata community there is a larger number of uric acid kidney stones (18%), which may be related to some specific risk factors mainly referable to dietary habits such as an excessive consumption of proteins and soft water with a low bicarbonate content which does not facilitate urine alkalinisation. This could justify the geographical distribution of the uric acid kidney stones found exclusively in the northern region. An amount of some chemical elements specifically involved in the kidney stone crystallization process (Ca, Mg) or potentially toxic (Pb, Cr) was found in all the samples.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Medical Geology

146

The results showed that some elements have a much higher concentration than the average contribution resulting from daily diet.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Minerals

147

AUTHIGENIC BARITE (BaSO 4) – SPHALERITE (ZnS) ASSOCIATION IN A POLLUTED MIRE (SOUTHERN POLAND)

Beata Smieja-Król1,*, Barbara Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł2

1 Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, ul. Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland (beata.smieja-krol@us.edu.pl) 2 Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, ul. Bankowa 9, 40-007 Sosnowiec, Poland (basiaf1234@poczta.fm)

Constructed wetlands and peat containing remediation systems are used for low-cost, effective treatment of diluted wastewater, like acid mine drainage. In this study, we investigated a mire heavily polluted through atmospheric deposition, located near a zinc-lead smelter, on the northern limit of the Upper Silesian industrial agglomeration (southern Poland). Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry were used to investigate the mineral matter associated with the organic constituents in the peat. The mineralogical data were completed by bulk geochemical and physical analyses of the peat and peat groundwater. The investigations reveal a variety of particles of anthropogenic origin in the upper peat layer (5-35cm). Aluminosilicate fly-ash particles, originated from coal combustion, were the most common constituents. Apart from particles present in the peat due to atmospheric dust deposition, barite and sphalerite formed in situ were commonly observed. The authigenic minerals tend to precipitate inside cells of plant debris. The barite forms aggregates of orthorhombic tabular crystals (~10µm in diameter) while sphalerite (commonly enriched in Cd) occurs in the form of spheroids (1 - 3µm). Aggregates of barite and sphalerite occupy sites close to (mm distance) but were never found intermixed with each other. The minerals are redox sensitive, with only a narrow redox range (0.3>pe>0.6) optimal for their coexistence within the measured pH range (3-4), indicating microscale metals mobility along redox gradients in the polluted peat layer. The results highlight the importance of mineralogical information to predict the metal speciation and long-term fate in natural and constructed wetland systems.

MINERAL COMPOSITION OF ATMOSPHERIC DUST FROM SVALBA RD

(PRELIMINARY RESULTS)

Mariola Jablonska, Wieslawa Ewa Krawczyk, Radosz Jodlowski Department of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, ul. Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland Atmospheric dust mineralogical composition and morphology may indicate sources of troposphic pollutants. Whereas anthropogenic and natural atmospheric pollutants from industrial regions are well elaborated little is known on mineral composition of single atmospheric particles from polar regions. Samples of PM10 and total dust fall were collected during summers of 2008 and 2009 at the environmental observatory of the Polish Polar Station (Isbjörnhamna, Hornsund). All samples were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, and examined by scanning electron microscopy (Philips XL30 TMP) equipped with environmental mode EDAX EDS Sapphire system. The major mineral phases of Svalbard atmospheric particles include: clay minerals, silica (predominantly as quartz), feldspars, KCl, NaCl, gypsum, anhydrite. Among minor phases were identified: calcite, dolomite, iron oxides (hematite, magnetite), soot and coke. Particles

SEGH2010 - Posters - Minerals

148

consisting of barium sulphate, phosphate salts of rare elements, zircon and spinels were much less frequent. Some of particles are of natural origin and result from natural processes like rock erosion or marine aerosols. But shapes of some particles indicate a possibile anthropogenic origin.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Others

149

ESTIMATING THE CONSERVATION VALUES OF NATIONAL PARK S IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Saeideh Rasouli

Islamic Azad University Sari Branch, Iran (Tel: +98-9111550628, Fax: +98-151-2210787, srasouli2009@gmail.com) Increasing trend in loss of natural resources is a serious problem in developing countries. Availability of economic tools can be a powerful support for protection of these valuable resources. The purpose of this study is determination of conservation values of national parks in developing countries. Especially the case in this study which is a national park in north of Iran that is valuable because of its remnants of hyrcanian forests. The integrity of this national park has been threatened because of mismanagement. Individuals' willingness to pay for preservation of bequest, existence and option values of this national park is determined. The method that is used in this study is contingent valuation based on double-bounded dichotomous choice and Logit model. Results shows total conservational values of Golestan national park are about 95 million US dollars which can be used as a strong supportive tool for conservation of protected areas like this in developing countries .The assessment method of this study can be used as a manual for protected areas in developing countries.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Pollution Archive (cores)

150

A PALEORECORD OF ATMOSPHERIC LEAD DEPOSITION IN FRA NCE. NEW DATA FROM “LA GODIVELLE” PEAT BOG (PUY DE DÔME)

François De Vleeschouwer1,5,*, Nadine Mattielli2, Virginie Renson3, Gaël Le Roux4,

Nathalie Fagel1

1 Clays, Geochemistry and Sedimentary Environments Research Unit, Department of Geology, University of Liège, Allée du 6 Août, B18, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium (fdevleeschouwer@gmail.com) 2 Isotopes, Petrology and Environment Research Unit, Département des Science de la Terre et de l’Environnement, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium 3 Earth System Science, Department of Geology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium 4 EcoLab/Campus Ensat, Avenue de l’Agrobiopole, Castanet-Tolosan, France 5 From March 2010, at: Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Sweden Lead pollution history over Central France was reconstructed for the last ca. 2000 years using the elemental and Pb isotopic geochemistry applied on a 210Pb- and 14C-dated peat core from “La Godivelle”, Puy de Dôme (France). The whole core displays lead content data well above the natural background (ca. 17µg/g-1 in the Upper Continental Crust), giving evidences for anthropogenic activities in this area back to the Roman Period and possibly earlier. Most of the historical interpretation is based on Pb concentration and Pb isotopes, the other chemical elements (Zn, Cu, Ni) being considered secondary and possibly mobile in the peat column. During the Late Roman Period, lead enrichment factors (Pb E.F., normalized with Ti) show values up to 20 and decrease later on towards 4-5. Similarly, 206Pb/207Pb values decrease from 1.174 to 1.188. The medieval period displays low Pb E.F. values (1-5) and high 206Pb/207Pb values (1.17-1.19). During the industrial revolution (18th-19th centuries), Pb E.F. increase drastically (up to 45) while 206Pb/207Pb decreases towards 1.16. During the last century, leaded gasoline greatly contributed to fingerprint the Pb isotopic signature. The post 80’s decrease of Pb E.F. related to the introduction of unleaded gasoline is relatively well recorded. However, the parallel decrease in the 206Pb/207Pb data is not clearly recorded, suggesting a local (so far not identified) source influencing the recent lead isotopic signature. The results will be compared to local/regional past and present lead emitters in order to tackle the possible lead source in Massif Central since the Roman Period. ATMOSPHERIC LEAD DEPOSITION IN AN OMBROTROPHIC PEAT BOG

OF SOUTHERN POLAND

Barbara Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł1*, Francois De Vleeschouwer2,7, Beata Smieja-Król3, Natalia Piotrowska4, Bernard Palowski1, Piotr Kołaczek5, Nadine Mattielli6, Nathalie Fagel7

1 Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, ul. Bankowa9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland (basiaf1234@poczta.fm). 2 Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden 3 Institute of Mineralogy, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, ul. Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland 4 Department of Radioisotopes, GADAM Centre of Excellence, Institute of Physics, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 2, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland 5 Department of Paleobotany, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, ul.Lubicz 46, 31-512 Cracow, Poland 6 Unité de recherche: "Isotopes : Pétrologie et Environnement", Département des Sciences de la Terre et de l'Environnement, CP 160/02, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Avenue FD. Roosevelt 50, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium

SEGH2010 - Posters - Pollution Archive (cores)

151

7 Department of Geology, AGEs Argiles, Géochimie et Environnements sédimentaires, Université de Liège, Allée du 6 août, B18, 4000 Liège, Belgium Lead concentrations and isotopes were measured in 1.30m-core from the ombrotrophic peat bog of Puścizna Mała (Southern Poland); Our aim is to differentiate lead anthropogenic vs. natural sources and to reconstruct the history of lead pollution in Southern Poland. Total lead concentrations were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) after HF-HNO3-HCl digestion (UŚL, Katowice). Stable lead isotopes were measured by Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) (ULB, Brussels). Results were compared with mineralogical fraction of the peat samples and with rock isotopic data from the literature. A detailed age model was constructed using both 210Pb and 14C measurements, further refined by comparison with pollen diagrams from the same bog. The main results show a record of ca. 1800 years of variations in lead concentration and isotopic compositions. In the lower part of the core (Vth to VIth century AD), the 206Pb/207Pb ratio averages 1.192, reflecting that the Pb supply to the bog mainly originated from natural sources (i.e. erosion). Then, from the IXth to the XVIIth century AD, the 206Pb/207Pb ratio ranges from 1.176 to 1.179, which is in good agreement with Polish galena and coal from Eastern countries. A dramatic increase in lead accumulation rates is then observed in the upper part of the core. Peaking during the 1920-1930’s, it may reflect the higher metal demand for the armament industry, the influence of coal combustion and the latter use of leaded gasoline.

TUFA AS A PALEO-RECORD FOR MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS

Neven Cukrov*, Željko Kwokal

Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruñer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia (ncukrov@irb.hr) Tufas are increasingly gaining attention as potential environmental indicators, since their morphological, geochemical and isotopic characteristics reflect climatic conditions in the period of their growth, as well as discharge, precipitation, insulation, nutrient balance and anthropogenic influences. Mercury is one of the most toxic and hazardous pollutant which occurs in the environment in different chemical forms, which fundamental ecological characteristic is lack of biodegradability. The aim of the study was to first time compare environmental records (total mercury concentrations) obtained from the recent tufa with those from ambient water where tufa precipitated. Ratio found can be useful tool to estimate former mercury concentrations in water using tufa as a paleo-record. Krka River is situated in the karst region of Croatia and tufa is precipitated on the entires course of the river, forming several barriers and cascades. The uniqueness of these tufa barriers and waterfalls is base natural phenomenon of the “Krka” National Park. Despite the hydrological situation of the entire catchment are not yet fully explained, we sampled tufa from Krka River and 3 major tributaries (Krčić, Čikola & Zrmanja Rivers). Samplings of tufa on 28 sites were performed during three years (2006-2008). Mercury measurements were performed by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) and concentrations are presented as average total concentrations in tufa: Krka (0.019 mg/kg at spring and 0.040 mg/kg in freshwater stream), Krčić (0.015 mg/kg), Zrmanja (0.047 mg/kg) and Čikola (0.026 mg/kg). Concentrations in tufa were approximately 2*104 times higher comparing with water concentrations.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Pops, Pesticides, Dioxins

152

A QUANTITATIVE APPROACH FOR RANKING RISKS FROM PESTICIDES USED IN THE IRISH AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

H. Labite*, E. Cummins

School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (herve.labite@ucd.ie, enda.cummins@ucd.) The purpose of this study is to quantitatively assess the risk of pesticides (used in Irish agriculture) to groundwater and to highlight pesticides of environmental concern through a risk ranking model. 10 active substances registered and used in the agricultural field were included in this evaluation. This assessment is based on the leached quantity approach which incorporates pesticide properties, site conditions and application conditions. A Monte Carlo simulation model was developed with inputs represented by probability distributions, indicating the inherent uncertainty and variability in the input parameters. Details of the model are presented and a scientific based ranking of the pesticides is provided. The pesticide MCPA obtained the highest rank, followed by Mecocrop, Isoproturon, Chlormequat, Metamitron, Mecocrop-P, Chlorothalonil, Fenpropimorph Glyphosate and Mancozed, respectively. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the soil sorption coefficient, recharge coefficient and half life were the most important parameters which affected model predictions (with correlation coefficient values of -0.46, 0.45 and 0.31, respectively). The sensitivity analysis highlighted the soil sorption coefficient as the most important input parameter influencing the leaching potential and therefore care needs to be taken in ensuring accuracy of this input parameter. The model can be used as an initial screening tool to highlight pesticides of environmental concern and which may require a detailed risk assessment, while also directing future research needs by identifying parameters requiring further investigation. DISTRIBUTION OF PAHS IN DIFFERENT SIZE FRACTIONS OF SOILS AT

DIFFERENT DEPTHS FROM A COKE OVEN PLANT

Liao Xiao-Yong*, Ma Dong, Yan Xiu-Lan

Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China (Tel: +86-10-64889848, Fax:+86-10-64888162, liaoxy@igsnrr.ac.cn)

Soils from Beijing coke plant, China, established in 1959 were heavily contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the depth of contamination reached to underground 14 m. The objective of this study is to reveal the distribution feature of PAHs in different size fractions of 4 soil layers from 1-12 m. Total PAHs concentrations ranged from 111 to 799 mg/kg, 726 to 2712 mg/kg, 126 to 518 mg/kg, 198 to 466 mg/kg in <2, 2-20, 20-200, and >200 µm size fraction, respectively. For total PAH concentrations, the highest value occurred in the 2-20 µm size fraction, while >200 µm size fraction contained relatively low PAHs in all soils at different depths. The composition of PAHs in four different size fractions showed similar patterns dominated by PAHs with 2-3 rings, and Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene contributed most of the PAH in soils. The percentages of high molecular weight PAHs increase with the depth of soil profiles. For the total PAH mass, the 20-200 µm size fraction has higher percentages and contributed 55%, 71%, 77% of the total PAH mass in soil samples of 1.5-3.0m, 3.0-4.5m, 6.0-7.5m, respectively. While in the 10.5-12m soil sample, the >200 µm size fraction contributed 81% of the total PAH mass. The characteristics of PAHs mainly distributed in >20 µm may have significant utility for contaminant degradation.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Radionuclides

153

INFLUENCE OF PHOSPHATE ORE TRANSHIPMENT ON 238U AND 226Ra DISTRIBUTION IN KRKA RIVER ESTUARY, CROATIA

Marina Mlakar*, Neven Cukrov,Vlado Cuculić, Delko Barišić

Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruñer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia (mlakar@irb.hr) Phosphate ores are enriched in uranium series radionuclides, especially 238U and 226Ra. The phosphate industry and transport of phosphate ore is considered as one of the potential sources of natural radionuclide contamination (238U and 232Th decay series). Šibenik is the main Croatian port for phosphate ore import, situated on the Krka River estuary nearby Krka National Park. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of phosphate ore transhipment on the Krka River estuary following 238U and 226Ra distribution in sediments and biota. Activities of 238U and 226Ra were determined by gamma spectrometry using a low-background germanium (HPGe) “Canberra” semiconductor detector system. In the port near transhipment facility it was found significant enhancement of uranium and radium activities in deeper sediment layer (662±6 and 485±16 Bq kg-1 dry weight for 226Ra and 238U, respectively), while in the recent sediments activities were markedly lower. Modernization of facilities in 1988 was unequivocally successful. Radionuclide activities in mussels’ tissue (Mytilus sp.) collected in close vicinity of the port, were markedly enhanced. Activities of 238U in mussels (Mytilus sp.) were in the range from 12.1±2.9 to 19.4±7.1 Bq kg-

1 dry weight. These activities were few times higher than in mussels (2-3 Bq kg-1 dry weight) originating from other parts of Krka River estuary. Examination of spatial distribution of uranium and radium in sediments showed that impact from phosphate ore transshipment facility stayed restricted in port and did not spread into Krka River estuary.

TESTING OF LINEARITY ASSUMPTION OF SOIL-TO-PLANT TR ANSFER

FACTORS IN BOREAL FOREST

Tiina Boman*, Päivi Roivainen*, Sari Makkonen, Toini Holopainen, Jukka Juutilainen, Mikko Kolehmainen

Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, PL 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland There are still many open questions in the uptake of soil radionuclides into plant. The data gaps cause uncertainty in radioecological models which are important tools for assessing risks to humans and biota. It is generally assumed that transfer from soil to plants is linear, i.e., it can be described with a transfer factor that does not vary with concentration of the radionuclide in soil. This assumption, however, has not been extensively tested in natural conditions. In this study the linearity of the transfer factors of uranium, lead, molybdenum, nickel, and zinc from soil to forest plant species was investigated. The study was conducted in two small uranium deposits in Eastern Finland during summer 2007. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) collected from pine forest and may lily (Maianthemum bifolium) and narrow buckler-fern (Dryopteris carthusiana) collected from herb rich forest were divided in leaves, stem and roots. Pseudototal concentrations of these elements in plants and forest mineral soil, organic soil and litter were measured by ICP- AES and ICP-MS. Bioavailable fraction of elements in mineral soil was estimated by ICP-AES and ICP-MS measurement after 1 M ammonium acetate (pH 4.5) leach. Transfer factors from soil to each plant species and plant part were calculated at varying soil concentration. Preliminary results suggest that the linearity assumption is not valid in the conifer and herb rich forests studied. The results of further analyses and their implications will be discussed.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Risk Assessment

154

EFFECT OF ARSENIC CONCENTRATION IN COOKING WATER ON BIOACCESSIBILITY OF ARSENIC FROM COOKED RICE

A.J. Singes-Pastor1,2,*, S.W. Al-Rmalli1, R.O. Jenkins1, P.I. Haris1,*

1Faculty of Health and life Sciences, De Montfort University, Hawthorn Building, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK (asignespastor@dmu.ac.uk, pharis@dmu.ac.uk) 2Departamento Tecnología Agroalimentaria, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Carretera de Beniel, km 3.2, 03312-Orihuela, Alicante, Spain Millions of people around the world are exposed to dangerous level of arsenic through drinking water. Foodstuffs are an additional source of human exposure to arsenic and this is of particular concern for populations who consume high quantities of arsenic rich foods. For example, rice, which is the staple for millions worldwide, contains high levels of inorganic arsenic, which has been classified as a human carcinogen. Unfortunately, very little is known about the bioaccessibility of arsenic from foods such as rice. Bioaccessibility refers to the fraction of an administered dose that is available for uptake in blood stream. In order to obtain an estimation of the arsenic health risk from consumption of rice, we used an in vitro digestion method to evaluate the bioaccessibility of arsenic from this cereal. Polished long grain rice samples were analysed for their arsenic content using HG-AAS before and after cooking in water, containing different concentration of inorganic arsenic (0, 10, 50, 500 µg/l). The arsenic content of the uncooked rice was 79 µg/kg. In-vitro gastrointestinal digestion of the cooked rice was carried out at pH 2 using porcine pepsin. HG-AAS analysis of the digested samples show that 25-67 % of the inorganic arsenic in cooked rice is bioaccessible and this increases linearly with increasing concentration of arsenic in the cooking water. Most of the bioaccessible arsenic in the cooked rice came from water highlighting the importance of using arsenic free water for cooking purposes.

HEALTH RISK FROM HUMAN INGESTION OF ARSENIC FROM CHARRED SOIL IN BANGLADESH

S.W. Al-Rmalli*, R.O. Jenkins, P.I. Haris*

Faculty Health and Life sciences, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, UK (Shaban.alrmalli@myemail.dmu.ac.uk; Pharis@dmu.ac.uk) Human habit of eating soil, often referred to as geophagy, is widespread in many parts of the world and this has been linked to different health problems. Geophagy is common amongst some Bangladeshi women, especially those who are pregnant. A large proportion of the Bangladeshi population is already exposed to high concentrations of arsenic and other toxic elements from drinking contaminated ground water. Additional exposure to toxic elements from other sources, such as soil eating, can further adversely affect their health. In the present study, four charred soil samples, known as sikor amongst the Bangladeshi community, were purchased from an ethnic shop in UK. Sikor samples were analysed for As, Pb and other elements using ICP-MS. High levels of As (up to 3000 µg/kg), and Pb (up to 26800 µg/kg) were detected raising concerns about possible health risks for consumers of such products. Individual consumption of sikor can vary between 15-500 g per day. Consumption of 50g of the material is equivalent to ingesting 150 µg As and 1340 µg of Pb per day. Arsenic in soil samples are mainly the carcinogenic inorganic As species. On this basis, we have estimated that consumption of 50g of soil can contribute to over 120 % of permitted maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of inorganic arsenic. We conclude that Bangladeshi population consuming large quantities of sikor, especially those who are pregnant and are also drinking

SEGH2010 - Posters - Risk Assessment

155

As contaminated water, could be at risk of developing ill health due to further elevating their exposure to toxic elements such as arsenic.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Sediment Geochemistry

156

A 14,000 YR ELEMENTAL AND LEAD ISOTOPIC RECORD IN A PEAT CORE IN THE SOUTH OF POLAND - PRELIMINARY RESULTS A ND

INTERPRETATIONS

Konrad Tudyka1,*, François De Vleeschouwer2, Anna Pazdur1, Leszek Chróst3, Nathalie Fagel4

1 Department of Radioisotopes, Institute of Physics, Silesian University of Technology, Poland (konrad.tudyka@polsl.pl) 2 Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Sweden 3 Laboratory for Ecological Research, Measurement and Expertise, Chopina 26a/4, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland 4 U.R. Argiles et Paléoclimats, University of Liège, Belgium We present a mid-resolution elemental and isotopic record in a 14,000 yrs peat core from śyglin (South Poland). Our principal objectives are to decipher between human impact and natural variability causing changes in peat inorganic geochemistry. This is of particular importance, as the actual region has been under the influence of many civilizations/countries throughout times, but has also been subject to various climatic conditions. The multiproxy approach used in this study includes 14C dating, elemental geochemistry (major elements and trace metals), lead isotopes, ash and charcoal content. Radiocarbon measurements were performed using the Liquid Scintillation technique. Elemental geochemistry was acquired through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. Lead isotopic ratios were measured using a Nu-Plasma Multi-collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. Preliminary results show few periods of enhanced elemental concentrations. First and the most recent stage of core with increased amount of metals (Cu, Zn, Ag, Ni, Pb) corresponds to a known human settlement 200-300 AD. Next, during the Eneolithic age 3500-1500 BC, there is also enrichment in metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni) together with charcoal and there is the question of the possibility of early human impact through local smelting. In the later stage of Eneolithic age (1500-2500 BC) there is also significant increase of Ag and different 206Pb/207Pb ratio that shifts from 1.179 up to 1.188. However, there is also possible input of local soils with a different elemental and isotopic signature. Here arise some questions about the mobility and other possible sources of elements.

DDTs AND PCBs IN LAKE AND RIVER SEDIMENTS IN POLAND

Izabela Bojakowska, Barbara Kamińska, Jolanta Gąsior

Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute Contents DDTs (p, p'-DDT, p, p'-DDE, p, p'-DDD) and PCBs (congeners 28, 52, 101.118, 153, 138, 180) in 300 samples of river sediments and 150 lake sediment samples were determined using GC-ECD. The presence of DDTs and PCBs in river sediment was observed rarely than in lake sediments, but concentrations of these compounds in river sediments were significantly higher compared to lake sediments. The river sediment DDTs content was found up to 3941 mg/kg. Maximum content of DDT was 2780 mg/kg, DDD - 913 mg/ kg and DDE - 298 mg/kg. The presence of DDT were detected in 38.9%, DDE - 90.0%, and DDD - 78.4% of the samples. Very high levels of DDTs were noted mainly in the sediments of rivers in Upper Silesia (Przemsza, upper Vistula River, Brynica). Higher than the PEL values p,p'-DDE contents were found in 4.7% of samples, p,p'-DDD - 6%, p,p'-DDT - 7.6%. In the lake sediments DDTs was found up to 138 mg/kg, among them DDT up to 4.7 mg/kg DDE - 63,5 mg/kg and DDD - 70.1 mg/kg. The

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presence of DDT was detected in 36% of the samples, DDD - 96.67% and DDE metabolite in all samples. The highest DDTs content was found in sediments of Człuchów Lake, upon which the Czluchów city (16 thousand inhabitants) is situated. The p,p’-DDE contents higher than the PEL value were found in 75 samples, and DDD contents higher than the PEL value - in 29 samples. The river sediment PCB content was found up to 180.6 mg/kg. The presence of PCBs contents, higher the limit of determination at least for one congener, were detected in 48.3% of the samples. The most rarely detected congener was PCB52 (9.3% of samples), while the most frequently detected were PCB138 (41.8% of samples) and PCB153 (46.1%). The highest PCB content, similar to PEL values of these compounds, was detected in sediment samples from the river Ner, where the sewage from Lodz indirectly goes to. In the lake sediments PCBs were found in concentrations of 10.1 mg/kg. The presence of PCBs at the content higher than the limit determination for at least one congener were detected in 69.3% samples. As in the case of river sediments, PCB52 was the most rarely detected (4.7% of samples). The presence of PCB101 (55.34% of samples), PCB153 (64.67%), PCB-138 (60.67%) and PCB 180 (58.67%) were frequently detected. The highest content of PCBs characterized sediments collected from Lake Wierzysko (Kashubia Lake District), upon which Kościerzyna city (23 000 inhabitants) is located.

GEOCHEMISTRY OF ARSENIC IN THE ESTUARINE SEDIMENT O F DALIAO RIVER IN CHINA

Shiliang Wang, Chunye Lin*, Mengchang He, Ping Wang

State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China (Tel/Fax: +86-10-58801858, c.lin@bnu.edu.cn) The Daliao River system and its estuary have been seriously affected by long-term intensive industrial, urban and agricultural activities. The objectives of this study were to quantify As content, species and enrichment in the estuarine sediments and the relationship between As and Fe in the sediment. In this study, 35 surface sediment samples were collected from the estuary and analyzed for the total contents of As, Mn and Fe etc. and As species following extraction with various agents. The total content of As ranged from 4.6 to 11.4 mg/kg, mostly associated with the amorphous and poorly-crystalline hydrous oxides of Fe and Al, residual phases, and specifically-sorbed phase. The enrichment factors relative to upper continent crust, normalized by Fe, were 4.3 to 14.8. Whereas various forms of As and total As were all positively correlated to the total Fe in the sediments; total As, specifically-sorbed As, bound As with the amorphous and poorly-crystalline hydrous oxides of Fe and Al, and bound As with well-crystallized hydrous oxides of Fe and Al were more significantly correlated to total Fe. Therefore, geochemical behaviours of As in the sediment were generally related to and controlled by Fe in the sediment.

LIPID BIOMARKERS IN SEDIMENTS IN THE SUBALPINE LAKE BLED, SW SLOVENIA

Marinka Petrišič, Nives Ogrinc*

Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of “Jozef Stefan”, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia (Tel: 0038615885452, Fax: 0038615885346, marinka.petrisic@ijs.si)

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Lake sediments are particularly useful archives for diagenetic as well as paleoclimate information which can be used to verify interpreted paleoclimate signals. In this presentation lipid biomarkers were used to obtain information about the sources of organic matter in sediments of subalpine Lake Bled. Aliphatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic alcohols, sterols and fatty acids were determined after extraction and derivatization by GC-FID analysis and identify by GC-MS. The aliphatic hydrocarbons at the surface sediments were of autochthonous origin, while the n-alkanes deeper in sediments were of terrestrial origin. In our study n-C24 alkanol was the most abundant at the bottom of lake sediment, which may indicate enhanced importance of submerged macrophytes. C27 sterols were the dominant sterols at the surface sediments and cholesterol as a major sterol indicated the important contribution of aquatic algae to sedimentary organic carbon. In addition coprostanol, epicoprostanol and 24-ethylcoprostanol were detected at the surface sediments of Lake Bled, which are widely used as indicators of sewage pollution and presence of human faces. The C16 and C18 fatty acids were found at the highest concentration at the surface and also at the bottom of sediments. The lipids of bacterial origin represent 5% of total lipids and do not change significantly with depth. The performed microbiology study indicated that methanogenic achaea represented 73% of the total population of archaea at the surface, while the proportion of these archea at a depth of 11 cm was estimated to be 38%. The Methanomicorbiaceae was the dominated species observed at the surface.

TRACE ELEMENTS IN SEDIMENTS OF THE RIVER WIEPRZ AND ITS TRIBUTARIES, POLAND

Izabela Bojakowska, Jaroslaw Kucharzyk, Dariusz Lech

Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute, Poland

The Wieprz river (length 303.2km, surface catchment 10 415 km2) is the right tributary of the Vistula. In the catchment area large industrial centers (Lublin, Swidnik) as well as typical agricultural areas and forest complexes are situated. In the catchment area coal deposits (Lublin Coal Basin) and carbonaceous materials for the cement industry in the region Rejowiec are exploited. The sediment samples were collected along Wieprz river course (every 10 km) and at the mouth of its 26 tributaries. The contents of Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Ti, V and Zn were determined in the samples by means of ICP-MS and ICP-OES methods. In the Wieprz river sediments elevated trace elements contents, in comparison to the their geochemical background values, were found: chromium (up to 26 mg / kg, cadmium (the 6.4 mg/ kg), lead (up to 35 mg / kg), nickel (up to 17 mg / kg), zinc (to 117 mg / kg), mercury (up to 0.452 mg / kg), silver (up to 0.9 mg / kg) , tin (up to 1.9 mg / kg). Elevated contents were observed in the sediments accumulated in the river: below the largest municipalities located directly on the river: Lubartow (23 000 inhabitants) and Leczna (22 000 inhabitants) and below the mouth of the tributary Bystrzyca, on which Lublin city is located (population 351 thousand people, metal industry plants). In the sediments of tributaries contents of cadmium up to 11.9 mg / kg were found, chromium up to 79 mg/kg, copper up to 64 mg/kg, nickel to 7.6 mg/kg, lead to 204 mg/kg, zinc to 712 mg/kg, mercury to 0.897 mg/kg, silver to 1.34 mg/kg and tin to 5.9 mg/kg. High contents of trace elements were found in the Zaleśnianka river sediment (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn), which is receiver of wastewater from Ryki city (9800 inhabitants) into which sewages from Ryki (9800 inhabitants) are discharged, in the Stoki stream (Cd, Cr, Cu), to which sewages from Świdnika are discharged (41 000 inhabitants transport equipment production), the river Bzdurka (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn), flowing into Wieprz in Krasnystaw, upon which waste

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landfill is located, and river Bystrzyca (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn), which is receiver of wastewater from the biggest city in the Wieprz river catchments -Lublin.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Soil Geochemistry

160

BASELINES FOR POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN SOILS DEVELOPED ON KARST IN CROATIA

Slobodan Miko, Zoran Peh, Ozren Hasan

Croatian Geological Survey, Sachsova 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia (slobodan.miko@hgi-cgs.hr) Regional geochemical baselines in topsoil developed on karst in Croatia were determined for potentially toxic elements (PTE). The concentrations of PTE in the Croatian karst soils differ due to mineralogical composition but due to two different types of climates which influence pedogenesis (mountain and Mediterranean). Some of the PTE (Pb, Cd, Zn, Se and Hg) correlate with the amount of annual rainfall which in mountain areas is > 3500 mm. A total of 894 sampling sites were analyzed covering 50% of Croatian karst (the northwestern part) region. Evaluation of anthropogenic impact on soils developed on karst evaluated by calculation of enrichment factors and their mobility potential was assessed with various chemical extractions. Total concentrations and aqua regia extracts were used to evaluate the extraction capacity of aqua regia for PTE, since this method for determination of PTE in soils is defined by Croatian environmental protocols. Soils were found to be mostly impacted on a regional scale by Pb, Cd, Zn, Hg and Se and locally Cu by agricultural activities. The distributions of Cr, Ni, Co, Mn, Mo, V and As are linked substantially to pedogenic processes and content of clay minerals, Fe-Mn oxihydroxides and soil organic matter. Lead as the most pronounced PTE had concentrations higher then the determined upper background threshold concentration values at 73 sites, also 45 sites were found to have enrichment factors >2 for Pb at 45 sites, factor scores for the Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg association of elements had high scores at 63 sites.

BIOLEACHING OF HEAVY METALS FROM REFINERY SOIL USIN G A SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIUM, ACIDITHIOBACILLUS THIOOXIDANS

Hyeop-Jo Han1, Jong-Un Lee1*, Hyo-Taek Chon2, Young-Ho Kwon3

1 Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea (jongun@chonnam.ac.kr) 2 Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea 3 Halla Engineering and Construction Co, Seoul, South Korea Refinery processes produce a large amount of wastes containing high concentrations of heavy metals which cause serious problems to nearby environment. A variety of chemical extraction techniques have been developed for contaminated solid wastes such as sludge, soil, and sediment. However, the chemical techniques sometimes cause high cost, operational difficulties, intensive energy requirements and hazardous byproducts. In this study, the application of bioleaching of As, Cu, and Pb from refinery soil was experimentally examined using a sulfur-oxidizing bacterium, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. As a result of aqua-regia digestion, the concentrations of As (107 mg/kg), Cu (187 mg/kg), and Pb (380 mg/kg) in the studied soil exceeded the environmental criteria regulated by Korean government. Removal efficiency of the heavy metals was compared after 26-day incubation of the bacterium-soil slurries according to various sulfur supply (0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1%). The initial pH of the experimental slurries was set at 2.3 with H2SO4. All microbial experimental sets amended with sulfur showed the enhanced amount of heavy metals extracted, which showed the extraction processes require sulfur addition for proper metabolism of the bacterium. Among various amounts of sulfur addition, 1% sulfur led to the highest removal efficiency of As (53.3%), Cu (67.6%), and Pb (25.8%) than 0.1% and 0.5% sulfur additions. The relatively low removal efficiency of Pb resulted from formation of insoluble PbSO4 precipitates. It is

SEGH2010 - Posters - Soil Geochemistry

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suggested that practical bioleaching processes for heavy metals from refinery soil using A. thiooxidans can be developed after determination of proper amount of sulfur amendment.

COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT METHODS FOR ISOLATION OF NITRATE-N FROM SOIL WATER SAMPLES FOR DETERMINATION OF

ITS ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION

Martina Šturm*, Sonja Lojen

Department of Environmental Sciences, »Jožef Stefan« Institute, Slovenia (martina.sturm@ijs.si) Different methods for isolation of nitrate-N from soil water for the analysis of stable N isotope composition were tested. The results of nitrate-15N determinations after an ion exchange (anion column) and micro diffusion methods (Hook method, Teflon trap method) were compared, analysing a potassium nitrate standard solution at a natural abundance level and soil water samples at 15N enriched levels (0.57-2.29 at % 15N). Isotopic composition was determined using a continuous flow IRMS Europa 20-20 with ANCA-SL preparation module. In the ion exchange method, nitrate was concentrated from the sample on an anion exchange resin, eluted with 3M HCl, neutralized with Ag2O, filtered, evaporated in the oven at 50°C, sealed in silver capsules and analysed as AgNO3. For micro diffusion methods, first ammonium was removed from the samples (pH>10; 1M NaOH). Afterwards Devarda`s alloy was added to reduce nitrate to ammonium. The vials were closed immediately and incubated at room temperature overnight. Ammonium was liberated from the samples due to high pH and concentrated on small filter discs containing 2.5 M KHSO4. The filter discs were either placed above the sample on a stainless steel wire hook attached to the vial lid (Hook method) or placed into the sample (Teflon trap method). After incubation, the filter discs were removed from the samples, dried in a dessicator over a concentrated H2SO4, sealed in tin capsules and analysed by mass spectrometer. It was found that all methods give statistically comparable results (p<0.01) at a natural abundance as well as at enriched levels.

ESTIMATION OF POTENTIALLY HARMFUL ELEMENT AMBIENT BACKGROUND CONCENTRATIONS IN SURFACE SOIL IN NORTHE RN

IRELAND USING PARENT MATERIAL CLASSIFIED TELLUS SOI L CHEMISTRY DATA.

J.D. Appleton

British Geological Survey, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK (jda@bgs.ac.uk) The Tellus soil geochemistry data have been used to produce a digital “Estimated soil potentially harmful element data set for Northern Ireland”. The key difference between the new estimated soil PHE data set and the soil geochemical maps produced using IDW interpolation by the Tellus project is that the soil data are spatially interpolated within geological boundaries. Previous research in England and Wales has demonstrated that where a significant proportion of the variability of chemical elements is controlled by geology (i.e. soil parent material), it is better to interpolate the data using the soil parent material polygons as the primary basis for constraining the interpolation. A significant proportion of the landscape in Northern Ireland has naturally elevated surface soil concentrations of the potentially harmful elements As, Cr, Ni and to a lesser extent Cd and Pb which exceed the proposed Soil Screening Value (SSV) for assessing ecological risks and/or the Soil Guideline Value (SGV), which is a threshold used in the preliminary

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assessments for land contamination. Regulatory authorities need to know where these thresholds are likely to be exceeded. The new estimated soil PHE digital data for Northern Ireland can be used for:

1. Risk assessments based on the estimated concentration (mg kg-1) of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in surface soil.

2. To help evaluate whether elevated local PHE concentrations in soil may be the result of significant anthropogenic contamination.

POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS ALONG SOIL PROFILES IN RAVENNA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS (ITALY)

Enrico Dinelli1*, Alessandro Buscaroli1, Gilmo Vianello2, Livia Vittori Antisari2

1 Interdepartmental Center for Research on Environmental Science (C.I.R.S.A.) - University of Bologna, via dell'Agricoltura 5 – 48123 Ravenna, Italy 2 Department of Agro-environmental Sciences and Technologies – CSSAS, University of Bologna, via Fanin 44 – 40127 Bologna, Italy The aim of this study was to evaluate the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) concentrations along the soil profiles in areas with different anthropogenic impact. The study area is in the Ravenna Municipality, a complex territorial system including natural zones, heavily industrialized areas and extensive agricultural land. Three zones with different environmental impact were identified: the San Vitale Pinewood, a natural reserve close to the industrial area (four soil profiles); a public garden within Ravenna city, mainly affected by traffic pollution (one soil profile); the farm "Luigi Perdisa" located immediately northwards of Ravenna was selected because of the use of fertilizers and also it is subjects to various types of atmospheric deposition (one soil profile). The total concentration of Ba, Cr, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn was determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and the pseudo total concentration with aqua regia digestion (AR) and ICP-OES analysis, in order to evaluate the extractability of these elements in soil profiles. The data showed a significant increase of some PTEs (Cu, Pb, Zn) in the top soil compared to bedrock. In Ravenna urban park, Pb and Zn concentrations exceeded the threshold values established by current Italian laws for soils of "public, residential and private areas" (D. Lgs 152/2006). The correlation between the concentration values of top and subsoil highlighted that some PTEs, such as Cu, Pb and Zn, had an anthropogenic origin and were mainly linked to the deposition of airborne pollutants, while other elements (Cr and Ni) had a lithologic origin.

SOIL GEOCHEMICAL ATLAS OF CROATIA

Josip Halamić, Zoran Peh, Slobodan Miko*, Lidija Galović1, Ajka Šorša, Ozren Hasan

1 Croatian Geological Survey, Sachsova 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia (slobodan.miko@hgi-cgs.hr) The Croatian Geological Survey has finished in 2009 the national soil geochemical mapping programme performed at a density of 1 sample per 25 km2. The Republic of Croatia as a relatively small country (56,538 km2) in south-eastern Europe is characterized by a complex geological framework. The comparison of concentrations and distribution maps for 27 elements in the topsoil cover revealed three distinct background geochemical landscapes which can be distinguished based on bedrock lithology: the Mediterranean, Mountain karst(Dinaric) and Pannonian region. Most of the analyzed elements (Al, As, Co, Cu, Fe, La, Pb, Ni, Mn, Th, V, Cr, Zn, Zr and Nb) have higher median values in soils developed on

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carbonate bedrock in the Adriatic and Mountain regions with the exception of Na, K, Fe and Ba, which have higher concentrations in soils of the Pannonian region. Sr, P, Mg, and Ti manifest a similar range of contents in both regions. The anthropogenic influence on top soil in mountain regions of western Croatia due to atmospherically introduced high Pb, Zn and Hg. The non-outlier ranges show that the minor elements show the largest variability of content in soils developed on carbonate bedrock in southern Dalmatia, while the variation in north-western Croatia is far less expressed. Approximately 5% of the sites can be considered as moderately enriched (polluted) either from mining activities or airborne deposition from diffuse and point pollution sources. The maps, statistical summaries and descriptions Have been published the first Geochemical Atlas of Croatia in 2009 by the Croatian Geological Survey. THE CHROMIUM OCCURRENCE IN SOILS-PLANTS-SURFACE WAT ERS

SYSTEM IN THE BESKID SADECKI MTS (WESTERN CARPATHIA N, POLAND)

Alicja Kicińska

AGH- University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environment Protection, A. Mickiewicza 30 Ave., 30-059 Krakow, Poland (kicinska@geol.agh.edu.pl) The chromium occurrence in various parts of environment is controlled by: natural (mainly by varying lithology of the basement) and anthropogenic (e.g. emissions of pollutants originating form mining operations, ore dressing, textiles industry and fuel combustion) factors. Approximately 10% of mining-derived chromium is included in to nature cycle. In the Beskid Sądecki Mts. (which is a part of the Western Outer Carpathian Mts.) samples were taken (numbers of samples in brackets) of: surface waters (123), common species of grass Holcus lanatus (92), common dandelion Taraxacum officinale (92) and soils (92). Additionally, in the NATURA 2000 – Popradzka Habitat (CODE PLH 120019) area leaves were taken of Fagus silvatica and soils (each 44) from the altitudes 380-753 m a. s. l. This area is protected by EU law (due to 92/43/EWG type A, Dentario glandulosae-Fagenion, Luzulo-Fagenion). Samples were prepared in accordance with No. of 3050B standard for soils samples and extraction in concentrated acid (HNO3) mixed with oxidized water (H2O2) for plant material (1:10). Concentrations of total Cr were measured with ICP-MS methods. Then geometric means (and ranges) of Cr concentration were calculated in: surface waters: 3 ppb (1-29 µg/dm3), grasses: 1,64 ppm (0.10-37.99 mg/kg), dandelions: 1.75 ppm (0.14-12.38 mg/kg) and in soils 30.31 ppm (18.22-52.65 mg/kg). For protected areas (Carpathian beech), concentration of Cr in leaves vary form 0.32 to 4.75 mg/kg (mean 0.56 ppm), and in soils from 10.27 to 67.69 mg/kg (mean 25.09 ppm). Statistical analysis (PCA) enabled the anther to reveal concentrations of the in water-soil-plants system.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Urban Geochemistry

164

COMPARING NORMAL AND ANOMALOUS LEVELS OF INHALABLE MANGANESE PARTICLES IN URBAN AIR: THE CASE OF SANTA NDER,

SPAIN

Teresa Moreno1, *, Marco Pandolfi1, Xavier Querol1, Andrés Alastuey1, Mar Viana1, Javier Lavín2, Wes Gibbons3

1 Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA, CSIC, Barcelona, Spain (teresa.moreno@idaea.csic.es) 2 Consejería de Medio Ambiente de Cantabria, CIMA, Torrelavega, Spain 3 AP 23075, Barcelona 08080, Spain Exposure to excessive concentrations of manganiferous particles causes both short term and chronic neurological and lung damage in humans. We examine a large (>2,500 recent analyses) chemical database from Spain to demonstrate that current background Mn levels in urban air usually lie far below those known to cause acute health effects, typically averaging around 10 ng m-3 in urban background, rising to 20-25 ng m-3 in city traffic sites. The arrival of African dust intrusions, a relatively common event in Spain, can raise urban background Mn levels as high as 100-125 ng m-3, but such concentrations still lie below the 150 ng m-3 WHO guideline for maximum Mn concentration in air, and are anyway transient events not annual averages. In some cities, however, industrial and/or port activity can dramatically raise Mn levels: the city of Santander, for example, has Mn PM10 and PM2.5 average background concentrations measured at 166 ng m-3 and 77 ng m-3 respectively (with individual 24-hour levels sometimes exceeding 1000 ng m-3 PM10 and 400 ng m-3 PM2.5). The source of such anomalous levels of inhalable Mn can usually be readily identified using positive matrix factorization source apportionment modeling combined with scanning electron microscopy and meteorological data. In the case of Santander the source is a ferroalloy plant operating some 7km upwind of the city, where investigation of ambient Mn concentrations in housing estates built close to the factory has recently discovered 24-hour levels that can exceed 19,000 ng m-3. Metalliferous plumes from highly polluting point sources such as these can retain their identity over long distances, and contaminate large, heavily populated areas lying downwind. However, demanding improvement from such polluters is hampered by a lack of clarity on health effects linked to highly variable daily exposures. Whereas it is relatively easy to identify anthropogenic pollutants and their sources, defining appropriate and legally binding ambient atmospheric limits continues to be a major difficulty. This is especially the case for pollutants linked to chronic but subtle neurological effects such as Mn which, far from receding in importance as a problem more associated with 20th century emissions, continues to be a major contaminant at many modern urban/industrial locations.

ENVIRONMENTAL URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY AT LISBON CITY: DISPERSION PATTERNS OF LEAD AND CROMIUM IN THE TOP- SOIL

C. Patinha1, A.P. Reis1, A.J. Sousa2, E. Ferreira da Silva1, A. Dias1, A. Cachada3,

M.J. Batista4, C. Prazeres2

1 GEOBIOTEC, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal 2 CERENA, Technical Superior Institute, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal 3 CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal 4 LNEG, Estrada da Portela, Zambujal, 2720-866 Amadora, Portugal This study presents preliminary results of an ongoing project untitled URBSOIL-LISBON: Geochemical survey of Lisbon urban soils: a baseline for future human health studies”. This project uses a strategy based on a target land use/vulnerable organism survey. As children are

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particularly vulnerable to potentially toxic substances (PTSs), only urban facilities visited by them were sampled. Fifty one top-soil samples of were collected in playgrounds, urban parks and public gardens. In this survey the <2mm was selected for analysis. Concentrations of 67 trace elements (including heavy-metals, platinóides and REE) were determined for the 51 samples at a commercial laboratory. The results indicate different urban dispersion patterns for the elements. Such dispersion patterns seem to be controlled by different sources of metal in the topsoil. For Cr the spatial dispersion seem related to the local geology (geogenic origin) while for Pb the spatial dispersion seems to be controlled by different anthropogenic sources (airport, road traffic and past industries). At present Lisbon is not an industrial city and its main anthropogenic sources are urban traffic and housing. However, a survey carried out on past industries in Lisbon city has already identified the location of these industries that may be related to some Pb anomalies. PRELIMINARY INSIGHTS OF MINERAL MAGNETIC CONCENTRAT ION MEASUREMENTS AS A PARTICLE SIZE PROXY FOR URBAN ROA DSIDE

SOILS

Christopher J. Crosby1, Colin A. Booth1*, Michael A. Fullen2

1 School of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK 2 School of Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK The use of mineral magnetic concentration parameters (χLF, χARM and SIRM) as a potential particle size proxy for soil samples collected from Wolverhampton (UK) has been explored as an alternative means of normalizing particle size effects. Comparison of soil-related analytical data by correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and individual particle size classes (i.e. sand, silt and clay), more discrete intervals within classes (e.g. fine sand or medium silt) and cumulative size fractions (e.g. clay + fine silt) are reported. χLF, χARM and SIRM parameters reveal significant (p <0.001 n = 60) associations with particle size. The trends are contrary to earlier research findings for other environments and, in doing so, indicate that magnetic measurements cannot always provide a predictable particle size proxy. However, if future researchers working in other soil settings can identify a formal predictable relationship, the technique is known to offer a simple, reliable, rapid, sensitive, inexpensive and non-destructive approach that could be a valuable particle size proxy for normalizing particle size effects in soil contamination studies.

SCREENING EFFECT OF HIGH BUILDINGS ON THE POTENTIAL LY TOXIC METAL CONTENT OF SETTLING DUSTS

Péter Sipos, Tibor Németh

Institute for Geochemical Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1112 Budapest, Budaörsi út 45, Hungary (sipos@geochem.hu) In spite of the fact that the relatively large particles of settling dusts involve smaller health risk than PM10 fraction, their study has also primary importance. These particles can be inhaled by nose or mouth, and some of them may reach the bronchial tubes causing health damage by diseases or due to their toxic components. In this study, settling dust samples were collected in glass pots containing distilled water on the front and the back sides of a building at a busy street of Budapest at four different heights.

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The vacuum-filtered samples were analyzed for their weight, as well as chemical (XRF) and mineralogical composition (XRD). About three times higher dust amounts were collected at 1.5 m and at the front side than at 32 m and back side, respectively. Additionally, differences in dusts amounts between the front and back sides decreased upwards the building. Similar trends can be observed for the metal content of the dusts. Highest daily metal deposition was found for Zn (up to 160µg/m2) and Pb (up to 60µg/m2). Barium (up to 35µg/m2) and V (up to 4µg/m2) show also slight enrichment at the most contaminated sites. Contrarily, other metals (such as Ni) do not show significant variation with sampling points. The mineralogical composition of the samples reflects the geological characteristics of the area. Consequently, the amount and the metal content of settling dust samples show large variation with sampling height. Additionally, high buildings may exert significant screening effect on metal contamination by settling dusts.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Waste and Waste Management

167

ANTIMONY LEACHING FROM MINE WASTES

Suzanne Beauchemin1, 2*, Y.T. John Kwong1, Jessica Adelman2

1 Natural Resources Canada, CANMET-MMSL, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; (sbeauche@nrcan.gc.ca) 2 McGill University, Natural Resource Sciences, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Québec, Canada Antimony (Sb) is a trace element often associated with precious metal deposits in moderate amounts. Listed by the USEPA, the European Union and the Canadian government as a pollutant of priority interest, antimony is considered carcinogenic and Sb(III) would be more toxic than Sb(V). The objective of this study is to clarify the mobilization and attenuation processes of antimony in the environs of a typical mesothermal gold deposit, where stibnite is the primary Sb-bearing sulfide mineral associated with pyrite. A field study investigated the change in solubility and solid-phase speciation of Sb in sediments collected at key locations along a mine effluent characterized by elevated dissolved Sb. X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy showed that, under submerged conditions, Sb(III)-O was the dominant alteration product resulting from the weathering of primary Sb(III)-S minerals. The persistence of Sb(III)-S species in the fine fraction suggested a higher oxidation rate for stibnite in the coarser fraction, possibly due to interaction with pyrite. Previous weathering experiments with a mixed-sulfide ore sample demonstrated preferential oxidation of stibnite when in contact with pyrite. Flow-through leaching studies showed an increased oxidation rate of stibnite in presence of pyrite, with a greater accumulation of solid-phase Sb-oxide products in the systems containing higher pyrite inputs. These studies provide evidence that, in oxygenated environments, galvanic interaction between stibnite and pyrite can enhance the oxidation of stibnite and the release of Sb from geologic materials to mine waters.

EFFECTS OF ULTRASONIC WAVES ON ZEOLITE SYNTHESIS FR OM COAL FLY ASH

Claudia Belviso*, Francesco Cavalcante, Antonio Lettino, Saverio Fiore

CNR-IMAA, C/da S. Loja, 85050 Tito Scalo (PZ), Italy (belviso@imaa.cnr.it) The synthesis of zeolites from three samples of fly ashes (FA1, FA2 and FA3) was carried out by means of hydrothermal process with NaOH pre-fusion treatment preceded by sonication. The experiments were carried out at temperatures ranging from 25 to 60 °C. The results were compared with those obtained by conventional hydrothermal synthesis. XRD and SEM investigations show that X-type zeolites was crystallized without the application of ultrasound at 35 °C in the FA1- FA3 samples and at 60 °C in FA2 sample. With ultrasound treatment, the newly-formed mineral was identified at 25 °C in all the samples. These interesting results can be explained considering that the ultrasonic radiation accelerates the dissolution of source material responsible of a high nucleation rate of crystalline phases. Differences into the chemical composition of fly ashes don’t significantly influence the results. In fact, although it seems to be a correlations between Si/Al molar ratio of fly ash source and temperature of zeolite formation with conventional hydrothermal synthesis, the role of ultrasound is always decisive at low temperature for all the samples of fly ash thanks to the general bigger availability of Si and Al following ultrasonic radioations. The synthesis of zeolite from fly ash represents a concrete potential application to obtain industrial products from waste material. The use of ultrasound to synthesis of zeolite is a significant tool to modify and improve the process reducing the temperature of crystallization and the effects of different Si/Al content of fly ashes.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Waste and Waste Management

168

RISK EVALUATION OF SOIL APPLICATION OF MUNICIPAL SL UDGE IN NORTH CHINA

Zou Guoyuan1, Liu Hongbin2, Ma Yibing2, Cui Xilong3, Gui Meng3

1 Institute of Plant Nutrition and Resources, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, 100097, China (Tel: 86 10 88438818, Fax: 86 10 88436644, gyzou@163.com) 2 Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, China Academy of Agriculture Sciences, 100081, China 3 Beijing Municipal Drainage Corp. 100038, China With the rapidly development of municipal engineering and sewage water cleaning system, the yield of municipal sludge and its dispose is becoming more and more concerned. Sludge compost and soil application is the primary method for sludge dispose in the world. In this study, dynamics of heavy metal content and nutrients content is monitored regularly and effect of soil application of sludge on the environmental quality was researched. Municipal sludge of Beijing is characterized with high nutrients content of N and P, varied from 25 g/kg to 42 g/kg for N and 30 g/kg to 45 g/kg for P, and low K with 2 g/kg to 3 g/kg. As for the eight heavy metals, Hg is the most dangerous element, some samples was around 10 mg/kg. Besides the mercury, zinc is another key element which should be concerned in the sludge. Both in the pot culture with celery and tomato and in the field experiment with wheat and maize, the results indicated the compost sludge can promote crops' growth remarkably, it is suggested that the rational application rate is 9000 kg/ha for compost sludge. The effective equivalent of heavy metals (equal in water-soluble heavy metal validity) is varied from 0.48 to 0.82 for Zinc, 0.58 for Copper and 0.63 for Chromium. The activity of heavy metals in the compost sludge is lower than the water-soluble salt of heavy metal in soil.

SEGH2010 - Posters - Water Pollution

169

FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER AND FLUOROSIS: A CASE ST UDY IN THE NORTHWEST OF IRAN

Mohammad Mosaferi1,2*, Saeed Dastgiri1,2, Mohammadali Hoseinpour Fizi3,

Masumeh M. Mehdipour1,, Farzaneh B. Asghari1

1 Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran (mmosaferi@yahoo.com) 2 National Public Health Management Center (NPMC), Tabriz, Iran 3 Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran Chronic exposure to high concentration of fluoride via drinking water causes fluorosis in humans. According to Iranian national drinking water standard, the limit of fluoride in drinking water, is a function of environmental temperature and varies from 0.6 mg/L (at least) to 2.4 mg/L (maximum) at 10◦C to 32.5◦C; respectively. Attention to beneficial effect of fluoride in Iran was started from 1955. In 1966 first measurement of fluoride in drinking water sources was carried out in the Fars province. This study showed that in Borazjan, Marvdasht and Sarvestan areas in the south of Iran, high concentration of fluoride in drinking water has caused dental fluorosis. Next studies recognized more regions with high fluoride problem in drinking water sources. In the Northwest of Iran, Makoo region has been known from past years with the high fluoride concentration in the some drinking water sources. At present study, the level of fluoride in drinking water of 668 villages of East Azerbaijan province was studied. The results showed that in the 58 villages, concentration of fluoride was above 0.5mg/L and in 22 villages was higher than 1 mg/L. The range of measured concentrations, were different from 0.1 to 2.8 mg/L in the analyzed water samples. Our recent epidemiological study in Nagharekub village in Ahar city with 1.2 mg/L fluoride in drinking water recognized some people with dental fluorosis. The study will be continued in other villages of the province with different level of fluoride in drinking water as an attempt for answering to this question: does fluoride have adverse effects on people’s teeth at low level of exposure via drinking water?

GEOCHEMICAL CONTROLS ON ARSENIC MOBILITY IN UPLAND CATCHMENTS

Augustine Nwabuzor1, Andrew Hursthouse1, Judit Gal2, Simon Cuthbert1

1 School of Engineering & Science, University of West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, Scotland 2 URS Corporation Ltd, 243 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 4QE, Scotland This study presents a geochemical evaluation of the catchment area in Glendinning. The objectives include: to establish the spatial variation in concentration of As in water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediment of the river system in the Glendinning mining area; and to estimate the chemical forms of As and its mobility in the river solids. This work also aims to model the geochemical processes which affect the chemistry of the stream waters. The Geochemist Workbench™ and PHREEQC computer programs were used for speciation and saturation index calculations in water samples. Statistical methods including, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to evaluate differences and elucidate relationships between trace elements and their origin within the catchment. Arsenic in sediment, stream water and suspended particulate matter showed high concentrations (exceeding acceptable guidelines). Arsenic concentrations (as high as 970 µg L-1) in water samples adjacent to the tailings indicate mobilization of As. Higher As concentrations were recorded in the eastern and western part of the study site, revealing the strong influence of

SEGH2010 - Posters - Water Pollution

170

mine works on As dissolution. As specific sequential extraction (supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM analysis)) shows that As is primarily associated to the amorphous and crystalline Fe and Al oxyhydroxides. The suspended matter contained elevated levels of mobile As. Arsenic in this sample was mainly bound to the easily extractable fraction of the SPM (60-80%), and adsorbed to amorphous and crystalline Fe and Al oxide phases. Speciation calculations for the water samples indicate that Fe and Al oxyhydroxide are stable in the stream water, suggesting that As adsorption may be to some degree controlled by the presence of these mineral phases. Carbonates and silicates dissolutions lead to the release of arsenic in water which contributes to high pH value of the water system. However, the presence of carbonate minerals also plays an important role as they also attract As and with a slight decrease of pH will release adsorbed As into the water. INTERACTIONS OF AOA, AOB AND NOB IN PARTIAL NITRIFI CATION

OF SALINE SEWAGE WITH HIGH AMMONIUM

Lin Ye, Tong Zhang*

Environmental Biotechnology Lab, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China (Tel: 852-28578551, Fax: 852-25595337, zhangt@hkucc.hku.hk) Nitrogen removal from wastewater has been an intense research area for several decades due to eutrophication occurred frequently in water bodies in many places of the world. Ammonia-oxidizing Bacteria (AOB) and the newly found ammonia-oxidizing Archaea (AOA) are responsible for the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite in the first step of nitrification. The second step of nitrification, oxidation of nitrite to nitrate, is carried out by nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). It is important to investigate the community structure, abundance, diversity shift of AOA, AOB and NOB under nitrification process. In this study, a Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactor (CSTR) was used to conduct partial nitrification process for a saline sewage containing high concentrations of ammonium. DNA-based molecular method, including cloning-sequencing, DGGE, T-RFLP and q-PCR, were applied to characterize and quantify AOA, AOB, NOB and other microbial communities. Results of clone libraries showed that there were only one dominant species for AOA, AOB and NOB each. The q-PCR results showed that the ratio of AOB to AOA varied considerably in the four phases. Both DGGE and T-RFLP results showed that the percentage of NOB in total bacteria increased from almost 0% to about 30% as DO level changed from 0.15 mg/L to 0.5 mg/L, coinciding with the accumulation and conversion of nitrite. Furthermore, the percentages of AOB and NOB in the total bacteria community were estimated based on the results of batch experiments using mathematical models, and the results were comparable with those calculated according to profiles of DGGE and T-RFLP.

LASER INDUCED PHOTO-CATALYTIC REMOVAL OF CHROMIUM USING ZNO SEMICONDUCTOR CATALYST

M.A. Gondal1,2, M. Qamar2, Z.H.Yamani1,2

1Laser Group, Department of Physics 2Center of Excellence in Nanotechnolgy, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (Tel: + 966556211252, magondal@kfupm.edu.sa) Due to large growth in leather and textile industries to cater the needs of a growing world population, contamination of soil and water resources by chromium has become a great threat

SEGH2010 - Posters - Water Pollution

171

for humans and animals. Chromium is an important metal that is considered as a toxic pollutant and carcinogen to humans and animals. Chromium is associated with the development of various chronic health disorders including organ damage, dermatitis and respiratory impairment. Due to these reasons, effective technologies/or methods have to be developed for remediation of chromium especially from waste water. Advanced oxidation process (AOP) is being investigated for the removal of toxic organic and inorganic materials from water. Photo-catalytic process using conventional setups like UV lamp and TiO2 have been applied for AOP process to remove heavy metals from water. These conventional lamp based systems have some inherent problems for long term operation due to over heating of UV lamps and low photonic efficiencies. In this work, a special setup based on laser as an irradiation source have been developed locally for removal of Chromium which is highly efficient. Photo-catalytic reduction of Cr (VI) over ZnO particles under UV laser irradiation was carried out under normal conditions without addition of any oxidizing or reducing agent. This new evidence reinforces previous findings regarding sequential one-electron-transfer processes in Cr (VI) photo-catalytic reduction, suggesting that this route may represent a general behavior for the Cr (VI) reduction over UV-laser irradiated ZnO particles. About 90 % degradation has been achieved in short span of time (50 minutes) and reaction kinetic obeys first order.

REMOVAL OF AQUEOUS ARSENITE BY Pd-AKAGANEITE NANOPARTICLES AND CLOSTRIDIUM SP.

Hyun-Cheol Kim1, Jong-Un Lee1,*, Yul Roh2

1 Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, South Korea (jongun@chonnam.ac.kr) 2 Department of Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, South Korea The objective of this study was to remove aqueous arsenite (As(III)) from solution by sorption using both Pd-akaganeite nanoparticles and Clostridium sp. through column experiments. The bacterium used in this study was a metal-reducing bacterium, Clostridium sp. Haejae-1, which had been separated from mud flat sediment in Haejae, South Korea. Pd-akaganeite nanoparticles were synthesized from an aqueous solution of iron(III) chloride salt (0.5 M) and palladium chloride (0.025 M) in the laboratory. Sodium hydroxide (10 M) was used to produce precipitates at pH 7. The columns were vertically positioned and filled with silica beads with 1 mm diameter. As(III) solution of 1 mg/L was made to flow upward using peristaltic pumps. Four columns, each of which represented condition of control, injection of bacteria, injection of nanoparticles, and injection of both bacteria and nanoparticles, were run during the experiment. While bacteria or nanoparticles did not show significant differences in As(III) removal efficiency between the control over 32-day reaction, in the column of both Pd-akaganeite and bacteria injected, over 80% of aqueous arsenite was found to be removed from solution. The result was likely due to adsorption of arsenite onto surface of Pd-akaganeite nanoparticles, and the bacteria seemed to serve as a biocatalyst. Since Pd-akaganeite used in this experiment is very expensive, simultaneous use of cheap and common nano-absorbents with Haejae-1 may economically and efficiently enhance the effect of aqueous As(III) removal from solution such as As-contaminated groundwater.

SEGH2010 - Author Index

172

AUTHOR INDEX

Abdul Malik, Lidyayatty 18

Abrahams, Peter 2

Adanez, Paula 45

Adelman, Jessica 167

Aiuppa, Alessandro 64

Al-Rmalli, Shaban 130, 154

Alastuey, Andrés 164

Alloway, Brian 2

Almeida, Susana Marta 72, 115, 117

Altan, Metin 107

Alves, Célia 72, 115

Ander, Louise 41, 99, 118, 133, 136

Andersson, Malin 76

Andreoni, Vincenza 56

André, Lajeunesse 90

Antonellini, Marco 31

Appel, Peter W. U. 34, 135

Appleton, Donald 115, 161

Arcega, Flor 35

Ashley, Peter 38

Asmund, Gert 135

Atkinson, John 128

Bailey, E. H. 118

Barišić, Delko 153

Barry, Aly 21

Barsby, Amy 5

Bartolomeu, S 77

Batista, Mj 77, 164

Bauer, Heidi 80

Beauchemin, Suzanne 37, 138, 167

Becquer, Thierry 34

Belviso, Claudia 167

Bergomi, Margherita 126

Bi, Xiangyang 73

Bindler, Richard 46, 64, 108

Bird, Graham 44

Blahgen, M. 9

Blesl, Markus 108

Boccone, Loredana 142

Bojakowska, Izabela 156, 158

Bolzacchini, Ezio 99

Boman, Tiina 153

Bonvicini, Francesca 126

Booth, Colin 165

Boyd, Rognvald 85

Boyle, Fiona 5

Brabec, Karel 11

Bradham, Karen 38

Bračič-Železnik, Branka 112

Brennan, Raymond 96

Breward, Neil 136

Brewer, Paul 44

Broaders, Michael 52

Brochot, Céline 87

Brown, Frank Reber 9

Bui Thi, Nuong 51

Bui, Duong 51

Burns, Robert 20

Buscaroli, Alessandro 162

Byrne, Miriam 80

Cachada, Anabela 61, 77, 164

Calabrese, Sergio 64

Canha, Nuno 72, 117

Cappelletti, David 99

Cappuyns, Valerie 65

Caprais, Marie-paule 113

Capri, Ettore 87

Capuana, Maurizio 133

Cardenes Van Den Eynde, V. 121

Carmel, Cullen 62

Caseiro, Alexandre 80

Castorina, Francesca 75

Cavalcante, Francesco 167

Cave, Mark 20, 21, 72

Cave, Rachel R 102

Centeno, Jose A. 36, 82

Cerqueira, Mário 72

Chan, Chang-chuan 16

Chan, Laura 48

Chanpiwat, Penradee 89

Chao, H. Jasmine 16

Chen, Bing-yu 16

Chen, Chi-hsien 6

Chen, Diyun 92

Chen, Pau-chung 6

Chen, Yi 32, 61

Chenery, Simon 72

Cheng, Hui-wen Angel 52

Cheng, Tsun-jen 16

Chiang, Chih-min 45

SEGH2010 - Author Index

173

Chiang, Tung-liang 6

Chon, Hyo-taek 4, 160

Chróst, Leszek 156

Chung, Yong-sam 114

Chénier, Marc 37, 138

Ciffroy, Philippe 87

Cimpoca, Valerica Gh. 132

Clancy, Luke 63

Closs, Graham 98

Conrad, André 17

Corkeron, Maree 47

Cormican, Martin 5, 126

Corsini, Anna 56

Cotter, Janet 15

Crout, N. M. J. 118

Cuculić, Vlado 153

Cui, Xilong 168

Cukrov, Neven 151, 153

Cummins, Enda 152

Cundy, Andy 40, 137

Curry, Orla 106

Cuthbert, Simon 169

Da Boit, Katia 135

Daesslé, Walter 35

Dantona, Marco 75

Dao, Ligang 128

Dastageer, Abdulkader 53

De Vleeschouwer, Francois 150

De, Tarun Kumar 33

Dean, John 20

Delong, G. Robert 22

Demetriades, Alecos 65

Derrien, Morgane 95, 113

Devine, Martin 94

Dewey, Katrina 11

Dhankhar, Rajesh 69

Di Lonardo, Sara 133

Dias, A 61, 77, 164

Dickinson, Natalie 128

Dinelli, Enrico 31, 162

Dobler, Lorenz 17

Dockery, Peter 106

Dong, Deming 14

Dong, Shuofei 78

Dore, Bill 102, 104, 140

Banks, David 32

Birke, Manfred 17, 32, 65

Dragan, Bukovec 105

Duarte, Armando C. 61, 95

Dung, Ho M. 117

Dunne, Peter 106

Durcan, John 102

Dusek, Ladislav 11

D´alessandro, Walter 64

Echevarria, Guillaume 34

Egeghy, Peter 38

Elekes, Carmen Cristina 120, 132

Ellefsen, Karl 98

Ene, Antoaneta 132

Entwistle, Jane 20, 35

Evans, David 80

Evtyugina, Margarita 72, 115

Fabianska, Monika 142

Fan, Jie 22

Fantke, Peter 108

Faure, Pierre 67, 69

Feely, Martin 56, 106

Feigenspan, Stefan 17

Feng, Xinbin 73

Fenton, Owen 96

Ferreira Da Silva, Eduardo 61, 77, 164

Ferrero, Luca 99

Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł, Barbara 147, 150

Finkelman, Robert 58, 134, 135, 144

Fiore, Saverio 167

Fisher, Brian 136

Flannery, John 102, 104, 140

Flight, Dee 99, 100, 136

Floor, Geerke 64

Follansbee, Mark 38

Fordyce, Fiona 100

Fowler, Geoffrey D 78

Foy, Bob 96

Franchi, Mariana 72

François, De Vleeschouwer 150, 156

Freitas, M. C. 57, 72, 115, 117

Friedman, Warren 38

Friedrich, Rainer 108

Fujimaki, Hirokazu 7

Fumi, M. D. 9

Gabriela, Busuioc 120, 132

Gagnon, Christian 90

Gallagher, Orla 133

Galović, Lidija 162

Galvin, Sandra 5

Garcia-Cortes, Angel 45

SEGH2010 - Author Index

174

Garcia-Sanchez, Antonio 122

Garnier, Jérémie 34

Garrett, Robert 98

Gavin, Anna 5

Gaw, Sally 11

Gaâmour, N. 9

Gaël, Le Roux 150

Gbefa, Kelvin 35

Gheboianu, Anca Irina 132

Giannossi, Maria Luigia 145

Gibbons, Wes 164

Gibson, Gillian 92

Gibson, Paul 129

Gieré, Reto 116

Gilligan, Martin 56

Gilmore, Margaret 145

Giltrap, Michelle 140

Glennon, Mairead 106

Gminski, Richard 116

Golden, Nessa 129

Goldenberg, Ella 116

Gondal, Mohammed A. 53, 170

Goodsite, Michael E. 135

Gourcy, Laurence 51

Gourmelon, Michele 113

Graczyk, Tk 52

Grain, Abdulgader 130

Grennan, Eamonn 145

Griffith, Daniel 3

Grobéty, Bernard 116

Gruau, Gérard 95

Gui, Meng 168

Gulliver, John 128

Guo, Hai 71

Guo, Horng-yuh 45

Guo, Leon 6, 16

Guo, Weihong 9

Guo, Zhixing 61

Gårdestedt, Caroline 21

Gąsior, Jolanta 156

Hair, Mario 121

Halamic, Josip 162

Hall, Lisbeth 39

Han, Hyeop-jo 160

Hanna, Khalil 69, 74

Hansson, Sophia 46

Hardenberg, Silvia 140

Haris, Parvez I. 130, 154

Hasan, Ozren 60, 105, 160, 162

Hassen, A. 9

He, Mengchang 157

He, Yaxin 129

Healy, Mark G 96

Henry, Tiernan 56

Hewitt, Andrew 97

Higgins, Timothy 56

Hoffman, Thorsten 20

Holopainen, Toini 153

Holoubek, Ivan 11

Hossain, Md Anawar 57, 122

Hrebicek, Jiri 11, 91

Hsieh, I-chun 6

Hua, Xiuyi 14

Huang, Rj 20

Hunt, Andrew 3, 13, 28, 77

Hursthouse, Andrew 9, 121, 128, 169

Hussain, Mumtaz 82, 103, 109

Iacob, Cezar 67

Ilijanic, Nikolina 60

Iordache, Virgil 67

Izquierdo, Maria 134, 135

Jablonska, Mariola 142, 147

Jacks, Birgitta 21

Jacks, Gunnar 21, 75

Jaffrezic, Anne 113

Jakab, Gergely 112

Jamieson, Heather 29, 30, 48

Jana, Tapan Kumar 33

Jaouani, A. 9

Jardine, Andrew 47

Jardé, Emilie 95, 113

Jarvis, Richard 92

Jeanneau, Laurent 67

Jemric, Tomislav 103

Jenkins, Richard 130, 154

Jianu, Denisa 67

Jodlowski, Radosz 147

Johansson, Erik 87

Johnson, David 3, 13

Johnson, Howard 62

Jones-Otazo, Heather 37

Jordan, Crawford 96

Joyce, Eileen 10

Juhasz, Albert 85

SEGH2010 - Author Index

175

Jung, Myung Chae 25

Juutilainen, Jukka 153

Kacjan-Maršić, Nina 112

Kamińska, Barbara 156

Karro, Enn 144

Katok, Kseniia 137

Keaveney, Sinéad 102, 104

Keenan, Helen 89, 105

Kelly, Shona 58

Kermani, Maryam 58

Keshavarzi, Behnam 58, 59

Khalil, Amjad B. 53

Khozhina, Elena 55

Kibble, Andrew 114

Kicińska, Alicja 163

Kidd, Petra Susan 118

Kim, Hyun Choel 171

Kim, Ki-hyun 114

Kim, Kyoung-woong 25, 51, 89

Kim, You Sung 25

Kita, Andrzej 142

Klaminder, Jonatan 108, 109

Kleppin, Lukas 131

Klotz, Volker 108

Knights, Kate 100

Koch, Iris 48

Kolehmainen, Mikko 153

Kolossa-Gehring, Marike 17

Komilova, Nilufar 130

Korfali, Samira 40

Kołaczek, Piotr 150

Kralj, Martina 31

Krawczyk, Wieslawa Ewa 147

Kubasek, Miroslav 11

Kucharzyk, Jarosław 158

Kugler, Ulrike 108

Kuhn, Alexandra 108

Kumar, Sunil 42

Kwokal, Željko 151

Kwon, Hyun Ho 25

Kwon, Young-ho 160

Kwong, John 167

Könczöl, Mathias 116

Labite, Elysee Herve 152

Lalonde, Andre 29

Lalor, Pierce 106

Lanzirotti, Antonio 30

Lar, Uriah Alex 49

Large, David 58

Lauren, Denis 11

Lavin, Javier 164

Lech, Dariusz 158

Lee, Chung-te 16

Lee, Jin Soo 25

Lee, Jin-hong 114

Lee, Jong-un 160, 171

Leitão, C. 9

Lettino, Antonio 167

Levesque, Christine 37, 138

Lewinska-Preis, Lucyna 142

Li, Bing 31

Li, Shehong 144

Li, Xiangdong 26

Li, Zhonggen 73

Liao, Xiaoyong 152

Lim, Jong-myoung 114

Lin, Chunye 157

Lin, Shio-jean 6

Lister, Bob 100

Liu, Hongbin 168

Liu, Liang 14

Locutura, Juan 45

Lojen, Sonja 112, 161

Lombi, Enzo 85

Lorenzi, Damien 20, 35

Lucy, Frances 52

Luo, Xiaosan 26

Lyamiuoli, K. 9

Lynch, Paul 48

Ma, Yibing 168

Maanan, Mohamed 140

MacKlin, Mark 44

MacLean, Lachlan 37, 138

Macías Vázquez, Felipe 118

Madarasz, Balazs 112

Makkonen, Sari 153

Malagoli, Carlotta 126

Malik, Aizad Mumtaz 82, 103, 109

Marcilla, A.l. 143

Markovic, Tamara 60

Marro, Leonora 37

Marti, Romain 113

Masi, Umberto 75

Maurau, Sylvaine 87

Maxwell, Jill 55

Mazzoleni, V. 9

SEGH2010 - Author Index

176

McDonald, Lauren 138

McGinn, Claire 161

McGovern, Evin 10, 102, 140

McHugh, Brendan 10, 140

McIntosh, Roslyn 121

McIntyre, Mel 62

McKinley, Jennifer 5, 96, 125

McLellan, Iain 9

Mehra, Aradhana 48

Meng, Yaobin 32, 61, 86

Mersch-Sundermann, Volker 116

Mesic, Sasa 60, 105

Meunier, Louise 48

Mieszkin, Sophie 113

Mikhalovsky, Sergey 40

Miko, Slobodan 60, 105, 160, 162

Miles, Jon 115

Mitchem, Laura 114

Mlakar, Marina 153

Mohammadi, Zargham 59

Mol, Gerben 74, 87

Monterroso, Carmela 118, 121

Moon, Jong-hwa 114

Moore, Farid 58, 59

Moore, Warren 97

Moreno, Teresa 98, 164

Moroni, Beatrice 71, 99

Morris, Carol 126

Morris, Dearbhaile 5, 126

Morrison, C. 9

Morrison, Liam 56, 106, 128

Mosaferi, Mohammad 169

Mulcahy, Maurice 80

Mullan, Karen 20

Mörth, Magnus 75

Nadine, Mattielli 150

Naidu, Ravi 85

Nathalie, Fagel 150, 156

Neagoe, Aurora 67

Nijak Jr., Gary 41

Noreña, Elsa 35

North, Robin 78

Northcott, Grant 11

Novelli, E. 9

Nunes, Teresa 72

Nwabuzor, Augustine 169

Németh, Tibor 165

O'Connor, Patrick 106

O'Dowd, Colin 20

Ofterdinger, Ulrich 5, 133

Ogrinc, Nives 157

Oliveira, Marcos 135

Omer, Sami 16

Oomen, Agnes 39

Orza, Razvan 67

Ottesen, Rolf Tore 76

Ouzari, H. I. 9

Palowski, Bernard 150

Pandolfi, Marco 164

Panova, Elena 68

Paradelo, Remigio 121

Park, Je Hyun 25

Park, June Soo 9

Parsons, Michael 48

Patinha, Carla 61, 77, 164

Paula, Amélia 61, 77, 164

Pazdur, Anna 156

Pedro A., Segura 90

Pegas, Priscilla 72, 115, 117

Peh, Zoran 160, 162

Pei, Lijun 18

Pereira, Eduarda 95

Perelomov, Leonid 56

Pesch, Roland 17

Petreas, Myrto 9

Petrisic, Marinka 157

Petrovic, Sanya 37

Pierson-Wikmann, A 95

Pintar, Marina 112

Pinzer, Eugene 38

Pio, Casimiro 72, 115

Piotrowska, Natalia 150

Poorkhabbaz, Alireza 124

Popescu, Ion V. 132

Pourcher, Anne-marie 113

Power, Ann 81

Prazeres, C 77, 164

Preiss, Philipp 108

Pringle, Dennis 16, 62

Puxbaum, Hans 80

Qamar, Mohammed 170

Querol, Xavier 134, 164

Quicksall, Andrew 136

Radulescu, Cristiana 132

SEGH2010 - Author Index

177

Rahmani, Farah 59

Rajko-Nenow, Paulina 102, 104

Ramsey, Michael 13, 122

Rankin, Jean 128

Raous, Sophie 34

Rasmussen, Pat 29, 30, 37, 138

Rasouli, Saeideh 149

Reid, John 92

Reimann, Clemens 32, 65, 85

Reimer, Kenneth 48

Ren, Qiang 22

Robin, Marc 140

Robinson, Martin 125

Rodgers, Michael 96

Rodrigues, C. 9

Rodrigues, Sónia 95

Rodríguez-Garrido, Beatriz 118

Roh, Yul 171

Roivainen, Päivi 153

Roman-Ross, Gabriela 64

Romic, Davor 103

Romic, Marija 103

Ronan, Jenny 140

Rostron, Peter 122

Rosén, Peter 108

Rubio, Alvaro 121

Ruby, Christian 69, 74

Ruffell, Alastair 125

Ruiz, Nere 99

Rydberg, Johan 108

Römkens, Paul 45, 95

Saikat, Sohel 48

Samieyani, Asghar 7

Samieyani, Fatemeh 7

Sanna, Emanuele 142

Savina, Irina 40

Scanlon, Ray 106

Scheib, Cathy 100, 115

Schmidt, Gunther 17

Schröder, Winfried 17

Schueller, Elisabeth 80

Schwarz, Susanne 31

Scotto, Manuel 115

Segerström, Ulf 46

Seidel, Albrecht 116

Selinus, Olle 43

Sera, Koichiro 7

Shao, Longyi 58

Sherriff, Barbara 55

Shi, Liangxia 86

Shi, Peijun 32, 61, 86

Shiao, Judith 6

Shih, Kaimin 44

Siddiqui, Mohammad N. 53

Signes Pastor, A. J. 154

Silva Pereira, Cristina 9

Silva, Luis 134, 135

Sipos, Péter 112, 165

Skov, Henrik 135

Slabbinck, Emilie 65

Smieja-Król, Beata 147, 150

Smith, David 98

Smith, Euan 85

Smith, Hannah 118

Smith, Toby 114

Smyth, Peter 20

Sorsa, Ajka 162

Soukopova, Jana 91

Sousa, Aj 77, 164

Sparica Miko, Martina 60, 105

Spijker, Job 74, 87

Spiro, Baruch 58

Sreesai, Siranee 89

Stancu, Paula 67

Stengel, Dagmar B 102

Sterckeman, Thibault 34

Stewart, Alex 92

Sthiannopkao, Suthipong 51, 89

Stihi, Claudia 120, 132

Stone, Phil 136

Stout, Ii, Daniel 38

Suchara, Ivan 85

Sucharova, Julie 85

Summa, Vito 145

Sun, Guangyi 73

Szalai, Zoltan 112

Sébastien, Sauvé 90

Talley, Jeffrey 41, 136

Tanaka, Taku 87

Tang, Ya 79, 93

Tang, Yuanyuan 44

Tao, Shu 23

Thaysen, Eike Marie 135

Theloke, Jochen 108

Thiruchittampalam, B. 108

Thomas, Fabien 34

SEGH2010 - Author Index

178

Thornton, Iain 1, 27

Tian, Linwei 58

Timmins, Éadaoin 106

Tlustos, Christina 10

Torrance, Keith 89, 105

Torras Ortiz, Sandra 108

Toth, Adrienn 112

Trevisan, M. 9

Tudyka, Konrad 156

Turner, Andrew 38

Tyrrell, Linda 10, 102

Uppin, Marge 144

Urbanek, Jaroslav 11

Usman, Muhammad 69, 74

Utermann, Jens 17

Valera, Paolo 142

Varela, A. 9

Vesper, Stephen 38

Viana, Mar 164

Vianello, Gilmo 162

Vinceti, Marco 126

Virginie, Renson 150

Viti, Cecilia 71

Vittori Antisari, Livia 162

Waddington, John 16

Wagner, Susanne 108

Wahlen, Raimund 55

Walker, Stephen 29, 30, 48

Wang, Binbin 144

Wang, Guan 77

Wang, Jung-der 6

Wang, Miaomiao 9

Wang, Ping 157

Wang, Shiliang 157

Wang, Xue 144

Wang, Yong 27

Wang, Yunzhu 9

Ward, N.i. 143

Watkins, Ron 97

Watson, Judith 96

Watt, John 3, 28

Watts, Michael 118, 143

Weber, John 85

Weinstein, Philip 47

Weiss, Dominik J 78

Whitby, Ray 40, 137

Wiesmüller, Gerhard A. 17

Wilson, James 140

Wilson, Paul 41

Winiwarter, Wilfried 80

Woldemichael, Michael 29

Wollenschlager, Marcus 134

Woods, Glenn 55

Worsley, Ann 81

Wragg, Joanna 21, 48

Wu, Hung-pin 16

Xiao, Tangfu 144

Xu, Yuhui 79

Yadav, Jaya Parkash 42

Yaghoobpour, Majid 59

Yamani, Zain Hasan 53, 170

Ye, Lin 170

Young, Michael 5, 125, 133, 136

Young, S. D. 118

Yu, Shen 26

Zavattari, Patrizia 142

Zhang, Chaosheng 56, 60, 79, 93, 128, 129

Zhang, Guangxin 14

Zhang, Lingru 44

Zhang, Tong 31, 170

Zhang, Zhao 32

Zhang, Zhao 61, 86

Zhang, Zhizhong 22

Zhao, Yiping 58

Zheng, Baoshan 144

Zheng, Xiaoying 18, 22

Zhu, Yonguang 26

Zou, Guoyuan 168

Zovko, Monika 103

Zupanc, Vesna 112

Šturm, Martina 112, 161

SEGH2010 - Title Index

179

TITLE INDEX

A 14,000 YR ELEMENTAL AND LEAD ISOTOPIC RECORD IN A PEAT CORE IN THE SOUTH OF POLAND - PRELIMINARY RESULTS AND INTERPRETATIONS

156

A COMPARISON OF PAHS MOBILIZATION FROM URBAN AND CITY CENTRE SITES USING FED AND FASTED IN-VITRO GASTRO-INTESTINAL MODELS

20

A DIFFICULT DECADE: LAND CONTAMINATION AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT– A UK REGULATORS PERSPECTIVE

121

A PALEORECORD OF ATMOSPHERIC LEAD DEPOSITION IN FRANCE. NEW DATA FROM “LA GODIVELLE” PEAT BOG (PUY DE DôME)

150

A QUANTITATIVE APPROACH FOR RANKING RISKS FROM PESTICIDES USED IN THE IRISH AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

152

A REVIEW ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES OF URBAN SOILS IN CHINA

26

A SEARCH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TERATOGENS CAUSING CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS IN SARDINIA

142

ACCUMULATION OF SELECTED ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING COMPOUNDS IN THE PACIFIC OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA GIGAS) DEPLOYED AT A WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT ON THE IRISH COAST

140

ADSORPTION OF HEAVY METALS BY SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER, DEPOSITED SEDIMENTS, NATURAL SURFACE COATINGS AND THEIR COMPONENTS IN AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT

14

AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH IN IRELAND -OUTDOORS AND IN PUBS 63

AIR POLLUTION DURING A LARGE TYRE FIRE: THE BENEFITS OF REAL-TIME AIR MONITORING IN AIDING PUBLIC HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENTS.

114

AIRBORNE PM10 AND ELEMENTS FROM MULTIFARIOUS SOURCES IN AN INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AREA, KOREA

114

AMERICAN HEALTHY HOMES SURVEY: A NATIONAL STUDY OF RESIDENTIAL RELATED HAZARDS IN THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

38

AN EXAFS, MICRO-XRF AND MICRO-XRD STUDY OF THE CHEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY OF LEAD IN HOUSEDUST

138

ANALYSIS OF VARIABLE HIGH-MATRIX SAMPLES USING A NEW HELIUM-BASED COLLISION CELL ICP-MS WITH ON-LINE AEROSOL DILUTION

55

SEGH2010 - Title Index

180

ANTHROPOGENIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE NUTRIENT CONTENT OF SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER IN A SMALL CATCHMENT

112

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT....IS THERE A LINK?

5

ANTIMONY LEACHING FROM MINE WASTES 167

APPLICATION OF TELLUS AIRBORNE RADIOMETRIC AND SOIL GEOCHEMICAL DATA FOR RADON MAPPING IN NORTHERN IRELAND

115

APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 1

ARSENIC AND RISK OF BIRTH DEFECTS: A POPULATION-BASED CASE-CONTROL STUDY USING GIS TECHNOLOGY

18

ARSENIC BIOAVAILABILITY AND SPECIATION ISSUES IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINUUM

85

ARSENIC CONTAMINATION IN LAND AFFECTED BY AN ABANDONED TUNGSTEN MINE IN NW SPAIN

121

ARSENIC CYCLING IN WETLANDS IN SULPHIDE RICH METASEDIMENT AREAS IN NORTHERN SWEDEN

75

ARSENIC GEOCHEMISTRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 25

ARSENIC SPECIATION IN GALLIUM ARSENIDE WAFER SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING WASTE.

89

ARSENIC, ANTIMONY AND OTHER TRACE ELEMENT CONTAMINATION IN A MINING AFFECTED AREA AND PHYTOREMEDIATION

57

ASSESSING HEAVY METAL ENRICHMENTS IN THE TOP SOIL 74

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT ON NOROVIRUS CONTAMINATION IN SHELLFISHERIES

104

ASSESSING THE LINK BETWEEN THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF SOILS AND THE BIOACESSIBILITY OF ARSENIC, CADMIUM AND LEAD IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

21

ASSESSING THE RISK OF CHEMICAL SPRAY DRIFT IN AN AREA OF MIXED LAND-USE IN THE SW OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

97

ASSESSMENT OF A POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION OF BANGKOK DIGESTED BIOSOLIDS

89

ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BY PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS

11

SEGH2010 - Title Index

181

ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH IMPACTS FROM CLIMATE POLICIES 108

ASSESSMENTS OF HEAVY METALS DISTRIBUTION IN SOIL USING EDXRF AND FAAS TECHNIQUES

132

ATMOSPHERIC DUST AND OTHER PARTICULATES - DEFINING THE RISKS FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

82

ATMOSPHERIC LEAD DEPOSITION IN AN OMBROTROPHIC PEAT BOG OF SOUTHERN POLAND

150

AUTHIGENIC BARITE (BASO4) – SPHALERITE (ZNS) ASSOCIATION IN A POLLUTED MIRE (SOUTHERN POLAND)

147

BASELINES FOR POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN SOILS DEVELOPED ON KARST IN CROATIA

160

BIOACCESSIBILITY OF TRACE METALS IN HOUSEHOLD DUST 38

BIOACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN WILD MUSHROOMS FROM FOREST SITES BY USING SPECTROMETRIC TECHNIQUES

132

BIODEGRADATION AND ADSORPTION OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS

31

BIOELEMENTS AND MINERAL MATTER IN A HUMAN LIVER FROM THE HIGHLY INDUSTRIALIZED REGION OF UPPER SILESIA COAL BASIN (POLAND)

142

BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF ANTHROPOGENIC LEAD IN TIME AND SPACE: RESULTS OF LEAD ISOTOPE STUDIES IN SWEDEN

64

BIOLEACHING OF HEAVY METALS FROM REFINERY SOIL USING A SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIUM, ACIDITHIOBACILLUS THIOOXIDANS

160

BIOMONITORING OF RESIDENTS EXPOSED TO ELEVATED ARSENIC IN DRINKING WATER IN SAN JUAN AND LA PAMPA, ARGENTINA

143

CADMIUM IN PADDY FIELDS: FARM MANAGEMENT AS A TOOL TO REDUCE HUMAN EXPOSURE

45

CAN AN IN VITRO SCREENING BE USEFUL TO TEST THE TOLLERANCE AND THE ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN PLANTS? THE CASE OF THREE POPULUS ALBA L. CLONES

133

CAN IN SITU MEASUREMENTS BE MORE FIT-FOR-PURPOSE THAN EX SITU MEASUREMENTS?

13

CHALLENGES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVISION 94

SEGH2010 - Title Index

182

CHARACTERISATION OF NOROVIRUS CONTAMINATION IN A SHELLFISHERY USING REAL-TIME QRT-PCR AND SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

102

CHARACTERISATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN CHEWING STICKS (MISWAK) ON SALE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

130

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PARTICULATE METAL CONTENT OF ROAD DUSTS FROM LANZHOU, CHINA BY COMPUTER CONTROLLED SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (CCSEM)

77

CHEMICAL AMENDMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE SLURRY FOR CONTROL OF PHOSPHORUS IN RUNOFF FROM IRISH GRASSLANDS

96

CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY AND THREE DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION OF BLACK CRUST FORMATIONS ON CARBONATE STONE IN AN UNPOLLUTED ENVIRONMENT

106

CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN HEALTH: PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE TRENDS

109

CLIMATE CHANGE AS A DRIVER OF CONTAMINANT CYCLING IN THE SUB-ARCTIC: A NEAT THEORY BUT WHERE IS THE DATA?

109

CLIMATE DRIVEN RELEASE OF CARBON AND MERCURY FROM PERMAFROST MIRES INCREASES MERCURY LOADING TO SUBARCTIC LAKES

108

CO-REMEDIATION OF HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM AND ARSENIC POLLUTED GROUNDWATER USING CRAB PROCESSING WASTE PRODUCTS.

105

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NANO AND MICRO ZNO IN ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN WATER USING LASER INDUCED PHOTO-CATALYTIC PROCESS

53

COMPARING NORMAL AND ANOMALOUS LEVELS OF INHALABLE MANGANESE PARTICLES IN URBAN AIR: THE CASE OF SANTANDER, SPAIN

164

COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT METHODS FOR ISOLATION OF NITRATE-N FROM SOIL WATER SAMPLES FOR DETERMINATION OF ITS ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION

161

COMPARISON OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS IN THREE DIFFERENT BIOINDICATORS (MOSS, GRASS AND SPRUCE NEEDLES) AT THE SCALE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

85

CONTAMINATION FROM METALLIFEROUS MINES AND THE NEED FOR NON-DISTRUCTIVE REMEDIATION TECHNIQUES: A CASE STUDY FROM ZLATNA/ROMANIA

67

SEGH2010 - Title Index

183

CONTROLS ON VARIATIONS IN STREAM WATER QUALITY OVER AN AQUIFER OUTCROP – THE EFFECTS OF VARIABLE QUATERNARY DEPOSITS AND MINERALISATION OCCURRENCES

41

COPPER AND ZINC IN SOILS:FROM DEFICIENCY TO TOXICITY 2

COPPER STABILIZATION AND DETOXICATION VIA COPPER ALUMINATE SPINEL FORMATION

44

CORRECTING IODINE DEFICIENCY: AN ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH THROUGH IRRIGATION WATER

22

DDTS AND PCBS IN LAKE AND RIVER SEDIMENTS, POLAND 156

DEMONSTRATING THE CURRENT REALITY OF VARIATIONS IN AMBIENT METALLIFEROUS AEROSOL CONCENTRATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH EFFECT LEGISLATION

98

DENTAL FLUOROSIS ATTRIBUTED TO VOLCANIC DEGASSING ON AMBRYM, VANUATU

47

DETOXICATION OF ARSENIC SPECIES IN SPECIAL BIO-MINERAL SYSTEMS

56

DIFFERENTIAL INDIVIDUAL PARTICLE ANALYSIS (DIPA): APPLICATIONS IN PARTICULATE MATTER SPECIATION RESEARCH

13

DISTRIBUTION OF PAHS IN DIFFERENT SIZE FRACTIONS OF SOILS AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS FROM A COKE OVEN PLANT

152

DOES IODINE GAS RELEASED FROM SEAWEEDS CONTRIBUTE TO DIETARY IODINE INTAKE ?

20

DUST LEAD EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN LIVING AROUND A FORMER ARTISANAL ZINC SMELTING AREA IN GUIZHOU, CHINA

73

EFFECT OF ARSENIC CONCENTRATION IN COOKING WATER ON BIOACCESSIBILITY OF ARSENIC FROM COOKED RICE

154

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FERTILISATION AND IRRIGATION PRACTICES ON YIELD, NITROGEN UPTAKE AND FERTILIZER USE EFFICIENCY OF WHITE CABBAGE

112

EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON GROWTH RATE CHARACTERISTICS OF ISOLATED OSCILLATORIA SP. AND PHORMIDIUM SP. FROM SEWAGE SOIL OF ROHTAK CITY, HARYANA, INDIA

69

EFFECT OF ROOT EXUDATES ON THE MOBILITY OF HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE ISOMERS.

118

SEGH2010 - Title Index

184

EFFECTS OF FINE PARTICULATES AND FUNGAL SPORES ON LUNG FUNCTION IN SCHOOLCHILDREN

16

EFFECTS OF SOIL COMPOSITION AND MINERALOGY ON THE BIOACCESSIBILITY OF ARSENIC FROM TAILINGS AND SOIL IN GOLD MINE DISTRICTS OF NOVA SCOTIA

48

EFFECTS OF ULTRASONIC WAVES ON ZEOLITE SYNTHESIS FROM COAL FLY ASH

167

ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF HUMAN SCALP HAIR SAMPLES FROM TEHRAN AND VILLAGES NEAR CASPIAN SEA, NORTHEN IRAN

7

ELEVATED ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER FROM THE WESTERN IRISH CALEDONIDES: EVIDENCE FOR CROSS ATLANTIC CORRELATIONS WITH HIGH ARSENIC GROUNDWATER PROVINCES ALONG THE APPALACHIAN-CALEDONIAN BELT.

56

EMISSION, FATE AND RESPIRATION EXPOSURE RISK OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN CHINA

23

EMPLOYING A PORTABLE XRF ANALYSER AND GIS TO IDENTIFY AND MAP HEAVY METAL POLLUTION IN SOILS OF A TRADITIONAL BONFIRE SITE

128

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS IN FISH AND SHELLFISH FROM IRISH MARINE WATERS

10

ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY OF ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF IRON MINING IN CENTRAL SWEDEN

46

ENVIRONMENTAL URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY AT LISBON CITY: DISPERSION PATTERNS OF LEAD AND CROMIUM IN THE TOP-SOIL

164

ENVIRONMENTAL URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY AT LISBON CITY: DISPERSION PATTERNS OF METAL-LADEN GROUND-LEVEL DUSTS

77

ESSENTIAL AND TOXIC ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN SATSUMA FRUITS (CITRUS UNSHIU CV. CHAHARA) GROWN ON FLOODPLAIN SOILS OF CROATIAN MEDITERRANEAN REGION

103

ESTIMATING THE CONSERVATION VALUES OF NATIONAL PARKS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

149

ESTIMATION OF POTENTIALLY HARMFUL ELEMENT AMBIENT BACKGROUND CONCENTRATIONS IN SURFACE SOIL IN NORTHERN IRELAND USING PARENT MATERIAL CLASSIFIED TELLUS SOIL CHEMISTRY DATA

161

EUROPEAN GROUNDWATER GEOCHEMISTRY: BOTTLED WATER 32

SEGH2010 - Title Index

185

EVALUATION OF BIOCONVERSION LEVEL FOR HEAVY METALS OF SOME SPECIES BELONGING TO RUSSULA GENUS

120

EVALUATION OF THE DRINKING WATER SELENIUM STANDARD: AN UPDATE

126

EXPERIMENTAL AND MODELING STUDIES OF TRANSPORT OF NAPHTHOIC ACIDS IN SOIL MODEL COLUMNS

74

EXPOSURE TO SUBSTANCES VIA HOUSE DUST AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK THIS POSES FOR HUMANS

39

EXTENDING WIPE SAMPLING METHODOLOGY TO ELEMENTS OTHER THAN LEAD

138

FATE AND BIOACCUMULATION OF PHARMACEUTICALS IN MUNICIPAL WASTEWATERS – IMPLICATIONS FOR EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT

90

FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER AND FLUOROSIS: A CASE STUDY IN THE NORTHWEST OF IRAN

169

FOOD CONTAMINATION: GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

103

FORGOTTEN BUT NOT GONE : SECONDHAND SMOKE RISKS AFTER THE IRISH SMOKING BAN

80

FRACTIONATION OF ARSENIC IN MINING IMPACTED SOILS AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY REMEDIATION APPROACH

122

GECHEMICAL MAPPING OF AGRICULTURAL AND GRASING LAND SOILS AT THE EUROPEAN SCALE

65

GENERATING HEAVY METAL POLLUTION MAP WITH MULTIFACTOR CONTRIBUTED IN SOIL

107

GEOCHEMICAL CONTROLS ON ARSENIC MOBILITY IN UPLAND CATCHMENTS

169

GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING OF THE DENVER, COLORADO (USA) URBAN AREA: A COMPARISON OF STUDIES IN 1972 AND 2005

98

GEOCHEMISTRY OF ARSENIC IN THE ESTUARINE SEDIMENT OF DALIAO RIVER IN CHINA

157

GEOGRAPHICAL CORRELATES OF FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS IN SOUTH ULSTER, 1995-2007.

16

GEOLOGICAL SOURCES OF FLUORIDE AND BORON IN SILURIAN-ORDOVICIAN AQUIFER SYSTEM, ESTONIA

144

SEGH2010 - Title Index

186

GEOLOGICAL VS ANTHROPOGENIC INPUTS OF PARTICULATE POLLUTANTS IN A HEAVILY INDUSTRIALIZED BASIN VALLEY : THE CASE OF TERNI, CENTRAL ITALY

99

GIS AND SPATIAL DATA ANALYSES IN ENVIRNMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY: SOME PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

60

GLOBAL IMPACTS OF GEOGENIC ARSENIC 36

GROUNDWATER CHEMISTRY AND ARSENIC OCCURRENCE IN THE SHALLOW AQUIFER SYSTEM OF THE SAN VITALE PINE FOREST

31

HEALTH RISK FROM HUMAN INGESTION OF ARSENIC FROM CHARRED SOIL IN BANGLADESH

154

HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN MINING ENVIRONMENTS OF KOREA 25

HUMAN EXPOSURE TO FLUORIDE FROM TEA (CAMELLIA SINENSIS) 48

HYDROCHEMICAL ANOMALIES OF THE ROE VALLEY CATCHMENT, NORTHERN IRELAND

133

IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF METAL DISTRIBUTION IN ROAD DUSTS AND SOILS OF THE JIUZHAIGOU NATIONAL SCENIC AREA IN SICHUAN, CHINA

79

IDENTIFYING HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE POLLUTION STATUS OF CORK FORESTS

9

IMPACTS OF CHANGES IN AGRICULTURE ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN CHINA

93

IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL-SOIL SOLUTION-CROP MODELS OF PTES TO ASSESS FOOD CHAIN RISKS TO HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH

95

INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND HABITS OF THE BASIC SCHOOL-AGE POPULATION IN LISBON: ASSOCIATIONS WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS

115

INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF LISBON IN SPRING 72

INDOOR VERSUS OUTDOOR SOURCES OF LEAD AND OTHER METALS IN HOUSEHOLD DUST

29

INFLUENCE OF PHOSPHATE ORE TRANSHIPMENT ON 238U AND 226RA DISTRIBUTION IN KRKA RIVER ESTUARY, CROATIA

153

INTERACTIONS OF AOA, AOB AND NOB IN PARTIAL NITRIFICATION OF SALINE SEWAGE WITH HIGH AMMONIUM

170

SEGH2010 - Title Index

187

INVESTIGATING A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN THE HYDROCHEMISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES AND THE HIGH INCIDENCE RATE OF ESOPHAGEAL CANCER IN GOLESTAN PROVINCE OF IRAN

59

INVESTIGATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, PARTICLE SIZE AND MORPHOLOGY OF THREE BLACK TONER POWDERS CAUSING CYTOTOXIC AND GENOTOXIC EFFECTS IN HUMAN EPITHELIAL A549 LUNG CELLS IN VITRO

116

INVESTIGATION OF TELLUS DATA TO PRODUCE PEAT DEPTH MODELS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND AND ITS APPLICATION TO CARBON STOCKS

125

IS THE END-PERMIAN EXTINCTION STILL ACTIVE? 58

LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IN TWO MOROCCAN LAGOONS

140

LASER INDUCED PHOTO-CATALYTIC REMOVAL OF CHROMIUM USING ZNO SEMICONDUCTOR CATALYST

170

LEACHING PROPERTIES OF COAL CLEANING RESIDUES FROM SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL

134

LEAD CONCENTRATIONS IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF SHANGHAI, CHINA

27

LEAD IN INDOOR DUST: AN IN SITU SPECIATION STUDY TO ASSESS OLD PAINT CONTRIBUTION

37

LINKING MULTIMEDIA ENVIRONMENTAL AND PBPK MODELS ON A COMMON PLATFORM TO ASSESS HEALTH RISKS OF PAHS : A CASE STUDY INCLUDING UNCERTAINTY/SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

87

LIPID BIOMARKERS IN SEDIMENTS IN THE SUBALPINE LAKE BLED, SW SLOVENIA

157

MAJOR MERCURY DISASTER THREATENING THE PHILIPPINES 34

MAKING HEALTH DATA ACCESSIBLE: HEALTH ATLAS IRELAND 62

MEASUREMENT OF THE GEOGENIC CONTRIBUTION TO PM10 DAILY DUST SAMPLES COLLECTED IN NORTHAMPTON

72

MEASURING THE IMPACT OF URBANISATION ON SOIL CHEMISTRY 99

MEDICAL GEOLOGY IN CHINA: THEN AND NOW 144

MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN THE SOIL ENVIRONMENT OF LONDON, UK – AN EXAMPLE OF POLLUTION IMPACTS

100

SEGH2010 - Title Index

188

MERCURY IN AMBIENT AIR FROM SMALL-SCALE GOLD MINING (SSM) COMMUNITIES IN TANZANIA

135

METAL CONTENT OF HOUSE DUSTS IN SYRACUSE, NY, USA 3

METAL IMPACT OF DOMESTIC WATER PIPES ON WATER QUALITY AND HEALTH

40

METALS IN RESIDENTIAL DUSTS: A REVIEW 28

MICROBIAL AND CHEMICAL MARKERS : RUNOFF TRANSFER IN PIG AND COW MANURE-AMENDED SOILS

113

MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IN MATERNITY AND CHILD HEALTH IN MALAWI: EXPLORING AGRICULTURAL, MEDICAL AND SOCIAL INFLUENCES

128

MINERAL COMPOSITION OF ATMOSPHERIC DUST FROM SVALBARD (PRELIMINARY RESULTS)

147

MODEL OF COST AND PRICE RELATIONSHIPS IN MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

91

MODELING OF HUMAN EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES IN THE CAMERON HIGHLANDS, MALAYSIA.

18

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS) AND RADON (RN) – AN IRISH PERSPECTIVE 145

NANOPARTICLES IN COAL AND ASHES: DIRECT IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS

135

NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION IN THE OLD MINING REGIONS

68

NEAR-REAL TIME, WIRELESS, AUTONOMOUS, BATTERY OPERATED SENSOR FOR DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI

41

NOSOGEOGRAPHYCAL (GEO-MEDICINAL) ASPECTS OF THE RESEARCH OF NATURAL-TERRITORIAL SYSTEMS IN UZBEKISTAN

130

NOVEL NANOCOMPOSITE HYDROGELS FOR WATER REMEDIATION 40

NUTRIENT EXPORT COEFFICIENTS AND THE NIEA RIVER NITRATE DATA 96

OCCURRENCE AND EMISSIONS OF AIRBORNE FUNGAL SPORES IN AUSTRIA

80

PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN CALIFORNIA WOMEN: A BASELINE FOR THE CALIFORNIA BIOMONITORING PROGRAM

9

SEGH2010 - Title Index

189

PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF HEALTH HAZARDOUS MTBE IN WATER

53

PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE FORMATION IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA OF SOUTHERN CHINA

71

PHYTOPLANKTON ABUNDANCE IN RELATION TO CULTURAL EUTROPHICATION SOURCED FROM AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE IN A TROPICAL RIVER HOOGHLY AT THE LAND-OCEAN BOUNDARY OF SUNDERBANS, NE COAST OF BAY OF BENGAL, INDIA

33

POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS ALONG SOIL PROFILES IN RAVENNA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS (ITALY)

162

PRELIMINARY INSIGHTS OF MINERAL MAGNETIC CONCENTRATION MEASUREMENTS AS A PARTICLE SIZE PROXY FOR URBAN ROADSIDE SOILS

165

PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL RISK FACTORS FOR INFANTILE PNEUMONIA IN A REPRESENTATIVE BIRTH COHORT IN TAIWAN

6

PREVALENCE OF ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN HANOI2, VIETNAM

51

PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND OTHER HUMAN PATHOGENS IN MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER FROM A LOCAL POPULATION IN THE NORTH-WEST OF IRELAND

52

PROVENANCING SOURCES OF PB CONTAMINATION IN MITROVICA, KOSOVO: IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

44

QUANTIFICATION OF FOSSIL ORGANIC MATTER IN CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS FROM AN INDUSTRIAL WATERSHED: VALIDATION OF THE QUANTITATIVE MULTIMOLECULAR APPROACH BY RADIOCARBON ANALYSIS

67

QUANTIFYING EARTHQUAKE-INDUCED CASCADING EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT QUALITY: RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY FOR DISASTER CHAINS

86

REACTIVITY OF NEWLY GENERATED MAGNETITE TO PROMOTE FENTON-LIKE OXIDATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN CONTAMINATED SOIL MATRICES

69

REDUCING THE RISK FROM ASBESTOS CONTAMINATION AFTER FIRES 92

REGIONAL ECOTOXICOLOGICAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ANTHROPOGENIC ENRICHMENT OF HEAVY METALS

87

SEGH2010 - Title Index

190

REGIONAL GEOCHEMISTRY OF NORTHERN IRELAND: ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS.

136

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WATER FLUORIDE, URINARY FLUORIDE, SERUM FLUORIDE AND FLUOROSIS

42

REMEDIATION BY A NATURAL WETLAND OF ARSENIC CONTAMINATION FROM A MANITOBAN GOLD MINE

55

REMOVAL OF AQUEOUS ARSENITE BY PD-AKAGANEITE NANOPARTICLES AND CLOSTRIDIUM SP.

171

RESEARCH INTO ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY IN KOREA 4

RISK EVALUATION OF SOIL APPLICATION OF MUNICIPAL SLUDGE IN NORTH CHINA

168

RISK MANAGEMENT IN RELATION TO CONTAMINATION. 3

SCIENTIFIC ENVIRONMENTALIST OR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST? THE ROLE OF THE SCIENTIST IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROVERSIES

15

SCREENING EFFECT OF HIGH BUILDINGS ON THE POTENTIALLY TOXIC METAL CONTENT OF SETTLING DUSTS

165

SEASONAL PATTERN OF SURFACE WATER QUALITY AND ITS CONTROLLING FACTORS IN XIANGJIANG RIVER

32

SELENIUM MOBILIZATION DURING RAIN-SOIL INTERACTION AT ETNA VOLCANO

64

SOIL GEOCHEMICAL ATLAS OF CROATIA 162

SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY & CANCER IN NORTHERN IRELAND 5

SOIL IN NORWEGIAN CHILD-CARE CENTRES, RESULTS AND REMEDIATION

76

SOIL INGESTION AND GEOPHAGIA: A SOURCE AND SINK OF MINERAL NUTRIENTS AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL ELEMENTS TO CONSUMERS OF EARTH MATERIALS

2

SOIL SALINISATION AND VECTOR BORNE DISEASE EMERGENCE IN AUSTRALIA

47

SOLID SPECIATION AND AVAILABILITY OF NICKEL AND CHROMIUM IN NI MINING SPOILS

34

SOURCES OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN PLAYGROUND SOILS OF ZAGREB (CROATIA)

105

SEGH2010 - Title Index

191

SPATIAL PATTERN OF A NEW WATER QUALITY INDEX AND ITS CONTROLLING IN CHINA

61

SPATIAL VARIABILITY AND SOURCES OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN LISBON URBAN SOILS

61

SR-ND ISOTOPIC PATTERNS IN SOILS FROM THE SAN VITALE PINEWOOD (RAVENNA, ITALY) : A LANDMARK ECOSYSTEM AFFECTED BY SALINE INTRUSION AND ANTHROPIC POLLUTION

75

STEROIDS: MARKERS OF FAECAL CONTAMINATION 95

STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TOXIC POTENTIAL OF METAL OXIDE WELDING AND FOUNDRY INDUSTRIAL AEROSOLS

71

STUDY DESIGN FOR OPTIMISED INVESTIGATION OF RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED LAND

122

SURFACE-FUNCTIONALIZED FISH BONE TO STABILIZE ARSENIC FROM GROUNDWATER

136

SUSPENSION AND RESUSPENSION OF DRY SOIL INDOORS FOLLOWING TRACK-IN ON FOOTWEAR

28

SYNCHROTRON MICRO-ANALYSIS OF HOUSE DUST: ARSENIC AND METAL SPECIATION BY MICRO-XRD AND QUANTITATIVE MICRO-XRF

30

SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION OF METAL-CONTAINING HYDRIDE SILICAS FOR REMEDIATION OF MERCURY-CONTAMINATED WATERS

137

SYSTEMIC RISKS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS 131

TESTING OF LINEARITY ASSUMPTION OF SOIL-TO-PLANT FACTORS IN BOREAL FOREST

153

THE 226RA, 232TH AND 40K LEVELS IN VEGETABLES GROWN IN PEARL-RIVER DELTA, CHINA

92

THE BURDEN OF CARE FOR TAIWANESE CHILDREN WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS

6

THE CANADIAN HOUSE DUST STUDY: STATISTICAL DESIGN AND COMMUNICATION OF LEAD RESULTS

37

THE CHROMIUM OCCURRENCE IN SOILS-PLANTS-SURFACE WATERS SYSTEM IN THE BESKID SADECKI MTS (WESTERN CARPATHIAN, POLAND)

163

THE COMPOSITION OF KIDNEY STONES AND THE GEO-ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE ON THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

145

SEGH2010 - Title Index

192

THE CONTRIBUTION OF GLACIALLY-DERIVED SEDIMENTS TO THE MINERALOGY OF HOUSE DUST IN ONTARIO HOMES

29

THE EFFECTS OF COPPER ON THE SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNITY AND DEGRADATION OF PESTICIDES

11

THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF FLOODPLAIN SEDIMENTS AS A MEANS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY IN MADRID (SPAIN)

45

THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON LEAF PROPERTIES OF PLANE

124

THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL GEOLOGY - WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW AND IN THE FUTURE?

43

THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF LEAD DERIVED FROM HUNTING ACTIVITIES ON YUCATAN'S PINK FLAMINGOS (PHOENICOPTERUS RUBBER RUBBER).

35

THE POTENTIAL OF SPATIAL INFORMATION IN HUMAN BIOMONITORING BY EXAMPLE OF TWO GERMAN ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES

17

THE SOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF ARSENIC IN THE MUTEH GOLD-MINING DISTRICT, ISFAHAN, IRAN

58

TOBACCO CONSUMPTION – REALITIES AND REMEDIES 82

TOTAL AND INORGANIC ARSENIC IN IRISH SEAFOOD 102

TRACE ELEMENT FRACTIONATION IN SOILS AND STREAM SEDIMENTS IN THE ISTRIAN-LITTORAL RIVER BASIN, CROATIA

60

TRACE ELEMENTS AND HEALTH: SOME EXAMPLES FROM NIGERIA 49

TRACE ELEMENTS IN SEDIMENTS OF THE RIVER WIEPRZ AND ITS TRIBUTARIES, POLAND

158

TRACE ELEMENTS OF INDOOR AIR AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN LISBON BY PASSIVE METHODS

117

TRACING ZINC AND COPPER SOURCES IN URBAN PARTICULATES 78

TRACKING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANT E.COLI FROM HOSPITAL EFFLUENT THROUGH MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT.

126

TUFA AS A PALEO-RECORD FOR MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS 151

TWENTIETH CENTURY POLLUTION DEPOSITION THROUGHOUT AN URBAN CONURBATION: LOCAL POLLUTION HISTORIES FROM

81

SEGH2010 - Title Index

193

SEDIMENTS OF SMALL URBAN PONDS IN HALTON, NORTHWEST UK

UNDERSTANDING BIOAVAILABILITY OF IODINE IN SOILS OF NORTHERN IRELAND

118

UNDERSTANDING NATURAL OCCURENCES AND TIME VARIATION OF SELENIUM IN DRINKING GROUNDWATER OF THE PARIS BASIN

51

URBAN GEOCHEMISTRY OF DUBLIN (DUBLIN SURGE PROJECT): SOIL QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH

106

USE OF A PHYSIOLOGICALLY-BASED EXTRACTION TEST TO ESTIMATE THE HUMAN BIOACCESSIBILITY OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN URBAN TOPSOILS FROM PUBLIC GREEN SPACE, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UK

35

USE OF MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY TO PRODUCE HIGH RESOLUTION MAPS FOR HEAVY METAL SOIL CONTAMINATION IN SOUTH PARK GALWAY, IRELAND

129

VANADIUM IN SOILS AND SEDIMENTS: DISTRIBUTION AND MOBILITY UNDER VARYING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

65

ZINC DEFICIENCY IN THE NIGER INLAND DELTA IN MALI 21