Edita Baltrėnaitė

Use of Dynamic Factors to Assess Metal Uptake and Transfer in Plants—Example of Trees

To evaluate plant responses and compare metal uptake by different plants, several parameters and references have been used by researchers in the last few years. However, they express only the first-level comparison, i.e. biogeochemical comparison of different media (plant and soil) occurs in one place, at the same time and under the same circumstances. To integrate information about metal concentration in different media or plant organ and provide comparison of the process between control and treated cases, the second-level factors, the dynamic factors, are needed. Differently from the factors mentioned in the existing literature, they are able to show changes in processes under environmental changes rather than changes only in metal quantities. They are related both to internal (physiological) and external (ecological) factors. The paper introduces the use of dynamic factors for assessment of transfer and translocation of metals (Zn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Cu and Cr) in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), silver birch (Betula pendula) and black alder (Alnus glutinosa). Factor values and their implications are discussed in the paper.

Integrated evaluation of aerogenic pollution by air-transported heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Mn and Cu) in the analysis of the main deposit media

The composition of the ambient air is constantly changing; therefore, the monitoring of ambient air quality to detect the changes caused by aerogenic pollutants makes the essential part of general environmental monitoring. To achieve more effective improvement of the ambient air quality, the Directive 2008/50/EC on ‘Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe’ was adopted by the European Parliament and the European Council. It informed the public and enterprises about a negative effect of pollution on humans, animals and plants, as well as about the need for monitoring aerogenic pollutants not only at the continuous monitoring stations but also by using indicator methods, i.e. by analysing natural deposit media. The problem of determining the relationship between the accumulation level of pollutants by a deposit medium and the level of air pollution and its risks is constantly growing in importance. The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the response of the main four deposit media, i.e. snow cover, soil, pine bark and epigeic mosses, to the long-term pollution by aerogenic pollutants which can be observed in the area of oil refinery influence. Based on the quantitative expressions of the amounts of the accumulated pollutants in the deposit media, the territory of the oil refinery investigated in this paper has been referred to the areas of mild or moderate pollution.

Anthropogenic effects on heavy metals and macronutrients accumulation in soil and wood of Pinus sylvestris L.

Abstract The investigation is focused on the uptake of heavy metals and macronutrients fluxes in Pinus sylvestris L. wood and soil under the sampled trees from contaminated and control sites. Soil pH, total organic carbon (TOC) and total and bioavailable heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) and macronutrients, potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) were compared on contaminated and control sites. Also, metal uptake of contaminated and control pine woods was determined. Concentrations of soil bioavailable Cd (0.009 mg kg−1), Pb (0.11 mg kg−1), Cu (0.076 mg kg−1), Zn (0.51 mg kg−1) and K (24.42 mg kg−1), Mg (8.44 mg kg−1) on the contaminated plot were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than on the control plot 0.00004 mg kg−1 for Cd, 0.007 mg kg−1 for Pb, 0.002 mg kg−1 for Cu, 0.22 mg kg−1 for Zn and 7.81 mg kg−1 for K, 2.40 mg kg−1 for Mg. In addition, the percentage of bioavailable metals in contaminated soils was higher. Pb (34.49 mg kg−1), Cu (0.258 mg kg−1), Zn (1.36 mg kg−1) and K, ...

Analysis of snow-cap pollution for air quality assessment in the vicinity of an oil refinery

Snow-cap can be used as a simple and effective indicator of industrial air pollution. In this study snow-cap samples were collected from 11 sites located in the vicinity of an oil refinery in Mažeikiai, a region in the north-west of Lithuania, in the winter of 2011. Analysis of snowmelt water and snow-dust was used to determine anthropogenic pollutants such as: sulphates and chlorides, nitrites, nitrates, ammonium nitrogen, total carbon, total nitrogen; heavy metals: lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd). Concentrations of heavy metals in snow-dust were detected thousands of times higher than those in the snowmelt water. In this study, analysis of heavy metal concentration was conducted considering different distances and the wind direction within the impact zone of the oil refinery. The sequence of heavy metals according to their mean concentrations in the snow-dust samples was the following: Pb>Cr>Cu>Cd. Heavy metals highly correlated among each other. The load of snow-dust was evaluated to determine the pollution level in the study area. The highest daily load of snow-dust was 45.81±12.35 mg/m2 in the north-western direction from the oil refinery. According to classification of the daily load of snow-dust a lower than medium-risk level of pollution was determined in the vicinity of the oil refinery.

Innovative observation of the environment. Bioindicators and biomonitors: definitions, strategies and applications

Abstract For a number of years “classical” programs for environmental monitoring are being supplemented by bioindication measures. Investigations on living organisms or their remains (e.g. peat) are used to indicate the environmental situation in either qualitative (bioindication) or quantitative (biomonitoring) terms. This provides pieces of information on environmental burdens of a region at a given point of time or on its changes with time (trend analysis). Classical bioindication often deals with observation and measurements of chemical noxae (both inorganic and organic ones) in well-defined bio-indicator plants or animals (including man). In terms of analytical procedures and results there are parallel developments between progresses in bioindication and innovation in analytical methods. After some 30 years of development in bioindication there are now the following newer lines for further development: 1) more frequent inclusion of multi-element total analyses for a thorough investigation of mutual c...

A biochar-based medium in the biofiltration system: Removal efficiency, microorganism propagation, and the medium penetration modeling

ABSTRACT Biofiltration is a method of biological treatment belonging to cleaner technologies because it does not produce secondary air pollutants, but helps to integrate natural processes in microorganisms for decomposing volatile air pollutants and solving odor problems. The birch wood biochar has been chosen as a principal material for biofilter bed medium. The experiments were conducted at the temperatures of 24, 28, and 32 °C, while the concentration of acetone, xylene, and ammonium reached 300 mg/m3 and the flow rate was 100 m3/hr. Before passing through the stage of the experimental research into the packing material inside biofilters, microorganisms were introduced. Four strains of microorganisms (including micromycetes Aspergillus versicolor BF-4 and Cladosporium herbarum 7KA, as well as yeast Exophiala sp. BF1 and bacterium Bacillus subtilis B20) were selected. At the inlet loading rate of 120 g/m3/hr, the highest elimination capacity of xylene in the biochar-based biofilter with the inoculated medium was 103 g/m3/hr, whereas that of ammonia was 102 g/m3/hr and that of acetone was 97 g/m3/hr, respectively. The maximum removal efficiency reached 86%, 85%, and 81%, respectively. The temperature condition (though characterized by some rapid changes) can hardly have a considerable influence on the biological effect (i.e., microbiological activity) of biofiltration; however, it can cause the changes in physical properties (e.g., solubility) of the investigated compounds. Implications: The birch biochar can be successfully used in the biofiltration system for propagation of inoculated microorganisms, biodegrading acetone, xylene, and ammonia. At the inlet loading rate of 120 g/m3/hr, the highest elimination capacity of xylene was 103 g/m3/hr, that of ammonia was 102 g/m3/hr, and that of acetone was 97 g/m3/hr, respectively. The morphological structure of biochar can be affected by the aggressive air contaminants, causing the change in the medium specific surface area, which is one of the factors controlling the biofilter performance. Although biological effects in biofiltration are typically considered to be more important than physical effects, the former may be more important for compounds with high Henry’s Law coefficient values, and the biofilter design should thus provide conditions for better compound absorption.

Trace metal concentration and speciation in storm water runoff on impervious surfaces

AbstractUrban storm water runoff (USWR) often transports various trace metals, affecting the quality of receiving waters. Metal concentration and speciation in USWR were investigated by analysing data collected during a storm event on 19 July 2012. USWR samples were taken from a low–traffic intensity road, a pathway in a car–free pedestrian zone, and a galvanized metal roof located in the area of Vingio Park in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania. The metals were mostly in the insoluble form at all three sites, being more than 80% of the total amount measured, irrespective of the water quality characteristics and types of surface area. The partitioning coefficient (log Kd) of trace metals decreases in the order Zn > Cu ≈ Mn ≈ Pb >> Cd. The USWR types characterized by a higher pH or dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration produced a higher fraction of Cd, Mn, Pb, and Zn bound to fulvic acids (FA).

Dissolved organic carbon content and leachability of biomass waste biochar for trace metal (Cd, Cu and Pb) speciation modelling

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) interacts with dissolved trace metal affecting their mobility and bioavailability through the formation of DOC–metal complexes. Several types of biochar (BC) produced...

Comparison of requirements for environmental protection and a model for evaluating contaminated sites in Lithuania

Abstract This work is aimed at addressing attention to the situation of contaminated sites and emphasizing importance and need for their rehabilitation. The study presents the experience gained by European countries evaluating contaminated sites and rehabilitation framework. A model of assessing contaminated sites in Lithuania consisting of two main stages – preliminary and detailed investigation has been developed. The first one is used for collecting preliminary information on the contaminated site and for evaluating the need for detailed analysis. The second is subjected to a comprehensive risk assessment of the site shifting focus on the environment and human health. The model for evaluating contaminated sites involves organic chemical materials and metals. Risk assessment depends on the sensitivity of a site to contamination. Equations for establishing the level of contamination involve the content of soil organic matter and clay. Correction coefficients used for calculating the level of contaminatio...

Editorial: special issue on biochar as an option for sustainable resource management (EU COST Action TD1107 final publication)

AbstractThe articles appearing in this special issue on Biochar as an Option for Sustainable Resource Management are mainly the extended versions of the contributions presented in Biochar COST Action meetings, especially at the International Biochar conference held September 2015 at Geisenheim University (Germany), which was the final conference of the COST Action TD1107.