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Search results for: SVALBARD, ARCTIC, SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, SNOW, HEAVY METALS, TRACE ELEMENTS
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Arctic catchment as a sensitive indicator of the environmental changes: distribution and migration of metals (Svalbard)
PublicationArctic regions experience metal pollution, despite their remote location, and the distribution and migration of those metals determine their potential impact on the local environment. Here, a High-Arctic catchment (Revelva, Svalbard) located remotely from human-induced pollution sources is studied with respect to the distribution and migration of chosen trace elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Cs, Mo, Ni, Pb,...
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Heavy Metals in a High Arctic Fiord and Their Introduction with the Wastewater: A Case Study of Adventfjorden-Longyearbyen System, Svalbard
PublicationLongyearbyen is the largest settlement on Svalbard archipelago, with 2400 permanent residents and approximately 150,000 tourists visiting every year. The city annually releases approximately 285,000 m3 of untreated wastewater to the nearby Adventfjorden. To date, the environmental impact of this continuous input has been studied mainly regarding the sediments and benthic fauna in the fiord. Here, we present results from a study...
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Anthropogenic trace metals in Setiu Wetland: Spatial and seasonal distribution and implications for environmental health
PublicationThe growing urban wastewater volume poses a major global environmental challenge, especially in developing nations where inadequate treatment and discharge impact clean water availability. This study focused on Setiu Wetland, aiming to analyze seasonal and spatial variations of trace metals in particulate form from anthropogenic and pathogenic sources. Surface water samples were collected from multiple stations, measuring physical...
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Spatial and vertical distribution analysis of heavy metals in urban retention tanks sediments: a case study of Strzyza Stream
PublicationConcentrations of seven heavy metals (HMs): Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, and Fe in core samples of bottom sediments from four retention tanks (RTs) located along the Strzyza Stream in northern Poland (Gdansk) were measured to obtain a general view of sediment quality. The recognition of contamination and potential environmental impacts is the main aim of this paper. A total of 96 sediment samples were collected from eight sampling sites...
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Heavy metals in lake surface sediments in protected areas in Poland: concentration, pollution, ecological risk, sources and spatial distribution
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Seasonal and spatial differences in metal and metalloid concentrations in the snow cover of Hansbreen, Svalbard
PublicationMetals and metalloids in snow on glaciers, depending on the season of deposition, may come from various sources: local rock dust (erosion of the geological substratum), marine aerosol, local human activity (e.g. fuel combustion, waste incineration) and long-range atmospheric transport. Hansbreen glacier, located close to the Polish Polar Station in Svalbard, is a perfect site to study metals and metalloids: it has complex geological...
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Svalbard reindeer as an indicator of ecosystem changes in the Arctic terrestrial ecosystem
PublicationOver the years, noticeable effort has been directed towards contaminant determination in multiple biotic samples collected from the inhabitants of the Arctic. Little consideration has been given to polar herbivores, however, especially those from the European parts of the Arctic. To provide a broader perspective, we aimed to decipher trace element concentration in hairs of the key species in the Arctic, namely the Svalbard reindeer...
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Measurement report: Spatial variations in ionic chemistry and water-stable isotopes in the snowpack on glaciers across Svalbard during the 2015–2016 snow accumulation season
PublicationThe Svalbard archipelago, located at the Arctic sea-ice edge between 74 and 81∘ N, is ∼60 % covered by glaciers. The region experiences rapid variations in atmospheric flow during the snow season (from late September to May) and can be affected by air advected from both lower and higher latitudes, which likely impact the chemical composition of snowfall. While long-term changes in Svalbard snow chemistry have been documented in...
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Investigation on the Sources and Impact of Trace Elements in the Annual Snowpack and the Firn in the Hansbreen (Southwest Spitsbergen)
PublicationWe present a thorough evaluation of the water soluble fraction of the trace element composition (Ca, Sr, Mg, Na, K, Li, B, Rb, U, Ni, Co, As, Cs, Cd, Mo, Se, Eu, Ba, V, Ge, Ga, Cr, Cr, P, Ti, Mn, Zr, Ce, Zn, Fe, Gd, Y, Pb, Bi, Yb, Al, Nb, Er, Nd, Dy, Sm, Ho, Th, La, Lu, Tm, Pr, Tb, Fe, In, Tl) and their fluxes in the annual snowpack and the firn of the Hansbreen (a tidewater glacier terminating in the Hornsund fjord, southwest...
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A screening of select toxic and essential elements and persistent organic pollutants in the fur of Svalbard reindeer
PublicationReindeers play an important role in the polar ecosystem, being long-lived sole vegetarians feeding on local vegetation. They can be used as a valuable bioindicator, helping us to understand contaminants’ impact on the polar terrestrial ecosystem. Still, scarce data exist from research in which polar herbivores (especially those from the European parts of the Arctic) were a major study subject for trace elements and persistent organic...
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Bartłomiej Luks dr
PeopleI'm a snow researcher, working in the Arctic for almost 20 years. I've started as a field assistant on a geological expedition to Bellsund (Spitsbergen), then did my masters on soil pollution in the vicinity of Polish Polar Station Hornsund and PhD on dynamics of snowpack in the SW Spitsbergen. Since 2013 I'm an Assistant Professor at the Department of Polar and Marine Research IG PAS in Warsaw. My main research interests are the...
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Evaluation of the use of reindeer droppings for monitoring essential and non-essential elements in the polar terrestrial environment
PublicationExcess or toxic metals, non-metals and metalloids can be eliminated from the organism by deposition in inert tissue (e.g. fur) or excretion with body secretions, urine and faeces. Droppings are one of the main routes for the elimination of multiple elements and they can be collected without direct contact with the animal. Contaminant concentration has been examined in non-lethally collected tissues of several species (especially...
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Glaciers as an Important Element of the World Glacier Monitoring Implemented in Svalbard
PublicationGlaciers are not only contributors to the sea level rise but also important players in the circulation of pollutants. Over a billion people apply glacial waters for domestic purposes; hence, both the quality and quantity of this water should be monitored. In this chapter, we concentrate on the archipelago Svalbard in the Arctic, a typical target area for xenobiotics from long range atmospheric transport (LRAT), holding an important share...
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Sources and composition of chemical pollution in Maritime Antarctica (King George Island), part 2: Organic and inorganic chemicals in snow cover at the Warszawa Icefield
PublicationThe study area is located on King George Island, where 90% of the area is permanently glaciated. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the inorganic and organic chemistry of snow cover in the icefield and a comparison against previous results obtained in fresh water. Snow samples were collected in the summer of 2017 in the Warszawa Icefield area. Sampling points are located along two transects: between the Arctowski Polish...
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Correlation between chemical composition and the presence of selected groups of bacteria in freshwater samples collected from Isfjorden and Billefjorde
PublicationThe average concentrations of pollutants in the arctic water, snow and the atmosphere are much lower than those observed in the temperate climate. Specific conditions occurring in the polar regions have apotential to accumulate the pollutants transported from other parts of the world. In this study, attempts were made to find a correlation between selected chemical components and the bacterial population. The analysis involved...
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Elemental and water-insoluble organic carbon in Svalbard snow: a synthesis of observations during 2007–2018
PublicationLight-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols emitted by biomass or fossil fuel combustion can contribute to amplifying Arctic climate warming by lowering the albedo of snow. The Svalbard archipelago, being near to Europe and Russia, is particularly affected by these pollutants, and improved knowledge of their distribution in snow is needed to assess their impact. Here we present and synthesize new data obtained on Svalbard between 2007...
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Exposure of a small Arctic seabird, the little auk (Alle alle) breeding in Svalbard, to selected elements throughout the course of a year
PublicationThe Arctic marine ecosystem can be altered by processes of natural and anthropogenic origin. Spatio-temporal variation in species exposure to contamination is still poorly understood. Here, we studied elemental concentrations in the non-lethally collected samples from the most numerous seabird in European Arctic, the little auk (Alle alle) nesting in one breeding colony in Svalbard. This seabird spent the breeding season in the...
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Morphometric parameters of the Renardbreen as important factors determining the spatial distribution of chemical compounds on the glacier surface (Bellsund, Svalbard)
PublicationThis paper concern influence of the morphometric parameters (height, length and slope of the glacier) on the spatial distribution of the physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon) determined in the ice and snow samples collected from the surface of Renardbreen during summer season of 2012. Obtained results allow to assume also a significant changes in a spatial distribution of other chemical...
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Annual variability of heavy metal content in Svalbard reindeer faeces as a result of dietary preferences
PublicationDuring both winter and summer, Svalbard reindeer selectively feed on different types of vegetation that are not only a source of nutritional value, but also a place of heavy metal accumulation. In the present study, the content of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, nickel, manganese, and zinc in reindeer excrement was measured. The main aims were to determine the seasonal content of several heavy metals in Svalbard reindeer...
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Trace Elements in Aquatic Environments
PublicationA trace element is defined as a chemical element whose the average concentration is less than 100 ppm (mg/kg, mg/L – in the case of a water matrix). In aquatic environments the concentrations of trace elements are usually at the level of picomoles per liter and lower. This causes extreme analytical problems, especially in situations where low content is in the range of background levels. Taking into account the role of trace elements...
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Phytoremediation of heavy metals by white cabbage
PublicationPhytoremediation is regarded as the cheapest and environmentally most friendly technology for cleaning up soil. The most widespread and most profitable technique is phytoextraction, used mainly for removing heavy metals and radioactive elements from thesoil. Over 400 plant species have been identified as natural metal hyperaccumulators representing about 0.2 % of all angiosperms. Unfortunately, most of these plants are characterised...
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Distribution and removal efficiency of heavy metals in two constructed wetlands treating landfill leachate
PublicationThe results of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd) removal and partitioning between aqueous and solid phases at two wetlands (TWs) treating municipal landfill leachates are presented. One of the TWs is a surface flow facility consisting of 10 ponds. The other TW is a newly constructed pilot-scale facility consisting of three beds with alternately vertical and horizontal sub-surface flow. The metals concentrations were...
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Nicole Nawrot dr inż.
PeopleDr. Eng. Nicole Nawrot has been employed at the Department of Sanitary Engineering since 2016. In 2021, she obtained a PhD in the field of engineering and technical sciences in the discipline of environmental engineering, mining and energy. Doctoral thesis entitled "Heavy metals in urban retention tanks bottom sediments: distribution, source tracking, and evaluation of phytostabilization adaptability and performance of P. australis...
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Diversity and distribution of Tardigrada in Arctic cryoconite holes
PublicationDespite the fact that glaciers and ice sheets have been monitored for more than a century, knowledge on the glacial biota remains poor. Cryoconite holes are water-filled reservoirs on a glacier’s surface and one of the most extreme ecosystems for microinvertebrates. Tardigrada, also known as water bears, are a common inhabitant of cryoconite holes. In this paper we present novel data on the morphology, diversity, distribution and...
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Determination of heavy metals in eyeshadows from China
PublicationPersonal care products and cosmetics are used daily by many people, causing local exposure to certain chemical substances through the application directly inside the oral cavity, on the skin, lips, eyes, and mucosa. Eyeshadows are among the most commonly used types of cosmetics. According to scientifc reports, they may contain heavy metals, especially in non-original products. The exposure to said heavy metals may cause local skin...
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Organochlorine pesticides and polichlorinated biphenyls concentrations in fresh snowfall or top layer of snow from Hornsund region, Svalbard, in the spring 2019
Open Research DataThe dataset contains concentration of organochlorine persistent organic pollutants in snow samples collected from top layer of snow, which corresponded to fresh snowfall in most cases (except DS location, where these are 20 cm top layer sampled weekly). All snow samples have been collected within one month during spring 2019, in the vicinity of the...
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Bioaccumulation of Metals in Tissues of Marine Animals, Part I: the Role and Impact of Heavy Metals on Organisms
PublicationHeavy metals contribute to the anthropogenic contamination of marine ecosystems. Some of them are essential to the life processes of organisms; others are toxic, even at low concentrations. They penetrate organisms via food, respiratory pathways or the skin. The extent to which metals penetrate organisms is measured by the bioconcentration and bioaccumulation factors and also by their transport between organisms at different trophic...
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Do morphometric parameters and geological conditions determine chemistry of glacier surface ice? Spatial distribution of contaminants present in the surface ice of Spitsbergen glaciers (European Arctic)
PublicationAbstract The chemism of the glaciers is strongly determined by long-distance transport of chemical substances, and their wet and dry deposition on the glacier surface. This paper concerns spatial distribution of metals, ions, and dissolved organic carbon, as well as the differentiation of physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity) determined in ice surface samples collected from four Arctic glaciers during the summer...
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Trace metals in skeletal calcite of echinoderms from the Barents Sea
PublicationThis study investigates the skeletal accumulation of selected elements (Al, Ag, As, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr, Zn) in echinoderms inhabiting Barents Sea, an area impacted by human activities from northern Norway and Kola Peninsula, known sources of metal pollution. The primary aim was to have insight whether metals incorporation in the skeleton of Arctic echinoderms is regulated physiologically by the organism...
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The interaction between bacterial abundance and selected pollutants concentration levels in an arctic catchment (southwest Spitsbergen, Svalbard)
PublicationPersistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been a topic of interest in environmental sciences for > 60 years. POPs in the Arctic have been investigated since the 1970s, when first atmospheric measurements revealed the presence of these pollutants in the polar regions. Major contaminant transport routes to the Arctic include atmospheric and oceanic transport, as well as inflow from rivers and sea ice. The sources of pollutants, such...
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Trace elements content of surface peat deposits in the Solovetsky Islands (White Sea)
PublicationPeatlands form environmental archives of trace element deposition. In this regard they are particularly valuable for areas such as the Arctic, where regular pollution monitoring is either impossible or extremely costly. The aim of this study was to assess pollution in the Solovetsky Islands (65° 05' N, 35° 53' E) by examining the spatial variability in trace element content of the uppermost layer of peat, immediately below the...
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Accumulation of radioisotopes and heavy metals in selected species of mushrooms
PublicationSeven species of forest mushrooms from different regions of Poland (edible: Imleria badia, Cantharellus cibarius, Xerocomus subtomentosus, Suillus luteus and inedible by humans but being food for animals: Paxillus involutus, Tylopilus felleus and Russula emetica) were analyzed for radioisotope activity (Cs-137, K-40, Bi-214 and Pb-210) as well as concentrations of heavy metals (aluminum, chromium, cadmium, manganese, iron, lead,...
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Application of bismuth film electrode for determination of heavy metals by stripping voltammetry
PublicationWhen Wang's research group introduced a new type of a working electrode: bismuth film plated electrode (BiFE), it has started attracting increasing attention in the field of electrochemical stripping analysis. These electrodes are shown to be very attractive alternative to common mercury-based electrodes, which are predominantly used in analysis of trace heavy metals.For the determination of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) used square...
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Honey as an indicator of heavy metals in the environment
PublicationHoney bees collect nectar, pollen and honeydew to produce bee products. One of them is honey, which due to chemical composition and properties is considered by human as a valuable food product. When honey bees collect substrates to produce honey they can bring contaminants to the hive. The presence of xenobiotics in bee products may lower their quality and devalue their properties, and also endanger human health. Many scientists...
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Distribution of heavy metals in vegetation of constructed wetlands in agricultural catchment
PublicationW artykule przedstawiono wyniki pomiarów zawartości wybranych metali ciężkiech w nadziemnych i podziemnych częściach trzech gatunków roślin hydrofitowych zasiedlających ekosystem oczyszczalni hydrofitowej w Bielkowie k. Gdańska.
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Removal and speciation of heavy metals in the constructed wetland treating landfill leachate
PublicationThe results of heavy metals removal and speciation of metals at two treatment wetlands receiving landfill are discussed. The first TW is a surface flow facility consisting of 10 ponds. The next TW is a newly constructed pilot-scale facility consisting of three beds with alternately vertical and horizontal sub-surface flow. The metals concentrations were analysed in leachate(both TWs) and bottom sediments (surface flow TW). Seasonal...
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Local variability in snow concentrations of chlorinated persistent organic pollutants as a source of large uncertainty in interpreting spatial patterns at all scales
PublicationSingle point sampling, a widespread practice in snow studies in remote areas, due to logistical constraints, can present an unquantified error to the final study results. The low concentrations of studied chemicals, such as chlorinated persistent organic pollutants, contribute to the uncertainty. We conducted a field experiment in the Arctic to estimate the error stemming from differences in the composition of snow at short distances...
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A High-Arctic flow-through lake system hydrochemical changes: Revvatnet, southwestern Svalbard (years 2010–2018)
PublicationLake ecosystems are strongly coupled to features of their surrounding landscapes such as geomorphology, lithology, vegetation and hydrological characteristics. In the 2010–2018 summer seasons, we investigated an Arctic flow-through lake system Revvatnet, located in the vicinity of the coastal zone of Hornsund fjord in Svalbard, characterising its hydrological properties and the chemical composition of its waters. The lake system...
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Speciation of heavy metals in wastewater and rejected waters from multistage bioreactors (MUCT)
PublicationThe objective of the study is to investigate the occurrence and availability of selected heavy metals after subsequent stages of treatment in WWTP with activated sludge (enhanced biological N and P removal). To achieved the target it was necessary to recognize the allocation of selected heavy metals between aqueous and solid phase in wastewater and reject waters. Application of sequential extraction of such metals as Cd Zn, Pb,...
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Enrichment and distribution of trace elements in Padhrar, Thar and Kotli coals from Pakistan: Comparison to coals from China with an emphasis on the elements distribution
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The speciation of selected heavy metals in sewage sludge stabilized in reed basins
PublicationThe aim of the work was to determine influence of time on organic matter content, nutrients concentrations as well as speciation of selected heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu and Zn) in sewage sludge stabilized in reed basins during 7-15 years. The analyzed sewage sludge was collected from reed basins from four municipal WWTPs located in Denmark serving from 9 000 to 40 000 pe in Vallo, Rudkøbing, Nakskov and Helsinge. Sewage...
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TRACE ELEMENTS AND ELECTROLYTES
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Effects of biotransport and hydro-meteorological conditions on transport of trace elements in the Scott River (Bellsund, Spitsbergen)
PublicationThe shaping of surface water chemistry in the Svalbard Archipelago is strongly dependent on the geology of the catchment and the process of long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants (LRATP). It was found that the dissolved trace elements in the Scott River, which catchment is characterized by a decreasing degree of glaciation, were of the natural origin (i.a. weathering and dissolution of local geological substratum). The...
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Distribution and concentration of heavy metals in ash during thermal process sewage sludge
PublicationKażdego roku na świecie, obserwuje się znaczący wzrost produkcji osadów ściekowych. Przykładowo w 2006 roku, w Polsce ich ilość osiągnęła 1 mln ton w przeliczeniu na sucha masę, w tym ok. połowa pochodziła z oczyszczalni komunalnych. Problem ich zagospodarowania stanowi przedmiot zainteresowania wielu instytucji zajmujących się ochroną środowiska, zarówno w Polsce, jak i na całym świecie. Ich dotychczasowe wykorzystania polegało...
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Spatial variability of the hydrochemistry of shallow groundwaters and surface waters of the Rensdyrbekken: A case study of a permafrost catchment in Bellsund (SW Spitsbergen, Svalbard)
PublicationProgressive climate change may have unpredictable consequences for the Arctic environment. Permafrost catchments off the west coast of Svalbard, described as “thin” and “warm,” are particularly sensitive to climate change. The interdisciplinary research on the hydrochemical response of surface and underground water functioning within a small permafrost catchment area focused on the determination of the impact of meteorological...
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Assessment of Trace Metals Leaching During Rainfall Events from Building Rooftops with Different Types of Coverage – Case Study
PublicationRunoff water is an important medium transporting various types of pollution originating from the atmosphere and washed out from roofing materials. The study presents a quality assessment of runoff from different roofs in the context of trace metal concentrations. The analysed rooftops were covered with copper, tar paper and ceramic tile. The quality of the rain water collected at the same time satisfies the demands of the first...
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Ongoing progress on novel nanocomposite membranes for the separation of heavy metals from contaminated water
PublicationMembranes, as the primary separation element of membrane-based processes, have greatly attracted the attention of researchers in several water treatment applications, including wastewater treatment, water purification, water disinfection, toxic and non-toxic chemical molecules, heavy metals, among others. Today, the removal of heavy metals from water has become challenging, in which chemical engineers are approaching new materials...
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Review of cigars and cigar-type products as potential sources of consumer exposure to heavy metals
PublicationThe popularity of cigars, growing since 1993, has not gone hand in hand with the increased interest of researchers in these products. Although the literature widely describes the harmfulness of tobacco and the content of toxic substances in tobacco products, the topic is often treated selectively as relating primarily to cigarettes and rarely extends to other products of the broadly defined tobacco industry. However, there is no...
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Analytical chemistry in technical approaches: immobilization of biosorbent waste containing heavy metals in cemented materials
PublicationAn ecologically safe and economically justified method of stabilization of the used biosorbents was developed. Sorbent contaminated with heavy metals has been successfully solidified/stabilized using a hydraulic binder. The test results indicated that up to 1% of the biosorbent residue used could be added without compromising the compressive strength of the mortar. The compressive strength of the modified mortars did not change...
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Determination of Heavy Metals Concentration in Water and Soil at Various Locations in Lahore and their Harmful Impacts on Human and Plants life
PublicationHeavy metals poisoning of soil and water has resulted from industrial expansion in Lahore, Pakistan, creating a significant environmental hazard. As a result, monitoring the contamination of soil and water around industrial sites is critical. The fact that higher concentrations of heavy metals have a negative influence on both plants and human life and this cannot be ignored. Higher heavy metal concentrations have a direct impact...