Search

Studies were conducted on two rivers in SE Poland, the San River and the Wisłoka River, and inside the Solina Dam. Two rare species of Gomphosphenia, G. fontinalis Lange-Bertalot, Ector & Werum and G. holmquistii (Foged) Lange-Bertalot were noted. Gomphosphenia fontinalis was recorded only inside the Solina Dam. Before now, both G. fontinalis and G. holmquistii had only been reported from cold, natural, unpolluted and alkaline waters. Morphological details (light microscope and scanning electron microscope) and ecological characteristics of both species are described and briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The works of literature evaluating the eco-environmental risks posed by metals in agricultural areas in developing countries remains limited. This study sought to evaluate the environmental and ecological risks posed by metals in the intensively cultivated areas of the Amik Plain as well as to determine the origins of the metals. For this purpose, 137 soil samples were taken from agricultural production areas of the Amik Plain, and 11 metals (Al, Fe, Ni, Pb, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd and As) were examined in the samples. As Ni had the highest average enrichment factor (EF) value (8.04) when compared with the other metals, the soils were found to be significantly enriched with Ni. The Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis showed that the Zn concentration was controlled by lithogenic sources, while the Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu concentrations were controlled by both anthropogenic and lithogenic sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work studied the pH, organic carbon, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and heavy metals Cu, Cr, Co and Pb in roadside agricultural soils of Jalandhar environs of Punjab, India. A total of 120 samples in triplicates were collected from different sites for assessment of heavy metal pollution. The mean values of Cu, Cr, Co and Pb were found below the permissible limits of Indian and Swedish soil limits. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that heavy metals have different sources of origin. The results of contamination factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), degree of contamination (Cd) and potential ecological risk index (RI) showed low contamination and ecological risks of heavy metals in roadside agricultural soils, respectively. The maps of spatial analysis indicated that northern region of the study area is more polluted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work was designed to study the pH, sand, silt, clay, lime, organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity and heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in agricultural soils of Mashhad plain, Northeastern Iran. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that OC influenced the retention of Cu and Mn in both surface and subsurface agricultural soil samples. The results of contamination factor, pollution index and potential ecological risk (RI) indicated low pollution of Mn, Zn and Cu in the agricultural soil samples. The enrichment factor showed very high enrichment of heavy metals in surface (88.1%) and subsurface (79.1%) agricultural soil samples. The geoaccumulation index also indicated very high contamination of heavy metals in surface (87.5%) and subsurface (82.6%) soil samples. The modified potential ecological risk (MRI) showed 37.5% ecological risk in surface, and 32.5% ecological risk in subsurface soil samples of Mashhad plain, Northeastern Iran. Abbreviation: Fe: Iron; Mn: Manganese; Cu: Copper; Zn: Zinc; PCA: Principal component analysis; CA: Cluster analysis; CF: Contamination factor; EF: Enrichment factor; Igeo: Geoaccumulation index; PI: Pollution index; MPI: Modified pollution index; RI: Potential ecological risk index; MRI: Modified potential ecological risk index [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]