Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Nutrient Elements and Heavy Metals in the Ganjiang River Basin

PDA/PMMA Blend Membrane Utilized for the Selective Adsorption and Separation of Heavy Metal Ions

The detrimental effects of heavy metal aqueous pollution are attracting people's attention increasingly. Membrane separation technology plays a pivotal role in the treatment of aqueous pollution due to its low energy consumption and excellent separation effect. Inspired by the strong adhesion of heavy metal ions by the dopamine in mussel protein, we have fabricated the 5 %, 10 %, 20 % and 30 % proportion of polydopamine (PDA)/Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blend membranes with dopamine structure by solvent-induced phase conversion. I-V current, UV titration and transmission tests examined the membrane's selective adsorption and retention capabilities for Fe3+, Cu2+ and Cr3+. These experiments indicated the different selectivity for Fe3+ of four blend membranes with varying PDA/PMMA fractions. Based on Langmuir's adsorption theory, the 10 % blend membranes exhibited the most outstanding selective adsorption for Fe3+ with an LOD of 4.724×10-9 M. Moreover, the ability to retain Fe3+ is still close to 100 % after 48 h of transmission. This study manifested that the PDA/PMMA blend membrane is capable of adsorbing trace amounts of Fe3+ from water, thereby contributing to aqueous purification.

Heavy metals pollution of Pescara River (southern Italy): Risk assessment based on total reflection X-ray fluorescence analyses

This study evaluates heavy metal (Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb, and As) contamination in the Pescara River, Italy, using Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence, focusing on the impact of Bussi landfills. Analyses revealed that most heavy metals exceed WHO drinking water standards, particularly in upstream areas near industrial sites. Pollution indices resulted: Nemerow Pollution Index (0.43-23.75), Contamination Factor (0.09-104.49), Pollution Load Index (0.14-5.83), Heavy Metal Pollution Index (1.01-1304). Ecological Risk Index identified severe ecosystem threats in one-third of samples, while Human Health Risk Assessment revealed substantial non-carcinogenic risks with Hazard Quotients exceeding safety thresholds for both adults (3.57) and children (2.00). Specific concerns emerge for children's exposure due to their enhanced vulnerability to heavy metal toxicity. Water Quality Index classified 46.6 % of samples as "Very Poor" for drinking purposes. Principal component analysis and Pearson's correlation indicated anthropogenic sources as primary contributors, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable management strategies.

Responses of magnetic properties to heavy metals pollution recorded by sediments of Nanchang City reach of Ganjiang River, East China

In this paper, sediment samples from the HT and QS profiles of the Ganjiang River are selected to represent the river reach that does not enter and entered the Nanchang City urban area, respectively. Environmental magnetism, granulometry, and heavy metal of these samples were analyzed to assess the relationship between magnetic properties and heavy metal. The results showed that the mean χ value of QS profile is 20.32 × 10-8m3/kg, which is higher than that in HT profile (3.80 × 10-8m3/kg), indicating the higher magnetic mineral concentrations. The relatively higher S-100mT, S-300mT, and lower χARM/χ, χARM/SIRM values of QS profile suggest the lower imperfect antiferromagnetic mineral proportion and the coarser magnetic minerals grains, respectively. The heavy metals (i.e., As, Cd, Sb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb) concentration of QS profile is markedly higher than that of HT profile. The PLI of QS profile ranges from 0.5 to 3.33, higher than that in HT profile (0.22 to 2.02), revealing the more serious pollution in urban areas and would be attributed to human activities. In QS and HT profile, the concentration-dependent magnetic parameters (e.g., χ, SIRM, HIRM) are significantly positively correlated with heavy metals and PLI. We also found that with a similar particle size composition, the sediment samples with higher pollution levels exhibit higher χ, SIRM, S-100mT, S-300mT, and lower χARM/χ, χARM/SIRM values, indicating the response of magnetic properties to heavy metal pollution. Magnetic parameters can be used as a heavy metal pollution indicator in the Ganjiang River.

Watershed Ecohydrological Processes in a Changing Environment: Opportunities and Challenges

Basin ecohydrological processes are essential for informing policymaking and social development in response to growing environmental problems. In this paper, we review watershed ecohydrology, focusing on the interaction between watershed ecological and hydrological processes. Climate change and human activities are the most important factors influencing water quantity and quality, and there is a need to integrate watershed socioeconomic activities into the paradigm of watershed ecohydrological process studies. Then, we propose a new framework for integrated watershed management. It includes (1) data collection: building an integrated observation network; (2) theoretical basis: attribution analysis; (3) integrated modeling: medium- and long-term prediction of ecohydrological processes by human–nature interactions; and (4) policy orientation. The paper was a potential solution to overcome challenges in the context of frequent climate extremes and rapid land-use change.