Five sediment cores from the fresh water region of the Vembanad wetland system were studied for the trace element contents The average concentration of iron, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, lead, mercury and chromium were determined. The core samples were collected using gravity type corer, digested with a mixture of nitric acid and perchloric acid and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Heavy metals such as iron, copper, nickel and zinc reported enrichment towards the surface of the core sediment sample collected from the centre of the lake. Lead, cadmium and mercury showed uniform distribution through out the core. Quality of the sediments were evaluated based on sediment quality guidelines, pollution load index, sum of toxic units and with effect range low/effect range median and threshold effect level/probable effect level values of Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. The degree of contamination for each station was determined. The concentration of different heavy metals has been compared with the world average concentration of shale values. Results of the analysis showed that Vembanad lake is facing serious metal pollution with increased rate of deposition.

No abstract

Fireworks activity causes short-term air pollution. The festival of Diwali is celebrated with firecrackers in India during October/November every year. The ambient air quality was assessed in Vadodara city, Gujarat state of India during Diwali festival for the consecutive years 2009, 2010, and 2011. During the festival day, the average concentration of PM10 was increased 35 times compared with a normal day before Diwali. Similarly, concentration of SO 2 has increased 23 times and NOx has increased 3 times on the festival day. The diurnal pattern of the above pollutants showed an increase in the night. Air quality index calculated for 24 h average during Diwali 2009 in two stations exceeded a value of 125 indicating severe air pollution in Vadodara city. It is also confirmed that the yearly pollution load is getting increased in Vadodara city as the air quality index value has a gradual increase from 2009 to 2011. The good correlation coefficient between different pollutants confirmed the firework as the prime source of pollution. Based on PM10 concentration, the highest mortality rate was found to be 30.4 %. The shortterm high accumulation of PM10 is a matter of serious concern for city dwellers as it can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause many respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

In this study one economically important Ramsar wetland system of India, Vembanad wetland system, is studied to determine the environmental pollution. Six surface sediment samples collected from two extreme zones of the wetland system were analyzed for heavy metals such as Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Cadmium, Lead, Nickel and Mercury. Highest metal concentration was found at industrial zone and lowest concentration was detected at southern upstream of the wetland system. The results showed that the pollution level is significant in the industrial zone. Comparison of the results with different sediment quality guidelines indicated ultra high degree of contamination in the industrial zone. The numerical value of degree of contamination, pollution load index, sum of toxic units, enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index confirmed the above fact. Based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration guidelines, the health of the ecosystem was seriously impaired with frequent occurring of biological effects in the industrial zone. The percentage of heavy metal calculated with respect to the industrial zone as the base line and the correlation analysis with organic matter indicated that, mobility of the specific metal has higher impact on its concentration at the fresh water region of the wetland

Saudi Arabia has some of the biggest oil and gas reserves in the world, and has expanded its drilling operations gradually to meet the global demand. Improper handling of contaminated drilling wastes may cause serious negative environmental impacts. The current study investigates the toxicological effects of heavy metals in drilling waste by quantification and developing different contamination indices. Solid and liquid samples from different drilling waste pits were collected and analyzed for heavy metals. The average concentration varies significantly and decreases in the order of Fe > Al > Sr > Mn > Cu > Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cd > Ag > Co. The spatial variation showed the highest concentration at SDGM Site 1, West. Comparison of current data showed continental crust average values within the specifications for most of the sites. For metals like Cd, Cr and Cu, the concentration is higher than the continental crust value. Indices such as pollution load index, modified degree of contamination etc. were calculated from the available data. The contamination level for different site calculations showed nil to a very low degree of contamination. Spatial variation of the contamination level indicated comparatively higher values for sites UTMN-4 and SDGM-1 North, which indicates the necessity of precautionary methods. The metal concentration in the pit water samples exceeded generally accepted standards, if this water was to be discharged/leaked from the pit. The current study concluded presence of different heavy metals in samples from the drilling waste pits, whereas the degree of contamination is minute.