ALBERT

Description:    In addition to diet-based vectors of disease, the contribution of water-borne zoonotic agents to gastrointestinal illnesses may be significant, but this has yet to be investigated for Cyprus. Our main objective was to evaluate antibiotic resistance patterns of Salmonella and Escherichia coli in groundwater samples collected at confined animal feeding operations. This is the first report on the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella and E . coli strains in the groundwater of Cyprus. Most of Salmonella isolates belonged to the subgroup enterica , whereas none of the E . coli isolates expressed the verotoxin-encoding gene. Out of 27 isolated Salmonella strains, nearly half of them were resistant to at least one or more antibiotic, whereas the highest resistance was exhibited by sulphamethoxazole (85%), followed by streptomycin (39%), and tetracycline (31%). For the E . coli isolates, nearly a third of them showed resistance to at least one antibiotic, whereas the selection of antibiotic resistance was equal among sulphamethoxazole, tetracycline and streptomycin (20%). This study demonstrated that Salmonella and E . coli in groundwater could pose a public health risk via oral ingestion of contaminated water. Best management practices are needed for overexploited groundwater supplies of rural areas, minimizing human exposure to antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10653-012-9450-6 Authors Constantinos Economides, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment, Nicosia, Cyprus Maria Liapi, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment, Nicosia, Cyprus Konstantinos C. Makris, Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health in association with Harvard School of Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Irenes 95, 3041 Limassol, Cyprus Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Online ISSN 1573-2983 Print ISSN 0269-4042

Description:    Prior surveys conducted have found higher proportion of arsenic-contaminated wells in villages along river Indus in Pakistan. This study aims to determine the prevalence of arsenicosis skin lesions among population exposed to higher exposure in taluka Gambat district Khairpur in Sindh. The cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2008 to January 2009 among 610 households. A total of 707 water sources (hand pumps/wells) were tested from the villages of union councils of Agra and Jado Wahan for arsenic levels with Quick rapid arsenic field test kits. A total of 110 households exposed to arsenic levels 〉50 ppb were identified. Case screening for arsenic skin lesions was performed for 610 individuals residing in these 110 high-risk households. Information regarding household and socio-demographic characteristics, height and weight measurements and arsenic exposure assessment were collected. Physical examinations by trained physicians were carried out to diagnose the arsenic skin lesions. After data cleaning, 534 individuals from all age groups were included in the final analysis which had complete exposure and outcome information. Overall prevalence of arsenicosis skin lesions was 13.5 % (72 cases). Of the 534 individuals, 490 (91.8 %) were exposed to arsenic levels of ≥100 ppb in drinking water (8.2 % to 〉50–99 ppb, 58.6 % to 100–299 ppb, 14.6 % to 300–399 ppb and 18 % to ≥400 ppb). Prevalence rate (per 100 population) of arsenicosis was highest at arsenic levels of 100–199 ppb (15.2 cases) followed by ≥400 ppb (13.5 cases) and 300–399 (12.8 cases). Prevalence rate was higher among females (15.2) compared to males (11.3). Our study reports arsenicosis burden due to exposure to higher arsenic levels in drinking water in Pakistan. Exposure to very high levels of arsenic in drinking water calls for urgent action along river Indus. Prevalence of skin lesions increases with increasing arsenic levels in drinking groundwater. Provision of arsenic-free drinking water is essential to avoid current and future burden of arsenicosis in Pakistan. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10653-012-9498-3 Authors Zafar Fatmi, Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box-3500, Karachi, Pakistan Imran Naeem Abbasi, Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box-3500, Karachi, Pakistan Mubashir Ahmed, Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box-3500, Karachi, Pakistan Ambreen Kazi, Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box-3500, Karachi, Pakistan Fujio Kayama, Division of Environmental Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Online ISSN 1573-2983 Print ISSN 0269-4042

Description:    The aim of this study was to evaluate the public and occupational exposure to radon and metal-bearing particles in museums and public buildings located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For this study, four buildings were selected: two historic buildings, which currently house an art gallery and an art museum; and two modern buildings, a chapel and a club. Integrated radon concentration measurements were performed using passive radon detectors with solid state nuclear track detector-type Lexan used as nuclear track detector. Air samplers with a cyclone were used to collect the airborne particle samples that were analyzed by the particle-induced X-ray emission technique. The average unattached-radon concentrations in indoor air in the buildings were above 40 Bq/m 3 , with the exception of Building D as measured in 2009. The average radon concentrations in indoor air in the four buildings in 2009 were below the recommended reference level by World Health Organization (100 Bq/m 3 ); however, in 2011, the average concentrations of radon in Buildings A and C were above this level, though lower than 300 Bq/m 3 . The average concentrations of unattached radon were lower than 148 Bq/m 3 (4pCi/L), the USEPA level recommended to take action to reduce the concentrations of radon in indoor air. The unattached-radon average concentrations were also lower than the value recommended by the European Union for new houses. As the unattached-radon concentrations were below the international level recommended to take action to reduce the radon concentration in air, it was concluded that during the period of sampling, there was low risk to human health due to the inhalation of unattached radon in these four buildings. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10653-012-9497-4 Authors G. L. Carneiro, COPPE—Coordenação dos Programas de Pós-graduação de Engenharia/UFRJ, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco G Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21945-970, Brazil D. Braz, COPPE—Coordenação dos Programas de Pós-graduação de Engenharia/UFRJ, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco G Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21945-970, Brazil E. F. de Jesus, COPPE—Coordenação dos Programas de Pós-graduação de Engenharia/UFRJ, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco G Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21945-970, Brazil S. M. Santos, Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria—(IRD)/CNEN-RJ, Av. Salvador Allende s/n, Jacarepaguá, RJ, Brazil K. Cardoso, Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear (IEN)/CNEN-RJ, Rua Hélio de Almeida, 75 Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil A. A. Hecht, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA Moore K. Dias da Cunha, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Online ISSN 1573-2983 Print ISSN 0269-4042

Description:    Jharia (India) a coal mining town has been affected by the consequences of mining and associated activities. Samples of outdoor fallen dust were collected at different locations of Jharia covering four different zones: commercial, petrol pump, high traffic, and residential areas. The dust samples were analysed for different trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn). The highest concentration of the elements in the dust samples are Mn (658 mg/kg), Zn (163.6 mg/kg), Cr (75.4 mg/kg), Pb (67.8 mg/kg), Ni (66 mg/kg), Cu (56.8 mg/kg), Co (16.9 mg/kg), As (4.1 mg/kg), and Cd (0.78 mg/kg). The concentration of selenium was below detection limit. Except Cd, contents of all the other elements in the dust samples were significantly lower in the residential area. High amount of Ni (145 mg/kg) and Pb (102 mg/kg) was observed in the high traffic and petrol pump areas, respectively. The exposure risk assessment strategies are helpful in predicting the potential health risk of the trace elements in the street dust. Selected receptors for risk assessment were infants, toddlers, children, teens, and adults. The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) for lifetime exposure was 〈1.0 for all the elements studied, indicating no risks from these elements for adults Among the receptors, toddlers were found to be more vulnerable, with HQ for Co, Cr, and Pb 〉 0.1. The finding predicts potential health risk to toddlers and children. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10653-012-9499-2 Authors Tofan Kumar Rout, Environmental Management Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (Digwadih Campus), Dhanbad, 828108 India R. E. Masto, Environmental Management Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (Digwadih Campus), Dhanbad, 828108 India L. C. Ram, Environmental Management Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (Digwadih Campus), Dhanbad, 828108 India Joshy George, Environmental Management Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (Digwadih Campus), Dhanbad, 828108 India Pratap Kumar Padhy, CSIR-Centre for Environmental Studies, Siksha-Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal, 731 235 India Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Online ISSN 1573-2983 Print ISSN 0269-4042

Description:    Historical mining in Alaska has created a legacy of approximately 6,830 abandoned mine sites which include adits, tailing piles and contaminated land that continue to impact surface and groundwater quality through run-off and leaching of potentially toxic metals, especially arsenic (As). One such site is the Lucky Shot Gold Mine in Hatcher Pass, south-central Alaska, which operated from 1920 until 1942, mining gold-bearing quartz veins hosted in a Cretaceous tonalite intrusion. Arsenopyrite (FeAsS) and pyrite (FeS 2 ) present in the quartz veins contribute to elevated As levels in water draining, abandoned mine adits. As future underground mining at Lucky Shot may further adversely impact water quality, baseline geochemical studies were undertaken to assess As mobility in the vicinity of the mine adits. Water samples were collected from streams, adits and boreholes around the mine and analysed for major and minor elements using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and for anions by ion chromatography (IC). Arsenic species separation was performed in the field to determine the ratio of inorganic As(III)/As(V) using anion-exchange chromatography, following established methods. It was determined that water draining the adits had elevated levels of As roughly seventy times the United States Environmental Protection Agency Drinking Water Standard of 10 μg L −1 , although this was rapidly diluted downstream in Craigie Creek to 〈2 μg L −1 . Adit and surface water pH was circum-neutral and displayed no characteristics of acid mine drainage. Despite being well oxygenated, As(III) is the dominant As species in adit water, accounting for close to 100 % of total As. The proportion of As(V) increases downstream of the adits, as some As(III) is oxidized, but the speciation enhances arsenic mobility at the site. The δ 18 O measurements indicate that the water in the system has a short residence time as it is very similar to meteoric water, supporting the observation that the predominance of As(III) in adit water results from the lack of thermodynamical equilibrium being attained and preferential absorbance of As(V). Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10653-012-9490-y Authors Keith Torrance, David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK Helen Keenan, David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK LeeAnn Munk, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA Birgit Hagedorn, Environmental and Natural Resources Institute, University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Online ISSN 1573-2983 Print ISSN 0269-4042

Description:    The aim of this study was to estimate the geochemical baseline concentrations of various heavy metals in the surface sediments of two large freshwater lakes in Taihu and Dianchi, China, and to assess the character and history of heavy metal contamination around the two lakes. Heavy metal concentrations in the sediments were obtained by field surveys and were supplemented with published data. The statistical methods of cumulative frequency and normalization were employed to obtain the baselines. The respective baseline concentrations for As, Sb, Hg, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were 9.92, 1.67, 0.14, 22.62, 100.56, 31.63, 31.97, 33.05 and 97.01 mg/kg, respectively, in Taihu, and 24.60, 4.29, 0.25, 36.78, 135.68, 90.05, 50.76, 73.56 and 208.76 mg/kg, respectively, in Dianchi. The baseline concentrations of these heavy metals in Lake Taihu were equivalent to the pre-industrial concentrations determined from lakes in Sweden and Europe. Conversely, those in Lake Dianchi were much higher than the pre-industrial values. Li, Fe, Sc, Ti, V and Al were found to be the suitable reference elements for normalization, and one of these elements could be used to predict the baseline concentrations of heavy metals except Hg. Most of the heavy metals had one inflexion, and only Cu and Pb in Taihu, Sb, Pb and Zn in Dianchi, were found to have two inflexions in the cumulative curves, suggesting remarkable anthropogenic inputs of Cu and Pb in Taihu, Sb, Pb and Zn in Dianchi, which are generally consistent with the respective industrial structure around Taihu and Dianchi. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10653-012-9492-9 Authors Chaoyang Wei, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Anwai, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China Hailong Wen, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Anwai, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Online ISSN 1573-2983 Print ISSN 0269-4042

Description:    A site- and receptor-specific risk management strategy for groundwater pollution based on the measurement of contaminant mass flux is proposed. The approach is useful and compatible with the demands formulated in the European Water Framework Directive, its Groundwater Daughter Directive and the regulations applicable in the EU member states. The proposed CMF method focuses on the following: (1) capture zones, (2) the location of control planes, (3) the definition of the maximum allowed contaminant mass discharge and (4) contaminant mass flux measurements. For every control plane, such a maximum allowed contaminant mass discharge is derived and is crucial for the receptor risk management strategy. The method is demonstrated for a large area of groundwater pollution present in the industrial area of Vilvoorde–Machelen located in Flanders, Belgium. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10653-012-9491-x Authors G. Verreydt, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium I. Van Keer, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium J. Bronders, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium L. Diels, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium P. Vanderauwera, Artesis University College of Antwerp, Paardenmarkt 92, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Online ISSN 1573-2983 Print ISSN 0269-4042

Description:    The Sarno river basin covers an area of 500 km 2 collecting the waters of Solofrana and Cavaiola tributaries. Originally it manly represents a source of livelihood for inhabitants by fishing and transporting goods; currently, the Sarno river, still partially used for irrigation, is affected by an extreme environmental degradation as a result of uncontrolled outflow of industrial waste. Within the framework of a wider geochemical prospecting project aiming at characterizing the whole territory of the Campania region, 89 stream sediment samples with a sampling density of 1 sample per 5 km 2 were collected in the river basin and analyzed by means of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in order to assess the environmental conditions at a regional scale. A GIS-aided technique, based on both the actual distribution of potentially harmful elements and their regional background values, was used to generate the maps of the contamination factors and of the contamination degrees for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn. Furthermore, a factor analysis was performed to assess the nature and the extent of contamination sources for the river sediments. Results showed that the Sarno river basin could be divided in two “environmental status” units: one, low contaminated, corresponding to the hilly and mountain areas, and the second, from moderately to very highly contaminated, corresponding to the economically developed areas of the valley floor characterized by a high population density. This work was developed within a project that aims to investigate the relationships between environmental pollution and human health by analyzing environmental media (stream sediments, water, soil and vegetation) together with human hair of resident population. In this context, the spatial correlation between the extremely compromised environmental conditions of developed areas and the incidence rate of liver cancer in the same area was also explored posing the need of a careful costs/benefits analysis to assess whether the deterioration of the environment, that could adversely affect the conditions of public health, is worth the economic development. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s10653-012-9483-x Authors Stefano Albanese, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80134 Naples, Italy Pietro Iavazzo, Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta, dell’Ambiente e delle Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy Paola Adamo, Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta, dell’Ambiente e delle Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy Annamaria Lima, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80134 Naples, Italy Benedetto De Vivo, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80134 Naples, Italy Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Online ISSN 1573-2983 Print ISSN 0269-4042

Description:    Antimicrobial agents in the environment are a cause for concern. Antimicrobial drug residues and their metabolites reach the aquatic and terrestrial environment primarily through wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In addition to the potential direct negative health and environmental effects, there is potential for the development of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Residue levels below the minimum inhibitory concentration for a bacterial species can be important in selection of resistance. There is uncertainty associated with resistance formation during WWTP processing. A meta-analysis study was carried out to analyse the effect of WWTP processing on the levels of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria within bacterial populations. An analysis of publications relating to multiple antimicrobial-resistant (MAR) bacteria ( n  = 61), single antimicrobial-resistant (SAR) E. coli ( n  = 81) and quinolone/fluoroquinolone-resistant (FR) bacteria ( n  = 19) was carried out. The odds-ratio (OR) of MAR (OR = 1.60, p  〈 0.01), SAR (OR = 1.33, p  〈 0.01) and FR (OR = 1.19, p  〈 0.01) bacteria was determined. The results infer that WWTP processing results in an increase in the proportion of resistant bacteria in effluent, even though the overall bacterial population may have reduced (i.e. a reduction in total bacterial numbers but an increase in the percentage of resistant bacteria). The results support the need for further research into the development of antimicrobial-resistant strains and possible selective pressures operating in WWTPs. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10653-012-9493-8 Authors Suvi Harris, Biosystems Engineering, UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland Martin Cormican, Clinical Science Institute, NUIG, Galway, Ireland Enda Cummins, Biosystems Engineering, UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Online ISSN 1573-2983 Print ISSN 0269-4042

Description:    This study presents the current state of heavy metal contents in both urban and forest soils within the city area of Vienna, Austria. Based on a systematic survey of urban soils and on targeted sampling in forest areas, local and regional anomaly thresholds are derived using statistical methods and considering regional distribution patterns. For urban soils, local anomaly thresholds of elements Cu (60 mg/kg), Hg (0.5 mg/kg), Pb (100 mg/kg) and Zn (200 mg/kg) exceed national guideline values for uncontaminated urban soils and according to Austrian legislation fall into the category “anthropogenic contamination present but no damage to plants, animals or humans detectable”. In forest soils within the city, thresholds are very similar to reference values for similar geological settings outside the city, apart from higher concentrations of elements Cr and Ni (threshold values of 107 and 64 mg/kg, respectively). Grouping urban soils according to land use reveals that Cd contents are 25 % higher, Pb contents 36 % higher, in traffic and industrial areas than in parks and like Cu, Hg and Zn, these elements can be shown to be at least partly caused by anthropogenic contamination. A dependency between heavy metal concentrations in soils and underlying geological units is shown within the flysch zone at the western city margin where the contents of elements Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and V are controlled by geology and reveal distinct differences between geological units. In built-up areas, no clear dependency between heavy metal contents in soils and geology is evident as urban soils represent accumulations by anthropogenic activity rather than in situ weathering products of underlying sediments. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10653-012-9485-8 Authors Sebastian Pfleiderer, Geological Survey of Austria, Neulinggasse 38, 1030 Vienna, Austria Michael Englisch, Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 8, 1131 Vienna, Austria Rainer Reiter, Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape, Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 8, 1131 Vienna, Austria Journal Environmental Geochemistry and Health Online ISSN 1573-2983 Print ISSN 0269-4042