Pungtip Kaewtubtim’s research while affiliated with Prince of Songkla University and other places

This study determines uptake and accumulation of radionuclides and heavy metals by Pluchea indica and Avicennia marina and evaluates phytoremediation potential via greenhouse and field experiments. P. indica and A. marina are considered excluders for40K and262Ra, and Pb since roots accumulated them in higher quantities compared to other plant parts, and the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and transfer factor (TF) values for Pb, and40K and262Ra were >1, respectively. Absorbed dose rate in air (D) showed significant values in sediments, which were generally over the maximum recommended value of 55nGyh-1. Phytostabilization of radionuclides and heavy metals may serve as an appropriate strategy for mangrove-polluted areas. D values in sediments were considered sufficiently high to recommend long-term monitoring. Radionuclide activities may increase in the food chain via uptake and accumulation of edible plants, ultimately resulting in harm to human health.

This study belongs to the biomonitoring program of soil qualities using a land snail, Cantareus aspersus, as bioindicator. The metal-soil contamination in some sites (National Park of El Kala (NPK), El Bouni, Sidi Amar, Nechmaya, and Guelma) located in Northeast Algeria were determined during two seasons (winter and spring 2015, 2016). Glutathione (GSH) content and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were significantly decreased in snails collected during spring as compared with those noticed during winter under bioclimate change. In addition, a significant difference between various sites was observed, depending on the proximity to pollution sources. The significant variation of biomarker levels is a function of the physic-chemical properties of soils when they positively correlated with EC, H, and OM, and negatively correlated with all metallic elements. Moreover, Fe and Al2O3 are the most abundant in all the sites, and the most polluted site was found as that of El Bouni, followed by Sidi Amar, Nechmaya, and Guelma, since NPK is the less polluted site and considered a reference site. The tested biomarkers are sensitive oxidative parameters in snails exposed to pollution correlated significantly with the soil physic-chemical properties and metallic element contents in soil. Indeed, C. aspersus could be used as sentinel species in field monitoring of Mediterranean climate regions.

Because of their direct contact with society, urban buses are prioritized targets for air quality improvement. In this study, a sample group of in-use urban old buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and diesel engines was chosen for particle emission analysis. The CNG buses do not have any type of after-treatment, while diesel ones are equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). To measure the lung deposited surface area (LDSA), a possible physical metric of exhaust particles’ toxicity, a diffusion charger-based analyzer was utilized. The measurements were done at different engine speeds in stationary conditions. The results revealed that although the particle mass emission of CNG buses remains at a low level, the number of emitted particles for 75% of the CNG buses (depending on their maintenance conditions) is 10 to 100 times more than the retrofitted diesel ones, with the range of 10⁶ to 10⁷ p/cm³. The rest 25% of the CNG buses were performing the same as the retrofitted diesel ones in terms of exhaust particle number in the range of 10⁵ p/cm³. In addition, the lowest LDSA parameter at low idle engine speed was measured to be 97.8 and 229.4 μm²/cm³ for a CNG and a DPF retrofitted diesel bus, respectively. This result indicates the same and even lower LDSA and surface area and thus the lower possible toxic potentiality of exhaust particles of CNG buses compared to diesel vehicles at DPF downstream. Investigation on the different behavior of the CNG buses in the emission of particles showed the correlation of some aging parameters such as lubricant oil aging mileage with the released particles and the importance of periodic maintenance interval. Graphical abstract

Little is known regarding phytoremediation of radionuclides from soil; even less is known about radionuclide contamination and removal in tropical ecosystems such as mangrove forests. In mangrove forests in Pattani Bay, Thailand, 18 plant species from 17 genera were evaluated for radionuclide concentrations within selected plant parts. Two shrub species, Avicennia marina and Pluchea indica, accumulated the highest (232)Th (24.6Bqkg(-1)) and (40)K (220.7Bqkg(-1)) activity concentrations in roots, respectively. Furthermore, the aquatic species Typha angustifolia accumulated highest (232)Th, (40)K and (226)Ra activity concentrations (85.2, 363.5, 16.6Bqkg(-1), respectively) with the highest transfer factors (TFs) (3.0, 2.0, 5.9, respectively) in leaves. Leaves of T. angustifolia had an absorbed dose rate in air (D) over the recommended value (74.8nGyh(-1)) that was considered sufficiently high to be of concern for human consumption.

In a mangrove forest in Pattani Bay, Thailand, rhizosphere soil and leaf, stem and root tissue from various plant species were tested for concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Of these metals, Pb concentrations in the mangrove sediment were somewhat elevated. Mn occurred in highest concentrations in tissue of all mangrove species whereas Cd contents were lowest. Both sediment physicochemical properties (e.g., pH, EC, redox potential) and plant species characteristics have likely influenced metal concentrations in plant tissue. Several mangrove species fit the criteria for excluder plants as they accumulated metals mainly in roots, with a resultant translocation factor (TF) < 1 and a bioconcentration factor (BCF) > 1. These include Cyperus involucratus for Cu, Ipomoea pes-caprae for Zn, Typha angustifolia for Mn, and Phragmites karka for Pb. Furthermore, some species have accumulator potential, as metals accumulated in aboveground biomass (leaves and stem), and have TF > 1 and BCF > 1; however, these species (e.g., Thespesia populnea for Ni and C. involucratus for Cr) did not accumulate metals to the extent that they fit the criteria for hyperaccumulators. Continued investigation of metals in sediment and plant organs must be carried out to determine additional species suitable for phytoremediation, and to ensure healthy food chains in coastal ecosystems.