Evaluation of Lead Concentration on Agriculture Surface Soil around the Former Battery Production, Berat, Albania

A study was performed to investigate the distribution of lead concentration on the surface soils samples at a distance 80-2000 m around the former Factory Production of Batteries to Berat, Albania. There were two goals of this study: to assessment of the environmental and impact of the industrial lead waste in the surface soil around the former Factory of Battery Production; and comparison the concentration of lead in the planted areas where the inhabitants cultivate agricultural products with untreated surface soil. To achieve the goals of the work, initially are selected 33 surface sampling points of soil. 20 of them represent the untreated soils and other 13 represent soil samples where the plants are cultivated. All the representative soil samples were analyzing using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for their lead content, in Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana, Albania. From results obtained the fraction of lead in surface soil samples ranged from 78 mg/kg to 24207 mg/kg and average concentration of lead was 1821mg/kg. Concentration of lead in uncultivated soil samples was found higher than the concentration of lead in cultivated surface soil samples, soils which have been worked for cultivated crops. The fraction of lead in soil samples that are collected at different points are compared with the MCL specified by the Directive 86/278/EEC. Also, we have calculated factor of Hazardous Quoted for each sampling point

DETERMINATION OF LEAD ACCUMULATION BY LEAVES OF DIFFERENT VEGETATION, GROW IN SOIL POLLUTION

Both natural and anthropogenic contributions are the sources of leademissions to the environment. Lead is easily accumulated in the edible partsof leafy vegetables, as compared to grain or fruit crops. The accumulation oflead in agricultural soils is potentially hazardous to human, livestock andplants species. The purpose of this study is: determination of lead in soil anddifferent spontaneous plant species grown it, as well as calculation ofdeterminate bioaccumulation factors (BAF) soil to plant. We have selected21 sampling point at a distance 80-600 m around Former Factory Productionof Batteries to Berat, Albania. We have collected a total of 42 samples where21 are soil samples and 21 are vegetation samples. All the representativesamples for this study were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometryfor their lead content, at the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, Universityof Tirana, Albania. From results obtained, the concentrations of lead inrepresentative soil samples were found in the levels: 126 mg/kg-24207mg/kg while in the biological samples, the levels of lead were: 0.238-4.572mg/kg. The concentration ranges of lead in soil samples collected at differentpoints are compared with the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL)recommenced by European Union according the Directive 86/278/EEC.Also, we have calculated Hazardous Quoted (HQ) for each sampling point ofsoil. The concentration ranges of lead in biological samples collected arecompared with the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) specified by theDirective No. 1881/2006, Brussels. Concentrations of lead were measuredalso in surface soil, near the root of plant species, in one of the most pollutedareas in Albania, Uznove, Berat. Also we have calculated bio accumulationfactor (BAF) soil to plant

Assessment of Lead Concentration in the Aerosol Sampling Using Different Analytical Techniques

The instrumental methods of analysis with destructive and non- destructive used to determine metals concentration in aerosol samples. The purpose of this study is to determine the lead concentration in aerosol samples using different analytical techniques. We have selected 8 aerosols samples, which are divided in two parts and only one in four parts. We have analyzed a total 18 filter aerosol samples. Aerosol samples are collected in Tirana and Elbasan cities and were analyzed for lead content by using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and X-ray Fluorescence in the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana, Albania. From the results obtained show that the level of lead in the aerosol samples that are collected in Elbasan is higher than in samples are collected in Tirana. By the use of various techniques in the measurement of lead in aerosols it is noticed that the more information is obtained from the technique of X-ray while for the presence of lead in low concentrations, GFAAS technique has the highest accuracy and sensitivity

Preliminary study of two antique Illyrian helmets (V-IV B.C.) excavated in northwest and northeast of Albania

This study combines several analytical techniques to preliminary investigate two Illyrian helmets (V-IV century B.C.) excavated in Nënshat (Shkodra, northwest Albania) and in Krumë (Has, northeast Albania). They were stored in the Center of Albanian Studies, after excavation in 1963 in damaged conditions but have never been studied until now. The aims of this paper are the investigation of the helmets’ alloy and production technique; hence SEM-EDS, OM and Vickers microhardness tester were used to study the elements content, microstructure inclusions and its characteristics due to the production process. The Illyrian helmets alloy resulted Cu-Sn with less than 1% of Fe and As. The microstructure was composed by straight and bended twins, with 160.5 and 169.6 mean Vickers microhardness values, suggesting that these objects’ alloys were casted, annealed and cold worked to obtain the final distinctive shape. Elements such as S, Si, Fe can originate from the copper mineral used for the alloy production. This paper is part of a campaign in Albania to better understand the past with the use of physical analytical techniques

Critical stress factors influencing architecture students in Turkey: a structural equation modelling approach

Purpose Presently, there are two main classification of architectural courses in the curriculum: lecture courses and design studios. Owing to the duality between design studios and lecture courses, architectural education includes a highly stressful learning environment. In addition to this dualism, architecture students also cope with their lives in universities and different types of stressors similar to all university students. Therefore, this study aims to determine the critical stress factors that affect architecture students studying in Turkey. Design/methodology/approach The reasons for a stressful architecture learning environment were examined using a questionnaire distributed among architecture students, and face-to-face surveys were conducted. The obtained data were analysed statistically using SPSS 22 and LISREL 8.7 software. Correlation analysis, exploratory and confirmatory analysis and structural equation modelling of the relationships between the stressors and stress factors and the impacts (perceived stress) were performed, and a structural model was developed. Findings A total of 11 critical factors affecting architecture students' stress levels were determined; academic inadequacy, unusual assessments and evaluation techniques of courses and intensive academic schedule were the most critical stressors. Based on these factors, necessary solutions and recommendations were offered, which are expected to decrease architecture students' stress levels and encourage other similar studies. Originality/value There is limited research that provides insights into the factors that cause stress to architecture students; only literature reviews and surveys are currently available. Unlike these, this study presents a structural equation model for critical stress factors via a confirmatory factor analysis

Scanning micro-X-ray fluorescence elemental mapping : a new tool for the study of laminated sediment records

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2008. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 9 (2008): Q02016, doi:10.1029/2007GC001800.The utility of elemental mapping by scanning X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in the study of annual laminated sedimentary records was investigated on eight annually laminated sediment types. The examples were chosen to illustrate the potential of this approach in environments dominated by terrigenous, biological and chemical deposition. Individual laminae were identifiable in elemental maps of all sediment types and were enhanced through the use of data reduction techniques (e.g., principal components transformation). Laminae were least apparent in clastic dominated systems with no seasonal changes in sediment sources. In biologically dominated systems, element maps provided insights into the composition of the varve subcomponents, related to alternating terrigenous and biologically dominated seasonal periods of deposition. Chemically precipitated structures were more prevalent than expected from visual investigations alone and may provide an underutilized paleoenvironmental signature of changing limnological conditions. Elemental mapping offers a valuable tool for the study of laminated records that complements existing techniques (e.g., SEM, digital image analysis).Funding was provided through NSF Earth System History grants and an NSF Instrumentation grant awarded to J.T.O