Lung cancer incidence in a Chinese high background area — Epidemiological results and theoretical interpretation

A survey of inhabitant exposures arising from the inhalation of radon and thoron daughters, and lung cancer mortality has been carried out in two adjacent areas in Guangdong province, China, designated as the “high background” and the “control” area. Annual exposure rates are 0.38 WLM/yr in the high background, and 0.16 WLM/yr in the control area, while age-adjusted mortality rates are 2.7 per 10⁵ living people of all ages in the high background, and 2.9 per 10⁵ in the control area. From this data we conclude that we are unable to determine the excess lung cancer rate over normal fluctuations below a cumulative exposure of about 15 WLM. This conclusion is supported by lung cancer mortality data from an Austrian high background area.     

Evolution over time of the agricultural pollution of waters in an area of Salamanca and Zamora (Spain)

A survey of the herbicides present in surface and groundwaters was conducted in 1999 in an area of the provinces of Salamanca and Zamora (Central-Western Spain) to assess the degree of pollution of the agricultural land and seasonal changes in the presence of herbicide residues. Ten sites were sampled and screened for 17 herbicides commonly used in the area; the compounds were ureas, triazines, amides, and others. A previously optimised method involving solid-phase extraction with polymeric cartridges, followed by HPLC with diode array detection, was used to monitor the herbicides. Of the 17 compounds examined, eight were found: chlorotoluron (41% of total detections), terbutryn (21%), atrazine (14%), linuron (7%), isoproturon and metolachlor (5.5% each), lenacil (4%) and metamitron (2%). Of the detections, 66% corresponded to river water samples (three sites). The herbicides found in groundwaters (seven sites) were: chlorotoluron, atrazine, terbutryn, linuron, and isoproturon, all of which are classified as probable or transient leachers in Europe. The temporal evolution of the herbicide content in river waters shows that the observed pollution is a function of time and is related to the application and use of the herbicides. By contrast, the pollution found in groundwaters was lower than that seen in surface waters, except that due to chlorotoluron, which, additionally, remained almost constant throughout the study period.     

Shallow foundations on expansive soils: a case study of the El Viso Geotechnical Unit, Salamanca, Spain

Construction on expansive soils can generally be resolved using piles. Where shallow foundations are used in these materials, the swelling pressure should be determined and the foundations designed to provide a greater pressure to counteract this. Clearly, it will also be necessary to determine the capacity of the ground to take this load. The paper discusses the bearing capacity of unsaturated expansive soils for a given suction value and notes the bearing capacity was increased by 26% when the effect of suction was taken into account. However, an increase in the water content would cause a decrease in suction and hence a decrease in the bearing capacity.     

Visitors' Landscape Preferences as a Tool for Management of Recreational Use in Natural Areas: a case study in Sierra de Guadarrama (Madrid, Spain)

The Sierra de Guadarrama is a valuable natural area, with ecological problems of degradation due to the high number of visitors from nearby Madrid. Visitors' landscape perception of the Sierra de Guadarrama is influenced by the activities they practise and, in the same way, their attitudes and expectations are not independent of the fact of practising one or another activity. Differences and conflicts between users are highlighted, and some recommendations for a better recreational use of the landscape are suggested.     

Processes releasing arsenic to groundwater in the Caldes de Malavella geothermal area, NE Spain

Arsenic concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization drinking water guideline (10 μg/L) have been measured in thermal and non-thermal groundwaters from the Caldes de Malavella geothermal area (La Selva graben, NE Spain). The CO₂-rich Na-HCO₃ thermal waters (up to 60 °C at the spring) have elevated arsenic concentrations ([As_T] from 50 to 80 μg/L). The non-thermal waters are of Ca-Na-HCO₃-Cl type and have [As_T] between <1 and 200 μg/L, defining a hot-spot distribution. The present-day contribution of As from CO₂-rich thermal waters to non-thermal aquifers is very limited, as shown by the concentration of geothermal tracers such as Li and B. Redox-controlling processes appear to govern the mobility of As in the non-thermal waters. Arsenate is clearly predominant in most oxidizing groundwaters (>85% of As(V) over total As), whereas reducing, high-As groundwater reaches up to 100% in arsenite. The reductive dissolution of Fe(III) oxyhydroxides and the coupled release and reduction of adsorbed As explain the elevated dissolved arsenite (up to 190 μg/L) and Fe (up to 14 mg/L) content in the more reducing non-thermal groundwater. Conversely, the high levels of nitrate (up to 136 mg/L) ensure an oxidizing environment in most non-thermal groundwaters ([As_T] between <1 and 60 μg/L). Under these conditions, Fe(III) oxyhydroxides are stable and As release to groundwater is not related to their dissolution. Instead, dissolved arsenate concentrations up to 60 μg/L are explained by a competition for sorption sites with other species, mainly bicarbonate and silicic acid, while arsenate desorption due to pH increase is not considered a major process.     

Case-control study of toenail cadmium and prostate cancer risk in Italy

A role of cadmium exposure in prostate cancer etiology has been suggested by epidemiologic and laboratory studies, but conclusive evidence on this topic is still lacking. We investigated the relation between cadmium exposure, estimated by determining toenails cadmium levels, and prostate cancer risk in forty patients newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and fifty-eight hospital controls recruited in two provinces from southern and northern Italy. We found an excess cancer risk in subjects in the third and fourth (highest) quartiles of toenail cadmium concentration (odds ratio 1.3 and 4.7, respectively) compared with subjects in the bottom quartile. Results were basically unchanged when limiting the analysis to each province or entering toenail cadmium concentrations as continuous values in the regression model (P=0.004). Despite the limited statistical stability of the point estimates, these findings appear to support the hypothesis that cadmium exposure increases prostate cancer risk.     

新疆塔什库尔干县铜金多金属矿成矿地质条件及找矿启示*

矿床位于西昆仑—喀喇昆仑构造带上的塔什库尔干地区,是新疆西南部著名的"帕米尔式"铁矿产地。近年来随着基础地质工作的深入开展,铜金多金属矿产勘查也取得了突出的成果。为了进一步研究矿床成因并指导找矿,文章结合区域成矿地质背景,以塔什库尔干铜金多金属地质勘查成果为依据,通过深入分析有利的成矿地质条件,认为其赋矿围岩为古元古界布伦阔勒群老变质岩系和侵位于喜山期碱性杂岩中的隐爆角砾岩体,矿体受北西向逆冲推覆构造控制。矿化与喜山期花岗斑岩和角闪正长岩关系较紧密,矿床类型以构造蚀变岩型铜金矿、引爆角砾岩型铜金矿、热液脉型铅钼矿为主。绢英岩化和萤石化是该区最有利的找矿标志。综合研究认为该区具有良好的铜、金、铁、铅锌多金属成矿潜力。     

Visitors' Landscape Preferences as a Tool for Management of Recreational Use in Natural Areas: A case study in Sierra de Guadarrama (Madrid,Spain)

The Sierra de Guadarrama is a valuable natural area, with ecological problems of degradation due to the high number of visitors from nearby Madrid. Visitors' landscape perception of the Sierra de Guadarrama is influenced by the activities they practise and, in the same way, their attitudes and expectations are not independent of the fact of practising one or another activity. Differences and conflicts between users are highlighted, and some recommendations for a better recreational use of the landscape are suggested.     

塞维利亚社会公益服务大楼

该建筑坐落于塞维利亚南部,紧挨着Litany保健中心,位于和平大道的街角。地块尺寸为24.85米×35.60米,面积884.66平方米。项目位于一个主要用来建设城市基础设施的场所之中,因此其设计受到北侧Litany保健中心大楼的制约。在两栋建筑之间保留了一处公共空间可通往地下     

塞拉利昂马邦托地区铁矿地质特征及找矿预测

马邦托地区位于塞拉利昂北方省,苏拉山—坎格瑞丘陵弧形构造带由北北东向北北西的转折部位、新太古代绿岩带内,铁矿、金矿资源丰富,成矿地质条件优越。文章在论述巴伐亚铁矿床地质特征的基础上分析了区域铁矿成矿规律,总结了铁矿控矿因素,建立了区域沉积变质型铁矿成矿模式和预测模型。结合马邦托地区1∶5万航磁异常特征,进行了矿产预测,指明了找矿方向,总结了找矿标志。结果表明:马邦托地区铁矿找矿潜力仍然巨大,Y2异常区为寻找富铁矿的有利地段。     

Geochemical provinces and the incidence of dental diseases in Sri Lanka.

A survey carried out on the incidence of dental diseases and the distribution of fluoride in drinking water wells in Sri Lanka shows that 3 areas in particular had abundant fluoride (greater than 2ppm). Dental fluorosis was common in areas with high fluoride content while those areas with very little or no fluoride, such as the central region of Sri Lanka, had a high incidence of dental caries. The intensity of rain fall played a major role in the leaching of fluoride ions from soils and it is perhaps this factor which is responsible for the occurrence of a low fluoride zone in the central part of Sri Lanka. The presence of areas containing high fluoride and hence dental fluorosis coincided with geochemical provinces. In these areas, mineral deposits such as apatite and serpentine and also hot spring regions with exhalations of fluorine are found.     

The effects of changes in cadmium and lead air pollution on cancer incidence in children

This article presents the results of research on the effects of air pollution on cancer incidence in children in the region of Silesia (Poland), which has undergone one of the most profound anthropogenic transformations in Europe. The main objective of the research was to specify the impact of changes in cadmium and lead pollution in the years 1990-2005 on the incidence of cancers reported in children. Lead concentration ranged from 0 to 1490 · 10^-9 G m⁻²/year, and cadmium concentration ranged from 0 to 33.7 · 10^-9 G  m⁻²/year. There was no strong significant correlation (max 0.3) between air pollution and incidence rate (IR) in the general population of children in any particular year. Alongside the cartographic presentation of dependences, correlation coefficients between the variables in question were calculated. This made it possible to determine the relationship between the pollution levels and incidence rates in the area. There was a significant reduction in the level of pollution during the investigated period. The study of the relationship between the number of cancers reported and the condition of the natural environment revealed increased sensitivity to toxins in boys (correlation coefficient 0.3). In addition, the spatial distribution of the number of cases reported in boys suggests a correlation with the spatial distribution of the coefficients for the entire group of children included in the study. The yearly average IR of childhood cancer in specific districts ranged from 0 to 61.48/100,000 children under 18 years of age during the 1995-2004 period.     

Prenatal exposure to mercury in a prospective mother-infant cohort study in a Mediterranean area, Valencia, Spain

BACKGROUND: Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous pollutant that negatively affects fetal and child neurodevelopment at accidental high-dose exposure. Some studies indicate that Mediterranean populations could be at risk of prenatal exposure to mercury through fish consumption. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prenatal exposure to total mercury (T-Hg), both inorganic and organic, in newborns by analyzing the T-Hg concentration in cord blood, and to evaluate the role of maternal fish consumption in this exposure. METHODS: In the context of a multi-center project (INMA project), a prospective birth cohort was set up in Valencia, Spain, from 2005 to 2006. A total of 253 newborns were included in this study. We compared cord blood T-Hg concentration by levels of fish intake assessed by a food frequency questionnaire completed at 28-32 weeks of gestation. Maternal covariates were obtained through a questionnaire. RESULTS: The geometric mean of T-Hg at birth was 9.9 microg/L (95% CI: 9.0, 10.8). Seventy five percent of cord blood samples were above the estimated level assumed to be without appreciable harm (5.8 microg/L). Women who consumed a portion of large oily fish, lean fish, or mixed fried fish two or more times per week had mean cord blood levels 1.6, 1.4 and 1.3 times higher, respectively, than those who rarely or never consumed fish. Other factors such as the mother's age, country of origin, smoking and season of delivery were also significantly and independently associated with cord blood T-Hg concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Newborns from a Mediterranean area presented elevated levels of T-Hg in cord blood. Higher concentrations of T-Hg were related to maternal fish intake, particularly in the case of large oily fish species.     

青海罗汉堂地区水系沉积物地球化学特征及成矿预测

通过对罗汉堂地区1∶50 000水系沉积物测量元素含量分布、富集离散及组合特征的分析,讨论了各元素之间的组合关系以及与地质背景的关系,对该区主要成矿元素及成矿规律有了进一步认识;结合地球化学异常及地质背景,初步划分了3个成矿远景区,指出在华石山—南峡地区寻找破碎蚀变岩型金矿床、罗汉堂西南地区寻找矽卡岩型铜锡矿床的潜力较大,峡东—磨石山地区具一定的寻找充填交代脉状铅矿床的潜力,为该区成矿预测及下一步地质找矿工作部署提供依据。     

Landslide-susceptibility mapping in a semi-arid mountain environment: an example from the southern slopes of Sierra Nevada (Granada,Spain)

Landslide susceptibility is analysed in a semi-arid mountain environment, on the southern slope of Sierra Nevada. In a study area of 460 km², 252 landslides were inventoried, affecting 3.2% of the total surface area. These landslides were mainly slides and flows on phyllite, schist and marble units in the Inner Zone of the Betic Cordillera. The most relevant determining factors proved to be elevation, slope angle, slope aspect and lithology. Triggering factors include mainly short-term landslide generation during heavy rainfall, as well as sporadic earthquakes or long-term activation by land-use changes, river over-excavation, etc. Although landslide susceptibility, assessed by the GIS matrix method, is predominantly low, some 15% of the study area shows moderate to very high susceptibility, coinciding with the sites of public works in the region. The map drawn was validated by the degree-of-fit method, registering values above 83.2% for the zones of high and very high susceptibility.     

河南石蹄沟萤石矿区地球化学勘探及找矿预测

河南省石蹄沟地区位于北秦岭构造带,地质调查资料显示该地区有多处铅、银及多金属矿点。然而,自90年代完成1∶5万成矿预测之后,该地区矿产勘查一直处于停滞状态。本次地球化学勘探研究发现,工作区内元素异常中心位于勘查区东南角,金、银、砷异常较为显著;氟异常分布面积广,但是异常值低,规模相对较小,其它元素均为散点异常,表明该地区可能存在金、银矿化,萤石成矿则可能为规模小、分布散的小矿床。研究区化探结果显示,该地区样品中Ag与Au、As、Pb具有较明显的正相关关系; Au与Pb具有最强的相关性,相关系数达到0. 86; F与其他元素无明显的相关性,与其相关性最强的为Zn,相关系数为0. 45。结合穿过异常中心的纵剖面数据分析,研究区元素按照相关性可分为两组:Au-Ag-Pb和Cu-F-Fe-Zn。主成分分析显示,两组元素之间分别具有较强相关性。但是计算得到特征值和各个特征值对应的累计贡献率显示,前2个特征值所对应的累计贡献率为49. 28%,前3个特征值对应的累计贡献率也只有61. 91%,远没有达到85%。这就是说如果提取前3个主成分,丢失的信息占原始信息的38. 09%。这表明该地区元素之间并不是简单的线性关系,存在更为复杂的赋存状态。     

高精度磁测技术在塞拉利昂北方省GPAFAYA铁矿勘查中的应用

塞拉利昂GPAFAYA铁矿位于西非太古宙绿岩带内,处于苏拉山—坎格瑞丘陵弧形构造带北北西向转折部位,该区成矿条件优越,以盛产金、铁而闻名。区域上位于NHC5航磁异常区,通过高精度磁异常测量,圈定南北矿段(Ⅰ和Ⅱ) 2个异常带和4个异常段,其中Ⅰ号异常带规模巨大,经过地质调查验证,I-1强磁异常段对应的铁矿体规模巨大,矿石质量优良。该文根据GPAFAYA矿区铁矿找矿成果,结合航磁异常特征,从矿床、矿体地质特征等方面对高精度磁测在铁矿找矿中的有效性进行评价。发现航磁异常是BIF型铁矿在区域上最有效的找矿标志,高精度磁测可以作为铁矿体空间形态和矿石质量的重要判断依据。     

Aflatoxin and PAH exposure biomarkers in a U.S. population with a high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is significantly elevated in a Hispanic community in Bexar County, Texas. Chronic exposure to dietary aflatoxins (AFs) is a major risk factor for HCC; increased risk has been linked to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) co-exposure and hepatitis virus infection. The aims of this study were to assess AF and PAH exposures, investigate dietary factors that may contribute to increased AF exposure, and determine the prevalence of hepatitis virus infection in Bexar Co. Blood and urine samples were collected from 184 volunteers for biomarker analyses and hepatitis screening. Serum AFB₁-lysine adduct, urinary AFM₁ and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The average AFB₁-lysine adduct level detected in 20.6% of serums was 3.84 ± 3.11 pg/mg albumin (range 1.01-16.57 pg/mg). AFM₁ was detected in 11.7% of urines, averaging 223.85 ± 250.56 pg/mg creatinine (range 1.89-935.49 pg/mg). AFM₁ detection was associated with increased consumption of corn tortillas (p = 0.009), nuts (p = 0.033) and rice (p = 0.037). A significant difference was observed between mean 1-OHP values of non-smokers (0.07 ± 0.13) and smokers (0.80 ± 0.68) μmol/mol creatinine (p < 0.01). A high hepatitis C virus positivity rate (7.1%) was observed. Findings suggest that the incidence and level of AF and PAH exposure were less than those observed in a high-risk population; however, participants consuming higher amounts of foods prone to AF contamination may be more vulnerable to exposure and interactions with other environmental/biological factors (i.e., HCV).     

黑龙江沙河子地区中侏罗世岩体地质地球化学特征及成因探讨

黑龙江沙河子地区岩浆活动强烈,主要岩体为似斑状黑云英云闪长岩、正长花岗岩、碱长花岗岩,通过对岩体进行锆石年龄分析测试和岩石地球化学的分析研究,结果表明似斑状黑云英云闪长岩、正长花岗岩、碱长花岗岩形成时代为中侏罗世。中侏罗世正长花岗岩—碱长花岗岩是同源岩浆经历了平衡部分熔融—结晶分异作用形成。中侏罗世岩体随SiO_2含量的增加,岩石从似斑状黑云英云闪长岩—正长花岗岩—碱长花岗岩,岩石由钙碱性演化为碱性,DI值进一步升高,SI值进一步降低,显示岩浆结晶分异程度愈来愈高,演化更彻底的特点。似斑状黑云英云闪长岩具有I-S型花岗岩特征,属于壳幔混合成因。中侏罗世正长花岗岩—碱长花岗岩,属于高钾钙碱性花岗岩类,具有A型花岗岩的特征,其形成与后造山—造山后构造环境相关。     

新疆乌尔沟地区水系沉积物地球化学特征及找矿远景

为查明新疆乌尔沟地区主要成矿及伴生指示元素、地球化学分布特征及其集散分异规律,完成了1∶50000水系沉积物地球化学测量工作。对Au、W、Cu、Cr等16种元素进行的地球化学特征分析,圈定综合异常32处,并对部分异常进行了查证。综合研究认为区内多金属成矿作用受断裂、地层及岩体控制明显,尤其是冰达板断裂对本区成矿作用的控制。圈定2处Ⅰ级找矿远景区：夏尔嘎-喀尔干吐金、铜找矿远景区,主要元素组合为Au、As、Sb、Ag、Sn、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr、Co、Ni;包尔特金、铬、铜、钨找矿远景区,主要元素组合为Au、W、Cu、Cr、Ni、As、Sb、Ag、Mo、Bi、Pb、Zn。研究区主要的成矿种类为：金、钨、铬、铜等。研究工作为今后工作提供了地球化学依据,指明了找矿方向。