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Migaszewski ZM, Gałuszka A, Migaszewski A. Legacy of anthropogenic activity recorded in sediments by microtechnofossils and chemical markers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172800. [PMID: 38679086 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
This overview presents comparison of common microtechnofossils with other geochemical markers that may have the great potential to be the anthropogenic signatures for recent and future sediment strata. The novel man-made products encompass spherical and spheroidal fly-ash particulates, microplastics, synthetic crystals, and more recently examined glass microspheres. Due to their low specific gravity and small size varying from a tiny fraction of millimeter to approximately 5 mm, microtechnofossils may be transported over a long distance from their primary or secondary sources by water and wind. Of these technogenic materials, among the most resistant to physical and chemical degradation are glass microbeads, and additionally synthetic crystals and some types of fly-ash particulates derived mostly from coal/oil combustion, metal ore smelting operations and cement/lime manufacturing. Nonetheless, synthetic glass microspheres have found exponentially growing applications as reflective ingredients in traffic-related paints and building facades, as well as in a variety of applications mostly as low-density fillers of many materials. In contrast to anthropogenic fly-ash and microplastic particles, glass microspheres resemble in many respects common detrital quartz grains. Moreover, like quartz, they are resistant to depositional and diagenetic processes, which is a prerequisite for future geologic archives preserving anthropogenic signals. These and other characteristics make glass microspheres a more widely used product in various fields thus assigning them to a new emerging and globally spreading chronostratigraphic marker of human-impacted sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdzisław M Migaszewski
- Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Gałuszka
- Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland
| | - Andrzej Migaszewski
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Geomatics and Renewable Energy, Kielce University of Technology, 7 Domaszowska St., 25-314 Kielce, Poland
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Wippermann D, Zonderman A, Zimmermann T, Pröfrock D. Determination of technology-critical elements in seafood reference materials by inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:2797-2807. [PMID: 38141077 PMCID: PMC11009730 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05081-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The certified reference materials (CRMs) BCR-668 (mussel tissue), NCS ZC73034 (prawn), NIST SRM 1566a (oyster tissue) and NIST SRM 2976 (mussel tissue) were analyzed for their mass fractions of 23 elements using inductively coupled plasma tandem-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). This study focused on the quantification of selected technology-critical elements (TCEs), specifically rare earth elements (REE) and the less studied TCEs Ga, Ge, Nb, In and Ta. Microwave assisted closed vessel digestion using an acid mixture of HNO3, HCl and H2O2 was applied to varying sample masses and two different microwave systems. Recoveries of 76% (Gd, NCS ZC73034) to 129% (Lu, BCR-668) were obtained for the REE and 83% (Ge, NCS ZC73034) to 127% (Nb, NCS ZC73034) for the less studied TCEs across all analyzed CRMs (compared to certified values) using the best-performing parameters. Mass fractions for all analyzed, non-certified elements are suggested and given with a combined uncertainty U (k = 2), including mass fractions for Ga (11 µg kg-1 ± 9 µg kg-1 to 67 µg kg-1 ± 8 µg kg-1) and In (0.4 µg kg-1 ± 0.3 µg kg-1 to 0.8 µg kg-1 ± 0.7 µg kg-1). This study provides mass fractions of possible new emerging contaminants and addresses the relevant challenges in quantification of less studied TCEs, thus allowing the application of existing CRMs for method validation in studies dealing with the determination of TCEs in seafood or other biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Wippermann
- Department Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Inorganic and Applied Chemistry, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexa Zonderman
- Department Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
- Department of Biology, Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science, Universität Hamburg, Olbersweg 24, 22767, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tristan Zimmermann
- Department Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Daniel Pröfrock
- Department Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany.
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Ebeling A, Wippermann D, Zimmermann T, Klein O, Kirchgeorg T, Weinberg I, Hasenbein S, Plaß A, Pröfrock D. Investigation of potential metal emissions from galvanic anodes in offshore wind farms into North Sea sediments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115396. [PMID: 37582306 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate potential metal emissions from offshore wind farms (OWFs), 215 surface sediment samples from different German North Sea OWFs taken between 2016 and 2022 were analyzed for their mass fractions of metals and their isotopic composition of Sr. For the first time, this study provides large-scale elemental data from OWFs of the previously proposed galvanic anode tracers Cd, Pb, Zn, Ga and In. Results show that mass fractions of the legacy pollutants Cd, Pb and Zn were mostly within the known variability of North Sea sediments. At the current stage the analyzed Ga and In mass fractions as well as Ga/In ratios do not point towards an accumulation in sediments caused by galvanic anodes used in OWFs. However, further investigations are advisable to evaluate long-term effects over the expected lifetime of OWFs, especially with regard to the current intensification of offshore wind energy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ebeling
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Department Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany; Universität Hamburg, Department of Chemistry, Inorganic and Applied Chemistry, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Wippermann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Department Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany; Universität Hamburg, Department of Chemistry, Inorganic and Applied Chemistry, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tristan Zimmermann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Department Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Ole Klein
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Department Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Torben Kirchgeorg
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), Wüstland 2, 22589 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingo Weinberg
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), Wüstland 2, 22589 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Hasenbein
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), Wüstland 2, 22589 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Plaß
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), Wüstland 2, 22589 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Pröfrock
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Department Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany.
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Klein O, Zimmermann T, Hildebrandt L, Pröfrock D. Technology-critical elements in Rhine sediments - A case study on occurrence and spatial distribution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 852:158464. [PMID: 36057312 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite their presence in almost every technical device, little is known about the occurrence, distribution, and fate of technology-critical elements (TCEs) within the environment. Due to high economic demands and short product lifespans as well as low recycling rates, many TCEs appear to become emerging contaminants. Within the scope of this work, 57 sediment samples from the German part of the Rhine river, as well as various tributaries, were collected to study the occurrence and distribution of TCEs. This specific catchment area has consistently been subjected to strong anthropogenic influences over the last century. Hierarchical cluster analysis, as well as principal component analysis were used to gain first insights into the spatial distribution and possible sources of TCEs along the Rhine. Obtained mass fractions in conjunction with corresponding geoaccumulation indices (Igeo) provide first indications of a possible enrichment along the Rhine for the TCEs of interest (Ga, Ge, Nb, In, Te, rare earth elements, and Ta). Especially the mass fractions of Zn, Ge, In, La, Sm, and Gd exhibit significant anthropogenic inputs. For stations characterized by high Ge and In mass fractions, element fingerprints imply possible atmospheric deposition stemming from e.g. combustion processes. Distinct anomalies of La and Sm most likely originate from discharges located at the city of Worms into the Upper Rhine. Statistical analysis of all analyzed 55 elemental mass fractions revealed similar behavior of TCEs compared to classical heavy metals. Diffuse as well as point sources of TCEs are likely. As a result, this study provides further insight into the role of TCEs as potential emerging contaminants in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Klein
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany; Universität Hamburg, Department of Chemistry, Inorganic and Applied Chemistry, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tristan Zimmermann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Lars Hildebrandt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Daniel Pröfrock
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany.
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