1
|
Kastury F, Besedin J, Betts AR, Asamoah R, Herde C, Netherway P, Tully J, Scheckel KG, Juhasz AL. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, antimony bioaccessibility and relative bioavailability in legacy gold mining waste. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:133948. [PMID: 38493633 PMCID: PMC11097331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Bioaccessibility and relative bioavailability of As, Cd, Pb and Sb was investigated in 30 legacy gold mining wastes (calcine sands, grey battery sands, tailings) from Victorian goldfields (Australia). Pseudo-total As concentration in 29 samples was 1.45-148-fold higher than the residential soil guidance value (100 mg/kg) while Cd and Pb concentrations in calcine sands were up to 2.4-fold and 30.1-fold higher than the corresponding guidance value (Cd: 20 mg/kg and Pb: 300 mg/kg). Five calcine sands exhibited elevated Sb (31.9-5983 mg/kg), although an Australian soil guidance value is currently unavailable. Arsenic bioaccessibility (n = 30) and relative bioavailability (RBA; n = 8) ranged from 6.10-77.6% and 10.3-52.9% respectively. Samples containing > 50% arsenopyrite/scorodite showed low As bioaccessibility (<20.0%) and RBA (<15.0%). Co-contaminant RBA was assessed in 4 calcine sands; Pb RBA ranged from 73.7-119% with high Pb RBA associated with organic and mineral sorbed Pb and, lower Pb RBA observed in samples containing plumbojarosite. In contrast, Cd RBA ranged from 55.0-67.0%, while Sb RBA was < 5%. This study highlights the importance of using multiple lines of evidence during exposure assessment and provides valuable baseline data for co-contaminants associated with legacy gold mining activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farzana Kastury
- Future Industries Institute, STEM, University of South Australia, SA, Australia.
| | - Julie Besedin
- Future Industries Institute, STEM, University of South Australia, SA, Australia; School of Science, STEM, RMIT University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aaron R Betts
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Land Remediation and Technology Division, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Richmond Asamoah
- Future Industries Institute, STEM, University of South Australia, SA, Australia
| | - Carina Herde
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide 5086, Australia
| | - Pacian Netherway
- EPA Science, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Centre for Applied Sciences, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Melbourne, Victoria 3085, Australia
| | - Jennifer Tully
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Water Infrastructure Division, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kirk G Scheckel
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Land Remediation and Technology Division, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Albert L Juhasz
- Future Industries Institute, STEM, University of South Australia, SA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Skála J, Boahen F, Száková J, Vácha R, Tlustoš P. Arsenic and lead in soil: impacts on element mobility and bioaccessibility. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:943-959. [PMID: 34129137 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01008-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Long-term brown coal mining contributes to risk element contents in soils surrounding coal basins. However, there is a lack of bioaccessibility characterization of the risk elements in the soils at the impacted locations for estimation of the potential health risk, in relation to the effects of soil particle size and element origin. In this study, soils from different geological areas (geogenic vs. anthropogenic) were sampled around the Most brown coal basin, Czech Republic. These soils were passed through sieves to obtain seven aggregate size fractions. For an estimation of the oral bioaccessibility of As and Pb in the size fractions, the physiologically based extraction test was applied, whereas the potential pulmonary bioaccessibility of the elements was estimated by using both Gamble's and Hatch's tests. The results showed that the geochemical pattern of the investigated elements clearly separates the soil samples collected from the mountain region (mineralization from geogenic processes) from those of the basin region (extensive coal mining). For As, the results indicated that it poses higher risks in the anthropogenically affected basin region due to its higher gastro-intestinal and pulmonary bioaccessibility in soil samples in this area. A higher bioaccessibility of As in the soils was recorded in the finer grain size fractions, which are usually air-borne and can be easily ingested and/or inhaled, leading to potential health risks to humans and livestock. The opposite pattern, with a higher content on coarse particles, was recorded for Pb, indicating a potential risk of livestock in the non-forest mountainous areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Skála
- Research Institute for Soil and Water Conservation, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Frank Boahen
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiřina Száková
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Radim Vácha
- Research Institute for Soil and Water Conservation, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Tlustoš
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jesús Eulises CS, González-Chávez MDCA, Carrillo-González R, García-Cué JL, Fernández-Reynoso DS, Noerpel M, Scheckel KG. Bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements in mine residue particles. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:367-380. [PMID: 33527965 PMCID: PMC8935130 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00447b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Mining companies used to abandon tailing heaps in countryside regions of Mexico and other countries. Mine residues (MRs) contain a high concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTE). The wind can disperse dust particles (<100 μm) and once suspended in the atmosphere, can be ingested or inhaled; this is a common situation in arid climates. Nowadays, there is little information on the risk of exposure to PTEs from particulate matter dispersed by wind. The pseudo-total PTE in bulk and fractionated MR after aqua regia digestion, the inhalable bioaccessibility with Gamble solution (pH = 7.4), and the gastric bioaccessibility with 0.4 M glycine solution at pH 1.5 were determined. As and Pb chemical species were identified by X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The highest rate of dispersion was observed with 74-100 μm particles (104 mg m-2 s-1); in contrast, particles <44 μm had the lowest rate (26 mg m-2 s-1). The highest pseudo-total As (35 961 mg kg-1), Pb (3326 mg kg-1), Cd (44 mg kg-1) and Zn (up to 4678 mg kg-1) concentration was in the <20 μm particles and As in the 50-74 μm (40 236 mg kg-1) particles. The highest concentration of inhaled bioaccessible As (343 mg kg-1) was observed in the <20 μm fraction and the gastric bioaccessible As was 744 mg kg-1, Pb was 1396 mg kg-1, Cd was 19.2 mg kg-1, and Zn was 2048 mg kg-1. The predominant chemical As species was arsenopyrite (92%), while 54% of Pb was in the adsorbed form. Erodible particle matter is a potential risk for humans in case of inhalation or ingestion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rogelio Carrillo-González
- Programa de Edafología, Colegio de Postgraduados, Carretera, México-Texcoco 36.5 km, Texcoco, 56230, Mexico.
| | - José Luis García-Cué
- Programa de Estadística, Colegio de Postgraduados, Carretera, México-Texcoco 36.5 km, Texcoco, 56230, Mexico
| | | | - Matthew Noerpel
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Environmental Solutions & Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kirk G Scheckel
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Environmental Solutions & Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fernando MP, Claudio AV. Considering environmental variables in the design of waste dumpsites. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:23769-23782. [PMID: 32301075 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08657-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mining generates a significant quantity of waste material including ballast, gravel, and slags, which are often deposited in areas without taking into account the environment impacts and the need to ensure the physical and chemical stability of the disposed waste. One of the less studied problems is the emission of particulate matter produced by wind erosion at the dumpsites. This erosion is mainly caused by two factors, wind speed and turbulence, due to surface phenomenon. Until now, the design of waste dumpsites in the Chilean mining industry has not considered these environmental conditions. Efforts to minimize disposal costs have always been achieved by depositing ballast without considering these variables. When wind impacts this unprotected surface, it creates a source of dust that requires some special attention. The problem that this research tries to solve is to reduce particulate material to the atmosphere from waste dumps in which, under certain atmospherics and geographic conditions, specifically on winter season, its concentrations overpass the maximum limit allowed by law, generating bronchopulmonary diseases and even closing partially or totally mine operation. The result is the creation of a waste dumpsite design model, with its corresponding algorithms, which will allow optimization of the waste dumpsite design. From these results, future researches could explore more sustainable mining, such as unit operations, drilling, blasting, load and crushing material, reducing particulate material emissions to the atmosphere, and minimizing environmental impact due to exploitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Machuca Pérez Fernando
- Mining Engineer Department, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 3363, comuna de Estación Central, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Arellano Vergara Claudio
- Mining Engineer Department, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 3363, comuna de Estación Central, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
He M, Wang N, Long X, Zhang C, Ma C, Zhong Q, Wang A, Wang Y, Pervaiz A, Shan J. Antimony speciation in the environment: Recent advances in understanding the biogeochemical processes and ecological effects. J Environ Sci (China) 2019; 75:14-39. [PMID: 30473279 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2018.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Antimony (Sb) is a toxic metalloid, and its pollution has become a global environmental problem as a result of its extensive use and corresponding Sb-mining activities. The toxicity and mobility of Sb strongly depend on its chemical speciation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the biogeochemical processes (including emission, distribution, speciation, redox, metabolism and toxicity) that trigger the mobilization and transformation of Sb from pollution sources to the surrounding environment. Natural phenomena such as weathering, biological activity and volcanic activity, together with anthropogenic inputs, are responsible for the emission of Sb into the environment. Sb emitted in the environment can adsorb and undergo redox reactions on organic or inorganic environmental media, thus changing its existing form and exerting toxic effects on the ecosystem. This review is based on a careful and systematic collection of the latest papers during 2010-2017 and our research results, and it illustrates the fate and ecological effects of Sb in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengchang He
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Ningning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xiaojing Long
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Chengjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Congli Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Qianyun Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Aihua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Aneesa Pervaiz
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jun Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Martin R, Dowling K, Nankervis S, Pearce D, Florentine S, McKnight S. In vitro assessment of arsenic mobility in historical mine waste dust using simulated lung fluid. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2018; 40:1037-1049. [PMID: 28497229 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-017-9974-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure studies have linked arsenic (As) ingestion with disease in mining-affected populations; however, inhalation of mine waste dust as a pathway for pulmonary toxicity and systemic absorption has received limited attention. A biologically relevant extractant was used to assess the 24-h lung bioaccessibility of As in dust isolated from four distinct types of historical gold mine wastes common to regional Victoria, Australia. Mine waste particles less than 20 µm in size (PM20) were incubated in a simulated lung fluid containing a major surface-active component found in mammalian lungs, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. The supernatants were extracted, and their As contents measured after 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h. The resultant As solubility profiles show rapid dissolution followed by a more modest increasing trend, with between 75 and 82% of the total 24-h bioaccessible As released within the first 8 h. These profiles are consistent with the solubility profile of scorodite, a secondary As-bearing phase detected by X-ray diffraction in one of the investigated waste materials. Compared with similar studies, the cumulative As concentrations released at the 24-h time point were extremely low (range 297 ± 6-3983 ± 396 µg L-1), representing between 0.020 ± 0.002 and 0.036 ± 0.003% of the total As in the PM20.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Martin
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia.
| | - Kim Dowling
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
| | - Scott Nankervis
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
| | - Dora Pearce
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Singarayer Florentine
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
| | - Stafford McKnight
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abraham J, Dowling K, Florentine S. Controlled burn and immediate mobilization of potentially toxic elements in soil, from a legacy mine site in Central Victoria, Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 616-617:1022-1034. [PMID: 29107365 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Conducting controlled burns in fire prone areas is an efficient and economic method for forest management, and provides relief from the incidence of high severity wild fires and the consequent damage to human property and ecosystems. However, similar to wild fires, controlled burns also affect many of the physical and biogeochemical properties of the forest soil and may facilitate remobilization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) sequestered in vegetation and soil organic matter. The objective of the current study is to investigate the mobilization of PTEs, in Central Victorian forest soils in Australia after a controlled burn. Surface soil samples were collected two days before and after the controlled burn to determine the concentration of PTEs and to examine the physicochemical properties. Results show that As, Cd, Mn, Ni and Zn concentrations increased 1.1, 1.6, 1.7, 1.1 and 1.9 times respectively in the post-burn environment, whereas the concentrations of Hg, Cr and Pb decreased to 0.7, 0.9 and 0.9 times respectively, highlighting considerable PTE mobility during and after a controlled burn. Whilst these results do not identify very strong correlations between physicochemical properties of soil and PTEs in the pre- and post-burn environments, PTEs themselves demonstrated very strong and significant correlations. The mobilization of As, Hg and other toxic elements raise potential health concerns as the number of controlled burns are projected to increase in response to climate change. Due to this increased level of PTE release and remobilization, the use of any kinds of controlled burn must be carefully considered before being used as a forest management strategy in mining-affected landscapes which include areas with high PTE concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joji Abraham
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC 3353, Australia.
| | - Kim Dowling
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC 3353, Australia
| | - Singarayer Florentine
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC 3353, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abraham J, Dowling K, Florentine S. Assessment of potentially toxic metal contamination in the soils of a legacy mine site in Central Victoria, Australia. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 192:122-132. [PMID: 29100120 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.10.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The environmental impact of toxic metal contamination from legacy mining activities, many of which had operated and were closed prior to the enforcement of robust environmental legislation, is of growing concern to modern society. We have carried out analysis of As and potentially toxic metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the surface soil of a legacy gold mining site in Maldon, Victoria, Australia, to reveal the status of the current metal concentration. The results revealed the median concentrations of metals from highest to lowest, in the order: Mn > Zn > As > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Co > Hg > Cd. The status of site was assessed directly by comparing the metal concentrations in the study area with known Australian and Victorian average top soil levels and the health investigation levels set by the National Environmental Protection Measures (NEPM) and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) of the State of Western Australia. Although, median concentrations of As, Hg, Pb, Cu and Zn exceeded the average Australian and Victorian top soil concentrations, only As and Hg exceeded the ecological investigation levels (EIL) set by DEC and thus these metals are considered as risk to the human and aquatic ecosystems health due to their increase in concentration and toxicity. In an environment of climate fluctuation with increased storm events and forest fires may mobilize these toxic metals contaminants, pose a real threat to the environment and the community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joji Abraham
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC, 3353, Australia.
| | - Kim Dowling
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC, 3353, Australia
| | - Singarayer Florentine
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC, 3353, Australia
| |
Collapse
|