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Battulga B, Atarashi-Andoh M, Koarashi J, Oyuntsetseg B, Kawahigashi M. Plastic-associated metal(loid)s in the urban river environments of Mongolia. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 261:115100. [PMID: 37285671 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The widespread distribution of plastic debris in riverine environment is one of the major concerns of environmental pollution because of its potential impact on the aquatic ecosystem. In this study, we investigated the accumulation of metal(loid)s on polystyrene foam (PSF) plastics collected from the floodplain of the Tuul River of Mongolia. The metal(loid)s sorbed on plastics were extracted from the collected PSF via sonication after peroxide oxidation. The size-dependent association of metal(loid)s with plastics indicates that PSFs act as vectors for pollutants in the urban river environment. The mean concentrations of metal(loid)s (i.e., B, Cr, Cu, Na, and Pb) indicate a higher accumulation of the metal(loid)s on meso-sized PSFs compared with macro- and micro-sized PSFs. In addition, the images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated not only the degraded surface of plastics showing fractures, holes, and pits but also the adhered mineral particles and microorganisms on the PSFs. The interaction of metal(loid)s with plastics was probably facilitated by the physical and chemical properties of altered surface of plastics through photodegradation, followed by an increase in surface area by size reduction and/or biofilm development in the aquatic environment. The enrichment ratio (ER) of metals on PSF samples suggested the continuous accumulation of heavy metals on plastics. Our results demonstrate that the widespread plastic debris could be a carrier of hazardous chemicals in the environment. Considering that the negative impacts of plastic debris on environmental health are major concerns to be addressed, the fate and behavior of the plastics especially their interaction with pollutants in aquatic environments should be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batdulam Battulga
- Department of Geography, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan; Nuclear Science and Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan.
| | - Mariko Atarashi-Andoh
- Nuclear Science and Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| | - Jun Koarashi
- Nuclear Science and Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| | - Bolormaa Oyuntsetseg
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia
| | - Masayuki Kawahigashi
- Department of Geography, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
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Pecina V, Juřička D, Hedbávný J, Klimánek M, Kynický J, Brtnický M, Komendová R. The impacts of mining on soil pollution with metal(loid)s in resource-rich Mongolia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2763. [PMID: 36797312 PMCID: PMC9935523 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29370-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
As Mongolia is considered one of the most resource extraction-dependent countries globally, significant mining-related environmental and human health risks are expected. The aim of this study was to (I) assess the impacts of mining on soil pollution with metals in Mongolia's key coal mining towns (Baganuur, Nalaikh and Sharyn Gol) and (II) review the current knowledge on soil pollution with metal(loid)s and related health risks in Mongolia. The results showed predominantly low soil contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn and a related absence of severe pollution and potential health risk in the coal mining towns. Urban design, rather than the presence of mines, controlled the pollution distribution. Despite the methodological shortcomings of several studies on soil pollution in Mongolia, their results suggest a similarly low threat in the three largest cities (Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet) and several mining areas. While the generally highlighted risk of As seems like an artificially escalated issue, the content of Cr in urban soil may be a neglected threat. Further pollution research in Mongolia should focus on street dust and drinking water pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Václav Pecina
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - David Juřička
- grid.7112.50000000122191520Department of Geology and Soil Science, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Hedbávný
- grid.7112.50000000122191520Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agrisciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Klimánek
- grid.7112.50000000122191520Department of Forest Management and Applied Geoinformatics, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jindřich Kynický
- BIC Brno, Technology Innovation Transfer Chamber, Purkyňova 125, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Brtnický
- grid.4994.00000 0001 0118 0988Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic ,grid.7112.50000000122191520Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Renata Komendová
- grid.4994.00000 0001 0118 0988Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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Battulga B, Kawahigashi M, Oyuntsetseg B. Characterization of biofilms formed on polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the shore of the Tuul River, Mongolia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113329. [PMID: 35472460 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) surfaces are common sites for microbial colonization and promote biofilm formation in aquatic environments, resulting in changes to the surface properties of MPs and their interaction with pollutants. Although the diversity of microbial communities adhering to MPs has been well documented in aquatic environments, surface changes in MPs due to microbial colonization are still poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the variations in the chemical structure and components of biofilms on the surface of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) collected from the shore of the Tuul River in Mongolia, using micro-Fourier transform infrared (micro-FTIR) spectroscopy. We applied a spectral subtraction approach, and the differences in spectra between peroxide-treated and untreated PS-MP particles enabled us to obtain the structural features of biofilms that developed on the plastic surface. In addition, the surface photooxidation status of the sampled PS-MPs was calculated from the subtracted spectra of peroxide-treated and pristine PS-MPs. Various functional groups of N-containing organic substances from bacterial and fungal communities were detected in the obtained biofilm spectra. Based on the spectral characteristics, biofilm spectra were classified into four groups by applying principal component analysis (PCA). A wide range of carbonyl indices (CIs: 0.00-1.40) was found in the subtracted spectra between peroxide-treated and pristine PS-MPs, revealing that different levels of surface oxidation progressed by physical influences such as solar radiation and freeze-thaw cycles. Furthermore, lignocellulose and silicate were found on the PS-MP surface as allochthonous attachments. Considering the variation in residence time of PS-MPs, they attract plant residues and mineral particles through the development of biofilms and travel together in the river environment. Given that the dynamic behavior of MPs can be greatly affected by changes in their surfaces, further studies are needed to emphasize their link to organic matter dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batdulam Battulga
- Department of Geography, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Osawa, Hachioji City, Tokyo, 1920397, Japan.
| | - Masayuki Kawahigashi
- Department of Geography, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Osawa, Hachioji City, Tokyo, 1920397, Japan
| | - Bolormaa Oyuntsetseg
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Mongolia, Ikh Surguuliin Gudamj-1, Ulaanbaatar, 14201, Mongolia
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Bilguun U, Namkhainyambuu D, Purevsuren B, Soyol-Erdene TO, Tuuguu E, Daichaa D. Sources, Enrichment, and Geochemical Fractions of Soil Trace Metals in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2020; 79:219-232. [PMID: 32594183 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-020-00748-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mongolia is a rapidly developing country that has experienced growing industrialization and urbanization in recent decades. This study was conducted to evaluate the enrichment and labile fractions of metals in urban soils of Mongolia and to identify major sources of soil metal pollution. The concentrations and geochemical fractions of Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Cd, Co, Zn, V, Mo, As, Sb, and Pb in soils of the city Ulaanbaatar were investigated. The results demonstrate that only Fe, Mn, Co, Mo, and V occur at natural levels with enrichment factors close to unity. The majority of investigated toxic metals, including Cu, Zn, Cr, Sb, As, Cd, and Pb, are serious pollutants in urban soils, with enrichment factors of up to 2.8, 5.1, 2.1, 16, 13, 15, and 11, respectively. Studies of the chemical fractions of metals demonstrate that Zn is mainly found in its labile form and is considered a high risk to humans and biota. Industrial release, household ash, coal combustion, and tire abrasion were identified as key sources of toxic metals entering into the soil of Ulaanbaatar City, which should be controlled effectively to prevent the population as well as pollution distribution over a wider area by long-range atmospheric transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulziibat Bilguun
- Department of Environmental and Forest Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Dashnyam Namkhainyambuu
- Department of Environmental and Forest Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Batbold Purevsuren
- Department of Environmental and Forest Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Environmental Section, Energy Resources LLC, Umnugovi, Mongolia
| | - Tseren-Ochir Soyol-Erdene
- Department of Environmental and Forest Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
| | - Enkhdul Tuuguu
- Department of Environmental and Forest Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Dorj Daichaa
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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