1
|
Shahraki H, Einollahipeer F, Abyar H, Erfani M. Assessing the environmental impacts of copper cathode production based on life cycle assessment. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024; 20:1180-1190. [PMID: 37888492 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4857] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The demand for copper is growing considerably in parallel with economic and technological development. The rate increase in copper consumption in Iran increases pressure on the numerous unexploited mines in southeast Iran and causes the environmental crisis alongside the northern Levar wind in this area. Given this, this study systematically explored the environmental impacts of a one-ton copper cathode processing operation from a cradle-to-gate perspective, using life cycle assessment (LCA). Moreover, the release of greenhouse gases and the energy consumption during the copper cathode production were also assessed. The results indicated that sulfuric acid use in the smelting and extraction stages, metal leaching from tailings, and CO2 dominated more than 50% of contributions to freshwater and marine ecotoxicity, human toxicity, and global warming. The energy analysis revealed 88.92% of crude oil use especially for the electrowinning stage, which should be promoted technologically. For global warming, the indirect CO2 emission from electricity consumption using fossil fuels was the main contributor (94.56%). Therefore, shifting from conventional energy systems to renewable energy systems could alleviate the overall environmental impact. For a 0.57-ton sulfuric acid effluent per one ton of copper cathode production, its treatment and reuse in the process is recommended. Summing up, the results of this study provide the environmental hot spots for copper cathode production for further investigation. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1180-1190. © 2023 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Shahraki
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Einollahipeer
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran
| | - Hajar Abyar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Malihe Erfani
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Takemura Mariano MV, Paganotto Leandro L, Gomes KK, Dos Santos AB, de Rosso VO, Dafre AL, Farina M, Posser T, Franco JL. Assessing the disparity: comparative toxicity of Copper in zebrafish larvae exposes alarming consequences of permissible concentrations in Brazil. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2024; 87:166-184. [PMID: 38073470 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2023.2290630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is a naturally occurring metal with essential micronutrient properties. However, this metal might also pose increased adverse environmental and health risks due to industrial and agricultural activities. In Brazil, the maximum allowable concentration of Cu in drinking water is 2 mg/L. Despite this standard, the impact of such concentrations on aquatic organisms remains unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of CuSO4 using larval zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae at 72 hr post-fertilization (hpf) were exposed to nominal CuSO4 concentrations ranging from 0.16 to 48 mg/L to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50), established at 8.4 mg/L. Subsequently, non-lethal concentrations of 0.16, 0.32, or 1.6 mg/L were selected for assessing CuSO4 -induced toxicity. Morphological parameters, including body length, yolk sac area, and swim bladder area, were adversely affected by CuSO4 exposure, particularly at 1.6 mg/L (3.31 mm ±0.1, 0.192 mm2 ±0.01, and 0.01 mm2 ±0.05, respectively). In contrast, the control group exhibited values of 3.62 mm ±0.09, 0.136 mm2 ±0.013, and 0.3 mm2 ±0.06, respectively. Behavioral assays demonstrated impairments in escape response and swimming capacity, accompanied by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. In addition, decreased levels of non-protein thiols and reduced cellular viability were noted. Data demonstrated that exposure to CuSO4 at similar concentrations as those permitted in Brazil for Cu adversely altered morphological, biochemical, and behavioral endpoints in zebrafish larvae. This study suggests that the permissible Cu concentrations in Brazil need to be reevaluated, given the potential enhanced adverse health risks of exposure to environmental metal contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vitória Takemura Mariano
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group. Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research - CIPBIOTEC, Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel, Brazil
| | - Luana Paganotto Leandro
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group. Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research - CIPBIOTEC, Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel, Brazil
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Karen Kich Gomes
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group. Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research - CIPBIOTEC, Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Dos Santos
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group. Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research - CIPBIOTEC, Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel, Brazil
| | - Vitor Oliveira de Rosso
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group. Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research - CIPBIOTEC, Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel, Brazil
| | - Alcir Luiz Dafre
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Farina
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Thaís Posser
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group. Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research - CIPBIOTEC, Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel, Brazil
| | - Jeferson Luis Franco
- Oxidative Stress and Cell Signaling Research Group. Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research - CIPBIOTEC, Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kadivar S, Akbari H, Vahidi E. Assessing the environmental impact of gold production from double refractory ore in a large-scale facility. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167841. [PMID: 37848149 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the strict environmental management regulations, there is still a considerable adverse impact on the ecosystem and human health when it comes to large-scale gold mining operations. Gold mining is an energy-intensive process that can discharge substantial quantities of chemicals combined with gaseous emissions into the environment. Considering gold mining's significant role in Nevada's economy and the growing concern about climate change, it's necessary to investigate the environmental burdens of this sector. To provide a comprehensive environmental perspective on the large-scale gold mining operations in Nevada, this study used a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to evaluate the environmental burdens of gold production from double refractory ores in the roasting process. The Tool for Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts (TRACI) method was used to evaluate the categories of acidification, ozone depletion, global warming, smog, carcinogenics, non-carcinogenics, respiratory effects, and fossil fuel depletion. Results showed that major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were grinding and off-gas treatment stages being responsible for 34.80 % and 56.10 % of the total global warming, respectively. The carbon footprint for producing one kg of gold was 12,200 kg CO2-eq. Sensitivity analysis was also employed on electricity to observe the influence of electricity on key contributor stages. A 10 % change in electricity reduced the GHG emissions in crushing and grinding by 12.2 % and 7.10 %, respectively, while delivering an insignificant effect on the off-gas treatment. Significantly, this study stands as the first initiative to apply LCA in the North American mining industry, with a unique focus on the off-gas treatment post-roasting and its associated emissions. Our findings can serve as a foundational database, aiding stakeholders in making informed decisions and enhancing sustainable practices in the gold mining industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeede Kadivar
- Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | - Ehsan Vahidi
- Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lu T, Chen WQ, Ma Y, Qian Q, Jia J. Environmental impacts and improvement potentials for copper mining and mineral processing operations in China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 342:118178. [PMID: 37196612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
There has been growing concern among the public over the environmental impacts of the copper (Cu) mining and mineral processing industries. As an effective tool enabling interactions of all energy and material flows with the environment, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used in many countries to identify environmental hotspots associated with operations, based on which improvements can be made. However, robust LCA research in this sector is lacking in China. This study aimed to fill this critical gap by investigating two typical Cu mining and mineral processing operations using different mining technologies, based on globally harmonized LCA methodologies. The results of the overall environmental impacts were obtained using a sensitivity analysis. Electricity (38%-74%), diesel (8%-24%) and explosives (4%-22%) were identified as the three main controlling factors. At the same time, the mineral processing stage was found to be the major production stage (60%-79%), followed by the mining stage (17%-39%) and the wastewater treatment (1%-13%). Global Warming Potential (GWP) was prioritized as the most important environmental issue (59%) across the selected impact categories. In addition, it was initially found that underground mining technology has better environmental performance than open-pit technology. Finally, the potential for improvement was estimated and discussed for the three identified controlling factors. Using GWP as an example, using green electricity can effectively reduce CO2 emissions by 47%-67%, whereas replacing diesel and explosives with cleaner fuels and explosives may contribute to lower CO2 emissions by 6% and 9%, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China; International Copper Association, Ltd., 381 Huaihai Zhong Road, Shanghai, 200020, PR China
| | - Wei-Qiang Chen
- Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, Fujian Province, PR China
| | - Yibing Ma
- Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, 999078, PR China
| | - Qingchang Qian
- Jinguan Copper Branch of Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Co., Ltd., Tongling, 244002, Anhui Province, PR China
| | - Jinping Jia
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|