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Mestanza-Ramón C, Jiménez-Oyola S, Cedeño-Laje J, Villamar Marazita K, Gavilanes Montoya AV, Castillo Vizuete DD, Mora-Silva D, Carrera Almendáriz LS, Logroño-Naranjo S, Mazón-Fierro G, Herrera-Chávez R, D’Orio G, Straface S. Risks to Human Health from Mercury in Gold Mining in the Coastal Region of Ecuador. TOXICS 2024; 12:323. [PMID: 38787102 PMCID: PMC11125909 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12050323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) plays a crucial role in global gold production. However, the adoption of poor mining practices or the use of mercury (Hg) in gold recovery processes has generated serious environmental contamination events. The focus of this study is assessing the concentration of Hg in surface waters within the coastal region of Ecuador. The results are used to conduct a human health risk assessment applying deterministic and probabilistic methods, specifically targeting groups vulnerable to exposure in affected mining environments. Between April and June 2022, 54 water samples were collected from rivers and streams adjacent to mining areas to determine Hg levels. In the health risk assessment, exposure routes through water ingestion and dermal contact were considered for both adults and children, following the model structures outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The results indicate elevated Hg concentrations in two of the five provinces studied, El Oro and Esmeraldas, where at least 88% and 75% of the samples, respectively, exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) set by Ecuadorian regulations for the preservation of aquatic life. Furthermore, in El Oro province, 28% of the samples exceeded the MPL established for drinking water quality. The high concentrations of Hg could be related to illegal mining activity that uses Hg for gold recovery. Regarding the human health risk assessment, risk values above the safe exposure limit were estimated. Children were identified as the most vulnerable receptor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish effective regulations that guarantee the protection of river users in potentially contaminated areas. Finally, it is important to continue investigating the contamination caused by human practices in the coastal region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Mestanza-Ramón
- Research Group YASUNI-SDC, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, El Coca EC-220001, Ecuador; (D.M.-S.); (S.L.-N.)
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Samantha Jiménez-Oyola
- Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), Campus Gustavo Galindo, km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil EC-090101, Ecuador; (S.J.-O.); (J.C.-L.); (K.V.M.)
| | - Juan Cedeño-Laje
- Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), Campus Gustavo Galindo, km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil EC-090101, Ecuador; (S.J.-O.); (J.C.-L.); (K.V.M.)
| | - Karla Villamar Marazita
- Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), Campus Gustavo Galindo, km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil EC-090101, Ecuador; (S.J.-O.); (J.C.-L.); (K.V.M.)
| | - Alex Vinicio Gavilanes Montoya
- Faculty of Natural Resources, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Panamericana Sur, Km 1 ½, Riobamba EC-060155, Ecuador; (A.V.G.M.); (D.D.C.V.)
| | - Danny Daniel Castillo Vizuete
- Faculty of Natural Resources, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Panamericana Sur, Km 1 ½, Riobamba EC-060155, Ecuador; (A.V.G.M.); (D.D.C.V.)
| | - Demmy Mora-Silva
- Research Group YASUNI-SDC, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, El Coca EC-220001, Ecuador; (D.M.-S.); (S.L.-N.)
| | | | - Santiago Logroño-Naranjo
- Research Group YASUNI-SDC, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, El Coca EC-220001, Ecuador; (D.M.-S.); (S.L.-N.)
| | - Guido Mazón-Fierro
- Faculty of Business Administration, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Panamericana Sur, Km 1 ½, Riobamba EC-060155, Ecuador;
| | - Renato Herrera-Chávez
- Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Administrativas, Universidad Nacional del Chimborazo, Av. Antonio José de Sucre Km 1 ½ Vía a Guano, Riobamba EC-060155, Ecuador;
| | - Giovanni D’Orio
- Department of Economics, Statistics and Finance, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Straface
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
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Bhat AA, Moglad E, Bansal P, Kaur H, Deorari M, Thapa R, Almalki WH, Kazmi I, Alzarea SI, Kukreti N, Ali H. Pollutants to pathogens: The role of heavy metals in modulating TGF-β signaling and lung cancer risk. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 256:155260. [PMID: 38493726 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the lungs due to the uncontrolled growth of aberrant cells. Heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, are metallic elements characterized by their high atomic weights and densities. Anthropogenic activities, such as industrial operations and pollution, have the potential to discharge heavy metals into the environment, hence presenting hazards to ecosystems and human well-being. The TGF-β signalling pathways have a crucial function in controlling several cellular processes, with the ability to both prevent and promote tumor growth. TGF-β regulates cellular responses by interacting in both canonical and non-canonical signalling pathways. Research employing both in vitro and in vivo models has shown that heavy metals may trigger TGF-β signalling via complex molecular pathways. Experiments conducted in a controlled laboratory environment show that heavy metals like cadmium and arsenic may directly bind to TGF-β receptors, leading to alterations in their structure that enable the receptor to be phosphorylated. Activation of this route sets in motion subsequent signalling cascades, most notably the canonical Smad pathway. The development of lung cancer has been linked to heavy metals, which are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. To grasp the underlying processes, it is necessary to comprehend their molecular effect on TGF-β pathways. With a particular emphasis on its consequences for lung cancer, this abstract delves into the complex connection between exposure to heavy metals and the stimulation of TGF-β signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asif Ahmad Bhat
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura, Mahal Road, Jaipur 302017, India
| | - Ehssan Moglad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pooja Bansal
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560069, India; Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303012, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Shobhit University, Gangoh, Uttar Pradesh 247341, India; Department of Health & Allied Sciences, Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand 831001, India
| | - Mahamedha Deorari
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Riya Thapa
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura, Mahal Road, Jaipur 302017, India
| | - Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami I Alzarea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf 72341, Saudi Arabia
| | - Neelima Kukreti
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Haider Ali
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, India; Department of Pharmacology, Kyrgyz State Medical College, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
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Veeraswamy D, Subramanian A, Mohan D, Ettiyagounder P, Selvaraj PS, Ramasamy SP, Veeramani V. Exploring the origins and cleanup of mercury contamination: a comprehensive review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-30636-z. [PMID: 37964142 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30636-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a global pollutant that poses significant risks to human health and the environment. Natural sources of mercury include volcanic eruptions, while anthropogenic sources include industrial processes, artisanal and small-scale gold mining, and fossil fuel combustion. Contamination can arise through various pathways, such as atmospheric deposition, water and soil contamination, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification in food chains. Various remediation strategies, including phytoremediation, bioremediation, chemical oxidation/reduction, and adsorption, have been developed to address mercury pollution, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. The effectiveness of remediation techniques depends on the nature and extent of contamination and site-specific conditions. This review discusses the challenges associated with mercury pollution and remediation, including the need for effective monitoring and management strategies. Overall, this review offers a comprehensive understanding of mercury contamination and the range of remediation techniques available to mitigate its adverse impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davamani Veeraswamy
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Arulmani Subramanian
- Department of Chemistry, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, 638 401, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Deepasri Mohan
- Division of Environmental Sciences, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shalimar, 190025, Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, India
| | - Parameswari Ettiyagounder
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Paul Sebastian Selvaraj
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Sangeetha Piriya Ramasamy
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
- School of Water, Energy, and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Venkatesan Veeramani
- Department of Civil Engineering, University College of Engineering, Anna University, Ariyalur, 621 731, Tamil Nadu, India
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Nawab J, Khan H, Ghani J, Zafar MI, Khan S, Toller S, Fatima L, Hamza A. New insights into the migration, distribution and accumulation of micro-plastic in marine environment: A critical mechanism review. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 330:138572. [PMID: 37088212 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are widely distributed in the marine environment, posing a significant threat to marine biota. The contribution of anthropogenic and terrestrial sources to the aquatic ecosystem has led to an increase in MPs findings, and their abundance in aquatic biota has been reported to be of concern. MPs are formed mainly via photo degradation of macroplastics (large plastic debris), and their release into the environment is a result of the degradation of additives. Eco-toxicological risks are increasing for marine organisms, due to the ingestion of MPs, which cause damage to gastrointestinal (GI) tracts and stomach. Plastics with a size <5 mm are considered MPs, and they are commonly identified by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Laser direct infrared (LDIR). The size, density and additives are the main factors influencing the abundance and bioavailability of MPs. The most abundant type of MPs found in fishes are fiber, polystyrenes, and fragments. These microscale pellets cause physiological stress and growth deformities by targeting the GI tracts of fishes and other biota. Approximately 80% MPs come from terrestrial sources, either primary, generated during different products such as skin care products, tires production and the use of MPs as carrier for pharmaceutical products, or secondary plastics, disposed of near coastal areas and water bodies. The issue of MPs and their potential effects on the marine ecosystem require proper attention. Therefore, this study conducted an extensive literature review on assessing MPs levels in fishes, sediments, seawater, their sources, and effects on marine biota (especially on fishes), chemo-physical behavior and the techniques used for their identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javed Nawab
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
| | - Haris Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Junaid Ghani
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mazhar Iqbal Zafar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Sardar Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan; Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Simone Toller
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laraib Fatima
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, 2300, Pakistan
| | - Amir Hamza
- Department of Soil & Environmental Sciences, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
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