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Petrović M, Medunić G, Fiket Ž. Essential role of multi-element data in interpreting elevated element concentrations in areas impacted by both natural and anthropogenic influences. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15904. [PMID: 37744221 PMCID: PMC10512964 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This article presents a detailed analysis of a dataset consisting of 27 elements found in soils, soil eluates, and vegetables from private gardens in a region with a long history of coal mining and burning. With coal being one of the world's most significant energy sources, and previous studies highlighting elevated element levels in vegetables from this region, the objective of this study was to identify the factors that impact soil geochemistry and metal(loid) uptake in plants. Methods Total major and trace element concentrations were analyzed in soils, soil eluates and vegetables by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The vegetable samples included six species: fennel, garlic, lettuce, parsley, onion, and radicchio. Each plant was divided into roots, stems, leaves, and/or bulbs and analyzed separately. In addition, the soil pollution status, bioavailable fractions and transfer factors from soil and soil eluates to different plant parts were determined. Results The comprehensive dataset revealed that, apart from the substrate enriched with various elements (Al, As, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Ti, U, V, and Zn), other anthropogenic factors such as the legacy of coal mining and combustion activities, associated industries in the area, transport, and agricultural practices, also influence the elevated element concentrations (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Se) in locally grown vegetables. The transfer factors based on element concentrations in aqueous soil eluates and element bioavailable fractions confirmed to be an effective tool for evaluating metal uptake in plants, emphazising to some extent the effects of plant species and revealing unique patterns for each pollution source within its environmental context (e.g., Cd, Mo, S, and Se in this case). The study highlights the crucial importance of utilizing comprehensive datasets that encompass a multitude of factors when interpreting the impacts of element uptake in edible plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Petrović
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Medunić
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željka Fiket
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
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Zhang W, Mo Q, Huang Z, Sabar MA, Medunić G, Ivošević T, He H, Urynowicz M, Liu FJ, Guo H, Haider R, Ali MI, Jamal A. Contaminants from a former Croatian coal sludge dictate the structure of microbiota in the estuarine (Raša Bay) sediment and soil. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1126612. [PMID: 36846805 PMCID: PMC9947854 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1126612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Croatian superhigh-organic-sulfur Raša coal had been mined for nearly 400 years. The release of hazardous trace elements (HTEs) and toxic organic pollutants (TOPs) into the local environment by coal mining, preparation, and combustion activities has resulted in pollution. Methods In this study, the diversity and composition of microbial communities in estuarine sediment and soil samples as well as community function responses to the pollutants were investigated. Results The results showed that PAH degradation does occur following 60 years of natural attenuation, the location is still heavily polluted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and HTEs. Microbial analyses have shown that high concentrations of PAHs have reduced the diversity and abundance of microbial communities. The pollution exerted an adverse, long-term impact on the microbial community structure and function in the brackish aquatic ecosystem. Microorganisms associated with the degradation of PAHs and sulfur-containing compounds have been enriched although the diversity and abundance of the microbial community have reduced. Fungi which are believed to be the main PAH degrader may play an important role initially, but the activity remains lower thereafter. It is the high concentrations of coal-derived PAHs, rather than HTEs, that have reduced the diversity and abundance of microbial communities and shaped the structure of the local microbiota. Discussion This study could provide a basis for the monitoring and restoration of ecosystems impacted by coal mining activities considering the expected decommission of a large number of coal plants on a global scale in the coming years due to growing global climate change concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Coal Processing and Efficient Utilization of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China
| | - Qianyun Mo
- Key Laboratory of Coal Processing and Efficient Utilization of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zaixing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Coal Processing and Efficient Utilization of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Muhammad Adnan Sabar
- Environmental Risk Control Engineering Laboratory, Division of Environmental Design, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Gordana Medunić
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Ivošević
- Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Huan He
- Key Laboratory of Coal Processing and Efficient Utilization of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China
| | - Michael Urynowicz
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Fang-Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Coal Processing and Efficient Utilization of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hongguang Guo
- College of Safety and Emergency Management and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Rizwan Haider
- Institute of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Asif Jamal
- Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Kljaković-Gašpić Z, Dvoršćak M, Orct T, Sekovanić A, Klinčić D, Jagić K, Šebešćen D, Klasiček E, Zanella D. Metal(loid)s and persistent organic pollutants in yellow European eel from the Raša River, Croatia. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 187:114527. [PMID: 36608477 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The anthropogenic impact on the aquatic environment of the Raša River (Croatia) was investigated through the analysis of seven polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), three DDT isomers, and 22 major and trace elements using yellow European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) as a biological indicator of contamination. The obtained data indicated generally low contamination status in the surrounding area. Levels of all organic contaminants in muscle significantly increased with lipid content, length, weight and body condition. In both muscle and liver, most metal(loid)s decreased or remained unchanged with increasing size, while at downstream location only several elements (Cd, Cu, Fe, Na, Se, U, V, Zn) accumulated in the liver with fish growth. Spatial analysis revealed higher pressure of Ag, Cd, Cr, Mo, Tl, U, and V at the downstream location, revealing the potentially limited impact of historical coal mining industry on the lower reaches of the Raša River.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorana Kljaković-Gašpić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marija Dvoršćak
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Tatjana Orct
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ankica Sekovanić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Darija Klinčić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Karla Jagić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dora Šebešćen
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Elena Klasiček
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Zanella
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Kljaković-Gašpić Z, Sekovanić A, Orct T, Šebešćen D, Klasiček E, Zanella D. Potentially Toxic Elements in Water, Sediments and Fish from the Karstic River (Raša River, Croatia) Located in the Former Coal-Mining Area. Toxics 2022; 11:42. [PMID: 36668768 PMCID: PMC9865867 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of the environmental quality of a sensitive karst aquatic system under the centuries-long anthropogenic influence of the coal mining industry is important for both improving the quality of water resources and protecting aquatic wildlife and human health. In this study, we investigated the anthropogenic impact on the aquatic environment of the upper and middle course of the Raša River through the analysis of a suite of metal(loid)s in three aquatic compartments (water, sediment, fish) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of inorganic constituents in water were low, while the chemical composition of stream sediments mainly reflected the geological background of the area, indicating the origin of metal(loid)s from predominantly natural sources. Although comparison with PEC-Q values indicated that existing sediment quality conditions could pose a threat to benthic organisms with regard to Cr and Ni, the constant vertical profiles of these elements suggested their natural origin from the weathering of flysch. Element levels in the muscle of targeted fish species were in accordance with the values typical for low-contaminated freshwater systems, while levels of Cd, Pb and Hg were mostly below the European regulatory limits for toxic elements in foods, indicating that the low concentrations of most contaminants in muscles of fish from the Raša River do not present a risk to humans or other consumers. The obtained data indicated a generally low contamination status of the western part of the Raša River basin with regard to the analyzed inorganic elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorana Kljaković-Gašpić
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ankica Sekovanić
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Orct
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dora Šebešćen
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Elena Klasiček
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Zanella
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Abedin MJ, Khan R. Primordial radionuclides in the dust samples from the educational institutions of central Bangladesh: radiological risk assessment. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11446. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Tarafdar A, Sinha A. Profiling and occupational health risk assessment study on coal ashes in terms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2022; 57:913-926. [PMID: 36254457 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2022.2131291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Profiling and cancer risk assessment on the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content of coal ashes produced by the major coal combustion plants from the eastern coalfield region in India was conducted. Thirteen PAHs were detected on coal ashes collected from ash deposition sites of major thermal power plants and the profiling of the PAHs was done. Benzo[a]pyrene equivalents (BaPeq) for individual PAHs were calculated and applied to the probabilistic assessment model from US EPA (1989). Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to assess the risk of inhabitants exposed to PAHs through the dust of the coal ash deposition site. In fly ash, the range of total amount of carcinogenic PAHs was from 3.50 to 6.72 µg g-1 and for the bottom ash, the range was 8.49 to 14.91 µg g-1. Bottom ashes were loaded with ample amounts of 5- and 6-ring carcinogenic PAHs, whereas fly ashes were dominated by medium molecular weight PAHs. The simulated mean cancer risks from fly ashes were 2.187 E-06 for children and 3.749 E-06 for adults. For the case of bottom ash, the mean risks were 1.248 E-05 and 2.173 E-05 respectively for children and adults. Among all the three exposure routes, dermal contact was the major and caused 81% of the total cancer risk. The most sensitive parameters were exposure duration and relative skin adherence factor for soil, which contributed the most to total variation. The 90% risks calculated from the bottom ashes (2.617 E-05 for children and 4.803 E-05 for adults) are marginally above the acceptable limit (>1.000 E-06) according to US EPA. In this study, a comprehensive risk assessment on carcinogenic PAHs present in coal ashes was done for the first time that may be helpful to develop potential strategies against occupational cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhrajyoti Tarafdar
- Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India
| | - Alok Sinha
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India
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Petrović M, Fiket Ž. Environmental damage caused by coal combustion residue disposal: A critical review of risk assessment methodologies. Chemosphere 2022; 299:134410. [PMID: 35346741 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coal combustion generates almost 40% of world's electricity. However, it also produces 1.1 billion tons of coal combustion residues (CCR) annually, half of which end up in landfills. Although current regulations require proper lining and monitoring programs, the ubiquitous old, abandoned landfills are often not lined nor included in these programs. In addition, the total number of coal ash disposal sites and their status in the world is unknown. Therefore, this article reviews the environmental damage caused by CCR and three commonly used risk assessment methodologies: leaching assessment, groundwater assessment, and toxicity testing. Leaching methods are usually the first step in coal ash risk assessment, however, a large number of methods with different parameters make a comparison of data difficult. Groundwater pollution is commonly detected near coal ash disposal sites, but other anthropogenic activities may also exist nearby. Therefore, multivariate statistical methods and isotope traces should be used to differentiate between different sources of pollution. So far, both stable (δ18O, δD, δ11B, δ34S, δ7Li) and radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr, 206Pb/207Pb) isotopes have been successfully used as coal ash pollution tracers. Coal ash also negatively affects biota, reduces the diversity of organisms, affects children's health, and increases the risk for developing various diseases. Toxicity studies are great for early screening of coal ash safety; however, they provide no insights into mechanisms causing the adverse effects. Future directions are also proposed, such as the development of new 'low-level' detection methods for coal ash pollution and sustainable and selective method for recovery of critical elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Petrović
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željka Fiket
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Petrović M, Fiket Ž, Medunić G, Chakravarty S. Mobility of metals and metalloids from SHOS coal ash and slag deposit: mineralogical and geochemical constraints. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:46916-46928. [PMID: 35175526 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19074-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Deposits remained after coal combustion are a well-known occurrence in the world; unfortunately, only a small percentage of such deposits are adequately regulated and, consequently, pose a serious threat to the local environment. Attenuation of negative consequences presupposes knowledge of a number of features, both of the deposit and the local environment as well the interaction with local biota. In this study, unregulated waste generated from decades of coal mining and combustion of superhigh-organic-sulfur Raša coal, enriched in Se-U-Mo-V and located in a vulnerable karst region, was investigated. To assess the impact of landfill on the environment, in addition to its general geochemical and mineralogical features, the human health risk was assessed and the leaching of elements from the landfill, local soil, and the coal itself was investigated. For the latter, three extraction procedures, ASTM, EP, and TCLP (pH 4.93 and 2.9), were employed, mimicking different environmental conditions, including the sporadic occurrence of acid rains in the region. The soil around the landfill displayed enrichment in the majority of elements compared to expected values, with exception of Se, Mo, U, V, Sr, and Cu found at the highest levels in landfill samples. Mobility of elements was found to be controlled by both pH and mineralogy (carbonates and sulfates), whereby the overall highest relative mobility was observed in landfill samples for elements prevalently bound to sulfate phases. Calculated Hazard Quotient describes this landfill as a risk to the environment and human health through different pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Petrović
- Divison for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željka Fiket
- Divison for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Gordana Medunić
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanchita Chakravarty
- Analytical & Applied Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, 831007, Jharkhand, India
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Luo YS, Chen Z, Hsieh NH, Lin TE. Chemical and biological assessments of environmental mixtures: A review of current trends, advances, and future perspectives. J Hazard Mater 2022; 432:128658. [PMID: 35290896 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Considering the chemical complexity and toxicity data gaps of environmental mixtures, most studies evaluate the chemical risk individually. However, humans are usually exposed to a cocktail of chemicals in real life. Mixture health assessment remains to be a research area having significant knowledge gaps. Characterization of chemical composition and bioactivity/toxicity are the two critical aspects of mixture health assessments. This review seeks to introduce the recent progress and tools for the chemical and biological characterization of environmental mixtures. The state-of-the-art techniques include the sampling, extraction, rapid detection methods, and the in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches to generate the toxicity data of an environmental mixture. Application of these novel methods, or new approach methodologies (NAMs), has increased the throughput of generating chemical and toxicity data for mixtures and thus refined the mixture health assessment. Combined with computational methods, the chemical and biological information would shed light on identifying the bioactive/toxic components in an environmental mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Syuan Luo
- Institute of Food Safety and Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
| | - Zunwei Chen
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nan-Hung Hsieh
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology and Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Tzu-En Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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Buterin T, Doričić R, Broznić D, Ćorić T, Muzur A. The Labin Region, an ecologically vulnerable geographical area in Croatia: Mortality characteristics in an area polluted by industrial over a 40-year period. Geospat Health 2022; 17. [PMID: 35579247 DOI: 10.4081/gh.2022.1082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The history of the Labin region in Croatia includes intensive industrial development with repercussions of pollution on environment and health. Assuming that prolonged exposure to polluted environments causes qualitative changes in mortality, the aim was to analyse the mortality characteristics of the population of the Labin Region for the 1968-2008 period based on data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Public health and social opportunities in this geographical area carry a long-term burden of exposure to an industrial polluted environment with outcomes expressed by mortality or/and morbidity in the population. This study includes data on 11,903 deaths, most of which due to diseases of the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems as well as neoplasms. In the third and fourth decade of the study period, a group of neoplasms showed significant increases, while the increase in respiratory diseases were more gradual. The female population died mostly from diseases of the circulatory and endocrine system as well as neoplasms, while the male population mainly died from diseases of the digestive system and external causes. This research provides guidelines that could create better public health, raising the quality of life and contribute to a future environmental protection in local communities by targeted policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Buterin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka.
| | | | | | - Tanja Ćorić
- Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb.
| | - Amir Muzur
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka.
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Cao Q, Yang L, Ren W, Yan R, Wang Y, Liang C. Environmental geochemical maps of harmful trace elements in Chinese coalfields. Sci Total Environ 2021; 799:149475. [PMID: 34426324 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Coal resource utilization and environmental protection is a critical global issue. This study aims to address the need for geochemical maps of harmful trace elements (HTEs) in Chinese coalfields and to extract scientific information from these maps. Based on data extracted from the Trace Elements in Coal of China database, geochemical maps of As, Cd, Cr, F, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Se in Chinese coalfields were generated, for the first time, using the ArcGIS platform. Differences in regional HTE concentrations were attributed to multiple factors, including the type of coal-forming environment, terrigenous debris, and groundwater effect. However, on a national scale, the spatial distribution pattern of HTEs in coal is affected by the abundance of elements in the earth's crust. Herein, the enrichment anomaly of HTEs in coal were found to be significantly correlated with fault locations, and hydrothermal fluid action was characterized as the primary causal factor. HTE abundance in coal is the result of geochemical cycles in the earth's crust. Additionally, stratum fracture zones may serve as conduits and material sources for the migration of HTEs from deep layers to shallow layers, including coal seams. This study provides an essential reference for extensive map applications and coal environmental management while advancing our understanding of the spatial distribution patterns of chemical elements in coal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyi Cao
- College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Liu Yang
- College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Wenying Ren
- College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ruiwen Yan
- College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yuetian Wang
- College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chaoming Liang
- College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
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Fiket Ž, Petrović M, Medunić G, Ivošević T, Fiket T, Xu LZ, Wang Y, Ding S. Evaluation of the Potential Release Tendency of Metals and Metalloids from the Estuarine Sediments: Case Study of Raša Bay. Molecules 2021; 26:6656. [PMID: 34771065 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing the environmental quality of coastal systems is important not only for the management and protection of such areas, but also for improving the quality of water resources. Since sediment itself can often be a source of certain toxic elements, in addition to information on the distribution of metals in the water column and in the sediment itself, it is useful to determine the bioavailable forms of individual elements, particularly toxic ones. In this study, water and sediment geochemical data were supplemented with oxyanion mobility in sediments estimated by diffusion gradients in thin film (DGTs). The data obtained indicate that the chemical composition of the water in the Raša River estuary primarily reflects the high input of suspended sediment from the catchment, the mixing of freshwater and seawater, and to a lesser extent the effects of anthropogenic activities. Although sediment composition is primarily determined by geological and hydrodynamic conditions in the catchment, it also indicates moderate enrichment in Co, Cr, Mo and Ni. In contrast, the distribution of oxyanions in sediment pore water indicates the influence of sediment as a source of some elements in the bottom water; e.g., sediment contributes to 40% of the arsenic bottom water budget. The obtained depth profiles of the oxyanion distribution in the sediment pore water indicate an early onset of suboxic to anoxic conditions in Raša Bay, which is prone to rapid sedimentation. All this demonstrates the need to consider the bioavailable forms of elements when assessing environmental quality, as the lack of such information can lead to an incomplete assessment, especially in dynamic coastal systems such as estuaries.
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Habib MA, Khan R. Environmental Impacts of Coal-Mining and Coal-Fired Power-Plant Activities in a Developing Country with Global Context. Environmental Challenges and Solutions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-63422-3_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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14
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Dong CD, Tsai ML, Wang TH, Chang JH, Chen CW, Hung CM. Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated sediments by persulfate oxidation and determination of degradation product cytotoxicity based on HepG2 and ZF4 cell lines. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:34596-34605. [PMID: 30746626 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04421-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the use of magnetite (Fe3O4), carbon black (CB), and Fe3O4-CB composites activated by persulfate (PS) at circumneutral pH to oxidize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine sediments. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxic activity and apoptotic response of the obtained degradation products were investigated. Chemical analyses showed that the total PAH concentration was 26,263 ng/g for sediment samples from an industrial port area. Highly toxic BaP was the main contributor to the TEQ in sediments. Source analyses demonstrated that the PAHs in the sediment were derived from coal combustion. In this study, we found that the PS oxidation processes effectively degrade PAHs at concentration levels of 1.7 × 10-5 M at pH 6.0. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was employed to assess the cytotoxicity of the PAH degradation products before and after Fe3O4/PS, CB/PS, and Fe3O4-CB/PS oxidation treatment using a human hepatoma carcinoma cell line (HepG2) and a zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryonic cell line (ZF4). Each sample extract showed a marked dose-related response, with the cell viability reduced by 82% in the case of HepG2 and 58% in the case of ZF4 at 100 μg/mL after the Fe3O4-CB/PS process. The PAH degradation products had different effects on the cell morphologies of the two cell lines. The results suggested that the ZF4 cell model is more sensitive than HepG2 to the toxicity of the PAH samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Di Dong
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ling Tsai
- Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Tsing-Hai Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Zhongli, Taiwan
| | - Jih-Hsing Chang
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Wen Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
| | - Chang-Mao Hung
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
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Fiket Ž, Medunić G, Vidaković-Cifrek Ž, Jezidžić P, Cvjetko P. Effect of coal mining activities and related industry on composition, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of surrounding soils. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:6613-6627. [PMID: 31875293 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-07396-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Coal mining and related industries each leave their characteristic "metal fingerprint" in the surrounding soils. Although geochemical investigations of such soils most often indicate heavy contamination with certain metals and bioassays point to their cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, the majority of studies are based on only one of the mentioned approaches. Here, the presented study investigated the effect of coal mining activities and related industry on surrounding soils by means of both geochemical and biological tools. The multielement composition of soils and associated eluates were used for the assessment of soil contamination level and the element bioavailable fractions, respectively. For cytotoxicity and genotoxicity evaluation, shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) roots were exposed to selected soil eluates. Root growth, frequency of mitosis, mitotic and chromosomal abnormalities in root meristem cells, level of lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage evaluated by a comet assay were scored as toxicity endpoints. The results point to significant differences in the composition of collected soils and a variety of factors that contribute not only to their total metal load but also to the observed cytotoxic and genotoxic effects; all of which emphasize the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach in assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities on the environment, especially in historical mining areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Željka Fiket
- Divison for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Gordana Medunić
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željka Vidaković-Cifrek
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petra Jezidžić
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petra Cvjetko
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Liang M, Liang H, Rao Z, Hong X. Characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban-rural integration area soil, North China: Spatial distribution, sources and potential human health risk assessment. Chemosphere 2019; 234:875-884. [PMID: 31252359 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The promotion of urbanization has accelerated the development of small manufacturing workshops and brought serious environmental problems. In this study, spatial distribution, sources and potential health risk for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban-rural integration area soil in North China (800 km2) were discussed. The average total concentration of 16 PAHs was 225 μg kg-1, and range from 25 to 15155 μg kg-1 (n = 250). According to the European soil quality standards, more than 70% of the samples don't reach the pollution level, while around the small workshop concentration area and non-ferrous metal smelter were more contaminated than other area. The spatial distribution of soil PAHs concentration shows that low molecular weight, medium molecular weight and high molecular weight is very similar to the distribution of total PAHs, indicating that is likely to be caused by point source pollution. The sources of PAHs were identified by positive matrix factorization. The main six sources in the region are coal and biomass combustion, creosote, coke tar, vehicle and oil, which is consistent with the local energy consumption structure. Finally, a deterministic assessment of the cancer risk showed that the range for children was 5.94 × 10-8 to 2.53 × 10-5, and adults it ranged from 2.11 × 10-8 to 9.01 × 10-6. There is not a carcinogenic risk value greater than 10-4 in the entire region, but potential carcinogenic risks persisted in some areas. We conclude that PAHs pollution of soil in the area is an issue that deserves urgent attention for the relevant departments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, Beijing, 100083, China; College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Handong Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, Beijing, 100083, China; College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Zhu Rao
- Key Laboratory of Eco-geochemistry, Ministry of Natural Resources, 100037, China.
| | - Xiuping Hong
- School of Life Science, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, 235000, China
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17
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Dvoršćak M, Stipičević S, Mendaš G, Drevenkar V, Medunić G, Stančić Z, Vujević D. Soil burden by persistent organochlorine compounds in the vicinity of a coal-fired power plant in Croatia: a comparison study with an urban-industrialized area. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019; 26:23707-23716. [PMID: 31203553 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05605-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The impact of a coal-fired Plomin Power Plant (PPP) in Croatia on PCB soil burden was examined by comparing the occurrence, levels, and profile of PCBs in soil from the PPP with the values determined in urban-industrialized soil (Varaždin, Croatia). Soil burden by organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were also investigated at both locations. Topsoil samples were collected at five distances (100-800 m) along a downwind pollution gradient from the PPP and across the city. The total content of PCBs in 100-m soil was nearly 20-fold the levels found in 800-m soil, which pointed to the PPP as a local source of soil contamination. The PPP soils were dominated by indicator PCB congeners, particularly hexa-homologs. A different profile and mass fraction range of PCBs in soils from PPP and Varaždin area indicated the different sources of contamination. Levels of total PCBs in PPP soils (0.25-19.07 μg kg-1) were higher than PCB levels determined in soils from Varaždin (0.29-5.52 μg kg-1), partially as a result of higher OC content in PPP soils. PPP soil burden by PCBs corresponded to a lower end of PCB level ranges reported for cities with high population and heavy industry. OCPs were detected at significantly higher levels in Varaždin soils than in PPP soils, with the highest contribution of the DDT-like compounds (DDX) detected in soils affected by river deposits. The p,p'-DDE/p,p'-DDT ratio in Varaždin soils indicated a fresh atmospheric input of p,p'-DDT. The PPP soil analysis detected a presence of only p,p'-DDE and HCB at levels corresponding to their global environmental presence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Dvoršćak
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10001, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanja Stipičević
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10001, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Gordana Mendaš
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10001, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vlasta Drevenkar
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10001, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Medunić
- Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 95, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zvjezdana Stančić
- Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Hallerova aleja 7, Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Dinko Vujević
- Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Hallerova aleja 7, Varaždin, Croatia
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Medunić, Singh, Singh, Rai, Rai, Jaiswal, Obrenović, Petković, Janeš. Use of Bacteria and Synthetic Zeolites in Remediation of Soil and Water Polluted with Superhigh-Organic-Sulfur Raša Coal (Raša Bay, North Adriatic, Croatia). Water 2019; 11:1419. [DOI: 10.3390/w11071419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Raša Bay (North Adriatic, Croatia) has been receiving various pollutants by inflowing streams laden with untreated municipal and coalmine effluents for decades. The locality was a regional center of coalmining (Raša coal), coal combustion, and metal processing industries for more than two centuries. As local soil and stream water were found to be contaminated with sulfur and potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) as a consequence of weathering of Raša coal and its waste, some clean-up measures are highly required. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the remediating potential of selected microorganisms and synthetic zeolites in the case of soil and coal-mine water, respectively, for the first time. By employing bacterial cultures of Ralstonia sp., we examined removal of sulfur and selected PTEs (As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, U, V, and Zn) from soil. The removal of sulfur was up to 60%, arsenic up to 80%, while Se, Ba, and V up to 60%, and U up to 20%. By applying synthetic zeolites on water from the Raša coalmine and a local stream, the significant removal values were found for Sr (up to 99.9%) and Ba (up to 99.2%) only. Removal values were quite irregular (insignificant) in the cases of Fe, Ni, Zn, and Se, which were up to 80%, 50%, 30%, and 20%, respectively. Although promising, the results call for further research on this topic.
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Luo P, Xiao X, Han X, Ma Y, Sun X, Jiang J, Wang H. Application of different single extraction procedures for assessing the bioavailability of heavy metal(loid)s in soils from overlapped areas of farmland and coal resources. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019; 26:14932-14942. [PMID: 30919188 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04833-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal(loid) extraction from soils in overlapped areas of farmland and coal resources (OAFCR) is crucial in understanding heavy metal bioavailability in soil and the subsequent risks to crops and consumers. However, limited attention has been paid to the extraction procedure of heavy metal(loid)s in OAFCR soils in the research. This study therefore explored different single and mixed extraction procedures, such as acetic acid (HOAc), citric acid, ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA), ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid + ammonium acetate (EDTA+NH4OAc), and total digestion (HNO3-HClO4-HF) to determine the bioavailability of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in OAFCR soil in Xuzhou, China. The results showed the metal(loid) extraction capacity from soil of the different procedures could be ranked as AB-DTPA > EDTA+NH4OAc > HOAC > citric acid. The transfer ability of heavy metal(loid)s from soil to wheat tissues and from wheat roots to aerial parts was analyzed by calculating the bioconcentration factor and transfer factor, respectively. Transfer factors of all metal(loid)s were < 1 except Cr whose transfer factor from root to shell and straw were > 1. It is suspected that foliar uptake plays a dominant role in Cr uptake. Correlation analysis between the bioavailability of heavy metal(loid)s in soil and uptake in respective wheat tissues was performed to recommend the best extraction procedures for different studies. The results show that AB-DTPA extraction is recommended for Cu uptake to wheat roots, straws, shells and grains, Zn uptake to roots, and Cd uptake to roots and straws.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Luo
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, 1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Xiao
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, 1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xiaoxuan Han
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, 1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Ma
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, 1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaofei Sun
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, 1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiachao Jiang
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, 1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, 1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China
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Awoyemi OM, Adeleke EO, Dzantor EK. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and exogenous glutathione mitigate coal fly ash (CFA)-induced phytotoxicity in CFA-contaminated soil. J Environ Manage 2019; 237:449-456. [PMID: 30825778 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.02.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Coal fly ash (CFA) makes a bulk of the coal combustion wastes generated from coal-fired power plants. There are several environmental mishaps due to coal ash spills around the world and in the United States. Management of CFA-polluted sites has proven inefficient resulting in soil infiltration, leaching, and phytotoxicity. This study assessed the mitigation strategies for CFA-induced phytotoxicity using biological [arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)] and chemical [exogenous glutathione (GSH)] agents. Indices of phytotoxicity include seed germination, plant morphometrics, lipid peroxidation and genomic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in switchgrass plant (Panicum virgatum). Experiments include laboratory screening (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% w/w CFA/soil) and greenhouse pot study (0, 7.5 and 15% w/w CFA/soil) culturing switchgrass plant in Armour silt loam soil co-applied with AMF (Rhizophagus clarus) and GSH. Experiments showed that CFA exposure caused a concentration-dependent increase in seed germination. 10% CFA increased seedling growth while 15 and 20% CFA decreased seedling growth and induced leaf chlorosis. Furthermore, CFA (7.5 and 15%) in the 90-d pot study significantly (p < 0.05) impaired plant growth, induced lipid peroxidation and reduced genomic dsDNA. However, the incorporation of AMF or GSH enhanced seed germination, plant growth, and/or genomic dsDNA, reduced lipid peroxidation and prevented leaf chlorosis in CFA-exposed switchgrass plant. This study demonstrates that AMF and GSH have the potential to mitigate CFA-induced phytotoxicity. These biological and chemical strategies could be further harnessed for efficient utilization of switchgrass plant in the phytoremediation of CFA contaminated soil environment while simultaneously limiting CFA-induced phytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olushola M Awoyemi
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79416, USA; Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, 37209, USA.
| | - Ekundayo O Adeleke
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, 37209, USA
| | - E Kudjo Dzantor
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, 37209, USA
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Medunić G, Kuharić Ž, Krivohlavek A, Đuroković M, Dropučić K, Rađenović A, Lužar Oberiter B, Krizmanić A, Bajramović M. Selenium, Sulphur, Trace Metal, and BTEX Levels in Soil, Water, and Lettuce from the Croatian Raša Bay Contaminated by Superhigh-Organic-Sulphur Coal. Geosciences 2018; 8:408. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences8110408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper elaborates soil, water, and lettuce contamination status with respect to selenium, sulphur, trace metals, and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) in a coal-based area (Raša Bay, Adriatic Sea, Croatia). A local coal-fired power plant polluted soil with S, Se, Cd, and PAHs due to the combustion of domestic superhigh-organic-sulphur coal. The locality is dotted with waste from coal mining/separation, coal combustion, former metal factories, untreated municipal and coal mine effluents, along with various harbour activities, which contribute to environmental contamination. The methodology involved ICP-MS and GC-MS for the measurement of trace elements and BTEX, respectively, while soil sulphur was determined with Eschka’s mixture. The max values of the analysed trace elements in soil (mg/kg) are reported: Hg 1.14, Cd 3.29, V 624, Se 10.3, Pb 872, Cr 1860, Zn 6580, Cu 1850, and U 25.2. According to ecological indices, these values fall into the category of an extremely high level of soil pollution. Elevated total Se values in surface water are ascribed to leaching of seleniferous coal, ash, and coal-polluted soil. Levels of BTEX in water samples were very low (0–0.83 µg/L). The data provide basic information on the inorganic and organic contamination status of the Raša Bay area.
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Espitia-Pérez L, Arteaga-Pertuz M, Soto JS, Espitia-Pérez P, Salcedo-Arteaga S, Pastor-Sierra K, Galeano-Páez C, Brango H, da Silva J, Henriques JAP. Geospatial analysis of residential proximity to open-pit coal mining areas in relation to micronuclei frequency, particulate matter concentration, and elemental enrichment factors. Chemosphere 2018; 206:203-216. [PMID: 29751246 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
During coal surface mining, several activities such as drilling, blasting, loading, and transport produce large quantities of particulate matter (PM) that is directly emitted into the atmosphere. Occupational exposure to this PM has been associated with an increase of DNA damage, but there is a scarcity of data examining the impact of these industrial operations in cytogenetic endpoints frequency and cancer risk of potentially exposed surrounding populations. In this study, we used a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) approach and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) methods to perform a spatial and statistical analysis to explore whether exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 pollution, and additional factors, including the enrichment of the PM with inorganic elements, contribute to cytogenetic damage in residents living in proximity to an open-pit coal mining area. Results showed a spatial relationship between exposure to elevated concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and micronuclei frequency in binucleated (MNBN) and mononucleated (MNMONO) cells. Active pits, disposal, and storage areas could be identified as the possible emission sources of combustion elements. Mining activities were also correlated with increased concentrations of highly enriched elements like S, Cu and Cr in the atmosphere, corroborating its role in the inorganic elements pollution around coal mines. Elements enriched in the PM2.5 fraction contributed to increasing of MNBN but seems to be more related to increased MNMONO frequencies and DNA damage accumulated in vivo. The combined use of GIS and IDW methods could represent an important tool for monitoring potential cancer risk associated to dynamically distributed variables like the PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyda Espitia-Pérez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia; Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Marcia Arteaga-Pertuz
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia; Instituto de Políticas Públicas e Relações Internacionais-IPPRI, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mezquita Filho, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - José Salvador Soto
- Departamento de Geografía y Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Pedro Espitia-Pérez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Shirley Salcedo-Arteaga
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Karina Pastor-Sierra
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Claudia Galeano-Páez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Hugo Brango
- Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana da Silva
- Laboratório de Genética Toxicológica, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, ULBRA, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - João A P Henriques
- Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Radić S, Medunić G, Kuharić Ž, Roje V, Maldini K, Vujčić V, Krivohlavek A. The effect of hazardous pollutants from coal combustion activity: Phytotoxicity assessment of aqueous soil extracts. Chemosphere 2018; 199:191-200. [PMID: 29438946 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Airborne fly ash and related hazardous particles derived from coal combustion contaminate soil and groundwater, negatively affecting ecosystems. The aim of this study was chemical and toxicological evaluation of aqueous extracts of soil collected from the vicinity of a coal-fired Plomin power plant (PPP), using Lemna (Lemna minor L.) bioassay and additional biochemical indicators - photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, antioxidative enzymes and glutathione. Topsoil samples were collected from distances of 200, 300, 400 and 800 m from the PPP in accordance with the prevailing SW wind direction. Elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (up to 15,765 ng L-1) and potentially toxic trace elements were detected in the Plomin soil extracts (PEs) in comparison to control soil extract (CE). Trace elements accumulated in L. minor were mostly in accordance with their concentrations in PEs. The results demonstrate that PEs induced significant growth inhibition and other phytotoxic effects. Those effects can be related to damage caused by increased production of reactive oxygen species and impaired antioxidant levels. The connection among the phytotoxicity, a distribution of analyzed contaminants, and distances from the PPP is clearly established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Radić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Gordana Medunić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Geology, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željka Kuharić
- Institute of Public Health "Dr Andrija Štampar", Department of Environmental Protection and Health Ecology, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vibor Roje
- Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, HR-10002, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Krešimir Maldini
- Croatian Waters, Main Water Management Laboratory, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Valerija Vujčić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adela Krivohlavek
- Institute of Public Health "Dr Andrija Štampar", Department of Environmental Protection and Health Ecology, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Marquès M, Sierra J, Drotikova T, Mari M, Nadal M, Domingo JL. Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace elements in Arctic soils: A case-study in Svalbard. Environ Res 2017; 159:202-211. [PMID: 28803149 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
A combined assessment on the levels and distribution profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace elements in soils from Pyramiden (Central Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago) is here reported. As previously stated, long-range atmospheric transport, coal deposits and previous mining extractions, as well as the stack emissions of two operative power plants at this settlement are considered as potential sources of pollution. Eight top-layer soil samples were collected and analysed for the 16 US EPA priority PAHs and for 15 trace elements (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl, V and Zn) during late summer of 2014. The highest levels of PAHs and trace elements were found in sampling sites located near two power plants, and at downwind from these sites. The current PAH concentrations were even higher than typical threshold values. The determination of the pyrogenic molecular diagnostic ratios (MDRs) in most samples revealed that fossil fuel burning might be heavily contributing to the PAHs levels. Two different indices, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) and the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), were determined for assessing soil samples with respect to trace elements pollution. Samples collected close to the power plants were found to be slightly and moderately polluted with zinc (Zn) and mercury (Hg), respectively. The Spearman correlation showed significant correlations between the concentrations of 16 PAHs and some trace elements (Pb, V, Hg, Cu, Zn, Sn, Be) with the organic matter content, indicating that soil properties play a key role for pollutant retention in the Arctic soils. Furthermore, the correlations between ∑16 PAHs and some trace elements (e.g., Hg, Pb, Zn and Cu) suggest that the main source of contamination is probably pyrogenic, although the biogenic and petrogenic origin of PAHs should not be disregarded according to the local geology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montse Marquès
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Jordi Sierra
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain; Laboratory of Soil Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Tatiana Drotikova
- University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Department of Arctic Technology (AT), Longyearbyen, Norway; Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Montse Mari
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Martí Nadal
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
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Awoyemi OM, Dzantor EK. Toxicity of coal fly ash (CFA) and toxicological response of switchgrass in mycorrhiza-mediated CFA-soil admixtures. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2017; 144:438-444. [PMID: 28666217 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.06.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Increasing support for the use of Coal fly ash (CFA) in agriculture has necessitated a better understanding of the effects of the CFA in various cropping schemes. Experiments were conducted to assess mutagenic response of a mutant strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (TA100) to varying concentrations of CFA-water extracts, determine oxidative stress in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) at varying levels of CFA-soil admixtures, and evaluate mycorrhiza-mediated modulation of oxidative stress responses of CFA-grown switchgrass. The TA100 exposed to 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% (w/v) CFA-water extracts elicited significant (p < 0.05) mutagenic responses at 20% and 25% extract levels but not below the 15% level. In greenhouse pot experiment, CFA-soil admixtures at 7.5% and 15% (w/w) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 19.1% and 28.3% respectively, compared to control soil (0% w/w CFA/soil). Under the same conditions, activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased by 75.9% and 66.9%. In contrast to the antioxidant enzyme activities, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) an indicator of lipid peroxidation increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 30.49% and 38.38%. Inoculation of 7.5% and 15% CFA-soil admixtures with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Rhizophaga clarus enhanced the activities of both SOD and GPx in the switchgrass, while it significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the levels of MDA. The study demonstrated that incorporation of CFA (at concentrations considered to be non-mutagenic against TA100) as soil amendment produced concentration-dependent oxidative stress responses in switchgrass; however, inoculation of the CFA-soil admixtures with AMF significantly modulated the oxidative stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olushola M Awoyemi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA.
| | - E Kudjo Dzantor
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA
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