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Morelli G, Ciani F, Cocozza C, Costagliola P, Fagotti C, Friani R, Lattanzi P, Manca R, Monnanni A, Nannoni A, Rimondi V. Riparian trees in mercury contaminated riverbanks: An important resource for sustainable remediation management. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 257:119373. [PMID: 38852831 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Mining operations generate sediment erosion rates above those of natural landscapes, causing persistent contamination of floodplains. Riparian vegetation in mine-impacted river catchments plays a key role in the storage/remobilization of metal contaminants. Mercury (Hg) pollution from mining is a global environmental challenge. This study provides an integrative assessment of Hg storage in riparian trees and soils along the Paglia River (Italy) which drains the abandoned Monte Amiata Hg mining district, the 3rd former Hg producer worldwide, to characterize their role as potential secondary Hg source to the atmosphere in case of wildfire or upon anthropic utilization as biomass. In riparian trees and nearby soils Hg ranged between 0.7 and 59.9 μg/kg and 2.2 and 52.8 mg/kg respectively. In trees Hg concentrations were below 100 μg/kg, a recommended Hg limit for the quality of solid biofuels. Commercially, Hg contents in trees have little impact on the value of the locally harvested biomass and pose no risk to human health, although higher values (195-738 μg/kg) were occasionally found. In case of wildfire, up to 1.4*10-3 kg Hg/ha could be released from trees and 27 kg Hg/ha from soil in the area, resulting in an environmentally significant Hg pollution source. Data constrained the contribution of riparian trees to the biogeochemical cycling of Hg highlighting their role in management and restoration plans of river catchments affected by not-remediable Hg contamination. In polluted river catchments worldwide riparian trees represent potential sustainable resources for the mitigation of dispersion of Hg in the ecosystem, considering i) their Hg storage capacity, ii) their potential to be used for local energy production (e.g. wood-chips) through the cultivation and harvesting of biomasses and, iii) their role in limiting soil erosion from riparian polluted riverbanks, probably representing the best pragmatic choice to minimize the transport of toxic elements to the sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guia Morelli
- CNR - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via G. La Pira 4, Florence, 50121, Italy
| | - Francesco Ciani
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, Florence, 50121, Italy.
| | - Claudia Cocozza
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali (DAGRI), Italy
| | - Pilario Costagliola
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, Florence, 50121, Italy
| | - Cesare Fagotti
- ARPA Toscana-Area Vasta Sud, Loc. Ruffolo, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Rossella Friani
- ARPA Toscana-Area Vasta Sud, Loc. Ruffolo, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Pierfranco Lattanzi
- CNR - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via G. La Pira 4, Florence, 50121, Italy
| | - Rosarosa Manca
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, Florence, 50121, Italy
| | - Alessio Monnanni
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, Florence, 50121, Italy
| | - Alessia Nannoni
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, Florence, 50121, Italy
| | - Valentina Rimondi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, Florence, 50121, Italy
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Guan Y, Li Z, Huang L, Luo Y, Fu J. Microbial community composition in urban riverbank sediments: response to municipal effluents over spatial gradient. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2023; 87:2685-2700. [PMID: 37318918 PMCID: wst_2023_158 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Municipal effluents have adverse impacts on the aquatic ecosystem and especially the microbial community. This study described the compositions of sediment bacterial communities in the urban riverbank over the spatial gradient. Sediments were collected from seven sampling sites of the Macha River. The physicochemical parameters of sediment samples were determined. The bacterial communities in sediments were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that these sites were affected by different types of effluents, leading to regional variations in the bacterial community. The higher microbial richness and biodiversity at SM2 and SD1 sites were correlated with the levels of NH4+-N, organic matter, effective sulphur, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids (p < 0.01). Organic matter, total nitrogen, NH4+-N, NO3-N, pH, and effective sulphur were identified to be important drivers for bacterial community distribution. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria (32.8-71.7%) was predominant in sediments, and at the genus level, Serratia appeared at all sampling sites and accounted for the dominant genus. Sulphate-reducing bacteria, nitrifiers, and denitrifiers were detected and closely related to contaminants. This study expanded our understanding of municipal effluents on microbial communities in riverbank sediments, and also provided valuable information for further exploration of microbial community functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidong Guan
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhang Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Lidong Huang
- College of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Yin Luo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Wenhua College, Wuhan 430074, China E-mail:
| | - Jie Fu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
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Stancampiano LM, Sistiaga A, Del Val DU, Aramendi J, Baquedano E, Mabulla A, Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Magill CR. New site at Olduvai Gorge (AGS, Bed I, 1.84 Mya) widens the range of locations where hominins engaged in butchery. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9794. [PMID: 35697774 PMCID: PMC9192694 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14031-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Outstanding questions about human evolution include systematic connections between critical landscape resources-such as water and food-and how these shaped the competitive and biodiverse environment(s) that our ancestors inhabited. Here, we report fossil n-alkyl lipid biomarkers and their associated δ13C values across a newly discovered Olduvai Gorge site (AGS) dated to 1.84 million years ago, enabling a multiproxy analysis of the distributions of critical local landscape resources across an explicit locus of hominin activity. Our results reveal that AGS was a seasonally waterlogged, largely unvegetated lakeside site situated near an ephemeral freshwater river surrounded by arid-adapted C4 grasses. The sparse vegetation at AGS contrasts with reconstructed (micro)habitats at the other anthropogenic sites at Olduvai Gorge, suggesting that central-provisioning places depended more heavily on water access than vegetation viz. woody plants as is often observed for modern hunter-gatherers. As hominins at AGS performed similar butchering activities as at other Bed I sites, our results suggest they did not need the shelter of trees and thus occupied a competitive position within the predatory guild.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ainara Sistiaga
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - David Uribelarrea Del Val
- Institute of Evolution in Africa (IDEA), University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Enrique Baquedano
- Institute of Evolution in Africa (IDEA), University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Regional Archaeological Museum of the Community of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Audax Mabulla
- University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo
- Institute of Evolution in Africa (IDEA), University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Anthropology, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005-1827, USA
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Ludolphy C, Kierdorf U, Kierdorf H. Antlers of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) as monitoring units to assess lead pollution in a floodplain contaminated by historical metal ore mining, processing, and smelting in the Harz Mountains, Germany. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 302:119080. [PMID: 35245617 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Lead concentrations in hard antlers of adult European roebucks (Capreolus capreolus) were analyzed to assess lead exposure of roe deer roaming the floodplain of the Innerste River, a river system contaminated due to historical metal ore mining, processing, and smelting in its upper reaches. Antler lead concentrations of roebucks culled in the period 1939-2018 within or close to the Innerste floodplain ranged between <0.17 mg Pb/kg (limit of detection) and 51.5 mg Pb/kg (air-dry weight). Median lead concentration in antlers of roebucks culled within the floodplain was 11.1 mg Pb/kg, compared to 2.3 mg Pb/kg in antlers of bucks culled in the floodplain vicinity (P < 0.01). Sampling year had no significant effect on antler lead concentrations (P = 0.748). Lead isotope ratios of antlers from the Innerste downstream area (206Pb/207Pb: 1.179-1.181; 208Pb/206Pb: 2.083-2.085) fell within the range of those reported for hydrothermal vein deposits from the upper catchment area of the Innerste River in the Harz Mountains. Our study demonstrates the long-lasting impact of the historical metal ore mining, processing, and smelting in the Harz Mountains on lead pollution in floodplains of rivers draining this area and the lead exposure of wild herbivores inhabiting the floodplains. Furthermore, it highlights the suitability of roe deer antlers for monitoring environmental lead levels and the usefulness of lead isotope signatures in antlers for source apportionment of lead pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharina Ludolphy
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Uwe Kierdorf
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Horst Kierdorf
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany.
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Steingräber LF, Ludolphy C, Metz J, Germershausen L, Kierdorf H, Kierdorf U. Heavy metal concentrations in floodplain soils of the Innerste River and in leaves of wild blackberries (Rubus fruticosus L. agg.) growing within and outside the floodplain: the legacy of historical mining activities in the Harz Mountains (Germany). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:22469-22482. [PMID: 34786622 PMCID: PMC8930881 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17320-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We studied heavy metal levels in floodplain soils of the Innerste River in northern Germany and in the leaves of wild blackberries (Rubus fruticosus L. agg.) growing within and in adjacent areas outside the river floodplain. Heavy metal contamination of the Innerste floodplain is a legacy of historical metal ore mining, processing, and smelting in the Harz Mountains. The heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr) contents of previously studied soil samples from eleven floodplain sites along the Innerste River were re-analyzed statistically, and the levels of these metals in blackberry leaves were determined at five sites. Mean concentrations in the floodplain soils were elevated by factors of 4.59 to 28.5 for Cd, 13.03 to 158.21 for Pb, 5.66 to 45.83 for Zn, and 1.1-14.81 for Cu relative to the precautionary limits for soils stipulated by the German Federal Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Ordinance. Cadmium, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Ni levels in floodplain soils decreased markedly downstream, as did the concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Ni in the leaves of blackberries from within the floodplain. Levels of Cd, Pb, and Zn in leaves of blackberries from within the floodplain significantly exceeded those of specimens from outside the floodplain. The findings of our study highlight the potential of wild blackberry as a biomonitor of soil pollution by Cd, Pb, and Zn and corroborate the massive heavy metal contamination of floodplain soils along the Innerste River observed in previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa F Steingräber
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Catharina Ludolphy
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Johannes Metz
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Lars Germershausen
- Niedersächsischer Landesbetrieb für Wasserwirtschaft, Küsten- und Naturschutz, Betriebsstelle Hannover-Hildesheim, An der Scharlake 39, 31135, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Horst Kierdorf
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Uwe Kierdorf
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany.
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6
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Crawford SE, Brinkmann M, Ouellet JD, Lehmkuhl F, Reicherter K, Schwarzbauer J, Bellanova P, Letmathe P, Blank LM, Weber R, Brack W, van Dongen JT, Menzel L, Hecker M, Schüttrumpf H, Hollert H. Remobilization of pollutants during extreme flood events poses severe risks to human and environmental health. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 421:126691. [PMID: 34315022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
While it is well recognized that the frequency and intensity of flood events are increasing worldwide, the environmental, economic, and societal consequences of remobilization and distribution of pollutants during flood events are not widely recognized. Loss of life, damage to infrastructure, and monetary cleanup costs associated with floods are important direct effects. However, there is a lack of attention towards the indirect effects of pollutants that are remobilized and redistributed during such catastrophic flood events, particularly considering the known toxic effects of substances present in flood-prone areas. The global examination of floods caused by a range of extreme events (e.g., heavy rainfall, tsunamis, extra- and tropical storms) and subsequent distribution of sediment-bound pollutants are needed to improve interdisciplinary investigations. Such examinations will aid in the remediation and management action plans necessary to tackle issues of environmental pollution from flooding. River basin-wide and coastal lowland action plans need to balance the opposing goals of flood retention, catchment conservation, and economical use of water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Crawford
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Markus Brinkmann
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Jacob D Ouellet
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Frank Lehmkuhl
- Department of Geography, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Klaus Reicherter
- Institute of Neotectonics and Natural Hazards, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jan Schwarzbauer
- Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of Petroleum and Coal, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Piero Bellanova
- Institute of Neotectonics and Natural Hazards, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of Petroleum and Coal, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Letmathe
- Chair of Management Accounting, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars M Blank
- Chair of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Applied Microbiology, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Roland Weber
- POPs Environmental Consulting, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Joost T van Dongen
- Institute of Biology I, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Lucas Menzel
- Department of Geography, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Hecker
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Holger Schüttrumpf
- Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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7
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Matys Grygar T, Faměra M, Hošek M, Elznicová J, Rohovec J, Matoušková Š, Navrátil T. Uptake of Cd, Pb, U, and Zn by plants in floodplain pollution hotspots contributes to secondary contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:51183-51198. [PMID: 33978947 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14331-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Willows, woody plants of genus Salix common in floodplains of temperate regions, act as plant pumps and translocate the Cd and Zn in the soil profiles of uncontaminated and weakly contaminated floodplains from the sediment bulk to the top strata. We suggest this process occurs because the Cd and Zn concentrations in willow leaves exceed those in the sediments. Senescing foliage of plant species common in floodplains can increase the Cd and Zn ratios as compared to other elements (Pb and common 'lithogenic elements' such as Al) in the top strata of all floodplains, including those that have been severely contaminated. The top enrichment is caused by the root uptake of specific elements by growing plants, which is followed by foliage deposition. Neither the shallow groundwater nor the plant foliage shows that Cd, Zn, and Pb concentrations are related to those in the sediments, but they clearly reflect the shallow groundwater pH, with the risk element mobilised by the acidity that is typical for the subsurface sediments in floodplains. The effect that plants have on the Pb in floodplains is significantly lower than that observed for Cd and Zn, while U can be considered even less mobile than Pb. Groundwater and plant leaves can contribute to secondary contamination with Cd and Zn from floodplain pollution hotspots, meaning that plants can accumulate these elements on the floodplain surface or even return them back to the fluvial transport, even if bank erosion would not occur. For Pb and U at the sites studied, these risks were negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Matys Grygar
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 250 01, Řež, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Faměra
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 250 01, Řež, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Hošek
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 250 01, Řež, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Environment, J.E. Purkyně University in Ústí and Labem, Pasteurova 3632/15, ,400 96, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Elznicová
- Faculty of Environment, J.E. Purkyně University in Ústí and Labem, Pasteurova 3632/15, ,400 96, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Rohovec
- Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Šárka Matoušková
- Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Navrátil
- Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
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8
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Wang S, Zheng K, Liu Q, Wang L, Feng X, Li H. Galena weathering in simulated alkaline soil: Lead transformation and environmental implications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142708. [PMID: 33049528 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Alkaline soils are widely distributed around the world. During the mining and transportation processes galena may be exposed to the alkaline soils. Weathering of galena may lead to the formation of different lead phases having higher bio-accessibility than galena, and thereby increasing the mobility and toxicity of lead. In this study, electrochemical techniques and Raman spectroscopic measurements were used for the evaluation of the interfacial processes that are involved in the galena weathering under the conditions of simulated saline soil and meadow soil solutions. The results showed that the release of Pb2+ and S0 took place during initial stage of the oxidation. Thereafter, further transformation to anglesite would take place, even leading to the transformation to β-PbO and α-PbO at higher temperatures. Galena weathering prone to saline soil than that in meadow soil, and has a faster weathering rate in the saline soil at same ambient temperature. Higher temperatures was found to promote the weathering of galena, and the rate constant for the release of Pb (II) was approximate 10-9 to 10-8 mol∙m-2∙s-1, while surface reaction was found to control the weathering kinetics. Based on the surface characterization and evaluation of the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters, the weathering mechanism of galena in the alkaline soil and its environmental implications was suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Kai Zheng
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Qingyou Liu
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Luying Wang
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xiaonan Feng
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Heping Li
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
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9
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Byrne P, Onnis P, Runkel RL, Frau I, Lynch SFL, Edwards P. Critical Shifts in Trace Metal Transport and Remediation Performance under Future Low River Flows. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:15742-15750. [PMID: 33232141 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Exceptionally low river flows are predicted to become more frequent and more severe across many global regions as a consequence of climate change. Investigations of trace metal transport dynamics across streamflows reveal stark changes in water chemistry, metal transformation processes, and remediation effectiveness under exceptionally low-flow conditions. High spatial resolution hydrological and water quality datasets indicate that metal-rich groundwater will exert a greater control on stream water chemistry and metal concentrations because of climate change. This is because the proportion of stream water sourced from mined areas and mineralized strata will increase under predicted future low-flow scenarios (from 25% under Q45 flow to 66% under Q99 flow in this study). However, mineral speciation modelling indicates that changes in stream pH and hydraulic conditions at low flow will decrease aqueous metal transport and increase sediment metal concentrations by enhancing metal sorption directly to streambed sediments. Solute transport modelling further demonstrates how increases in the importance of metal-rich diffuse groundwater sources at low flow could minimize the benefits of point source metal contamination treatment. Understanding metal transport dynamics under exceptionally low flows, as well as under high flows, is crucial to evaluate ecosystem service provision and remediation effectiveness in watersheds under future climate change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Byrne
- School of Biological and Environmental Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, U.K
| | - Patrizia Onnis
- School of Biological and Environmental Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, U.K
| | - Robert L Runkel
- U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center, P.O. Box 25046, Mail Stop 415, Denver, Colorado 80225, United States
| | - Ilaria Frau
- School of Biological and Environmental Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, U.K
- Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, U.K
| | - Sarah F L Lynch
- AECOM, Ground, Energy & Transactions Solutions (GETS), Bridgewater House, Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 4HD, U.K
| | - Paul Edwards
- Natural Resources Wales, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, U.K
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Pipoyan D, Stepanyan S, Stepanyan S, Beglaryan M, Merendino N. Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Trace and Elements in Vegetables Grown Under the Impact of Kajaran Mining Complex. Biol Trace Elem Res 2019; 192:336-344. [PMID: 30788723 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-019-01675-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mining industry is one of the priority sectors of Armenia's economy. However, mining complexes without treatment facilities, such as those in Armenia, have adverse environmental impact. Moreover, soil contamination can pose a potential risk to human health, particularly, through the consumption of food crops. In this study, 12 soil and 32 vegetable composite samples were collected from the city of Kajaran where Armenia's biggest copper and molybdenum mine is located. The concentrations of Cu, Mo, Cd, Hg, As, and Pb were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Diet study was conducted using food frequency questionnaire. Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks to human health through vegetable consumption were assessed. The results indicated that different vegetables have different trace element uptakes. Also, the transfer factors (TFs) for each vegetable varied across elements. TFs were less than 1 for the majority of trace elements. Nevertheless, in some samples of studied vegetables, the concentrations of Hg, Cd, and Pb exceeded the maximum allowable levels. THQ of Mo exceeded 1 for all the studied vegetables, while THQ of Cu exceeded 1 for potato and bean, indicating a potential health risk posed by chronic exposure. Exceedingly high levels of Mo exposure can be related to high incidence of anemia among Armenians, since Mo interacts with Cu and is a potential cause of copper deficiency-induced anemia. With regard to cancer risk, none of the carcinogenic risk values exceeded the threshold level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davit Pipoyan
- Informational Analytical Center for Risk Assessment of Food Chain of the Center for Ecological Noosphere Studies of NAS RA, Abovyan 68, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Seda Stepanyan
- Informational Analytical Center for Risk Assessment of Food Chain of the Center for Ecological Noosphere Studies of NAS RA, Abovyan 68, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Stella Stepanyan
- Informational Analytical Center for Risk Assessment of Food Chain of the Center for Ecological Noosphere Studies of NAS RA, Abovyan 68, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Meline Beglaryan
- Informational Analytical Center for Risk Assessment of Food Chain of the Center for Ecological Noosphere Studies of NAS RA, Abovyan 68, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Nicolò Merendino
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Tuscia University, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
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Rimondi V, Costagliola P, Lattanzi P, Morelli G, Cara G, Cencetti C, Fagotti C, Fredduzzi A, Marchetti G, Sconocchia A, Torricelli S. A 200 km-long mercury contamination of the Paglia and Tiber floodplain: Monitoring results and implications for environmental management. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 255:113191. [PMID: 31542668 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports the results of a joint project carried out by three regional environmental agencies of Italy to evaluate long-range mercury (Hg) transport from the abandoned Mt. Amiata Hg district in southern Tuscany (the third largest worldwide site for Hg production) to the fluvial ecosystems of the Paglia and Tiber rivers. Most of the work focused on stream sediments, surface waters and soils. A preliminary survey of Hg0 content in air was also conducted. Data obtained by public health authorities on Hg in vegetables and fish were also included. The highest Hg concentrations (up to thousands of μg/g Hg) were observed in stream sediments and soils directly impacted by Hg mine runoff. Although progressive Hg dilution was observed from north to south along the river, sediments and soils show anomalous Hg levels for over 200 km downstream of Mt. Amiata, testifying to an extreme case of long-range Hg contamination. A pervasive redistribution of Hg is observed in all sediment compartments. Presumably, the width of the impacted fluvial corridor corresponds to the entire alluvial plains of the rivers. The floodplains can be considered new sources for downstream Hg redistribution, especially during large flood events. On the other hand, results from water, air, and vegetable sampling indicate low potential for human exposure to Hg. The extent and distribution of the contamination make remediation not viable. Therefore, people and human activities must coexist with such an anomaly. On the technical side, the most urgent action to be taken is a better definition of the exact extent of the contaminated area. On the management side, it is necessary to identify which public institution(s) can best deal with such a widespread phenomenon. According to the precautionary principle, the impact of the contamination on human activities in the affected areas should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Rimondi
- Dipartimento Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; CNR-Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - P Costagliola
- Dipartimento Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; CNR-Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - P Lattanzi
- CNR-Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - G Morelli
- CNR-Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - G Cara
- ARPA Toscana, Area Vasta Sud, Loc. Ruffolo, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - C Cencetti
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia, Via Pascoli s.n.c., 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - C Fagotti
- ARPA Toscana, Area Vasta Sud, Loc. Ruffolo, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - A Fredduzzi
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia, Via Pascoli s.n.c., 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - G Marchetti
- ARPA Marche, Via Ruggeri, 5, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - A Sconocchia
- ARPA Umbria, via Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa nsc, 5100 Terni, Italy
| | - S Torricelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Giuridiche, Università di Firenze, Via delle Pandette 32, 50127 Firenze, Italy
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