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da Costa Alves Filho PP, da Silveira Pereira WV, Dias YN, Ferreira de Moraes AL, Rodrigues FHS, Ramos SJ, Santos de Souza E, Fontes do Amaral AM, Fernandes AR. Artisanal mining of monazite and cassiterite in the Amazon: Potential risks of rare earth elements for the environment and human health. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 73:1201-1214. [PMID: 38573351 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-01964-8] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Artisanal mining is intensely carried out in developing countries, including Brazil and especially in the Amazon. This method of mineral exploration generally does not employ mitigation techniques for potential damages and can lead to various environmental problems and risks to human health. The objectives of this study were to quantify the concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) and estimate the environmental and human health risks in cassiterite and monazite artisanal mining areas in the southeastern Amazon, as well as to understand the dynamics of this risk over time after exploitation. A total of 35 samples of wastes classified as overburden and tailings in active areas, as well as in areas deactivated for one and ten years were collected. Samples were also collected in a forest area considered as a reference site. The concentrations of REEs were quantified using alkaline fusion and ICP-MS. The results were used to calculate pollution indices and environmental and human health risks. REEs showed higher concentrations in anthropized areas. Pollution and environmental risk levels were higher in areas deactivated for one year, with considerable contamination factors for Gd and Sm and significant to extreme enrichment factors for Sc. Human health risks were low (< 1) in all studied areas. The results indicate that artisanal mining of cassiterite and monazite has the potential to promote contamination and enrichment by REEs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yan Nunes Dias
- Vale Institute of Technology, Belém, Pará, 66055-090, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Edna Santos de Souza
- Federal University of Southern and Southeastern Pará, São Félix do Xingu, Pará, 68380-000, Brazil
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Chen Z, Zhou X, Mo M, Hu X, Liu J, Chen L. Systematic review of the osteogenic effect of rare earth nanomaterials and the underlying mechanisms. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:185. [PMID: 38627717 PMCID: PMC11020458 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02442-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Rare earth nanomaterials (RE NMs), which are based on rare earth elements, have emerged as remarkable biomaterials for use in bone regeneration. The effects of RE NMs on osteogenesis, such as promoting the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, have been investigated. However, the contributions of the properties of RE NMs to bone regeneration and their interactions with various cell types during osteogenesis have not been reviewed. Here, we review the crucial roles of the physicochemical and biological properties of RE NMs and focus on their osteogenic mechanisms. RE NMs directly promote the proliferation, adhesion, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. They also increase collagen secretion and mineralization to accelerate osteogenesis. Furthermore, RE NMs inhibit osteoclast formation and regulate the immune environment by modulating macrophages and promote angiogenesis by inducing hypoxia in endothelial cells. These effects create a microenvironment that is conducive to bone formation. This review will help researchers overcome current limitations to take full advantage of the osteogenic benefits of RE NMs and will suggest a potential approach for further osteogenesis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Chen
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohe Zhou
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minhua Mo
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaowen Hu
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Liangjiao Chen
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Slavković-Beškoski L, Ignjatović L, Ćujić M, Vesković J, Trivunac K, Stojaković J, Perić-Grujić A, Onjia A. Ecological and Health Risks Attributed to Rare Earth Elements in Coal Fly Ash. TOXICS 2024; 12:71. [PMID: 38251026 PMCID: PMC10818428 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The occurrence and distribution of yttrium and rare earth elements (REYs), along with major elements and heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) in coal fly ash (CFA) from five coal-fired power plants (CFPPs), were analyzed, and the REY-associated ecological and health risks were assessed. The individual REYs in CFA were abundant in the following order: Ce > La > Nd > Y > Pr > Gd > Sm > Dy > Er > Yb > Eu > Ho > Tb > Tm > Lu. The total REY content ranged from 135 to 362 mg/kg, averaging 302 mg/kg. The mean light-to-heavy REY ratio was 4.1, indicating prevalent light REY enrichment in CFA. Significantly positive correlations between the REYs suggested that they coexist and share similar origins in CFA. REYs were estimated to pose low to moderate ecological risks, with risk index (RI) values ranging from 66 to 245. The hazard index (HI) and target cancer risk (TCR) of REYs from CFA, estimated to be higher for children (HIc = 0.15, TCRc = 8.4 × 10-16) than for adults (HIa = 0.017, TCRa = 3.6 × 10-16), were well below the safety limits (HI = 1, TCR = 1.0 × 10-6). However, the danger to human health posed by HMs in the same CFA samples (HIc = 5.74, TCRc = 2.6 × 10-4, TCRa = 1.1 × 10-4) exceeded the safe thresholds (excl. HIa = 0.63). The mean RI and HI attributed to REYs in CFA were 14% and 2.6%, respectively, of the total risks that include HMs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ljubiša Ignjatović
- Faculty of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mirjana Ćujić
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, 11351 Vinča, Serbia
| | - Jelena Vesković
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Katarina Trivunac
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Stojaković
- Innovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Perić-Grujić
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Antonije Onjia
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
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Vesković J, Lučić M, Ristić M, Perić-Grujić A, Onjia A. Spatial Variability of Rare Earth Elements in Groundwater in the Vicinity of a Coal-Fired Power Plant and Associated Health Risk. TOXICS 2024; 12:62. [PMID: 38251017 PMCID: PMC10820410 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of rare earth elements (REEs), including 14 lanthanoids, scandium (Sc), and yttrium (Y), in groundwater around a large coal-fired thermal power plant (TPP). The ICP-MS technique was used to analyze 16 REEs in groundwater samples collected from monitoring wells. REE concentrations ranged from 59.9 to 758 ng/L, with an average of 290 ng/L. The most abundant was Sc, followed by La, accounting for 54.2% and 21.4% of the total REE concentration, respectively. Geospatial analysis revealed the REE enrichment at several hotspots near the TPP. The highest REE concentrations were observed near the TPP and ash landfill, decreasing with the distance from the plant and the landfill. REE fractionation ratios and anomalies suggested the Light REE dominance, comprising over 78% of the total REEs. Correlation and principal component analyses indicated similar behavior and sources for most REEs. Health risk assessment found hazard indices (HI) of 1.36 × 10-3 and 1.98 × 10-3 for adults and children, respectively, which are far below the permissible limit (HI = 1). Likewise, incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR) were all below 1 × 10-6. Nevertheless, ongoing ash disposal and potential accumulation in the environment could elevate the REE exposure over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Vesković
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Lučić
- Innovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mirjana Ristić
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Perić-Grujić
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Antonije Onjia
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
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