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Pelletier N, Chételat J, Sinon S, Vermaire JC. Wildfires trigger multi-decadal increases in sedimentation rate and metal loading to subarctic montane lakes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 824:153738. [PMID: 35151741 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated how two large wildfires affected the sedimentation rate and accumulation of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) in sediment of four subarctic montane lakes in the Yukon, Canada. The wildfires occurred 60 and 20 years (1958, 1998) before sediment collection in 2018. Site-specific fire exposure was inferred from the charcoal accumulation histories in the lake sediments and the burned catchment area was determined from historical fire maps. The two major wildfires caused a two to five-fold increase in sedimentation rates and a two to eight-fold increase in sediment metal accumulation rates in Little Fox Lake. The mass accumulation rates of metals in Little Fox Lake sediment increased by a maximum of 2.7-4.7 mg Pb m-2 yr-1, 19-29 μg Hg m-2 yr-1 and 37-114 μg Cd m-2 yr-1 following wildfires. Modelling using elemental ratios of lithogenic sources suggested a large proportion of the Pb and Hg accumulating in post-fire sediment was from remobilized legacy anthropogenic pollution. In contrast, Cd fluxes were consistent with variation in catchment weathering. Impacts of wildfires were visible but more muted in the sediment of Little Braeburn Lake, whereas Fox Lake and Grayling Lake sediments showed little to no wildfire impact and served as a reference for external (long-range) metal deposition. Major changes to lake sediment geochemistry in Little Fox Lake were caused by the lack of vegetation and soil recovery in the catchment following the severe 1998 fire. Wildfire impacts were persistent in the lake more than 20 years after the last fire, with no sign of a return to pre-fire Pb, Hg, and Cd accumulation rates. This study shows that wildfires in northern montane catchments can significantly increase the rate of metal accumulation in affected lakes, thereby impeding recovery from reductions in anthropogenic air emissions of these metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Pelletier
- Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - John Chételat
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada.
| | - Sarah Sinon
- Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Jesse C Vermaire
- Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
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Schneider L, Warren M, Lintern A, Winn P, Myllyvirta L, Beavis S, Gruber B. Solving the puzzle of mercury fate and emissions by coal-fired power plants: The potential of hydrodynamic-atmospheric modelling. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 288:117579. [PMID: 34274648 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117579] [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: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
There is currently a significant gap in knowledge about the emission and deposition of mercury (Hg) from coal-fired power plants in Australia. To fill this gap, we propose a novel method that combines several sources of information (stratigraphic data, hydrodynamic modelling and atmospheric modelling), to identify the sources and fates of Hg emitted from coal-fired power plants. The stratigraphic record from Lake Macquarie (Australia) shows that mercury deposition increased up to 7-times since the 1950s, which is when coal-fired power plants were commissioned in the catchment. The stratigraphy also shows a decrease in Hg deposition with power plant retrofits. Using results from multiple models (statistical modelling, hydrodynamic modelling, particle density modelling and atmospheric emissions modelling), we found that ash dams contribute little Hg to Lake Macquarie. Instead, most of the Hg contamination in the lake is a result of atmospheric emissions from the power plants, and these power plants are also depositing Hg in the urban areas to the west of the lake. Our results demonstrate that the multi-proxy approach demonstrated in the paper can be used to provide clues as to the source of Hg, so that appropriate mitigation strategies and regulatory frameworks can be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Schneider
- Archaeology and Natural History. Australian National University, Coombs Bld. 9, 2600, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Maxwell Warren
- Fenner School of Environment and Society. Australian National University. Coombs Bld. 9, 2600, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Anna Lintern
- Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3163, Australia.
| | - Paul Winn
- Hunter Community Environment Centre. 167 Parry St, 2303, Hamilton East, NSW, Australia
| | - Lauri Myllyvirta
- Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Sörnäisten Rantatie 13 C, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Beavis
- Fenner School of Environment and Society. Australian National University. Coombs Bld. 9, 2600, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Bernd Gruber
- Institute for Applied Ecology. University of Canberra. Kirinari St. Bruce, ACT, 2617, Canberra, Australia
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Rodríguez Martin JA, Gutiérrez C, Escuer M, Martín-Dacal M, Ramos-Miras JJ, Roca-Perez L, Boluda R, Nanos N. Trends in soil mercury stock associated with pollution sources on a Mediterranean island (Majorca, Spain). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 283:117397. [PMID: 34030063 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Hg is a global concern given its adverse effects on human health, food security and the environment, and it requiring actions to identify major local Hg sources and to evaluate pollution. Our study provides the first assessment of Hg stock trends on the entire Majorca surface, identifying major Hg sources by studying the spatiotemporal soil Hg variation at two successive times (2006 and 2016-17). The Hg soil concentration ranged from 14 to 258 μg kg-1 (mean 52 μg kg-1). Higher concentrations (over 100 μg kg-1) were found in two areas: (i) close to the Alcudia coal-fired power plant; (ii) in the city of La Palma. During the 11-year, the total Hg stock in Majorcan soil increased from 432.96 tons to 493.18 tones (14% increase). Based on a block kriging analysis, soil Hg enrichment due to power plant emissions was clearly detectable on a local scale (i.e. a shorter distance than 18 km from the power plant). Nonetheless, a significant island-wide Hg increase due to diffuse pollution was reported. This result could be extrapolated to other popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean islands where tourism has increased in recent decades In short, more than 60 tons of Hg have accumulated on Majorca island in 11 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Rodríguez Martin
- Department of Environment, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), ES, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carmen Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, ICA- CSIC, Serrano, 114bis, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Miguel Escuer
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, ICA- CSIC, Serrano, 114bis, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Marina Martín-Dacal
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (UPM-INIA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico, UPM Campus de Montegancedo, 28223, Madrid, Spain.
| | - José Joaquín Ramos-Miras
- Dpto. Didáctica Ciencias Sociales y Experimentales, Universidad de Córdoba, Avda. San Alberto Magno S/n, Córdoba, 14071, Spain.
| | - Luis Roca-Perez
- Dept. Biologia Vegetal, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés I Estellés S/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Rafael Boluda
- Dept. Biologia Vegetal, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés I Estellés S/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Nikos Nanos
- School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 59 Moschounti Str., 55134, Foinikas-Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Ding X, Wang R, Li Y, Gan Y, Liu S, Dai J. Insights into the mercury(II) adsorption and binding mechanism onto several typical soils in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:23607-23619. [PMID: 28856565 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9835-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
To better understand the Hg(II) adsorption by some typical soils and explore the insights about the binding between Hg(II) and soils, a batch of adsorption and characteristic experiments was conducted. Results showed that Hg(II) adsorption was well fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich. The maximum adsorption amount of cinnamon soil (2094.73 mg kg-1) was nearly tenfold as much as that of saline soil (229.49 mg kg-1). The specific adsorption of Hg(II) on four soil surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) owing to the change of elemental bonding energy after adsorption. However, the specific adsorption is mainly derived from some substances in the soil. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrated that multiple oxygen-containing functional groups (O-H, C=O, and C-O) were involved in the Hg(II) adsorption, and the content of oxygen functional groups determined the adsorption capacity of the soil. Meanwhile, scanning electron microscopy combined with X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) more intuitive revealed the binding of mercury to organic matter, metal oxides, and clay minerals in the soil and fundamentally confirmed the results of XPS and FTIR to further elucidate adsorptive phenomena. The complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups and the precipitation with minerals were likely the primary mechanisms for Hg(II) adsorption on several typical soils. This study is critical in understanding the transportation of Hg(II) in different soils and discovering potential preventative measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuhong Ding
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Renqing Wang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China
- School of Life Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Yuncong Li
- Department of Soil and Water Science, Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, 33031, USA
| | - Yandong Gan
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Shuwei Liu
- School of Life Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Jiulan Dai
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China.
- School of Life Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China.
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Drevnick PE, Cooke CA, Barraza D, Blais JM, Coale KH, Cumming BF, Curtis CJ, Das B, Donahue WF, Eagles-Smith CA, Engstrom DR, Fitzgerald WF, Furl CV, Gray JE, Hall RI, Jackson TA, Laird KR, Lockhart WL, Macdonald RW, Mast MA, Mathieu C, Muir DCG, Outridge PM, Reinemann SA, Rothenberg SE, Ruiz-Fernández AC, Louis VLS, Sanders RD, Sanei H, Skierszkan EK, Van Metre PC, Veverica TJ, Wiklund JA, Wolfe BB. Spatiotemporal patterns of mercury accumulation in lake sediments of western North America. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 568:1157-1170. [PMID: 27102272 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
For the Western North America Mercury Synthesis, we compiled mercury records from 165 dated sediment cores from 138 natural lakes across western North America. Lake sediments are accepted as faithful recorders of historical mercury accumulation rates, and regional and sub-regional temporal and spatial trends were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Mercury accumulation rates in sediments have increased, on average, four times (4×) from 1850 to 2000 and continue to increase by approximately 0.2μg/m(2) per year. Lakes with the greatest increases were influenced by the Flin Flon smelter, followed by lakes directly affected by mining and wastewater discharges. Of lakes not directly affected by point sources, there is a clear separation in mercury accumulation rates between lakes with no/little watershed development and lakes with extensive watershed development for agricultural and/or residential purposes. Lakes in the latter group exhibited a sharp increase in mercury accumulation rates with human settlement, stabilizing after 1950 at five times (5×) 1850 rates. Mercury accumulation rates in lakes with no/little watershed development were controlled primarily by relative watershed size prior to 1850, and since have exhibited modest increases (in absolute terms and compared to that described above) associated with (regional and global) industrialization. A sub-regional analysis highlighted that in the ecoregion Northwestern Forest Mountains, <1% of mercury deposited to watersheds is delivered to lakes. Research is warranted to understand whether mountainous watersheds act as permanent sinks for mercury or if export of "legacy" mercury (deposited in years past) will delay recovery when/if emissions reductions are achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Drevnick
- University of Michigan Biological Station, 9133 Biological Rd., Pellston, MI 49769, USA; University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, 440 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Colin A Cooke
- Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency, 10th Floor, 9888 Jasper Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 5C6, Canada; Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, 1-26 Earth Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Daniella Barraza
- University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, 440 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jules M Blais
- Program in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Kenneth H Coale
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
| | - Brian F Cumming
- Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Queen's University, Biosciences Complex, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Chris J Curtis
- Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Biplob Das
- Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, 420-2365 Albert St., Regina, SK S4P 4K1, Canada
| | - William F Donahue
- Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency, 10th Floor, 9888 Jasper Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 5C6, Canada
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Daniel R Engstrom
- St. Croix Watershed Research Station, Science Museum of Minnesota, Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047, USA
| | | | - Chad V Furl
- Washington State Department of Ecology, Environmental Assessment Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504, USA
| | - John E Gray
- U.S. Geological Survey, MS 973, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - Roland I Hall
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Togwell A Jackson
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science & Technology Directorate, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6, Canada
| | - Kathleen R Laird
- Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Queen's University, Biosciences Complex, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - W Lyle Lockhart
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada
| | - Robie W Macdonald
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Institute of Ocean Sciences, P.O. Box 6000, Sidney, BC V8L 4B2, Canada
| | - M Alisa Mast
- U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado Water Science Center, MS 415, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - Callie Mathieu
- Washington State Department of Ecology, Environmental Assessment Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504, USA
| | - Derek C G Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science & Technology Directorate, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6, Canada
| | - Peter M Outridge
- Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0E8, Canada
| | - Scott A Reinemann
- Department of Geography, The Ohio State University, 1036 Derby Hall, 154 North Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Sarah E Rothenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernández
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Calz. Joel Montes Camarena s/n, CP 82040 Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Vincent L St Louis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Rhea D Sanders
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
| | - Hamed Sanei
- Geological Survey of Canada, 3303-33rd Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2L 2A7, Canada
| | - Elliott K Skierszkan
- Program in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | | | - Timothy J Veverica
- University of Michigan Biological Station, 9133 Biological Rd., Pellston, MI 49769, USA
| | - Johan A Wiklund
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Brent B Wolfe
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada
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Brooks YM, Baustian MM, Baskaran M, Ostrom NE, Rose JB. Historical Associations of Molecular Measurements of Escherichia coli and Enterococci to Anthropogenic Activities and Climate Variables in Freshwater Sediment Cores. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:6902-6911. [PMID: 27322138 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the long-term associations of anthropogenic (sedimentary P, C, and N concentrations, and human population in the watershed), and climatic variables (air temperature, and river discharge) with Escherichia coli uidA and enterococci 23S rRNA concentrations in sediment cores from Anchor Bay (AB) in Lake St. Clair, and near the mouth of the Clinton River (CR), Michigan. Calendar year was estimated from vertical abundances of (137)Cs. The AB and CR cores spanned c.1760-2012 and c.1895-2012, respectively. There were steady state concentrations of enterococci in AB during c.1760-c.1860 and c.1910-c.2003 at ∼0.1 × 10(5) and ∼2.0 × 10(5) cell equivalents (CE) per g-dry wt, respectively. Enterococci concentrations in CR increased toward present day, and ranged from ∼0.03 × 10(5) to 9.9 × 10(5) CE/g-dry wt. The E. coli concentrations in CR and AB increased toward present day, and ranged from 0.14 × 10(7) to 1.7 × 10(7) CE/g-dry wt, and 1.8 × 10(6) to 8.5 × 10(6) CE/g-dry wt, respectively. Enterococci was associated with population and river discharge, while E. coli was associated with population, air temperature, and N and C concentrations (p < 0.05). Sediments retain records of the abundance of fecal indicator bacteria, and offer a way to evaluate responses to increased population, nutrient loading, and environmental policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda M Brooks
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, 480 Wilson Road, Room 13, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Melissa M Baustian
- Center for Water Sciences, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, Room 203, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824 United States
- The Water Institute of the Gulf , 301 North Main Street, Suite 2000, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70825, United States
| | - Mark Baskaran
- Department of Geology, 0224 Old Main, Wayne State University , Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Nathaniel E Ostrom
- Department of Integrative Biology, 288 Farm Lane, Room 203, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Joan B Rose
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, 480 Wilson Road, Room 13, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 480 Wilson Rd Rm 13, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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Rodríguez Martín JA, Nanos N. Soil as an archive of coal-fired power plant mercury deposition. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 308:131-138. [PMID: 26808251 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Mercury pollution is a global environmental problem that has serious implications for human health. One of the most important sources of anthropogenic mercury emissions are coal-burning power plants. Hg accumulations in soil are associated with their atmospheric deposition. Our study provides the first assessment of soil Hg on the entire Spanish surface obtained from one sampling protocol. Hg spatial distribution was analysed with topsoil samples taken from 4000 locations in a regular sampling grid. The other aim was to use geostatistical techniques to verify the extent of soil contamination by Hg and to evaluate presumed Hg enrichment near the seven Spanish power plants with installed capacity above 1000 MW. The Hg concentration in Spanish soil fell within the range of 1-7564 μg kg(-1) (mean 67.2) and 50% of the samples had a concentration below 37 μg kg(-1). Evidence for human activity was found near all the coal-fired power plants, which reflects that metals have accumulated in the basin over many years. Values over 1000 μg kg(-1) have been found in soils in the vicinity of the Aboño, Soto de Ribera and Castellon power plants. However, soil Hg enrichment was detectable only close to the emission source, within an approximate range of only 15 km from the power plants. We associated this effect with airborne emissions and subsequent depositions as the potential distance through fly ash deposition. Hg associated with particles of ash tends to be deposited near coal combustion sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Rodríguez Martín
- Department of the Environment, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), ES-28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Nikos Nanos
- School of Forest Engineering, Technical University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, ES-28040 Madrid, Spain
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Reash RJ, Brown L, Merritt K. Mercury and other trace elements in Ohio River fish collected near coal-fired power plants: Interspecific patterns and consideration of consumption risks. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2015; 11:474-480. [PMID: 25586716 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Many coal-fired electric generating facilities in the United States are discharging higher loads of Hg, Se, and other chemicals to receiving streams due to the installation of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) air pollution control units. There are regulatory concerns about the potential increased uptake of these bioaccumulative trace elements into food webs. We evaluated the concentrations of As, total Hg (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), and Se in Ohio River fish collected proximal to coal-fired power plants, of which 75% operate FGD systems. Fillet samples (n = 50) from 6 fish species representing 3 trophic levels were analyzed. Geometric mean fillet concentrations of THg (wet wt), MeHg (wet wt), and Se (dry wt) in 3 species were 0.136, 0.1181, and 3.19 mg/kg (sauger); 0.123, 0.1013, and 1.56 mg/kg (channel catfish); and 0.127, 0.0914, and 3.30 mg/kg (hybrid striped bass). For all species analyzed, only 3 fillet samples (6% of total) had MeHg concentrations that exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) human health criterion (0.3 mg/kg wet wt); all of these were freshwater drum aged ≥ 19 y. None of the samples analyzed exceeded the USEPA proposed muscle and whole body Se thresholds for protection against reproductive effects in freshwater fish. All but 8 fillet samples had a total As concentration less than 1.0 mg/kg dry wt. Mean Se health benefit values (HBVSe ) for all species were ≥ 4, indicating that potential Hg-related health risks associated with consumption of Ohio River fish are likely to be offset by adequate Se concentrations. Overall, we observed no measurable evidence of enhanced trace element bioaccumulation associated with proximity to power plant FGD facilities, however, some enhanced bioaccumulation could have occurred in the wastewater mixing zones. Furthermore, available evidence indicates that, due to hydraulic and physical factors, the main stem Ohio River appears to have low net Hg methylation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin J Reash
- American Electric Power, Environmental Services Department, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lauren Brown
- ENVIRON International Corporation, Portland, Maine, USA
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Jankovská I, Miholová D, Romočuský S, Petrtýl M, Langrová I, Kalous L, Sloup V, Válek P, Vadlejch J, Lukešová D. Importance of fish gender as a factor in environmental monitoring of mercury. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:6239-6242. [PMID: 24374660 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-2459-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury concentrations were determined in the gonadal tissues of 15 female and 10 male European perch (Perca fluviatilis) from one location of the stream "Jevanský potok" located about 30 km from Prague (Czech Republic). Tissue samples were frozen at -26 °C in polypropylene containers until further processing, which was carried out using an Advance Mercury Analyser (single purpose atomic absorption spectrometer). Mercury concentrations were present in all analysed gonad samples, and ranged from 2.3 to 12.7 μg/kg wet weight. However, we determined a mean Hg concentration (9.45 μg/kg) in male gonads that was 2.4 times greater than that of female gonads (3.9 μg/kg). This is an important finding when taking into account fish sex in environmental pollution monitoring (especially for mercury contamination).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Jankovská
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, 165 21, Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic,
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10
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Rodríguez Martín JA, Carbonell G, Nanos N, Gutiérrez C. Source identification of soil mercury in the Spanish islands. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2013; 64:171-179. [PMID: 23143275 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-012-9831-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This study spatially analysed the relation between mercury (Hg) content in soil and Hg in rock fragment for the purpose of assessing natural soil Hg contribution compared with Hg from human inputs. We present the Hg content of 318 soil and rock fragment samples from 11 islands distributed into two Spanish archipelagos (the volcanic Canary Islands [Canaries] and the Mediterranean Balearic [Balearic] islands). Assumedly both are located far enough away from continental Hg sources to be able to minimise the effects of diffuse pollution. Physical and chemical soil properties were also specified for the samples. Hg contents were significantly greater in the Balearic limestone soils (61 μg kg(-1)) than in the volcanic soils of the Canaries (33 μg kg(-1)). Hg levels were also greater in topsoil than in rocky fragments, especially on the Balearics. The soil-to-rock ratios varied between 1 and 30. Interestingly, the highest topsoil-to-rock Hg ratio (>16 ×) was found in the vicinity of a coal-fired power plant in Majorca, whereas no similar areas in the Canary archipelago were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Rodríguez Martín
- Department of the Environment, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaría (INIA), Ctra. de la Coruña km 7.5, Madrid, Spain.
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