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Deng J, Li Z, Li B, Xu C, Wang L, Li Y. Wide Riparian Zones Inhibited Trace Element Loss in Mining Wastelands by Reducing Surface Runoff and Trace Elements in Sediment. TOXICS 2024; 12:279. [PMID: 38668502 PMCID: PMC11053404 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12040279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
The diffusion of trace elements in mining wastelands has attracted widespread attention in recent years. Vegetation restoration is an effective measure for controlling the surface migration of trace elements. However, there is no field evidence of the effective riparian zone width in mining wastelands. Three widths (5 m, 7.5 m, and 10 m) of Rhododendron simsii/Lolium perenne L. riparian zones were constructed in lead-zinc mining wastelands to investigate the loss of soil, cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Asbestos tiles were used to cut off connections between adjacent plots to avoid hydrological interference. Plastic pipes and containers were used to collect runoff water. Results showed that more than 90% of trace elements were lost in sediment during low coverage and heavy rainfall periods. Compared with the 5 m riparian zone, the total trace element loss was reduced by 69-85% during the whole observation period in the 10 m riparian zone and by 86-99% during heavy rain periods in the 10 m riparian zone, which was due to reduction in runoff and concentrations of sediment and trace elements in the 10 m riparian zone. Indirect negative effects of riparian zone width on trace element loss through runoff and sediment concentration were found. These results indicated that the wide riparian zone promoted water infiltration, filtered soil particles, and reduced soil erosion and trace element loss. Riparian zones can be used as environmental management measures after mining areas are closed to reduce the spread of environmental risks in mining wastelands, although the long-term effects remain to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangdi Deng
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (J.D.); (C.X.)
| | - Zuran Li
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China;
| | - Bo Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (B.L.); (L.W.)
| | - Cui Xu
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (J.D.); (C.X.)
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (B.L.); (L.W.)
| | - Yuan Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (B.L.); (L.W.)
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Wu L, Yue W, Wu J, Cao C, Liu H, Teng Y. Metal-mining-induced sediment pollution presents a potential ecological risk and threat to human health across China: A meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 329:117058. [PMID: 36528944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic sediment polluted by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from mining activities represents a potential health "time bomb" for humans and the local ecology, but the integrated analysis of pollution and hazards of PTEs in sediment around typical metal mines in China is limited. Presently, the associated pollution status, spatial distribution, and ecological and health hazards of Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, and As were investigated through index evaluation, spatial analysis, health risk assessment models, and Monte Carlo simulation. Overall, the sediment exhibited varying degrees of PTE contamination; notably, the level of Cd was 104.85 times higher than its background value, and it became the most enriched element in the surveyed sediment, followed in descending order by Cu, As, Zn, Pb, and Cr. Nationally, over 64.5% of metal-mining-affected sediment presented a very high ecological risk, contributed mostly by Cd (43.2%-98.7%) followed by As, Pb, and Cu; the risk contributed by both Cr and Zn was found to be negligible. The adverse health risk posed to children by most sediment was 1.72 and 6.46 times higher than that posed to adults for cancerous and noncancerous risks, respectively. The potential noncarcinogenic risks were mainly caused by As, which contributed over 78.9% of the Hazard Index values, then followed by Pb (>9.3%). For both children and adults, the carcinogenic risk of PTEs decreased in the following order: As > Cd > Cr > Pb. The investigated sediment was found seriously affected by nearby metal mines, especially those in regions with long-term and large-scale nonferrous-metal-mining activities. This study could provide a reference for policymakers to develop control strategies for PTE pollution in sediment around mining areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Wu
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Xinjiekouwai Street 19, Beijing, 100875, China; Engineering Research Center of Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Weifeng Yue
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Xinjiekouwai Street 19, Beijing, 100875, China; Engineering Research Center of Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Jin Wu
- Faculty of Architecture, Civil and Transportation Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Changming Cao
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Xinjiekouwai Street 19, Beijing, 100875, China; Engineering Research Center of Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Hong Liu
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Xinjiekouwai Street 19, Beijing, 100875, China; Engineering Research Center of Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yanguo Teng
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Xinjiekouwai Street 19, Beijing, 100875, China; Engineering Research Center of Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100875, China
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The Combined Application of Surface Floating Wetlands and Bottom Anaerobic to Remediate AMD-Contaminated Lakes. J CHEM-NY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/5867768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) causes environmental pollution that affects many countries with historic or current mining industries. The eco-remediation system (RW) which combined surface floating wetlands and bottom anaerobic sediments (SFW-BAS) was selected for AMD-contaminated lakes (AMDW). Meanwhile, AMDW and nature aquatic ecosystems (NW) were set as the control groups, respectively. The parameters, including pH, Eh, Fe, Mn, SO42−, and the degradation rate of the native dominant plant litter were investigated to assess the effects of remediation. The results showed that the average of pH, Eh, and EC, was 2.73, 484.08 mv, and 2395.33 μs·cm−1, respectively. The average content of SO42−, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Pb was 2190 mg·L−1, 40.2 mg·L−1, 4.6 mg·L−1, 249.2 μg·L−1, 1563 μg·L−1, and 112.9 μg·L−1, respectively. The degradation rate of plant litters in AMDW ranged from 14.5% to 22.6%. However, RW ultimately improved the water quality and the degradation of litters. RW has a good effect on buffering the acidity, ranging from 3.96 to 7.41. The pH of RW (6.14) is close to that of NW (7.41). The average content of SO42−, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Pb was 2071 mg·L−1, 3.4 mg·L−1, 2.4 mg·L−1, 85.3 μg·L−1, 607.4 μg·L−1, and 47.8 μg·L−1, respectively, which showed good pollutant removal performance. The degradation rate of plant litters in RW ranged from 27.8% to 32.6%. Therefore, RW can be used to remediate AMDW.
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