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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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Mwalongo DA, Haneklaus NH, Carvalho FP, Lisuma JB, Kivevele TT, Mtei KM. Influence of phosphate fertilizers on the radioactivity of agricultural soils and tobacco plants in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27543-8. [PMID: 37340157 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27543-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Three brands of NPK fertilizers that contain variable concentrations of natural radioactivity are commonly used in tobacco plantations in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Tobacco plants are known for hyper-accumulation of natural radionuclides, particularly 238U. This study investigated if the elevated radioactivity in phosphate fertilizers could enhance radioactivity in soils and tobacco plant leaves. The 232Th, 238U, and 40K radionuclide levels in NPK-fertilized soils and tobacco leaves were measured using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The research included a one-year reference experiment with tobacco growing in plots, a ten-year semi-controlled experiment in well-managed tobacco farms, and a field survey of radioactivity in soils and tobacco leaves at three traditional tobacco fields in Migori (Kenya), Urambo (Tanzania), and Kanungu (Uganda). The findings demonstrated that soils and tobacco leaves exposed to NPK fertilizers with increased radioactivity had activity concentrations of 232Th, 238U, and 40K that were considerably higher (at all sites) than in the control samples (with no use of NPK fertilizers). As the continued application of NPK fertilizers raises concentrations of 232Th, 238U, and 40K in agricultural soils, the study assessed radiological risks for humans from exposure to agricultural soils enriched with phosphate fertilizers, and it was found to be below the exposure limit of 1 mSvy-1 suggested by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). However, tobacco consumers, both by snuffing and smoking, may face significant radiological risks, as the snuffing and smoking resulted in effective doses that were 2.41 to 6.53 and 1.14 to 2.45 times greater than the average yearly dose that the general public receives from inhalation of natural radionuclides (United Nations Scientific Committee on Atomic Radiations estimates). Furthermore, the results indicate that the lifetime excess cancer risk for tobacco snuffers and smokers ranged from 5 × 10-5 to 24.48 × 10-3 and 2.0 × 10-5 to 9.18 × 10-3, respectively. The influence of phosphorus-derived fertilizer containing relatively high natural radioactivity, potential human radiation exposure, and radiological risk due to gamma radionuclides is estimated and discussed. The results reveal that applying phosphate fertilizers enhances natural radioactivity in soil and is subsequently influenced by soil to tobacco plant uptake. Therefore, the study recommends that countries use fertilizers with lower radionuclide content to conserve soil quality and reduce gamma-emitting radionuclides in tobacco plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis A Mwalongo
- Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission, Directorate of Nuclear Technology and Technical Services, P.O. Box 743, Arusha, Tanzania
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), School for Materials, Energy, Water, Environmental Science and Engineering, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Nils H Haneklaus
- Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Leipziger Straße 29, 09599, Freiberg, Germany.
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), School for Materials, Energy, Water, Environmental Science and Engineering, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
- Universität für Weiterbildung Krems, Td-Lab Sustainable Mineral Resources, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500, Krems an der Donau, Austria.
| | - Fernando P Carvalho
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico/Campus Tecnológico Nuclear, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jacob B Lisuma
- Tobacco Research Institute of Tanzania (TORITA), P.O. Box 431, Tabora, Tanzania
| | - Thomas T Kivevele
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), School for Materials, Energy, Water, Environmental Science and Engineering, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Kelvin M Mtei
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), School for Materials, Energy, Water, Environmental Science and Engineering, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
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Impact of Environmental Radiation on the Incidence of Cancer and Birth Defects in Regions with High Natural Radioactivity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148643. [PMID: 35886492 PMCID: PMC9317411 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Four regions of high natural radioactivity were selected to assess radionuclide levels in rocks and soils, ambient radiation doses, radon exhalation from the ground, and radon concentrations in the air. The regions have different geochemical characteristics and radioactivity levels, which modulate the radiation exposure of local populations. Combining radiometric data with data from regional health statistics on non-infectious diseases, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between radiation exposure and the incidence of cancer and birth defects. Although this is a preliminary and prospective study, the empirical evidence gathered in this paper indicated increased the incidence of some diseases in relationship with the natural radiation background. It is suggested that further research, including epidemiological studies and direct determination of radiation exposures in regions with a high natural radiation background, is needed and justified.
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