1
|
Dominech S, Federico C, Brusca L, Fornasaro S, Bellomo S, D'Alessandro W. Exploring Rare Earth Element behavior in the Mount Etna volcanic aquifers (Sicily). ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:237. [PMID: 38849684 PMCID: PMC11161542 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02020-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
This study presents the first data on REY (Rare Earth Elements plus Yttrium) in the aquifer of Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy). Patterns normalized to chondrites indicate strong water-rock interaction, facilitated by a slightly acidic pH resulting from the dissolution of magma-derived CO2. REY patterns provide insights into the processes of both mineral dissolution and the formation of secondary phases. The relative abundance of light to heavy rare earth elements is compatible with the prevailing dissolution of ferromagnesian minerals (e.g., olivine or clinopyroxenes), reinforced by its strong correlation with other proxies of mineral dissolution (e.g., Mg contents). Pronounced negative Ce anomalies and positive Y anomalies demonstrate an oxidizing environment with continuous formation of secondary iron and/or manganese oxides and hydroxides. The Y/Ho fractionation is strongly influenced by metal complexation with bicarbonate complexes, a common process in C-rich waters. In the studied system, the measured REY contents are always below the limits proposed by Sneller et al. (2000, RIVM report, Issue 601,501, p. 66) for surface water and ensure a very low daily intake from drinking water.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Dominech
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cinzia Federico
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Brusca
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Silvia Fornasaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Pisa, Via Santa Maria 53, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sergio Bellomo
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Walter D'Alessandro
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu XR, Liu WS, Zhang M, Jin C, Ding KB, Baker AJM, Qiu RL, Tang YT, Wang SZ. Organic-mineral colloids regulate the migration and fractionation of rare earth elements in groundwater systems impacted by ion-adsorption deposits mining in South China. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 256:121582. [PMID: 38608621 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121582] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) deposits distributed in the subtropics provide a rich global source of REEs, but in situ injection of REEs extractant into the mine can result in leachate being leaked into the surrounding groundwater systems. Due to the lack of understanding of REE speciation distribution, particularly colloidal characteristics in a mining area, the risks of REEs migration caused by in situ leaching of ion-adsorption REE deposits has not been concerned. Here, ultrafiltration and asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (AF4-ICP-MS) were integrated to characterize the size and composition of REEs in leachate and groundwater from mining catchments in South China. Results show that REEs were associated with four fractions: 1) the <1 kDa fraction including dissolved REEs; 2) the 1 - 100 kDa nano-colloidal fraction containing organic compounds; 3) the 100 kDa - 220 nm fine colloids including organic-mineral (Fe, Mn and Al (oxy)hydroxides and clay minerals); 4) the >220 nm coarse colloids and acid soluble particles (ASPs) comprising minerals. Influenced by the ion exchange effect of in situ leaching, REEs in leachate were mostly dissolved (79 %). The pH of the groundwater far from the mine site was increased (5.8 - 7.3), the fine organic-mineral colloids (46 % - 80 %) were the main vectors of transport for REEs. Further analysis by AF4 revealed that the fine colloids can be divided into mineral-rich (F1, 100 kDa - 120 nm) and organic matter-rich (F2, 120 - 220 nm) populations. The main colloids associated with REEs shifted from F1 (64 % ∼ 76 %) to F2 (50 % ∼ 52 %) away from the mining area. For F1 and F2, the metal/C molar ratio decreased away from the mining area and middle to heavy REE enrichment was presented. According to the REE fractionation, organic matter was the predominant component capable of binding REEs in fine colloids. Overall, our results indicate that REEs in the groundwater system shifted from the dissolved to the colloidal phase in a catchment affected by in situ leaching, and organic-mineral colloids play an important role in facilitating the migration of REEs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Rui Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Wen-Shen Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Miaoyue Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Chao Jin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Keng-Bo Ding
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Alan J M Baker
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Rong-Liang Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Ye-Tao Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Shi-Zhong Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jia YG, Yan Z, Shang L, Chen J. Environmental risk of ion-absorbed rare earth ores: concentration of leaching agent and fractionation of Pb. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:6425-6436. [PMID: 38151558 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31516-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth (RE) is an important strategic resource; however, there has been a growing concern about the environmental problems caused by RE mining, such as ammonia nitrogen pollution and heavy metal pollution. There is a limited research about the behavior of leaching agents and the fractionation of RE and heavy metal during the mining process for ion adsorption of rare earth ore (IRE-ore) in the previously available papers. In this study, (NH4)2SO4 solution, which commonly used in the production of mining IRE-ore, was used as a leaching agent. The adsorption behavior of ore soils on ammonium ions was explored by batch experiments. The adsorption process of IRE-ore on ammonium ions followed a pseudo-second-order equation and was controlled by the kinetics of surface adsorption and intra-particle diffusion; the ammonium ion adsorption isotherm conformed to the Freundlich isotherm equilibrium equation, and the higher concentration advantage made the ore soils possess a higher adsorption capacity of ammonium ion. In addition, the fractionation characteristics of lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and lead (Pb) in the ore soil during the leaching process were simulated based on the batch and column leaching experiments. The results demonstrated that the exchangeable states of La and Ce in IRE-ore were high, and the exchangeable, carbonate-bound La and Ce were almost all leached out by (NH4)2SO4 leaching agent, while the most of exchangeable Pb flowed out along with leaching agent, and a small amount of leached Pb in the ore soil was converted to iron and manganese oxide-bound Pb and enriched in the direction of migration of the leaching solution, and when the environment (e.g., pH and Eh) changed, this part of Pb may be re-activated. Our research might serve as crucial baseline knowledge for the adsorption of ammonium ions by ore soils, and provide a data reference for reducing the use of leaching agents and developing sustainable technologies for green mining of ion-adsorption RE ores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gang Jia
- China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhenli Yan
- China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Liannan Shang
- China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Center of Xi'an Mineral Resources Survey, CGS, Xi'an, 710100, China.
| | - Jian Chen
- China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang M, Wu S, Lu Y, Wu H, Si D, Zhou D. Combined application of strong alkaline materials and specific organic fertilizer accelerates nitrification process of a rare earth mining soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163042. [PMID: 36965722 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The extensive usage of ammonium sulfate as the leaching agent to extract rare earth elements led to widespread ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) pollution in the tailing soils of ion-adsorbed rare earth deposits in southern China. However, the cost-effective technologies to tackle with the long-term retention of NH4+-N in the rare earth mining soil have been largely unresolved. In this study, we developed a cost-effective approach to activate soil nitrification by the co-application of alkaline materials and organic fertilizer. The co-application of 0.3 % of organic fertilizer and 0.1 % ∼ 0.2 % of CaO or MgO or Mg(OH)2 stimulated a soil NH4+-N decrease rate of 2.01-7.58 mg kg-1 d-1 and a soil NO3--N accumulation rate of 1.56-7.09 mg kg-1 d-1. Noting that only if the soil pH was elevated to 7.81-9.00, the NH4+-N decrease rate and NO3--N accumulation rate were dependent on the proton consumption capacity of the alkaline materials. The application of CaCO3 could not stimulate soil nitrification possibly due to the soil pH was uncapable to be elevated to above 7.68. The qPCR, amplicon sequencing, and nitrification inhibitor batch incubation results demonstrated that organic fertilizer supplied active ammonia-oxidizing bacteria Nitrosomonas europaea. The proliferation of Nitrosomonas europaea in the alkaline materials and organic fertilizer co-applied soil was responsible for the soil nitrification. Furthermore, the application of commercial denitrifying bacteria inoculum promoted the removal of accumulated NO3--N. The findings of this study provide a lost-cost technology to remove NH4+-N from the rare earth mining soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Song Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Yilin Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haotian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Dunfeng Si
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Dongmei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Censi P, Sirota I, Zuddas P, Lensky NG, Crouvi O, Cangemi M, Piazzese D. Rare earths release from dissolving atmospheric dust and their accumulation into crystallising halite: The Dead Sea example. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 875:162682. [PMID: 36894097 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The industrial extraction of Y and lanthanides (hereafter defined as Rare Earth Elements, REE) often requires the achievement of leaching procedures removing these metals from primary rocks and their transfer in aqueous leachates or incorporated in newly forming soluble solids. These procedures are the most dangerous to the environment in relation to the composition of leachates. Hence, the recognition of natural settings where these processes currently occur, represents a worthy challenge for learning how to carry out similar industrial procedures under natural and more eco-friendly conditions. Accordingly, the REE distribution was studied in the brine of Dead Sea, a terminal evaporating basin where brines dissolve atmospheric fallout particles and crystallise halite. Our results indicate that the shale-like fractionation of shale-normalised REE patterns in brines, inherited during the dissolution of atmospheric fallout, changes because of the halite crystallisation. This process leads to crystallising halite mainly enriched in elements from Sm to Ho (medium REE, MREE) and coexisting mother brines enriched in La and some other light REE (LREE). We suggest that the dissolution of atmospheric dust in brines corresponds to the REE extraction from primary silicate rocks, whereas halite crystallisation represents the REE transfer into a secondary more soluble deposit with reduced environmental health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Censi
- Department of Earth and Marine Science (DISTEM), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
| | - I Sirota
- Geological Survey of Israel, 32 Yesha'yahu Leibowitz, Jerusalem 9371234, Israel; Institute of Earth Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - P Zuddas
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, METIS, F75005 Paris, France
| | - N G Lensky
- Geological Survey of Israel, 32 Yesha'yahu Leibowitz, Jerusalem 9371234, Israel; Institute of Earth Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - O Crouvi
- Geological Survey of Israel, 32 Yesha'yahu Leibowitz, Jerusalem 9371234, Israel
| | - M Cangemi
- Department of Earth and Marine Science (DISTEM), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - D Piazzese
- Department of Earth and Marine Science (DISTEM), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li D, Ren Z, Zhou Y, Jiang L, Zheng M, Liu G. Comammox Nitrospira and Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaea Are Dominant Ammonia Oxidizers in Sediments of an Acid Mine Lake Containing High Ammonium Concentrations. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0004723. [PMID: 36912626 PMCID: PMC10056971 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00047-23] [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: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Exploring nitrifiers in extreme environments is vital to expanding our understanding of nitrogen cycle and microbial diversity. This study presents that complete ammonia oxidation (comammox) Nitrospira, together with acidophilic ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), dominate in the nitrifying guild in sediments of an acid mine lake (AML). The lake water was characterized by acidic pH below 5 with a high ammonium concentration of 175 mg-N/liter, which is rare on the earth. Nitrification was active in sediments with a maximum nitrate production potential of 70.5 μg-N/(g-dry weight [dw] day) for mixed sediments. Quantitative PCR assays determined that in AML sediments, comammox Nitrospira and AOA amoA genes had relative abundances of 52% and 41%, respectively, among the total amoA genes. Further assays with 16S rRNA and amoA gene amplicon sequencing and metagenomics confirmed their dominance and revealed that the comammox Nitrospira found in sediments belonged to comammox Nitrospira clade A.2. Metagenomic binning retrieved a metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) of the comammox Nitrospira from sediments (completeness = 96.76%), and phylogenomic analysis suggested that it was a novel comammox Nitrospira. Comparative genomic investigation revealed that this comammox Nitrospira contained diverse metal resistance genes and an acidophile-affiliated F-type ATPase. Moreover, it had a more diverse genomic characteristic on nitrogen metabolism than the AOA in sediments and canonical AOB did. The results suggest that comammox Nitrospira is a versatile nitrifier that can adapt to acidic environments even with high ammonium concentrations. IMPORTANCE Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) was previously considered the sole dominant ammonia oxidizer in acidic environments. This study, however, found that complete ammonia oxidation (comammox) Nitrospira was also a dominant ammonia oxidizer in the sediments of an acidic mine lake, which had an acidic pH < 5 and a high ammonium concentration of 175 mg-N/liter. In combination with average nucleotide identity analysis, phylogenomic analysis suggested it is a novel strain of comammox Nitrospira. Moreover, the adaption of comammox Nitrospira to the acidic lake had been comprehensively investigated based on genome-centric metagenomic approaches. The outcomes of this study significantly expand our understanding of the diversity and adaptability of ammonia oxidizers in the acidic environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deyong Li
- Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Water Treatment Processes and Materials, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, and School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhichang Ren
- Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Water Treatment Processes and Materials, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, and School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
| | - Yangqi Zhou
- Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Water Treatment Processes and Materials, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, and School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
| | - Lugao Jiang
- Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Water Treatment Processes and Materials, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, and School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
| | - Min Zheng
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Guoqiang Liu
- Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Water Treatment Processes and Materials, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, and School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhuang M, Xie H, Jiang Y, Xiao P, Wang K, Chu Z, Zhao J, Zhang T. Probabilistic assessment of dietary rare earth elements intake among people living near a rare earth ore. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159141. [PMID: 36191706 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159141] [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: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) can cause neoplasms, reduce bone density, affect children's intelligence, etc., and diet is an important way for the human body to absorb REEs. With the increasing use of REEs, the impact on human health is becoming more and more important. So, we used a probabilistic assessment method with Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate the dietary intake of REEs by residents of a large light rare earth mining area in Shandong Province. 16 REEs in 447 samples (including wheat, maize, dry beans, vegetables, fruits and eggs) were detected. The mean value of total REEs for all samples was 286.96 μg/kg, and of light rare earth elements (LREEs) was 270.18 μg/kg. Among of LREEs, Ce, La, Nd and Pr were dominant. The REEs content of different food categories showed that wheat, leafy vegetables and allium vegetables had higher content of REEs, melons vegetables, root vegetables, fruits and eggs had the lowest content. The mean dietary intake of rare earth oxides for the whole population was 4.20 μg/kg bw/d, wheat and vegetables (leafy vegetables, allium vegetables and root vegetables) were the main sources of REEs. Dietary intake estimates of REEs by age and gender did not exceed the acceptable daily intake which means implying no impact on human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maoqiang Zhuang
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Hongran Xie
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Peirui Xiao
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Kebo Wang
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Zunhua Chu
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Jinshan Zhao
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Tianliang Zhang
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Neumann J, Lessing J, Lee SS, Stubbs JE, Eng PJ, Demnitz M, Fenter P, Schmidt M. Y(III) Sorption at the Orthoclase (001) Surface Measured by X-ray Reflectivity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:266-276. [PMID: 36562683 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Interactions of heavy metals with charged mineral surfaces control their mobility in the environment. Here, we investigate the adsorption of Y(III) onto the orthoclase (001) basal plane, the former as a representative of rare earth elements and an analogue of trivalent actinides and the latter as a representative of naturally abundant K-feldspar minerals. We apply in situ high-resolution X-ray reflectivity to determine the sorption capacity and molecular distribution of adsorbed Y species as a function of the Y3+ concentration, [Y3+], at pH 7 and 5. With [Y3+] ≥ 1 mM at pH 7, we observe an inner-sphere (IS) sorption complex at a distance of ∼1.5 Å from the surface and an outer-sphere (OS) complex at 3-4 Å. Based on the adsorption height of the IS complex, a bidentate, binuclear binding mode, in which Y3+ binds to two terminal oxygens, is proposed. In contrast, mostly OS sorption is observed at pH 5. The observed maximum Y coverage is ∼1.3 Y3+/AUC (AUC: area of the unit cell = 111.4 Å2) for all the investigated pH values and Y concentrations, which is in the expected range based on the estimated surface charge of orthoclase (001).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Neumann
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden01328, Germany
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, Illinois60439, United States
| | - Jessica Lessing
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden01328, Germany
| | - Sang Soo Lee
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, Illinois60439, United States
| | - Joanne E Stubbs
- Center for Advanced Radiation Sources, The University of Chicago, 929 E 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois60637, United States
| | - Peter J Eng
- Center for Advanced Radiation Sources, The University of Chicago, 929 E 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois60637, United States
- James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, 929 E 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois60637, United States
| | - Maximilian Demnitz
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden01328, Germany
| | - Paul Fenter
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, Illinois60439, United States
| | - Moritz Schmidt
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden01328, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li W, Zuo Y, Wang L, Wan X, Yang J, Liang T, Song H, Weihrauch C, Rinklebe J. Abundance, spatial variation, and sources of rare earth elements in soils around ion-adsorbed rare earth mining areas. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 313:120099. [PMID: 36084740 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) concentrated in soils have attracted increasing attention about their impact on soil health as emerging contaminants. However, the sources of REEs enriched in soils are diverse and need to be further investigated. Here, surface soil samples were collected from southern Jiangxi Province, China. REEs contents and soil physicochemical properties were determined, and cerium (Ce) and europium (Eu) anomalies were calculated. Moreover, we established a model to further identify the main sources of REEs accumulation in the studied soils. Results show that the abundance of soil REEs reveals larger spatial variation, suggesting spatially heterogeneous distribution of REEs. The median content of light REEs in soils (154.5 mg kg-1) of the study area was higher than that of heavy REEs and yttrium (35.8 mg kg-1). In addition, most of the soil samples present negative Ce anomalies and all the soil samples present negative Eu anomalies implying the combined effect of weathering and potential exogenous inputs on soil REEs. Positive matrix factorization modeling reveals that soil REEs content is primarily influenced by soil parent materials. Potential anthropogenic sources include mining-related leachate, traffic exhaust, and industrial dust. These results demonstrate that the identification of sources of soil REEs is an important starting point for targeted REEs sources management and regulation of excessive and potentially harmful REEs levels in the soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanshu Li
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yiping Zuo
- Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, 100035, China
| | - Lingqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Xiaoming Wan
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tao Liang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hocheol Song
- Department of Environment, Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Christoph Weihrauch
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Environment, Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Aendo P, De Garine-Wichatitsky M, Mingkhwan R, Senachai K, Santativongchai P, Krajanglikit P, Tulayakul P. Potential Health Effects of Heavy Metals and Carcinogenic Health Risk Estimation of Pb and Cd Contaminated Eggs from a Closed Gold Mine Area in Northern Thailand. Foods 2022; 11:foods11182791. [PMID: 36140919 PMCID: PMC9498197 DOI: 10.3390/foods11182791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gold-mining activities have been demonstrated to result in significant environmental pollution by Hg, Pb, and Mn, causing serious concerns regarding the potential threat to the public health of neighboring populations around the world. The present study focused on heavy-metal contamination in the eggs, blood, feed, soil, and drinking water on chicken farms, duck farms, and free-grazing duck farms located in areas < 25 km and > 25 km away from a gold mine in northern Thailand. In an area < 25 km away, Hg, Pb, and Mn concentrations in the eggs of free-grazing ducks were significantly higher than > 25 km away (p < 0.05). In blood, Hg concentration in free-grazing ducks was also significantly higher than those in an area > 25 km away (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the Pb concentration in the blood of farm ducks was significantly higher than in an area > 25 km away (p < 0.05). The concentration of Cd in drinking water on chicken farms was significantly higher for farms located within 25 km of the gold mine (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a high correlation was shown between the Pb (r2 = 0.84) and Cd (r2 = 0.42) found between drinking water and blood in free-grazing ducks in the area < 25 km away. Therefore, health risk from heavy-metal contamination was inevitably avoided in free-grazing activity near the gold mine. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) in the population of both Pb and Cd exceeded the cancer limit (10−4) for all age groups in both areas, which was particularly high in the area < 25 km for chicken-egg consumption, especially among people aged 13−18 and 18−35 years old. Based on these findings, long-term surveillance regarding human and animal health risk must be strictly operated through food chains and an appropriate control plan for poultry businesses roaming around the gold mine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paweena Aendo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Michel De Garine-Wichatitsky
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development), INRAE (French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment), 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Rachaneekorn Mingkhwan
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | | | - Pitchaya Santativongchai
- Bio-Veterinary Science (International Program), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Praphaphan Krajanglikit
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
| | - Phitsanu Tulayakul
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
- Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Rd., Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zeng Z, Gao Y, Liu C, Sun X. A novel functionalized ionic liquid [DOC4mim][DEHG] for impurity removal of aluminum in rare earth leaching solution. Sep Purif Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.121388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
13
|
Bezzina JP, Neumann J, Brendler V, Schmidt M. Combining batch experiments and spectroscopy for realistic surface complexation modelling of the sorption of americium, curium, and europium onto muscovite. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 223:119032. [PMID: 36067603 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
For a safe enclosure of contaminants, for instance in deep geological repositories of radioactive waste, any processes retarding metal migration are of paramount importance. This study focusses on the sorption of trivalent actinides (Am, Cm) and lanthanides (Eu) to the surface of muscovite, a mica and main component of most crystalline rocks (granites, granodiorites). Batch sorption experiments quantified the retention regarding parameters like pH (varied between 3 and 9), metal concentration (from 0.5 µM Cm to 10 µM Eu), or solid-to-liquid ratio (0.13 and 5.25 g·L-1). In addition, time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) using the actinide Cm(III) identified two distinct inner-sphere surface species. Combining both approaches allowed the development of a robust surface complexation model and the determination of stability constants of the spectroscopically identified species of (S-OH)2M3+ (logKo -8.89), (S-O)2M+ (logKo -4.11), and (S-O)2MOH (logKo -10.6), with all values extrapolated to infinite dilution. The inclusion of these stability constants into thermodynamic databases will improve the prognostic accuracy of lanthanide and actinide transport through groundwater channels in soils and crystalline rock systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James P Bezzina
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden 01328, Germany
| | - Julia Neumann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden 01328, Germany
| | - Vinzenz Brendler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden 01328, Germany
| | - Moritz Schmidt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden 01328, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Liu XR, Liu WS, Tang YT, Wang SZ, Cao YJ, Chen ZW, Xie CD, Liu C, Guo MN, Qiu RL. Effects of in situ leaching on the origin and migration of rare earth elements in aqueous systems of South China: Insights based on REE patterns, and Ce and Eu anomalies. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 435:128959. [PMID: 35483265 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In situ leaching of ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) deposits has released large amounts of REE-containing wastewater. However, the origin, speciation, distribution and migration of REEs in aqueous systems of the mining catchment are poorly understood. Groundwater, surface water, in situ leachates and weathered granite soil samples were collected from a catchment affected by mining activities in South China. The REE concentrations in groundwater (6.18 × 10-3-0.49 μmol L-1) and surface water (2.54-44.05 μmol L-1) decreased from upstream to downstream. REEs in groundwater were detected in organic matter associated (FA-REE) colloids, while the REE3+ and REE(SO4)+ were converted to REE(CO3)+ and FA-REE colloids from leachates and upstream surface water to downstream. The REE patterns of leachates and upstream groundwater (light and middle REE enrichment) resembled those of soil, but showed heavy REE enrichment due to FA-REE colloids in the downstream. REE in surface water were derived from middle REE enriched leachate. The Ce and Eu anomalies in the water samples indicated the REE origin (i.e., mining activities) and the hydrological variations (e.g., oxidation environment and water-rock interaction). Our results reveal the origin and fate of REE in aqueous systems of ion-adsorption REE mining catchments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Rui Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Shen Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Ye-Tao Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Zhong Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Jie Cao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Wu Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Can-Die Xie
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei-Na Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong-Liang Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang Y, Wang G, Sun M, Liang X, He H, Zhu J, Takahashi Y. Environmental risk assessment of the potential "Chemical Time Bomb" of ion-adsorption type rare earth elements in urban areas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 822:153305. [PMID: 35074386 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ion-adsorption type rare earth elements (REEs) located in tropical and subtropical zones have abundant movable and bioavailable ion-exchangeable REEs and could be an environmental hazard. However, our understanding of their environmental risk in urban areas is limited. We aimed to determine whether ion-adsorption type REEs in Guangzhou represent a kind of potential "Chemical Time Bomb" (CTB) and assess the environmental risk. We conducted a comprehensive survey of REEs in 181 samples including regolith (n = 70), surface water (n = 55), sediment (n = 25), vegetables (n = 22) and rhizosphere soil (n = 9), collected from five regions around Guangzhou, as a representative city of ion-adsorption type REEs in tropical and subtropical zones. The existing environmental risk was assessed by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI) of REEs through vegetable consumption, and leaching simulation experiments were used to discuss the factors affecting the long-term stability of REEs. The average REEs concentrations (ΣREEs) in the regolith and sediment were 458.5 and 218.6 μg·g-1, respectively, which were higher than the background values of regolith (197.3 μg·g-1) and sediment (173.3 μg·g-1), and large proportions of ion-exchangeable REEs were observed in regolith and sediment, indicating that ion-adsorption type REEs in Guangzhou are a kind of potential CTB. The average ΣREEs in surface water (3.9 μg·L-1), rhizosphere soil (466.9 μg·g-1) and vegetables (25.0 μg·g-1·dw) suggest that REEs have migrated to the supergene environment even organisms. The average EDI (55.4 μg·kg-1·d-1) close to the safety limitation (70 μg·kg-1·d-1) suggests that the existing health risk is very worrisome. Human factors, including acid rain, mining and farming, probably ignite the CTB, causing the release of REEs to the urban environment on a large scale. This prospective study demonstrated that REEs exposure problems in urban areas of ion-adsorption type REEs should not be ignored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mineralogy and Metallogeny, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mineral Physics and Materials, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Gaofeng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mineralogy and Metallogeny, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mineral Physics and Materials, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingqi Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mineralogy and Metallogeny, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mineral Physics and Materials, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoliang Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mineralogy and Metallogeny, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mineral Physics and Materials, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongping He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mineralogy and Metallogeny, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mineral Physics and Materials, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianxi Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mineralogy and Metallogeny, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mineral Physics and Materials, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Yoshio Takahashi
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Liu H, Guo H, Pourret O, Wang Z, Liu M, Zhang W, Li Z, Gao B, Sun Z, Laine P. Geochemical signatures of rare earth elements and yttrium exploited by acid solution mining around an ion-adsorption type deposit: Role of source control and potential for recovery. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 804:150241. [PMID: 34798751 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Elevated concentrations of rare earth elements and yttrium (REE + Y) in acid mine drainage (AMD) attract worldwide attention. However, the source and control of REE + Y distribution patterns in AMD remain unclear. Water, rock, sediment, and sludge samples were collected from an ion-adsorption deposit site to investigate REE + Y concentrations and distributions. The heavy REE (HREE)-enriched patterns of the AMD resulted from preferential desorption of HREE in the clay-rich sediment strata, from which the REE + Y were ion-exchanged by an in-situ underground leaching process using ammonium sulfate brine. Free ions and sulfate complexes preserved REE + Y patterns and facilitated REE + Y mobility in the AMD leachate system. High concentrations of REE + Y occurred in the AMD, and decreased progressively through nitrification-denitrification and coagulation-precipitation procedures in a water treatment plant. Concentrations of REE + Y were one to three orders of magnitude higher in AMD than those in groundwater, and were negatively correlated (r2 = -0.72) with pH (3.8 to 8.7), suggesting that an acid desorption from minerals contributed the REE + Y to the AMD from the source rock. Normalized REE + Y patterns showed enrichments of HREE over light REE (LREE) and negative Ce anomaly. The distribution patterns were relatively constant for all water samples, despite their huge difference in REE + Y concentrations. This suggested a limited impact of preferential precipitation of LREE over HREE on REE + Y fractionations during neutralization. The potentially recoverable LREE and HREE were calculated to range between 1.12 kg/day and 3.37 kg/day, and between 1.29 kg/day and 3.76 kg/day, respectively. The findings reported in this study lend promise for efficient REE + Y recovery from AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Liu
- School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China.
| | - Huaming Guo
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China.
| | | | - Zhen Wang
- School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China
| | - Maohan Liu
- School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China
| | - Weimin Zhang
- School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China
| | - Zebing Li
- School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China
| | - Bai Gao
- School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China
| | - Zhanxue Sun
- School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, PR China
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Conditioning with Lime and Fertilizer Improves Ionic Rare Earth Mine Tailings. ADSORPT SCI TECHNOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1155/2021/1378408] [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
To explore rare earth mine tailings improvement technology without soil dressing, we planted Chinese cabbage in pots to determine the effect of different amounts of lime combined with fertilizer on the improvement of ionic rare earth mine tailings, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the reclamation of abandoned ionic rare earth mines. The results showed that the soil substrate of the tested rare earth tailings exhibited four forms of degradation: soil acidification, soil desertification, nutrient depletion, and heavy metal contamination by rare earth elements (REEs). The application of fertilizer alone (CK treatment) did not support Chinese cabbage growth, whereas different amounts of lime combined with fertilizer supported plant growth and significantly reduced the activity of the rare earth heavy metals. The height, fresh weight, and REE content of the Chinese cabbage plants were significantly reduced with an increase in the amount of lime applied. Addition of lime not only significantly improved the soil pore space and reduced soil acidification but also significantly increased the soil nutrient content. Our findings suggest that lime combined with fertilizer can improve ionic rare earth mine tailing soil degradation, thus promoting plant growth and achieving the improvement of ionic rare earth mine tailings without soil dressing.
Collapse
|
18
|
Liu D, Yu H, Gu Y, Pang Q. Effect of rare earth element lanthanum on lipid deposition and Wnt10b signaling in the liver of male zebrafish. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 240:105994. [PMID: 34656894 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper investigates the effect of lanthanum (La) on lipid deposition and Wnt10b signaling in the liver of male zebrafish with exposure of 0, 10, 20, and 30 μmol/L La. It suggests that La can be accumulated in liver, and its treatments decrease the activities and gene expression of enzymes related to fatty acid synthesis. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) as well as the size of lipid droplets are decreased by La treatments. Moreover, La treatments affect the composition of fatty acids and the content of nutrient elements. Meanwhile, they also induce the gene expression of wnt10b, β-catenin, pparα, and pparγ, but inhibit gsk-3β gene expression in liver. Further study on the result of wnt10b gene interference shows that Wnt10b/β-catenin signaling plays a crucial role in the regulatory process of hepatic lipid deposition. Taken together, our observations suggest that La accumulation affects lipid deposition in the liver of male zebrafish, and Wnt10b signaling pathway may be involved in this process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongwu Liu
- School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China; Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China.
| | - Hairui Yu
- College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Weifang Bioengineering Technology Research Center, Weifang University, Weifang 261061, China
| | - Yaqi Gu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Qiuxiang Pang
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Progress in green and efficient enrichment of rare earth from leaching liquor of ion adsorption type rare earth ores. J RARE EARTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jre.2021.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
20
|
Start-up Strategies for Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidation (Anammox) in In-Situ Nitrogen Removal from Polluted Groundwater in Rare Earth Mining Areas. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13084591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The tremendous input of ammonium and rare earth element (REE) ions released by the enormous consumption of (NH4)2SO4 in in situ leaching for ion-adsorption RE mining caused serious ground and surface water contamination. Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) was a sustainable in situ technology that can reduce this nitrogen pollution. In this research, in situ, semi in situ, and ex situ method of inoculation that included low-concentration (0.02 mg·L−1) and high-concentration (0.10 mg·L−1) lanthanum (La)(III) were adopted to explore effective start-up strategies for starting up anammox reactors seeded with activated sludge and anammox sludge. The reactors were refrigerated for 30 days at 4 °C to investigate the effects of La(III) during a period of low-temperature. The results showed that the in situ and semi in situ enrichment strategies with the addition of La(III) at a low-concentration La(III) addition (0.02 mg·L−1) reduced the length of time required to reactivate the sludge until it reached a state of stable anammox activity and high nitrogen removal efficiency by 60–71 days. The addition of La(III) promoted the formation of sludge floc with a compact structure that enabled it to resist the adverse effects of low temperature and so to maintain a high abundance of AnAOB and microbacterial community diversity of sludge during refrigeration period. The addition of La(III) at a high concentration caused the cellular percentage of AnAOB to decrease from 54.60 ± 6.19% to 17.35 ± 6.69% during the enrichment and reduced nitrogen removal efficiency to an unrecoverable level to post-refrigeration.
Collapse
|
21
|
Responses of Anammox Granular Sludge to Long-Term Rare Earth Element Feeding: Lanthanum as a Case. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12197887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A tremendous input of ammonium and rare earth elements (REEs) has entered the surroundings on account of the discharge and leak of leaching agents during rare earth in-suit leaching mining, which has threatened various organisms. Anammox has the potential to release nitrogen contamination, but the potential impacts of REEs on anammox bacteria remain unclear. In this study, La (III) was chosen as a case to explore the long-term impacts on anammox granular sludge. The 5 mg L−1 La (III) which was examined hardly affected the anammox granulates because of the defense of extracellular polymeric substances. The high La concentrations (10–50 mg L−1) caused intercellular accumulation and the significant inhibition of nitrogen removal performance and dehydrogenase activity, especially a decrease in the relative abundance of Ca. Kuenenia. Moreover, it also induced patently oxidative damage and affected cell membrane integrity. Notably, extracellular polymeric substances have a limited defense capability; neither La3+ nor Ca2+/Mg2+ efflux-related genes aggravated the intracellular accumulation of La.
Collapse
|
22
|
Atinkpahoun CNH, Pons MN, Louis P, Leclerc JP, Soclo HH. Rare earth elements (REE) in the urban wastewater of Cotonou (Benin, West Africa). CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 251:126398. [PMID: 32169704 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The rare earth element (REE) contamination of urban wastewater, which was collected from open sewers and the inlet of a wastewater treatment plant in Cotonou (Benin), was assessed. The drinking water distributed to the inhabitants of Cotonou and water samples from private wells were also analyzed. The sampling occurred between October and December 2016 and the samples were analyzed by ICP-MS. Although the only magnetic resonance imaging facility in Cotonou opened in November 2016, pollution by anthropogenic gadolinium (Gd), which is included in phase contrast agents, was observed: there was 30-620 times more Gd in wastewater samples than in drinking and well water samples. Europium was another REE presenting positive anomalies. It is hypothetized than the europium came from the leachates of solid waste piles in the street. In the absence of any wastewater treatment, the REEs found in the wastewater are spread to the aquatic environment. It would be interesting to monitor the wastewater REEs over the long term. So far, the aquifers used for water provision have not been polluted by the anthropogenic REEs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chrystelle N H Atinkpahoun
- Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés (UMR 7274 CNRS), Université de Lorraine, 1, rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001, Nancy cedex, France; Unité de Recherche en Ecotoxicologie et Etude de Qualité/Laboratoire d'Etude et de Recherche en Chimie Appliquée/ UAC, 01 BP 2009, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Marie-Noëlle Pons
- Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés (UMR 7274 CNRS), Université de Lorraine, 1, rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001, Nancy cedex, France; LTSER-Zone Atelier Bassin de la Moselle, Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, Université de Lorraine, 1, rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001, Nancy cedex, France.
| | - Pauline Louis
- Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés (UMR 7274 CNRS), Université de Lorraine, 1, rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001, Nancy cedex, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Leclerc
- Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés (UMR 7274 CNRS), Université de Lorraine, 1, rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001, Nancy cedex, France; INRS, 1 rue du Morvan, CS60027, 54519, Vandœuvre cedex, France
| | - Henri H Soclo
- Unité de Recherche en Ecotoxicologie et Etude de Qualité/Laboratoire d'Etude et de Recherche en Chimie Appliquée/ UAC, 01 BP 2009, Cotonou, Benin
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Yang Q, Zhao Z, Hou H, Bai Z, Yuan Y, Su Z, Wang G. The effect of combined ecological remediation (plant microorganism modifier) on rare earth mine wasteland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:13679-13691. [PMID: 32034593 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-07886-2] [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: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to the vegetation destruction and soil desertification caused by excessive exploitation at Ganzhou ion-type rare earth mine in the mid-1980s, it is essential to carry out ecological remediation. The symbiotic mycorrhiza formed by the developed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) roots infected with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can significantly improve the growth and resistance of plants. In this study, the combination of symbiotic mycorrhiza and soil modifier was used to construct the ryegrass-AMF-soil modifier combined remediation technology, which achieved effective ecological remediation of soil tailings. The orthogonal experiment of soil modifier showed that the most efficient formula for ryegrass biomass, soil organic matter, soil alkaline hydrolysis, soil available phosphorus, and soil pH was 5 g/kg sepiolite, 3 g/kg chicken manure, 2 g/kg humic acid, and 2 g/kg biochar (A4B3C3D3), and chicken manure (B), humic acid (C), and biochar (D) had significant effects on the improvement of ryegrass biomass, soil organic matter, soil alkaline nitrogen, and soil available phosphorus. Sepiolite (A) had a significant improvement in soil pH. Furthermore, the AMF infection results indicated that Glomus moss (G.m.) had higher affinity with ryegrass. The T4 treatment-combined remediation using G.m. inoculation had the most significant effect on ryegrass growth; plant height increased by 39.19% compared with T1 treatment-inoculation using G.m. Under combined remediation, soil pH, organic matter, alkali nitrogen, and effective phosphorus content also significantly improved after combined treatment. Under G.m. inoculation treatment (T4 treatment), the soil nutrient content reached the three criteria of the soil nutrient grading standard.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Yang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No.29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhongqiu Zhao
- College of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No.29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Ministry of Land and Resources, Beijing, 100035, China.
| | - Hong Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zhongke Bai
- College of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No.29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
- Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Ministry of Land and Resources, Beijing, 100035, China
| | - Ye Yuan
- College of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No.29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhijie Su
- College of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No.29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Guangyao Wang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No.29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wang Q, Kail BW, Wilfong WC, Shi F, Tarka TJ, Gray ML. Amine Sorbents for Selective Recovery of Heavy Rare‐Earth Elements (Dysprosium, Ytterbium) from Aqueous Solution. Chempluschem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/cplu.201900695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuming Wang
- U. S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830 United States
| | - Brian W. Kail
- U. S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 United States
- Leidos Research Support Team (LRST) 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 United States
| | - Walter C. Wilfong
- U. S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 United States
- Leidos Research Support Team (LRST) 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 United States
| | - Fan Shi
- U. S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 United States
- Leidos Research Support Team (LRST) 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 United States
| | - Thomas J. Tarka
- U. S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 United States
| | - McMahan L. Gray
- U. S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhang L, Liu W, Liu S, Zhang P, Ye C, Liang H. Revegetation of a barren rare earth mine using native plant species in reciprocal plantation: effect of phytoremediation on soil microbiological communities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:2107-2119. [PMID: 31773530 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06645-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Over-exploration of rare earth elements causes soil desertification and environmental degradation. However, the restoration of rare earth mine tailings requires the recovery of both vegetation and soil microbiota. Accordingly, the present study aimed to compare the efficacy of restoring mine tailings using organic compost and native plants (Miscanthus sinensis, Pinus massoniana, Bambusa textilis, or a mixture of all three). After three years, the mixed plantation harbored tenfold greater plant richness than that in the barren land. Among these, M. sinensis played a dominant role across all restored areas. The microbial communities of the soils were assessed using high-throughput 16S rDNA gene sequencing. A total of 34,870 16S rDNA gene sequences were obtained and classified into 15 bacterial phyla and 36 genera. The dominant genus across all the restored soils was Burkholderia, and the bacterial diversity of restored soils was greater than that of soils from either unrestored or natural (unexploited) areas, with the M. sinensis plantation yielding the greatest diversity. The effects of phytoremediation were mainly driven by changes in nutrient and metal contents. These results indicate that M. sinensis significantly improves phytoremediation and that mixed planting is ideal for restoring the soils of abandoned rare earth mines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- College of Agriculture and Biology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, Guangdong, China
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Wen Liu
- College of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Guangdong Agriculture Industry Business Polytechnic College, Guangzhou, 510507, China
| | - Shenghong Liu
- College of Agriculture and Biology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, Guangdong, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- College of Agriculture and Biology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, Guangdong, China
| | - Chanjuan Ye
- College of Agriculture and Biology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Liang
- College of Agriculture and Biology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Liu WS, Wu LL, Zheng MY, Chao YQ, Zhao CM, Zhong X, Ding KB, Huot H, Zhang MY, Tang YT, Li C, Qiu RL. Controls on rare-earth element transport in a river impacted by ion-adsorption rare-earth mining. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 660:697-704. [PMID: 30743955 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Rare-earth elements (REEs) are known to be a group of emerging pollutants, but the geochemistry of REEs in river waters in ion-adsorption rare-earth mining areas has attracted little attention. In this study, samples of the <0.45 μm and 0.22-0.45 μm (large colloids) water fractions and acid-soluble particles (ASPs) were collected from a river impacted by ion-adsorption rare-earth mining activities. The roles of ligand complexation, colloid binding, and particle adsorption in REE transport and distribution were also investigated. Results showed higher concentrations of REEs in the <0.45 μm fraction of all sampling sites (3.30 × 10-2-9.42 μM) compared with that in the control site (1.21 × 10-3 μM); this fraction was also characterized by middle REE enrichment at upstream sites, where REEs are mainly controlled by the <0.22 μm fraction (55%-94% of the species found in the <0.45 μm fraction) and ligand complexation (REE3+, REE(SO4)+, and REE(CO3)+). At downstream sites, heavy REE enrichment was observed, which was largely determined by binding to large colloids (68%-83% of the species found in the <0.45 μm fraction) and adsorption to particles (>90% of the acidified bulk water). Furthermore, REE patterns indicated that the REE-associated large colloids were mineral or mixed mineral-organic matter (OM) at upstream sites and OM-dominated or functionalized at downstream sites. The particles were mainly coated by inorganic matter substances (e.g., Fe/Al oxyhydroxides). In summary, our results reveal that REE patterns provide a useful tool to study the fate of REEs in ion-adsorption rare-earth mining catchments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Shen Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Le-Lan Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Meng-Yuan Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yuan-Qing Chao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Chun-Mei Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xi Zhong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Keng-Bo Ding
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Hermine Huot
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Miao-Yue Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Ye-Tao Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Charlie Li
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Rong-Liang Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Yang Q, Wang L, He J, Wei H, Yang Z, Huang X. Arabinogalactan Proteins Are the Possible Extracellular Molecules for Binding Exogenous Cerium(III) in the Acidic Environment Outside Plant Cells. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:153. [PMID: 30842782 PMCID: PMC6391350 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements [REE(III)] increasingly accumulate in the atmosphere and can be absorbed by plant leaves. Our previous study showed that after treatment of REE(III) on plant, REE(III) is first bound by some extracellular molecules of plant cells, and then the endocytosis of leaf cells will be initiated, which terminates the endocytic inertia of leaf cells. Identifying the extracellular molecules for binding REE(III) is the crucial first step to elucidate the mechanism of REE(III) initiating the endocytosis in leaf cells. Unfortunately, the molecules are unknown. Here, cerium(III) [Ce(III)] and Arabidopsis served as a representative of REE(III) and plants, respectively. By using interdisciplinary methods such as confocal laser scanning microscopy, immune-Au and fluorescent labeling, transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescent spectrometry and molecular dynamics simulation, we obtained two important discoveries: first, the arabinogalactan proteins (AGP) inside leaf cells were sensitively increased in protein expression and recruited onto the plasma membrane; second, to verify whether AGP can bind to Ce(III) in the acidic environment outside leaf cells, by choosing fasciclin-like AGP11 (AtFLA11) as a representative of AGP, we found that Ce(III) can form stable [Ce(H2O)7](III)-AtFLA11 complexes with an apparent binding constant of 1.44 × 10-6 in simulated acidic environment outside leaf cells, in which the secondary and tertiary structure of AtFLA11 was changed. The structural change in AtFLA11 and the interaction between AtFLA11 and Ce(III) were enhanced with increasing the concentration of Ce(III). Therefore, AtFLA11 can serve as Lewis bases to coordinately bind to Ce(III), which broke traditional chemical principle. The results confirmed that AGP can be the possible extracellular molecules for binding to exogenous Ce(III) outside leaf cells, and provided references for elucidating the mechanism of REE(III) initiating the endocytosis in leaf cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lihong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jingfang He
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiyan Wei
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenbiao Yang
- Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Xiaohua Huang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wang L, Han X, Liang T, Guo Q, Li J, Dai L, Ding S. Discrimination of rare earth element geochemistry and co-occurrence in sediment from Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 217:851-857. [PMID: 30458420 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.11.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Geochemical distribution of trace elements in sediments could reflect the impact of anthropogenic activities on environmental changes in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, rare earth elements (REEs) were used as geochemical tracers to study the environmental processes in a complex and dynamic aquatic environment. Both surface and core sediment samples were collected from Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake located in the middle-low region of the Yangtze River. Sediment samples were analyzed for their respective REE spatial distributions, fractionation, and co-occurrence patterns. The inner relationships and geochemistry characters of REEs were assessed by geostatistics and co-occurrence network analysis. Results indicated that total REE concentrations in the sediments from Poyang Lake ranged from 145.1 to 351.1 μg g-1, with an average concentration of 254.0 μg g-1. Light rare earth element (LREE, La - Sm) enrichment was evident in all sediment samples, indicating the effects of river-lake interactions and the contributions from terrestrial inputs. The negative Ce and Eu anomalies were found in most sediment samples, indicating the differentiation between Ce, Eu, and other REEs in the processes of sediment transportation and deposition. Collectively, the identification of the major contamination sources of REEs in sediment, analyzed by the patterns of the co-occurrence networks and REE fractionation, revealed that the REEs in sediments from Poyang Lake originated both natural and anthropogenic sources and were disturbed by the impact of anthropogenic activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Xiaoxiao Han
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tao Liang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qingjun Guo
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lijun Dai
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shiming Ding
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Liu WS, Guo MN, Liu C, Yuan M, Chen XT, Huot H, Zhao CM, Tang YT, Morel JL, Qiu RL. Water, sediment and agricultural soil contamination from an ion-adsorption rare earth mining area. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 216:75-83. [PMID: 30359919 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to their specific properties, ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites may be a threat for adjacent environments. This work was undertaken to assess whether former mining operations on ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites have a significant impact on water bodies and soils of the surrounding environments. Tailing soil materials, stream waters and sediments, and farmland soils were collected from one of the largest ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites worldwide (Southern China). Total concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), Fe, Al, etc., and pH were measured. Results revealed high concentrations of REEs in tailing soils (392 mg kg-1), stream waters (4460 μg L-1), sediments (462 mg kg-1) and farmland soils (928 mg kg-1) in comparison with control sites. In the tailing profiles, light REEs (LREEs) were preferentially leached compared to middle REEs (MREEs) and heavy REEs (HREEs). Anomalies in tailings and stream water indicated strong soil weathering (Eu) and leaching activities (Ce) within the tailings. The MREE enriched pattern in stream water was more related to water parameters such as Al and Fe oxides, and ligands, than to the source of REEs. Anomalies also indicated that REEs contamination in the farmland soils was mainly originated from the stream water contaminated by the leaching from the tailings. In conclusion, a heavy REEs pollution was recorded in the surrounding environment of ion-adsorption rare earth mine. REEs fractionation, Ce and Eu anomalies provided an insight to the understanding of REEs leaching and soil weathering processes, and REEs environmental fate in rare earth mining area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Shen Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei-Na Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming Yuan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Tian Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Hermine Huot
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China.
| | - Chun-Mei Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye-Tao Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jean Louis Morel
- Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, Université de Lorraine, INRA, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Rong-Liang Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Tang J, Qiao J, Xue Q, Liu F, Chen H, Zhang G. Leach of the weathering crust elution-deposited rare earth ore for low environmental pollution with a combination of (NH 4) 2SO 4 and EDTA. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 199:160-167. [PMID: 29438942 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.01.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
High concentration of ammonium sulfate, a typical leaching agent, was often used in the mining process of the weathering crust elution-deposited rare earth ore. After mining, a lot of ammonia nitrogen and labile heavy metal fractions were residual in tailings, which may result in a huge potential risk to the environment. In this study, in order to achieve the maximum extraction of rare earth elements and reduce the labile heavy metal, extraction effect and fraction changes of lanthanum (La) and lead (Pb) in the weathering crust elution-deposited rare earth ore were studied by using a compound agent of (NH4)2SO4-EDTA. The extraction efficiency of La was more than 90% by using 0.2% (NH4)2SO4-0.005 M EDTA, which was almost same with that by using 2.0% (NH4)2SO4 solution. In contrast, the extraction efficiency of Pb was 62.3% when use 0.2% (NH4)2SO4-0.005 M EDTA, which is much higher than that (16.16%) achieved by using 2.0% (NH4)2SO4 solution. The released Pb fractions were mainly acid extractable and reducible fractions, and the content of reducible fraction being leached accounted for 70.45% of the total reducible fraction. Therefore, the use of 0.2% (NH4)2SO4-0.005 M EDTA can not only reduce the amount of (NH4)2SO4, but also decrease the labile heavy metal residues in soil, which provides a new way for efficient La extraction with effective preventing and controlling environmental pollution in the process of mining the weathering crust elution-deposited rare earth ore.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Jiyang Qiao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Qiang Xue
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, PR China.
| | - Fei Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Honghan Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Guochen Zhang
- Beijing Z.D.H.K. Environmental Science & Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, 100011, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Feng AJ, Xiao X, Ye CC, Xu XM, Zhu Q, Yuan JP, Hong YH, Wang JH. Isolation and characterization of Burkholderia fungorum Gan-35 with the outstanding ammonia nitrogen-degrading ability from the tailings of rare-earth-element mines in southern Jiangxi, China. AMB Express 2017; 7:140. [PMID: 28655218 PMCID: PMC5484655 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-017-0434-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The exploitation of rare-earth-element (REE) mines has resulted in severe ammonia nitrogen pollution and induced hazards to environments and human health. Screening microorganisms with the ammonia nitrogen-degrading ability provides a basis for bioremediation of ammonia nitrogen-polluted environments. In this study, a bacterium with the outstanding ammonia nitrogen-degrading capability was isolated from the tailings of REE mines in southern Jiangxi Province, China. This strain was identified as Burkholderia fungorum Gan-35 according to phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses. The optimal conditions for ammonia–nitrogen degradation by strain Gan-35 were determined as follows: pH value, 7.5; inoculum dose, 10%; incubation time, 44 h; temperature, 30 °C; and C/N ratio, 15:1. Strain Gan-35 degraded 68.6% of ammonia nitrogen under the optimized conditions. Nepeta cataria grew obviously better in the ammonia nitrogen-polluted soil with strain Gan-35 than that without inoculation, and the decrease in ammonia–nitrogen contents of the former was also more obvious than the latter. Besides, strain Gan-35 exhibited the tolerance to high salinities. In summary, strain Gan-35 harbors the ability of both ammonia–nitrogen degradation at high concentrations and promoting plant growth. This work has reported a Burkholderia strain with the ammonia nitrogen-degrading capability for the first time and is also the first study on the isolation of a bacterium with the ammonia nitrogen-degrading ability from the tailings of REE mines. The results are useful for developing an effective method for microbial remediation of the ammonia nitrogen-polluted tailings of REE mines.
Collapse
|
32
|
Tang J, Xue Q, Chen H, Li W. Mechanistic study of lead desorption during the leaching process of ion-absorbed rare earths: pH effect and the column experiment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:12918-12926. [PMID: 28365846 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8814-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
High concentrations of ammonium sulfate, often used in the in situ mining process, can result in a decrease of pH in the environment and dissolution of rare earth metals. Ammonium sulfate can also cause desorption of toxic heavy metals, leading to environmental and human health implications. In this study, the desorption behavior and fraction changes of lead in the ion-absorbed rare earth ore were studied using batch desorption experiments and column leaching tests. Results from batch desorption experiments showed that the desorption process of lead included fast and slow stages and followed an Elovich model well. The desorption rate and the proportion of lead content in the solution to the total lead in the soil were observed to increase with a decrease in the initial pH of the ammonium sulfate solution. The lead in soil included an acid-extractable fraction, reducible fraction, oxidizable fraction, and a residual fraction, with the predominant fractions being the reducible and acid-extractable fractions. Ninety-six percent of the extractable fraction in soil was desorbed into solution at pH = 3.0, and the content of the reducible fraction was observed to initially increase (when pH >4.0) and then decrease (when pH <4.0) with a decrease in pH. Column leaching tests indicated that the content of lead in the different fractions of soil followed the trend of reducible fraction > oxidizable fraction > acid-extractable fraction > residual fraction after the simulating leaching mining process. The change in pH was also found to have a larger influence on the acid-extractable and reducible fractions than the other two fractions. The proportion of the extractable fraction being leached was ca. 86%, and the reducible fraction was enriched along the migration direction of the leaching liquid. These results suggest that certain lead fractions may desorb again and contaminate the environment via acid rain, which provides significant information for environmental assessment and remediation after mining process. Graphical abstract ᅟ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Xue
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.
| | - Honghan Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wenting Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|