1
|
Modabberi S, Tashakor M, Rajabian N, Khorasanipour M, Esmaeilzadeh E, Ambrosino M, Cicchella D. Characterization and chemical fractionation of potentially toxic elements in soils of a pre-mining mineralized area; an evaluation of mobility and environmental risk. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:4795-4815. [PMID: 36941446 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01537-4] [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: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The environmental geochemical characterization of mineralized areas prior to mining does not receive adequate attention. This study shows trace element distribution in soils of two unexploited porphyry copper deposits located in Darreh-Zereshk and Ali-Abad in central Iran. The study was carried out using a compositional data analysis (CoDa) approach and combination of multivariate statistics and clustering techniques, which made it possible to identify the geochemical associations representing the different areas of the mineral deposits. The results of the chemical analyses, performed by ICP-MS, revealed high concentrations of those elements typically associated with porphyry deposits (As, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The typical zonal pattern with an anomaly of Cu in central parts of the system and the prevalence of epithermal elements (Ag, Cd, Pb, and Zn) toward the peripheral propylitic alteration zone were recognized. The XRD analysis of selected soil samples allowed us to determine the distribution of elements within the different carrier minerals. Afterward, geochemical speciation patterns were investigated by a four-step sequential extraction procedure based on BCR protocol. The residual fraction consisting of primary resistant minerals was found to be the main host for As (73-93.4%), Cr (65.1-79.6%), Cu (54.3-81.4%), Ni (58.9-80.6%), V (75.9-88%), and Zn (56.5-60.5%) in the studied soils. Even though these elements are not readily leachable, their behavior and distribution could be largely affected by the mining operation and consequent changes in the physicochemical properties of the soil. The soluble-exchangeable phase was only less than 15% of the total extractions for all elements, except for Cd. With respect to the mobility factor (MF), Cd was the most mobile element followed by Sb and Pb. The measured risk assessment code (RAC) presented the following risk order: Cd > Sb > Ni > Co > Pb > Cr > As > Zn > Cu > V. This study reveals that the acquisition of pre-mining geo-environmental data of trace elements is very important to establish pre-mining backgrounds and baselines for evaluating post-mining or post-reclamation geochemical signatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Modabberi
- School of Geology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahsa Tashakor
- School of Geology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Najmeh Rajabian
- School of Geology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Khorasanipour
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Esmat Esmaeilzadeh
- Research and Development Division, Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maurizio Ambrosino
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Domenico Cicchella
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hydrogeochemical Processes and Natural Background Levels of Chromium in an Ultramafic Environment. The Case Study of Vermio Mountain, Western Macedonia, Greece. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13202809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The hydrogeochemical processes and natural background levels (NBLs) of chromium in the ultramafic environment of Vermio Mountain, Western Macedonia, Greece, were studied. Seventy groundwater samples were collected from 15 natural springs between 2014–2020, and an extensive set of physical and chemical parameters were determined. The ultramafic-dominated environment of western Vermio Mt. favors elevated groundwater concentrations of dissolved magnesium (Mg2+), silicon (Si), nickel (Ni), and Cr in natural spring waters. Chromium was the principal environmental parameter that exhibited a wide range of concentrations, from 0.5 to 131.5 μg/L, systematically exceeding the permissible limit of 50 μg/L for drinking water. Statistical evaluation of hydrogeological, hydrochemical, and hydrological data highlighted the water-ultramafic rock process as the predominant contributor of Cr in groundwater. The NBL assessment for Cr and Cr(VI) was successfully applied to the typical ultramafic-dominated spring “Potistis” that satisfied all the methodology criteria. The NBLs of Cr and Cr(VI) were defined at 130 μg/L and 100 μg/L, respectively, revealing that a natural ultramafic-dominated environment exhibits the geochemical potential to contribute very high concentrations of geogenic Cr to groundwater. The holistic methodology, proposed herein, could be implemented in any catchment scale to assess geogenic and anthropogenic Cr-sources that degrade groundwater quality.
Collapse
|
3
|
Vithanage M, Kumarathilaka P, Oze C, Karunatilake S, Seneviratne M, Hseu ZY, Gunarathne V, Dassanayake M, Ok YS, Rinklebe J. Occurrence and cycling of trace elements in ultramafic soils and their impacts on human health: A critical review. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 131:104974. [PMID: 31376597 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The transformation of trace metals (TMs) in natural environmental systems has created significant concerns in recent decades. Ultramafic environments lead to potential risks to the agricultural products and, subsequently, to human health. This unique review presents geochemistry of ultramafic soils, TM fractionation (i.e. sequential and single extraction techniques), TM uptake and accumulation mechanisms of ultramafic flora, and ultramafic-associated health risks to human and agricultural crops. Ultramafic soils contain high levels of TMs (i.e. Cr, Ni, Mn, and Co) and have a low Ca:Mg ratio together with deficiencies in essential macronutrients required for the growth of crops. Even though a higher portion of TMs bind with the residual fraction of ultramafic soils, environmental changes (i.e. natural or anthropogenic) may increase the levels of TMs in the bioavailable or extractable fractions of ultramafic soils. Extremophile plants that have evolved to thrive in ultramafic soils present clear examples of evolutionary adaptations to TM resistance. The release of TMs into water sources and accumulation in food crops in and around ultramafic localities increases health risks for humans. Therefore, more focused investigations need to be implemented to understand the mechanisms related to the mobility and bioavailability of TMs in different ultramafic environments. Research gaps and directions for future studies are also discussed in this review. Lastly, we consider the importance of characterizing terrestrial ultramafic soil and its effect on crop plants in the context of multi-decadal plans by NASA and other space agencies to establish human colonies on Mars.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meththika Vithanage
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka; School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia.
| | - Prasanna Kumarathilaka
- School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia
| | - Christopher Oze
- Department of Geology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA 90041, USA
| | - Suniti Karunatilake
- Planetary Science Lab, Geology & Geophysics, Louisiana State University, USA
| | - Mihiri Seneviratne
- Department of Botany, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Sri Lanka
| | - Zeng-Yei Hseu
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Viraj Gunarathne
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, O-Jeong Eco-Resilience Institute, Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany; University of Sejong, Department of Environment and Energy, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zlatić NM, Stanković MS. Effects of calcareous and serpentinite parent material on the mineral characteristics of soils and plant material of Teucrium montanum L. (Lamiaceae). ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:564. [PMID: 31414237 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7750-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine eco-edaphic characteristics and influence of different substrates on mineral characteristics of facultative serpentinophyte. The total concentration of 20 elements Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, and Zn in soil samples and aboveground parts of medicinal plant species Teucrium montanum from various calcareous and serpentinite habitats in the territory of Serbia was determined. The concentration of the elements was established by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry-ICP-OES. The obtained results showed that the quantities of certain elements Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Cu, K, Li, P, Se, and Zn were detected more in the soil samples from calcareous habitats in comparison to the quantities of other metals Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, which were more frequently found in the soil samples from the serpentinite habitats. Analyzed plant samples from calcareous habitats contained higher concentrations of Al, Ca, Li, and Zn as opposed to serpentinite containing higher concentrations of Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and Se. Examined species can accumulate macro- and microelements in different quantities, depending on the substrate type. Differences in the concentration of certain elements in the soil samples and aboveground parts of the T. montanum from calcareous and serpentinite habitats indicate significant phenotypic plasticity of the investigated species as well as the existence of specific serpentinite ecotypes developed by the activity of various edaphic factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nenad M Zlatić
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovića 12, 34000, Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia.
| | - Milan S Stanković
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovića 12, 34000, Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vasileiou E, Papazotos P, Dimitrakopoulos D, Perraki M. Expounding the origin of chromium in groundwater of the Sarigkiol basin, Western Macedonia, Greece: a cohesive statistical approach and hydrochemical study. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:509. [PMID: 31342188 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7655-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to provide a methodology including statistical tools and spatial techniques, in order to identify the various potential sources of chromium (Crtot) in the Sarigkiol basin, Western Macedonia, Greece, where elevated concentrations of Crtot in groundwater have been recorded since 1996. Integrated hydrochemical approach and statistical analyses including Pearson's correlation coefficient, multivariate statistical analyses (factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis), and spatial techniques (Moran's I spatial autocorrelation index and bivariate local indicator spatial association cluster map) were applied to evaluate the chemical analyses of 73 water samples, from irrigation wells, natural springs, and surface water. Both natural and anthropogenic sources of Crtot were recorded; the first (ultramafic-dominated environment) is strongly depicted on the natural spring water, in which Crtot concentrations as high as ~ 130 μg/L were recorded, whereas the second (agricultural activities) acts synergistically in the irrigation wells of the Sarigkiol basin, in which strong correlations of Crtot, P, and NO3- were defined. The paper highlights its findings by outlining the potential sources of elevated concentrations of Cr6+ in the Sarigkiol basin, stressing the need for a closer attention on the role of agricultural activities as an important, though commonly neglected, anthropogenic source of Crtot in groundwater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Vasileiou
- School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Division of Geo-sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St, 15773, Zografou, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Papazotos
- School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Division of Geo-sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St, 15773, Zografou, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Dimitrakopoulos
- Department of Mines Central Support, Hydrogeological Studies Section, Public Power Corporation of Greece (PPC), 29 Chalkokondili St, 10432, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Perraki
- School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Division of Geo-sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St, 15773, Zografou, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Papazotos P, Vasileiou E, Perraki M. The synergistic role of agricultural activities in groundwater quality in ultramafic environments: the case of the Psachna basin, central Euboea, Greece. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:317. [PMID: 31041530 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7430-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we approach the geochemical processes affecting the hydrochemistry and resulting in elevated concentrations of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) in groundwater of the Psachna basin, central Euboea, Greece. Sixty-five groundwater samples and 16 topsoil (5-20 cm) samples were studied in order to examine groundwater and soil quality in relation to geogenic processes and anthropogenic activities. Specifically, the origin of Cr and Cr6+ in groundwater was investigated by co-evaluating (a) hydrochemical cross plots of major ions; (b) spatial distribution maps of Cl-, Mg2+, NO3-, and Cr6+; (c) multivariate statistical analyses such as factor analysis (FA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of groundwater geochemistry; (d) chemical analyses of soil samples; and (e) chemical analyses of fertilizers. The major factors that control the hydrochemistry of the study area are reverse ion exchange, dissolution of silicate minerals, and intense agricultural activities. According to FA, three factors explain 73.2% of the total variance of data, whereas according to HCA, the groundwater samples were classified into three groups indicating both geogenic (water-rock interaction) and anthropogenic (agricultural activities) impact. The high concentration of NO3-, up to 540 mg L-1; the strong positive correlation between NO3- and Cr as well as between NO3- and other parameters such as SO42- and Mg2+ in groundwater samples; and the very high content of P, up to 2444 mg kg-1, in soil samples of the Psachna basin, imply the synergistic, although commonly neglected, role of the use of fertilizers in groundwater quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Papazotos
- School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Division of Geo-sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St., 15773, Zografou, Greece
| | - Eleni Vasileiou
- School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Division of Geo-sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St., 15773, Zografou, Greece
| | - Maria Perraki
- School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Division of Geo-sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St., 15773, Zografou, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kulikova T, Hiller E, Jurkovič Ľ, Filová L, Šottník P, Lacina P. Total mercury, chromium, nickel and other trace chemical element contents in soils at an old cinnabar mine site (Merník, Slovakia): anthropogenic versus natural sources of soil contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:263. [PMID: 30953219 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7391-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to investigate the occurrence and distribution of total mercury (Hg) and other trace elements of environmental concern, such as arsenic (As), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and vanadium (V), in soils from the abandoned Merník cinnabar mine in eastern Slovakia. For this purpose, thirty soil samples from two depth intervals within the mine area (n = 60 soil samples) and additional sixteen soil samples from adjacent areas (n = 25 soil samples) were collected. Total Hg was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, while As and other metals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. High mercury concentrations (> 100 mg/kg with a maximum of 951 mg/kg) were observed only in surface soils close to mine waste heaps and adits. Otherwise, Hg concentrations in the majority of surface soils were lower (0.14-19.7 mg/kg), however, higher than Hg in soils collected from sites outside the mine area (0.19-6.92 mg/kg) and even considerably higher than Hg in soils at sites not influenced by the Merník mine. Elevated Cr and Ni concentrations in soils regardless of their sampling sites (mean of 276 mg/kg and median of 132 mg/kg for Cr and 168 mg/kg and 81 mg/kg for Ni, respectively) were attributed to the lithology of the area; the soils are underlain by the sediments of the Central Carpathian Palaeogene, containing a detritus of ultrabasic rocks. As our geochemical data are compositional in nature, they were further treated by compositional data analysis (CoDA). Robust principal component analysis (RPCA) applied on centred (clr) log-ratio-transformed data and correlation analysis of compositional parts based on symmetric balances distinguished very well different sources of origin for the chemical elements. The following three element associations were identified: Hg association with the main source in mining/roasting, Cr-Ni association derived from bedrock and As-Cu-Mn-Pb-Zn-V association (natural background and minor sulphides/sulfosalts in mineralized rocks). The values of geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor suggested that concentrations of Hg in the soils were influenced by human industrial activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatsiana Kulikova
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Edgar Hiller
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Ľubomír Jurkovič
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Lenka Filová
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina 1, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Peter Šottník
- Department of Geology of Mineral Deposits, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Petr Lacina
- GEOtest, a.s., Šmahova 1244/112, 627 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Siebecker MG, Chaney RL, Sparks DL. Natural speciation of nickel at the micrometer scale in serpentine (ultramafic) topsoils using microfocused X-ray fluorescence, diffraction, and absorption. GEOCHEMICAL TRANSACTIONS 2018; 19:14. [PMID: 30109512 PMCID: PMC6091439 DOI: 10.1186/s12932-018-0059-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Serpentine soils and ultramafic laterites develop over ultramafic bedrock and are important geological materials from environmental, geochemical, and industrial standpoints. They have naturally elevated concentrations of trace metals, such as Ni, Cr, and Co, and also high levels of Fe and Mg. Minerals host these trace metals and influence metal mobility. Ni in particular is an important trace metal in these soils, and the objective of this research was to use microscale (µ) techniques to identify naturally occurring minerals that contain Ni and Ni correlations with other trace metals, such as Fe, Mn, and Cr. Synchrotron based µ-XRF, µ-XRD, and µ-XAS were used. Ni was often located in the octahedral layer of serpentine minerals, such as lizardite, and in other layered phyllosilicate minerals with similar octahedral structure, such as chlorite group minerals including clinochlore and chamosite. Ni was also present in goethite, hematite, magnetite, and ferrihydrite. Goethite was present with lizardite and antigorite on the micrometer scale. Lizardite integrated both Ni and Mn simultaneously in its octahedral layer. Enstatite, pargasite, chamosite, phlogopite, and forsterite incorporated various amounts of Ni and Fe over the micrometer spatial scale. Ni content increased six to seven times within the same 500 µm µ-XRD transect on chamosite and phlogopite. Data are shown down to an 8 µm spatial scale. Ni was not associated with chromite or zincochromite particles. Ni often correlated with Fe and Mn, and generally did not correlate with Cr, Zn, Ca, or K in µ-XRF maps. A split shoulder feature in the µ-XAS data at 8400 eV (3.7 Å-1 in k-space) is highly correlated (94% of averaged LCF results) to Ni located in the octahedral sheet of layered phyllosilicate minerals, such as serpentine and chlorite-group minerals. A comparison of bulk-XAS LCF to averaged µ-XAS LCF results showed good representation of the bulk soil via the µ-XAS technique for two of the three soils. In the locations analyzed by µ-XAS, average Ni speciation was dominated by layered phyllosilicate and serpentine minerals (76%), iron oxides (18%), and manganese oxides (9%). In the locations analyzed by µ-XRD, average Ni speciation was dominated by layered phyllosilicate, serpentine, and ultramafic-related minerals (71%) and iron oxides (17%), illustrating the complementary nature of these two methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G. Siebecker
- Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN), University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 USA
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 USA
| | | | - Donald L. Sparks
- Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN), University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 USA
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 USA
| |
Collapse
|