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Li G, Wu J, Kronzucker HJ, Li B, Shi W. Physiological and molecular mechanisms of plant-root responses to iron toxicity. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 297:154257. [PMID: 38688043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2024.154257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The chemical form and physiological activity of iron (Fe) in soil are dependent on soil pH and redox potential (Eh), and Fe levels in soils are frequently elevated to the point of causing Fe toxicity in plants, with inhibition of normal physiological activities and of growth and development. In this review, we describe how iron toxicity triggers important physiological changes, including nitric-oxide (NO)-mediated potassium (K+) efflux at the tips of roots and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen (RNS) in roots, resulting in physiological stress. We focus on the root system, as the first point of contact with Fe in soil, and describe the key processes engaged in Fe transport, distribution, binding, and other mechanisms that are drawn upon to defend against high-Fe stress. We describe the root-system regulation of key physiological processes and of morphological development through signaling substances such as ethylene, auxin, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide, and discuss gene-expression responses under high Fe. We especially focus on studies on the physiological and molecular mechanisms in rice and Arabidopsis under high Fe, hoping to provide a valuable theoretical basis for improving the ability of crop roots to adapt to soil Fe toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250100, China.
| | - Jinlin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Herbert J Kronzucker
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Baohai Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Weiming Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; International Research Centre for Environmental Membrane Biology, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Wang W, Xue J, Zhang L, You J. Influence of conditioner and straw on the herbaceous plant-based phytoremediation copper tailings: a field trial at Liujiagou tailings pond, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:25059-25075. [PMID: 38462565 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32812-1] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
A field trial was performed to carry out an enhanced phytoremediation technique for multi-metal contaminated copper tailings by Sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanese), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), using conditioner (TH-LZ01) and straw combination into composite amendments as soil amendments, aimed to obtain the maximum of phytoremediation effect. The results showed that compared with untreated herbaceous plants, the application of conditioner and straw planted with herbaceous plants reduced the pH and conductivity and increased the organic matter and water content of the copper tailings to different degrees. With the addition of conditioner and straw, the DTPA-Cd, DTPA-Cu, DTPA-Pb, and DTPA-Zn contents in the copper tailings showed a decreasing trend compared with the untreated group. The herbaceous plants were promoted to reduce the percentage contents of acid soluble fractions Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn and to increase the percentage contents of reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in the copper tailings to different degrees. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the underground part of herbaceous plants were higher than those in the aboveground part, and the contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the aboveground part and underground part decreased after adding conditioner and straw, which indicated that the conditioner and straw inhibited the transport of heavy metals in the plant. Furthermore, the principal component analysis showed that the application of conditioner and straw with planting ryegrass had more potential for improving the physicochemical properties of copper tailings and reducing heavy metal toxicity, followed by Bermuda grass and Sudan grass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jinchun Xue
- School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Liping Zhang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jiajia You
- School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi, China
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Zúñiga-Vázquez D, Armienta MA, Cruz O, Aguayo A, Pérez-Martínez I, Morales-Arredondo JI. Edaphic properties as pieces of evidence of tailings deposit on soils. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:9175-9197. [PMID: 37356036 PMCID: PMC10673738 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01657-x] [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: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Mine tailings are one of the primary contaminant sources of heavy metals and metalloids in the soil. Besides increasing the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), tailings may modify the edaphic conditions and decrease the buffer capacity of impacted soils. The influence of tailings may reach distances far from the impoundments depending on the transport path and the specific transport mean: air, rain (runoff and infiltration), or acid mine drainage. In this study, soil samples from various horizons were collected in trial pits along a transect, at different distances from sulfide tailings. Soil analysis included texture, organic matter, alkalinity, porous space, carbonates, pH, electrical conductivity, real density, apparent density, total sulfur, main mineralogy, and total concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Fe, and Zn. Graphical and statistical interpretation of the results showed that real density and porous space are the leading indicators of the tailings dispersion and accumulation and that pH is not a significant parameter (all values were above the neutrality) due to the limestone abundance in the area. However, Zn and Cd concentrations had an inverse relation with pH. Differences in the concentrations of PTEs between the superficial and deep layers that increased toward the tailings were also observed. Gypsum was only present in the closest samples to the tailings and may also be an indicator of tailings' influence on soils. This study allowed us to identify general edaphic parameters as a first and quick means to determine the tailings contamination of soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Zúñiga-Vázquez
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Geofísica, UNAM, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María Aurora Armienta
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Geofísica, UNAM, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Olivia Cruz
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Geofísica, UNAM, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Aguayo
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Geofísica, UNAM, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
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Jurković J, Kazlagić A, Sulejmanović J, Smječanin N, Karalija E, Prkić A, Nuhanović M, Kolar M, Albuquerque A. Assessment of heavy metals bioaccumulation in Silver Birch (Betula pendula Roth) from an AMD active, abandoned gold mine waste. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:9855-9873. [PMID: 37864130 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01774-7] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is generally outlined as one of the largest environmental concerns, characterized by very low pH value of mine waste, heavy metals and high sulphate content. This extremely hostile environment reduces plant ability to develop and grow. Present study focuses on a silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), a pioneer species that grows on an extremely hostile gold mine waste, to investigate the bioaccumulation of rare metals (thallium (Tl) and indium (In)), as well as nine other more common heavy metals (bismuth (Bi), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), silver (Ag) and zinc (Zn)), and to asses phytoextraction and phytostabilization potential of silver birch. Additionally, parameters determining AMD process and overall contamination (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sulphates (SO42-), arsenic (As), iron (Fe), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), acidity, hardness, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and radioactivity) were determined in mine waste and drainage water samples. To assess the heavy metals bioaccumulation and mine waste status, statistical geochemical indices were determined: bioaccumulation factor (BCF), pollution load index (PLI), geochemical abundance index (GAI) and exposure index (EI). The results show that silver birch bioaccumulates the essential elements Cu, Ni, Mn and Zn, and the nonessential elements Tl (average BCF = 24.99), In (average BC = 23.01) and Pb (average BCF = 0.84). Investigated mine waste was enriched by Bi, Ag and Cd according to positive values of GAI index. Present research provides a novel insight into bioaccumulation of nonessential heavy metals in silver birches who grow on the extremely hostile mine waste, and they exhibit significant phytoremediation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josip Jurković
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja Od Bosne 8, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Anera Kazlagić
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Division 1.1 Inorganic Trace Analysis, Richard-Willstäter-Straße 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jasmina Sulejmanović
- Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja Od Bosne 33-35, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Narcisa Smječanin
- Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja Od Bosne 33-35, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Erna Karalija
- Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja Od Bosne 33-35, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Ante Prkić
- Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Mirza Nuhanović
- Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja Od Bosne 33-35, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mitja Kolar
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna Pot 113, 10001, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Antonio Albuquerque
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, FibEnTech, GeoBioTec, university of Beira Interior, Calcada Fonte do Lameiro, 6, 6200-358, Covilhã, Portugal
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Zhang X, Zou G, Chu H, Shen Z, Zhang Y, Abbas MHH, Albogami BZ, Zhou L, Abdelhafez AA. Biochar applications for treating potentially toxic elements (PTEs) contaminated soils and water: a review. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1258483. [PMID: 37662433 PMCID: PMC10472142 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1258483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollution with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) has become one of the critical and pressing issues worldwide. Although these pollutants occur naturally in the environment, their concentrations are continuously increasing, probably as a consequence of anthropic activities. They are very toxic even at very low concentrations and hence cause undesirable ecological impacts. Thus, the cleanup of polluted soils and water has become an obligation to ensure the safe handling of the available natural resources. Several remediation technologies can be followed to attain successful remediation, i.e., chemical, physical, and biological procedures; yet many of these techniques are expensive and/or may have negative impacts on the surroundings. Recycling agricultural wastes still represents the most promising economical, safe, and successful approach to achieving a healthy and sustainable environment. Briefly, biochar acts as an efficient biosorbent for many PTEs in soils and waters. Furthermore, biochar can considerably reduce concentrations of herbicides in solutions. This review article explains the main reasons for the increasing levels of potentially toxic elements in the environment and their negative impacts on the ecosystem. Moreover, it briefly describes the advantages and disadvantages of using conventional methods for soil and water remediation then clarifies the reasons for using biochar in the clean-up practice of polluted soils and waters, either solely or in combination with other methods such as phytoremediation and soil washing technologies to attain more efficient remediation protocols for the removal of some PTEs, e.g., Cr and As from soils and water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Eco-Environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-Carbon Agriculture, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoyan Zou
- Eco-Environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-Carbon Agriculture, Shanghai, China
| | - Huaqiang Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Shen
- National Engineering Research Center of Protected Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Protected Agriculture, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yalei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mohamed H. H. Abbas
- Soils and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Soils and Water Department, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Bader Z. Albogami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Li Zhou
- Eco-Environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-Carbon Agriculture, Shanghai, China
| | - Ahmed A. Abdelhafez
- Soils and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, New Valley University, New Valley, Egypt
- National Committee of Soil Science, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt
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Cacciuttolo C, Cano D, Custodio M. Socio-Environmental Risks Linked with Mine Tailings Chemical Composition: Promoting Responsible and Safe Mine Tailings Management Considering Copper and Gold Mining Experiences from Chile and Peru. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11050462. [PMID: 37235276 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
There is a need to define mine tailings in a clear, precise, multidisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and holistic manner, considering not only geotechnical and hydraulic concepts but also integrating environmental and geochemical aspects with implications for the sustainability of mining. This article corresponds to an independent study that answers questions concerning the definition of mine tailings and the socio-environmental risks linked with mine tailings chemical composition by examining the practical experience of industrial-scale copper and gold mining projects in Chile and Peru. Definitions of concepts and analysis of key aspects in the responsible management of mine tailings, such as characterization of metallic-metalloid components, non-metallic components, metallurgical reagents, and risk identification, among others, are presented. Implications of potential environmental impacts from the generation of acid rock drainage (ARD) in mine tailings are discussed. Finally, the article concludes that mine tailings are potentially toxic to both communities and the environment, and cannot be considered as inert and innocuous materials; thus, mine tailings require safe, controlled, and responsible management with the application of the most high management standards, use of the best available technologies (BATs), use of best applicable practices (BAPs), and implementation of the best environmental practices (BEPs) to avoid risk and potential socio-environmental impact due to accidents or failure of tailings storage facilities (TSFs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cacciuttolo
- Civil Works and Geology Department, Catholic University of Temuco, Temuco 4780000, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Conservación de la Naturaleza, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima 15023, Peru
| | - Deyvis Cano
- Programa Académico de Ingeniería Ambiental, Universidad de Huánuco, Huánuco 10001, Peru
| | - María Custodio
- Centro de Investigación de Medicina en Altura y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Av. Mariscal Castilla N° 3909, Huancayo 12006, Peru
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Mensah MK, Drebenstedt C, Hoth N, Ola IM, Okoroafor PU, Wiafe ED. Artisanal gold mine spoil types within a common geological area and their variations in contaminant loads and human health risks. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:312. [PMID: 36658416 PMCID: PMC9852104 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-10932-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This study answered the question of whether mine spoils occurring in a common geological location had similarities in their contaminant load and associated health risks. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the total contents of Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Zn, Fe, and Al were determined for 110 digested soil samples obtained from underground rock ore (URS), oxide ore (OXS), and alluvial ore (AVS) mine spoils. Independent sample Kruskal-Wallis test and pairwise comparisons of sources were used to ascertain the variation in elemental load between the mine spoil investigated. The results showed that mine spoil contaminations and their ecological and health risk significantly varied (p < 0.01) from each other and fell in the order OXS > URS > AVS > forest soils because of their geochemistry. Determined enrichment and geo-accumulation indices revealed that OXS and URS sites were severely-extremely polluted with Cd, Hg, and As, while AVS mine spoils were only moderately contaminated by Cd and As contents. Children had the highest tendency for developing noncarcinogenic health defects largely due to toxic contents of As, Cd, and Hg in soil materials near them than adult men and women would after obtaining a hazard index of 73.5 and 67.7 (unitless) at both OXS and URS sites. Mine spoils especially where hard rocks and oxide ores were processed are not fit for agricultural use or human habitation. The restriction of human access and sustainable remediation approaches are required to avert health defects. Even so, area-specific potentially toxic elements must be targeted during soil cleaning due to the significant variations in contaminant load between mined sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kofi Mensah
- Institute of Surface Mining and Special Civil Engineering, Freiberg Technical University of Mining, Gustav-Zeuner Street 1A, Freiberg, 09599 Germany
| | - Carsten Drebenstedt
- Institute of Surface Mining and Special Civil Engineering, Freiberg Technical University of Mining, Gustav-Zeuner Street 1A, Freiberg, 09599 Germany
| | - Nils Hoth
- Institute of Surface Mining and Special Civil Engineering, Freiberg Technical University of Mining, Gustav-Zeuner Street 1A, Freiberg, 09599 Germany
| | - Ibukun Momoriola Ola
- Institute of Surface Mining and Special Civil Engineering, Freiberg Technical University of Mining, Gustav-Zeuner Street 1A, Freiberg, 09599 Germany
| | - Precious Uchenna Okoroafor
- Institute of Biosciences/Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Centre, Freiberg Technical University of Mining, Leipziger Street 29, Freiberg, 09599 Germany
| | - Edward Debrah Wiafe
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, PMB Somanya, Ghana
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Khajehpour S, Karbassi A, Honarmand M, Shariat M. Exposure risk assessment, pollution level, and source identification of arsenic in soil: A case study of the Bardsir Plain (southeastern Iran). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:1123-1136. [PMID: 33153289 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2020.1836134] [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: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the total arsenic concentration in the soil and the related human exposure risks in the central part of the Bardsir Plain in southeastern Iran. The results show that the average total arsenic concentration in agricultural soil is 50.26 mg/kg, which is 2.5 times higher than the maximum acceptable limit (20 mg/kg) recommended by the European Community. The natural portion of the arsenic concentration was larger than the anthropogenic portion. The high total arsenic concentration could be due to a combination of geogenic sources and irrigation with polluted groundwater. The average values of Igeo, Ipoll, and IB for agricultural soils were 1.10, 0.14, and 0.15, respectively; which are characterized as moderately polluted. The average non-carcinogenic hazard (HI) values for children and adults were 2.27 and 0.24, respectively, suggesting that children are exposed to non-carcinogenic risks. The total carcinogen risk (CR) value was 1.16E-04, which indicates a high risk of harmful effects to inhabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Khajehpour
- Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Environmental Pollution, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolreza Karbassi
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Honarmand
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Shariat
- Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Environmental Pollution, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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Ferreira DAP, Gaião LM, Kozovits AR, Messias MCTB. Evaluation of metal accumulation in the forage grass Brachiaria decumbens Stapf grown in contaminated soils with iron tailings. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2022; 18:528-538. [PMID: 34273133 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The biggest world tailing dam rupture occurred in Brazil in 2015, releasing approximately 32 million m3 of iron tailings in the Doce River watershed, along its 660 km trajectory, reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This disaster significantly altered water and soil properties, increasing the soil metal contents, mainly iron concentration. Little is known about the concentration of toxic elements in plants grown in these areas. Brachiaria decumbens stands out as the most cultivated grass in the affected areas and is widely used for cattle grazing. This study verified the metal contents in soils and in samples of B. decumbens grown in the initial pathway of the debris flow. It was noted that the tailing deposition altered the substrate chemically, increasing Fe by 181% and reducing Zn soil contents by 188%. However, the metal contents in the forage grass were below the toxic limit for cattle feed. In addition, the results suggest that the natural geological characteristics of the region also influenced the metal contents in plants since those plants grown in nonaffected areas also showed high metal concentrations. The impacted area soils had a slightly basic pH, which can reduce the metal availability. Considering that, in the future, these soils would return to their natural acid state, the metal contents in plants grown in the affected regions could probably increase. Thus, long-term studies are needed to ensure the food safety of the forage production in these areas. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:528-538. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela A P Ferreira
- Department of Biodiversity, Evolution and Environment, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lucas M Gaião
- Department of Biodiversity, Evolution and Environment, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alessandra R Kozovits
- Department of Biodiversity, Evolution and Environment, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maria C T B Messias
- Department of Biodiversity, Evolution and Environment, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Zhao G, Li X, Zhu J, Zhao X, Zhang J, Zhai J. Pollution Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Soils around the Yanzhuang Gold Mine Tailings Pond, Pinggu County, Beijing, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147240. [PMID: 34299689 PMCID: PMC8308061 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The accumulation of tailings from gold mining and smelting may result in PTE pollution. We investigated PTE contamination from a large amalgamated gold mine tailings pond in Pinggu County, Beijing. In November 2017, 30 soil samples were collected around the tailings pond. The concentrations and pollution degree of PTEs in the samples and the sources of Sb, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Hg were analyzed. The average concentration of these elements in soil samples near the tailings pond (16.24, 28.29, 0.99, 171.04, 263.25, 99.73, 0.72 mg/kg, respectively) were higher than their corresponding standard values and background values of the study area. The geoaccumulation index showed that the pollution degree of As, Pb and Hg was moderate, while Sb and Cu present non-pollution to moderate pollution. The average EF values of the elements were Sb (38.31), As (4.23), Cd (0.71), Cu (3.68), Pb (21.24), Zn (0.82) and Hg (5.29), respectively. The environmental risk assessment developed throughout the PERI method indicated that Sb, As, Hg and Pb were the main pollutants in the study area. The three quantitative risk indicators (RI, Igeo and EF) were positively correlated, and all of them indicated that PTEs had significant pollution to the local area. Thus, Sb, As, Pb, Cu, and Hg pollution should be highly concerning. Multivariate statistical analysis shows that the pollution of PTEs was mainly caused by the accumulation of tailings ponds after gold mining and smelting. The research result is of great significance for the prevention and control of soil pollution of PTEs near the tailings pond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China; (G.Z.); (J.Z.)
- College of Geoscience Grad Surveying Engineering, China University of Technology, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xianqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China; (G.Z.); (J.Z.)
- College of Geoscience Grad Surveying Engineering, China University of Technology, Beijing 100083, China
- Correspondence: (X.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jiewang Zhu
- School of Civil Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
- Correspondence: (X.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Xueyan Zhao
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China;
| | - Jizhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration Technologies for Oil and Gas Resources, Yangtze University, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430100, China;
- College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
| | - Jia Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China; (G.Z.); (J.Z.)
- College of Geoscience Grad Surveying Engineering, China University of Technology, Beijing 100083, China
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11
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Sahoo PK, Powell MA, Martins GC, Dall'Agnol R, Salomão GN, Mittal S, Pontes PRM, Guimarães JTF, de Siqueira JO. Occurrence, distribution, and environmental risk assessment of heavy metals in the vicinity of Fe-ore mines: a global overview. TOXIN REV 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2021.1919903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Prafulla Kumar Sahoo
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda Village, Bathinda, Punjab, India
- Instituto Tecnológico Vale (ITV), Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Belém, Brazil
| | - Mike A. Powell
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Roberto Dall'Agnol
- Instituto Tecnológico Vale (ITV), Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Belém, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Geologia e Geoquímica (PPGG), Instituto de Geociências (IG), Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Negreiros Salomão
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Geologia e Geoquímica (PPGG), Instituto de Geociências (IG), Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Sunil Mittal
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda Village, Bathinda, Punjab, India
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12
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Zhang C, Wang X, Jiang S, Zhou M, Li F, Bi X, Xie S, Liu J. Heavy metal pollution caused by cyanide gold leaching: a case study of gold tailings in central China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:29231-29240. [PMID: 33555474 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12728-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
It is known that the tailings of gold mines have brought serious heavy metal pollution; however, the heavy metal pollution caused by gold tailings in specific geological environments and extraction processes still must be studied. This study investigated the distribution, speciation, bioaccumulation, and pollution of heavy metals in soils from the Yueliangbao gold tailings area in central China, where gold was extracted by cyanidation. The results show that the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Mo, and Cd in the soils of the tailings pond were higher than those in the local background. The concentrations of heavy metals related to mineralization activities, such as Cu, Pb, Zn, and Mo, varied with the distance to the tailings pond center. There was a decreasing trend of tailings pond center > tailings pond entrance > surrounding environment. This study's gold tailings pond differed from those of other regions because of its high content of unextracted Cu remaining in the pond. The proportion of non-residual Cu in the tailing pond soil was much higher than that of residual Cu, indicating it was likely to migrate to the surrounding environment. The pollution assessment indicated that the tailings pond soils were heavily polluted by Cu, and the level of heavy metal pollution in soils was positively correlated with the distance to the tailings pond center. Consequently, this tailings pond may become a source of Cu pollution in the surrounding environment, thus endangering environmental safety and human health. The study of heavy metal concentrations in the dominant plants showed that Chinese brake (Pteris vittata L.), Ramose scouring rush (Equisetum ramosissimum), and Manyflower silvergrass (Miscanthus floridulus) had the potential to be used for the phytostabilization of Cu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xing Wang
- School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shihao Jiang
- School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Mengying Zhou
- School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Fanglin Li
- School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xiangyang Bi
- School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shuyun Xie
- School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jinling Liu
- School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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13
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Soltani N, Keshavarzi B, Moore F, Cave M, Sorooshian A, Mahmoudi MR, Ahmadi MR, Golshani R. In vitro bioaccessibility, phase partitioning, and health risk of potentially toxic elements in dust of an iron mining and industrial complex. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 212:111972. [PMID: 33513479 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.111972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Dust emitted from mining, ore processing, and tailing dumps have direct effects on miners who work close to these operations. The Gol-E-Gohar (GEG) mining and industrial company is one of the most important iron concentrate producers in the Middle East. The objective of the present study was to estimate the distribution, fractionation, and oral bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in dust generated by the GEG mining and industrial company. Total PTE content including Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn was quantified for suspended particulate matter (PM) in PM2.5, PM10, and total suspended particulate matter (TSP). As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Pb were quantified in fallout dust samples for oral bioaccessibility using in vitro Unified BARGE (UBM) Method and modified BCR fractionation analysis. Enrichment factors (EF) were calculated for the studied elements in PM; Cu, Fe, and As were found to be extremely enriched. Oral bioaccessibility of selected PTEs in fallout dust samples ranged from 0.35% to 41.55% and 0.06-37.58% in the gastric and intestinal phases, respectively. Regression modeling revealed that the bioaccessibilities of the PTEs could mostly be explained by total concentrations in dust particles. Average daily intake (ADI) calculations revealed that the intake of PTEs did not exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) values and as such was not considered a significant risk to workers. Additionally, the hazard quotients (HQ) and carcinogenic risk (CR) values were lower than the acceptable level. This study can provide further risk assessment and management of PTE pollution in occupational environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naghmeh Soltani
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran
| | - Behnam Keshavarzi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Farid Moore
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mark Cave
- British Geological Survey, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Armin Sorooshian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | | | - Mohammad Reza Ahmadi
- Gol-E-Gohar Iron Ore and Steel Research Institute, Gol-E-Gohar Mining and Industrial Co., Sirjan, Iran
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Zazouli MA, Dehbandi R, Mohammadyan M, Aarabi M, Dominguez AO, Kelly FJ, Khodabakhshloo N, Rahman MM, Naidu R. Physico-chemical properties and reactive oxygen species generation by respirable coal dust: Implication for human health risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 405:124185. [PMID: 33189473 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the mineralogy, micro-morphology, chemical characteristics and oxidation toxicity of respirable dusts generated in underground coal mines. The active sampling was applied to collect airborne particulates with aerodynamic diameter <4 µm (PM4) at depth greater than 500 m from earth surface. The average mass concentration of PM4 was extremely higher than recommended values. QXRD and FESEM-EDS analyses were applied to study the micro-mineralogy and micro-morphology of respirable dusts. The chemical analysis by ICP-MS revealed an enrichment of V, Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd and Sb in respirable dust compared with the background environment and world coals. The EPA's health risk model showed that the health risk posed by Cr and Co in all workplaces exceeded the acceptable risk value for human health. The synthetic respiratory tract lining fluid (RTLF) model was utilized to achieve a novel insight into the toxicity of respirable coal dust. The result showed an overall depletion of lung surface antioxidants with the decreasing trend of ascorbic acid > reduced glutathione >> urate, implying low- to medium level of oxidative stress. The result of this study can be applied globally by decision-makers to decrease hazardous exposure of mine workers to respirable dust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ali Zazouli
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Reza Dehbandi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Mahmoud Mohammadyan
- Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohsen Aarabi
- Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ana Oliete Dominguez
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80-92 Wood Lane, London, UK
| | - Frank J Kelly
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80-92 Wood Lane, London, UK
| | - Nafise Khodabakhshloo
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran; Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC-CARE), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC-CARE), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
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15
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Cuevas-Robles A, Soltani N, Keshavarzi B, Youn JS, MacDonald AB, Sorooshian A. Hygroscopic and Chemical Properties of Aerosol Emissions at a Major Mining Facility in Iran: Implications for Respiratory Deposition. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH 2021; 12:292-301. [PMID: 33994823 PMCID: PMC8117051 DOI: 10.1016/j.apr.2020.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This study characterizes the hygroscopic and chemical nature of aerosols originating from ten locations (4 outdoors and 6 indoors) around the Gol-E-Gohar (GEG) iron ore mine (Iran), including an assessment of how hygroscopic growth alters particulate deposition in the respiratory system. Aerosols collected on filters in three diameter (Dp) ranges (total suspended particulates [TSP], Dp ≤ 10 μm [PM10], and Dp ≤ 2.5 μm [PM2.5]) were analyzed for chemical and hygroscopic characteristics. The water-soluble aerosol composition is dominated by species associated with directly emitted crustal matter such as chloride, sodium, calcium, and sulfate. There was minimal contribution from organic acids and other secondarily formed species such as inorganic salts. Aerosol growth factors at 90% relative humidity varied between 1.39 and 1.72 and exceed values reported for copper mines in the United States where similar data are available. Values of the hygroscopicity parameter kappa (0.19 to 0.45) were best related to the mass fraction of chloride among all the studied species. Kappa values were generally similar when comparing the three types of samples (TSP, PM2.5, PM10) at each site and also when comparing each of the ten sampling sites. Accounting for hygroscopic growth yields an increase in the deposition fraction for aerosols with a dry Dp between 0.2 and 2 μm based on International Commission on Radiological Protection model calculations, with more variability when examining each of the three individual head airway regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Cuevas-Robles
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Naghmeh Soltani
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Behnam Keshavarzi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Jong-Sang Youn
- Department of Environmental Engineering, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Alexander B MacDonald
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Armin Sorooshian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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16
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Gharaat MJ, Mohammadi Z, Rezanezhad F. Distribution and origin of potentially toxic elements in a multi-aquifer system. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:43724-43742. [PMID: 32740837 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10223-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Pollution of the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a major concern in the metal ore-mining environment. Active polymetallic industries and mines cause great continuous devastation of both terrestrial and aquatic environments on a local and regional scale. This study investigated the pollution of surface water and groundwater in the area containing six large-scale iron ore mines, which have been in operation for more than a few decades. In order to assess the PTEs pollution, the spatial and temporal distributions of 13 different PTEs (Al, As, Co, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Si, Sr, and Zn) were measured in 42 water samples collected from the multi-aquifer system including three distinct aquifers (upper alluvial aquifer (UAA), lower alluvial aquifer (LAA), and hard-rock aquifer (HRA)) of the Gohar-Zamin mining area in Iran. The highest concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS = 164,000 mg/l) and PTEs were measured in HRA. Three trends were identified between the PTE concentration and increasing of TDS based on Spearman correlation analysis: (1) an increasing trend for Al, Co, Li, Mn, Rb, Se, Sr, and Ni; there were strong positive correlations in HRA between TDS and Mn (0.83), Al (0.65), Co (0.74), Li (0.90), Ni (0.83), Rb (0.91), Se (0.82), and Sr (0.84), suggesting a common origin for these elements; (2) no obvious trend for As and Mo, no correlation was founded between As and Mo with other PTEs and TDS, indicating a natural geogenic origin and mutual dependencies of these elements; and (3) a decreasing trend for Si, Zn, and Pb; TDS had a significantly negative correlation with the PTEs and attributing to different chemical properties of infiltrated groundwater. In the principal component analysis (PCA), the first PC that covers 85.09% of the total observed variance is mainly attributed the groundwater salinization. This component is composed of Al, Co, Li, Mn, Rb, Se, Sr, and Ni. The second PC contains elements As and Mo. This PC explain 14.4% of total variance and may be referred to natural origin of PTEs. Si, Zn, and Pb are in the third principal component and cover 9.64% of the variance of the data. Third PC have been attributed to lithogenic and/or primary water chemistry factors. The PTE pollution were evaluated based on heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and degree of contamination (Cd). The results indicated that all of the groundwater samples collected from HRA had HEI, HPI, and Cd values greater than 21, 264, and 14 (highly pollution limits of indices), respectively, and were classified as highly polluted groundwater. HPI values within the UAA, LAA, and salt playa (SP) were lower than the critical level of 100, suggesting a threshold for the drinking water pollution. Moreover, HEI and Cd with values of less than 10 and 7 suggested low-level pollution in UAA, LAA, and SP. However, the contaminated level of PTEs exceeded the WHO standard for drinking water in HRA only. Since groundwater in HRA is a brine with the high values of PTEs, pumping of this water out to the surrounding natural environment may cause harmful impacts on the environment and perhaps living species in Bahram-e-Goor protected area. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zargham Mohammadi
- Department of Earth Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, 7146713565, Iran.
| | - Fereidoun Rezanezhad
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Water Institute and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
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Turisová I, Kviatková T, Możdżeń K, Barabasz-Krasny B. Effects of Natural Sorbents on the Germination and Early Growth of Grasses on Soils Contaminated by Potentially Toxic Elements. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9111591. [PMID: 33212931 PMCID: PMC7698367 DOI: 10.3390/plants9111591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The reclamation of abandoned mining heaps rich in potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is critical for the environment. We carried out a laboratory experiment studying the effects of the addition of four natural sorbents (biochar, bentonite, chicken manure and organo-zeolitic substrate) to soils contaminated with PTEs, predominantly Cu, As and Sb, on the germination and growth of the autochthonous grasses Agrostis capillaris, A. stolonifera, Festuca rubra and Poa pratensis. The experiment used Petri dish tests with water extracts of contaminated soil and soil neutralised with the four sorbents. Standard indexes of the germination process were used (germination percentage, time required for 50% germination index, speed of emergence), and different values were found depending on the plant species and sorbent used. However, the percentage of seeds germinating was lower for each sorbent compared to the control (distilled water). The fresh mass values were positively stimulated by all sorbents. Electrolyte leakage was the highest in seedlings watered with an extract of untreated soil from the heap compared to extracts from treated soils and the control. This can be interpreted as eliminating the harmful effects of increased potentially toxic element (PTE) contents by sorbents, which can be useful in remediation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Turisová
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Tajovského 40, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Tatiana Kviatková
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Tajovského 40, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia;
| | - Katarzyna Możdżeń
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2 St., 30-084 Kraków, Poland; (K.M.); (B.B.-K.)
| | - Beata Barabasz-Krasny
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2 St., 30-084 Kraków, Poland; (K.M.); (B.B.-K.)
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Mokhtarzadeh Z, Keshavarzi B, Moore F, Marsan FA, Padoan E. Potentially toxic elements in the Middle East oldest oil refinery zone soils: source apportionment, speciation, bioaccessibility and human health risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:40573-40591. [PMID: 32666464 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09895-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
In this research, fifteen potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sc and Zn) were analysed and quantified in samples collected at 44 sites in an urban area of Iran. Sources were apportioned using enrichment factors (EFs), modified pollution index (MPI), principal component analysis (PCA), multivariate linear regression of absolute principal component scores (MLR-APCS) and speciation, with a focus on anthropogenic PTEs in the urban and industrial soils of the Arvand Free Zone area, an oil-rich zone in the country. Furthermore, the bioaccessibility and the human health risks of PTEs were investigated. The EF revealed a significant enrichment for elements such as Cd, Cu, Hg, Mo, Pb, Sb and Zn. Values of MPI showed that Abadan industrial district and Abadan petrochemical complex are the most polluted sites in the study area.The PCA/MLR analysis revealed four main sources: natural sources, fossil fuel combustion, traffic and oil derivatives and petroleum waste. The relative contribution of each source to PTE concentration varied from 32.3% of the natural sources to 30.6% of traffic and from 20.1% of petroleum waste to 17% of fossil fuel combustion. The source apportionment of metals generated using MLR-APCS receptor modelling revealed that 85.0% of Hg was generated by oil products. Chemical speciation results were compatible with the results obtained from PCA. Bioaccessibility of PTEs decreased from gastric to intestinal phase except Mo and Sb due to their different geochemical characteristics. Hazard index (HI) for non-cancer risk of PTEs for both children and adults based on total element concentrations was estimated to range from 2-fold to more than 10-fold higher than that of bioaccessible phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Mokhtarzadeh
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, 71454, Iran
| | - Behnam Keshavarzi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, 71454, Iran.
| | - Farid Moore
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, 71454, Iran
| | - Franco Ajmone Marsan
- DISAFA, Chimica Agraria e Pedologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44, Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy
| | - Elio Padoan
- DISAFA, Chimica Agraria e Pedologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44, Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy
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Influence of Mining and Vegetation Restoration on Soil Properties in the Eastern Margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17124288. [PMID: 32560083 PMCID: PMC7344658 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Mining causes serious destruction of the surface morphology and soil structure of lands, and vegetation restoration on post-mining lands provides an effective way for soil and water conservation. To determine the influence of mining and vegetation restoration on soil properties in the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, four land sites, including two vegetation restoration sites (restorated by Elymus nutans and Picea crassifolia, respectively), one non-vegetated mining site and one native grassland site, were selected. Fifty-two topsoil (0–10) samples were collected from these four sites, and then soil properties, trace metals and soil enzyme activities were analyzed. The results showed that there was an increase in soil pH (>8.0) after mining, while vegetation restoration decreased the soil pH compared with native grassland; the soil organic matter and total nitrogen in the site restored with E. nutans increased by 48.8% and 25.17%, respectively, compared with the site restored with P. crassifolia. The soil enzyme activities decreased after mining, and there were no significant increases in urease, phosphatase, β-glucosidase and β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase activities after five years of restoration. In addition, the contents of soil trace metals (cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead and zinc) after mining were lower than the Chinese threshold (GB 15618/2018), but the content of arsenic in non-vegetated soil and P. crassifolia-restored soil exceeded the threshold by 22.61 times and 22.86 times, respectively. Therefore, As-contaminated land areas should be accurately determined and treated in a timely way to prevent arsenic from spreading, and plant species with tolerance to alkaline soil should be selected for vegetation restoration on post-mining lands.
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Ćwieląg-Drabek M, Piekut A, Gut K, Grabowski M. Risk of cadmium, lead and zinc exposure from consumption of vegetables produced in areas with mining and smelting past. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3363. [PMID: 32099081 PMCID: PMC7042296 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60386-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The study reveals links between disturbed geochemical environment being the result of mining and smelting activities with consumers exposure to toxic and carcinogenic metallic trace elements (MTEs). This study focused on evaluation on vegetable and soil pollution in family allotment gardens (FAGs), considering in the aspects of consumer exposure to cadmium, lead and zinc. Study material consisted of 219 soil samples from FAGs located in one of the most polluted areas in Poland, and 64 samples of edible plants. Contents of analyzed MTEs in topsoil in the studied area were spatially diversified and depended primarily on the location of industrial pollution sources. The average content of cadmium (0.52 mg kg-1 fresh weight) and lead (0.57 mg kg-1 fresh weight) in vegetables exceeded maximum permissible concentrations according to the European Quality Standards. Human health risk assessment was based on three scenarios of dietary exposure to cadmium, lead and zinc. In every scenario the highest average daily dose for all three elements was estimated for potatoes which are one of the main components of Poles' diet. Presented study showed that consumption of vegetables cultivated in FAGs located in Silesia Province may pose a significant health risk for their consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Ćwieląg-Drabek
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, 18 Piekarska Street, 41-902, Bytom, Poland.
| | - Agata Piekut
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, 18 Piekarska Street, 41-902, Bytom, Poland
| | - Klaudia Gut
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, 18 Piekarska Street, 41-902, Bytom, Poland
| | - Mateusz Grabowski
- Students Scientific Circle at the Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, 18 Piekarska Street, 41-902, Bytom, Poland
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Zheng L, Qiu Z, Tang Q, Li Y. Micromorphology and environmental behavior of oxide deposit layers in sulfide-rich tailings in Tongling, Anhui Province, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 251:484-492. [PMID: 31103008 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sulfide-rich tailings produced by mineral processing are prone to oxidation and cause many pollution problems in the surrounding environment; therefore, this issue has become a focus of attention. The Tongling Shuimuchong tailings reservoir contains a large amount of sulfide minerals, especially pyrrhotite and pyrite. This reservoir features obvious oxidation in the surface layer, and the slab is very hard. Mineralogical and environmental geochemical analyses were performed on tailings with different degrees of oxidation in the Shuimuchong tailings reservoir to investigate the influence of the formation of the hard oxidized layer on environmental pollution in the tailings pond. The samples were first subjected to particle-size analysis. The shallow tailings were mainly composed of medium particle; the proportions of coarse particle and fine tailings particles were equal; and the proportions of clay and silt were less than those of the other size fractions. Mineralogical analysis showed that pyrrhotite and pyrite were replaced by residual structures in the oxide layer. The secondary minerals goethite, hematite and jarosite were attached to the edges and fractures of sulfide minerals. The samples were geochemically analyzed to determine the total concentrations of 5 elements, the pH and the major anions. The maximum SO42- concentrations of 33,970 and 32,749 mg/kg were observed at a depth of 40 cm in profiles 1 and 2, respectively. Metal sulfide mineral oxidation in the tailings lowered the pH of the materials to values less than 4. The concentration of HCO3- (122-635 mg/kg) in the tailings samples was very low, and the concentration of CO32- was zero. As (53.2-133.7 mg/kg), Pb (24.2-307.5 mg/kg) and Hg (0.03-0.06 mg/kg) were concentrated in the highly oxidized layer at the surface; the Cd content (0.23-10.5 mg/kg) increased with decreasing oxidation degree of the tailings; and the Cr content (38.0-54.9 mg/kg) fluctuated around a certain value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liugen Zheng
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Mining Ecological Remediation Engineering Laboratory Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China.
| | - Zheng Qiu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Mining Ecological Remediation Engineering Laboratory Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Quan Tang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Yang Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Mining Ecological Remediation Engineering Laboratory Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China
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Dehbandi R, Abbasnejad A, Karimi Z, Herath I, Bundschuh J. Hydrogeochemical controls on arsenic mobility in an arid inland basin, Southeast of Iran: The role of alkaline conditions and salt water intrusion. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 249:910-922. [PMID: 30965543 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Elevated inorganic arsenic concentrations in groundwater has become a major public and environmental health concern in different parts of the world. Currently, As-contaminated groundwater issue in many countries and regions is a major topic for publications at global level. However, there are many regions worldwide where the problem has still not been resolved or fully understood due to inadequate hydrogeochemical investigations. Hence, this study evaluates for the first time the hydrogeochemical behavior of the arid and previously unexplored inland basin of Sirjan Plain, south east (SE) Iran, in order to assess the controlling factors which influence arsenic (As) mobility and its distribution through groundwater resources. Total inorganic arsenic concentration was measured using inductive-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Arsenic content in groundwater of this region ranged between 2.4 and 545.8 μg/L (mean value: 86.6 μg/L) and 50% of the samples exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value of 10 μg/L in drinking water. Groundwater was mainly of Na-Cl type and alkaline due to silicate weathering, ion exchange and evaporation in arid conditions. Elevated As concentrations were generally observed under weakly alkaline to alkaline conditions (pH > 7.4). Multivariate statistical analysis including cluster analysis and bi-plot grouped As with pH and HCO3 and demonstrated that the secondary minerals including oxyhydroxides of Fe are the main source of As in groundwater in this region. The desorption of As from these mineral phases occurs under alkaline conditions in oxidizing arid environments thereby leading to high levels of As in groundwater. Moreover, evaporation, ion exchange and saltwater intrusion were the secondary processes accelerating As release and its mobility in groundwater. Based on the results of this study, desorption of As from metal oxy-hydroxides surfaces under alkaline conditions, evaporation and intrusion of As-rich saline water are considered to be the major factors causing As enrichment in arid inland basins such as those in southeast Iran. This study proposes the regular monitoring and proper groundwater management practices to mitigate high levels of arsenic in groundwater and related drinking water wells of Sirjan Plain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Dehbandi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Health Science Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Abbasnejad
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran.
| | - Zohreh Karimi
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran
| | - Indika Herath
- School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, 4350, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jochen Bundschuh
- UNESCO Chair on Groundwater Arsenic within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, 4350, Queensland, Australia
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Tadesse AW, Gereslassie T, Xu Q, Tang X, Wang J. Concentrations, Distribution, Sources and Ecological Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Soils from Wuhan, Central China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15122873. [PMID: 30558229 PMCID: PMC6313746 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15122873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the concentration levels, potential sources and ecological risks of eleven trace elements, namely Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Sb, Cd, Zn, Hg and Pb, in the soil from Huangpi district, Wuhan, Central China. Soil samples were collected from eighteen sites at soil depths of 1–10 and 10–20 cm and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer ICP-MS (Thermo X SERIES 2, Scientific and Innovative Technology Co. Ltd., Beijing, China). The recorded mean concentration of the elements were in a decreasing order of Fe > Co > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cu > As > Cd > Sb > Zn > Hg. The mean concentration of trace elements, soil pH and total organic carbon (TOC) were higher at a soil depth of 1–10 cm. The obtained mean concentration of Cr, Co, As, Cd, Ni, Cu, Hg and Pb were above the soil background values of Wuhan and Hubei Province. The mean concentration values of Co, Ni and Cd, exceeded the recommended FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)/ISRIC (International Soil Reference and Information Centre) (2004) and WHO/FAO (2001) values. Pearson’s correlation analysis illustrated that there was a strong and significant correlation between trace elements, whereas, a weak positive and negative correlation between elements and soil properties (pH and TOC). The principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) result indicated that the concentration of trace elements in Huangpi soil were originated from anthropogenic sources. Potential ecological risk index (RI) of this study revealed that there is a high ecological risk of trace elements in the soil. Enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) of trace elements for this study indicated that the study area is strongly contaminated with Cd and Co. Generally, the finding of this research showed that Huangpi soil is contaminated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ababo Workineh Tadesse
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
- Wuhan Botanical Garden, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Tekleweini Gereslassie
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
- Wuhan Botanical Garden, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of management engineering, Shangrao Vocational and Technical College, Shangrao 334109, China.
| | - Xiaojun Tang
- Wuhan Britain-China School, Wuhan Foreign Languages School, Wuhan, 430022 China.
| | - Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
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Sakizadeh M, Rodríguez Martín JA, Zhang C, Sharafabadi FM, Ghorbani H. Trace elements concentrations in soil, desert-adapted and non-desert plants in central Iran: Spatial patterns and uncertainty analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 243:270-281. [PMID: 30189391 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.08.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of Cd, Cr and Pb in soil samples and As, Cd, Cr and Pb in plant specimens were analyzed in an arid area in central Iran. Plants were categorized into desert-adapted (Haloxylon ammodendron, Atraphaxis spinosa and Artemisia persica) and non-desert species. It was found that the trace element (TE) accumulating potential of the desert species (Haloxylon ammodendron and Artemisia persica) with a mean value of 0.1 mg kg-1 for Cd was significantly higher than that of the majority of the non-desert species with an average of 0.05 mg kg-1. Artemisia also had a high As accumulating capability with a mean level of 0.8 mg kg-1 in comparison with an average of 0.2 mg kg-1 for most of the other plant species. The mean values of Cr and Pb in Haloxylon ammodendron and Artemisia persica were 5 and 3 mg kg-1, respectively. Among the desert-adapted plants, Atraphaxis proved to be a species with high Cr and Pb accumulating potential, as well. The geoaccumulation index and the overall pollution scores indicated that the highest environmental risk was related to Cd. Different statistical analyses were used to study the spatial patterns of soil Cd and their connections with pollution sources. The variogram was estimated using a classical approach (weighted least squares) and was compared with that of the posterior summaries that resulted from the Bayesian technique, which lay within the 95% Bayesian credible quantile intervals (BIC) of posterior parameter distributions. The prediction of cadmium values at un-sampled locations was implemented by multi-Gaussian kriging and sequential Gaussian simulation methods. The prediction maps showed that the region most contaminated by Cd was the north-eastern part of the study area, which was linked to mining activities, while agricultural influence contributed less in this respect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Sakizadeh
- Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
| | - Jose Antonio Rodríguez Martín
- Dept. Environment, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (I.N.I.A), Ctra. de A Coruña 7.5, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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