1
|
Huangfu X, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Ma C. The determination of thallium in the environment: A review of conventional and advanced techniques and applications. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142201. [PMID: 38692367 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a potential toxicity element that poses significant ecological and environmental risks. Recently, a substantial amount of Tl has been released into the environment through natural and human activities, which attracts increasing attention. The determination of this hazardous and trace element is crucial for controlling its pollution. This article summarizes the advancement and progress in optimizing Tl detection techniques, including atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), voltammetry, inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-based methods, spectrophotometry, and X-ray-based methods. Additionally, it introduces sampling and pretreatment methods such as diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, and cloud point extraction. Among these techniques, ICP-mass spectrometry (MS) is the preferred choice for Tl detection due to its high precision in determining Tl as well as its species and isotopic composition. Meanwhile, some new materials and agents are employed in detection. The application of novel work electrode materials and chromogenic agents is discussed. Emphasis is placed on reducing solvent consumption and utilizing pretreatment techniques such as ultrasound-assisted processes and functionalized magnetic particles. Most detection is performed in aqueous matrices, while X-ray-based methods applied to solid phases are summarized which provide non-destructive analysis. This work improves the understanding of Tl determination technology while serving as a valuable resource for researchers seeking appropriate analytical techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliu Huangfu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yunzhu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Chengxue Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Parus A, Ciesielski T, Woźniak-Karczewska M, Ławniczak Ł, Janeda M, Ślachciński M, Radzikowska-Kujawska D, Owsianiak M, Marecik R, Loibner AP, Heipieper HJ, Chrzanowski Ł. Critical evaluation of the performance of rhamnolipids as surfactants for (phyto)extraction of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn from copper smelter-affected soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168382. [PMID: 37963537 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants produced by bacteria belonging to the Pseudomonas genus. They are discussed to complex heavy metal cations stronger than cations of Fe, Ca, Mg. It is therefore suggested to employ rhamnolipids in phytoextraction where their addition to soil should result in preferential complexation of heavy metals that can be taken up by plants, thus enabling rapid and ecological clean-up of contaminated soil. In order to test this concept, we evaluated the rhamnolipid-mediated phytoextraction of heavy metal from soil collected from the vicinity of a copper smelter. The following aspects were investigated: i) selectivity of rhamnolipids towards Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Fe during soil washing; ii) phytoextraction efficiency of each ion with respect to the effective concentration of rhamnolipids; iii) possible phytotoxic effects; iv) effect of micro-sized polystyrene amendment. The experiments evaluated soil washing efficiency, BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction to determine the impact of rhamnolipids on the mobility of metal ions, phytoextraction with maize (Zea mays L.) and phytotoxic effects based on dry matter, chlorophyll fluorescence and content. The obtained results indicated that rhamnolipids lack desired selectivity towards heavy metal ions as Fe was complexed more efficiently by 80 % of the available rhamnolipids compared to priority pollutants like Zn, Cu, Pb, which were complexed by only 20 % of the tested rhamnolipids. With increased concentration of rhamnolipids, the soil washing efficiency increased and shifted in favour of Fe, reaching values of approx. 469 mg for Fe and only 118 mg in total of all tested heavy metals. Phytoextraction also favoured the accumulation of Fe, while Cd was not removed from the soil even at the highest applied rhamnolipid concentrations. Considering the selectivity of rhamnolipids and the costs associated with their production, our results suggest the need to search for other alternative (bio)surfactants with better selectivity and lower price.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Parus
- Poznan University of Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Berdychowo 4, 60 - 965 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Tomasz Ciesielski
- Poznan University of Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Berdychowo 4, 60 - 965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Woźniak-Karczewska
- Poznan University of Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Berdychowo 4, 60 - 965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Łukasz Ławniczak
- Poznan University of Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Berdychowo 4, 60 - 965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Michał Janeda
- Poznan University of Technology, Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Berdychowo 4, 60 - 965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Mariusz Ślachciński
- Poznan University of Technology, Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Berdychowo 4, 60 - 965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Dominika Radzikowska-Kujawska
- Poznan University of Life Sciences, Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agronomy and Bioengineering, Wojska Polskiego 48, 60-627 Poznan, Poland
| | - Mikołaj Owsianiak
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment Division, Department of Environmental and Resources Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Roman Marecik
- Poznan University of Life Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Wojska Polskiego 48, 60-627 Poznan, Poland
| | - Andreas P Loibner
- Department IFA-Tulln, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Straße 20, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Hermann J Heipieper
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Łukasz Chrzanowski
- Poznan University of Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Berdychowo 4, 60 - 965 Poznan, Poland; Department IFA-Tulln, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Straße 20, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Šťovíček A, Vaněk A, Blumentrittová H, Mihaljevič M, Vaňková M, Kopecký J, Vejvodová K, Máslová A, Sagová-Marečková M. High geogenic soil thallium shows limited impact on bacterial community. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:122862. [PMID: 38040181 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122862] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic trace metal, included in the US EPA list of priority pollutants. Even though its toxicity is potentially higher or comparable to Cd or Hg, its environmental impact is largely unknown. Despite its toxicity, only a few recent studies are mapping the impact of recently introduced Tl on soil microbial communities, namely in agricultural systems but no studies focus on its long term effect. To complement the understanding of the impact of Tl on soil, this study aims to describe the influence of extremely high naturally occurring Tl concentration (50 mg/kg of potentially bioavailable Tl) on soil microbial communities. Our investigation concentrated on samples collected at Buus (Erzmatt, Swiss Jura, Switzerland), encompassing forest and meadow soil profiles of the local soil formed on hydrothermally mineralized dolomite rock, which is naturally rich in Tl. The soil profiles showed a significant proportion of potentially bioavailable Tl. Yet, even this high concentration of Tl has a limited impact on the richness of the soil bacterial community. Only the meadow soil samples show a reduced richness compared to control samples. Furthermore, our analysis of geogenic Tl contamination in the region unveiled a surprising finding: compared to other soils of Switzerland and in stark contrast to soils affected by recent mining activities, the structure of the bacterial community in Buus remained relatively unaffected. This observation highlights the unique ability of soil microbial communities to withstand extreme Tl contamination. Our study advances the understanding of Tl's environmental impact and underscores the resilience of soil microbes in the face of severe long-term contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Šťovíček
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Blumentrittová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague, Czech Republic; Crop Research Institute, Epidemiology and Ecology of Microorganisms, Drnovská 507/73, 161 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Vaňková
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kopecký
- Crop Research Institute, Epidemiology and Ecology of Microorganisms, Drnovská 507/73, 161 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Vejvodová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Máslová
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague, Czech Republic; Crop Research Institute, Epidemiology and Ecology of Microorganisms, Drnovská 507/73, 161 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Sagová-Marečková
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jia Y, Xiao T, Sun J, Ning Z, Xiao E, Lan X, Chen Y. Calcium Enhances Thallium Uptake in Green Cabbage ( Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:4. [PMID: 36612325 PMCID: PMC9819253 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a nonessential and toxic trace metal that is detrimental to plants, but it can be highly up-taken in green cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.). It has been proven that there is a significant positive correlation between Tl and Calcium (Ca) contents in plants. However, whether Ca presents a similar role for alleviating Tl toxicity in plants remains unclear, and little is known in terms of evidence for both Ca-enhanced uptake of Tl from soils to green cabbage and associated geochemical processes. In this study, we investigated the influence of Ca in soils on Tl uptake in green cabbage and the associated geochemical process. The pot experiments were conducted in 12 mg/kg Tl(I) and 8 mg/kg Tl(III) treatments with various Ca dosages. The results showed that Ca in soils could significantly enhance Tl uptake in green cabbage, increasing 210% in content over the control group. The soluble concentrations of Tl were largely increased by 210% and 150%, respectively, in 3.0 g/kg Ca treatment, compared with the corresponding treatment without Ca addition. This was attributed to the geochemical process in which the enhanced soluble Ca probably replaces Tl held on the soil particles, releasing more soluble Tl into the soil solution. More interestingly, the bioconcentration factor of the leaves and whole plant for the 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 g/kg Ca dosage group were greatly higher than for the non-Ca treatment, which could reach 207%, implying the addition of Ca can improve the ability of green cabbage to transfer Tl from the stems to the leaves. Furthermore, the pH values dropped with the increasing Ca concentration treatment, and the lower pH in soils also increased Tl mobilization, which resulted in Tl accumulation in green cabbage. Therefore, this work not only informs the improvement of agricultural safety management practices for the farming of crops in Tl-polluted and high-Ca-content areas, but also provides technical support for the exploitation of Ca-assisted phytoextraction technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanlong Jia
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou 521041, China
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou Institute of Technology, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jialong Sun
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou Institute of Technology, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Zengping Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Enzong Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaolong Lan
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou 521041, China
| | - Yuxiao Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vejvodová K, Vaněk A, Spasić M, Mihaljevič M, Ettler V, Vaňková M, Drahota P, Teper L, Vokurková P, Pavlů L, Zádorová T, Drábek O. Effect of peat organic matter on sulfide weathering and thallium reactivity: Implications for organic environments. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 299:134380. [PMID: 35318025 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Weathering of Tl-containing sulfides in a model (12-week) peat pot trial was studied to better understand their geochemical stability, dissolution kinetics, alteration products and the associated release and mobility of anthropogenic Tl in organic environments. We also present the effect of industrial acid rainwater on sulfide degradation and Tl migration in naturally acidic peat. Sphalerite (ZnS) was much less stable in peat than other Tl-containing sulfides (galena and pyrite), and thus acted as a major phase responsible for Tl mobilization. Furthermore, Tl incongruently leached out over Zn from ZnS, and accumulated considerably more in the peat solutions (≤5 μg Tl/L) and the peat samples (≤0.4 mg Tl/kg) that were subjected to acid rain watering compared to a deionized H2O regime. This finding was in good agreement with the absence of secondary Tl-containing phases, which could potentially control the Tl flux into the peat. The behavior of Tl was not as conservative as Pb throughout the trial, since a higher peat mobility and migration potential of Tl was observed compared to Pb. In conclusion, industrial acid precipitations can significantly affect the stability of ZnS even in acidic peat/organic environments, making it susceptible to enhanced weathering and Tl release in the long term.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Vejvodová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Marko Spasić
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Vaňková
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Drahota
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Leslaw Teper
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Petra Vokurková
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pavlů
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Zádorová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Drábek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ren S, Wei X, Wang J, Liu J, Ouyang Q, Jiang Y, Hu H, Huang Y, Zheng W, Nicoletto C, Renella G. Unexpected enrichment of thallium and its geochemical behaviors in soils impacted by historically industrial activities using lead‑zinc carbonate minerals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153399. [PMID: 35092772 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Thallium is a trace metal with severe toxicity. Contamination of thallium (Tl) generated by steel and non-ferrous metals industry is gaining growing concern worldwide. However, little is known on Tl contamination owing to industrial activities using carbonate minerals. This study revealed abundant geochemical mobile/bioavailable Tl (> 65.7%, in average; mostly in oxidizable fraction) in soils from a carbonate-hosted PbZn ore utilizing area in China for the first time. Unexpected Tl enrichment was observed in soil accompanying with 3655, 7820, 100.1, 27.3 and 29.9 mg/kg (in average) of Pb, Zn, As, Cd and Sb, respectively. Characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis further confirmed that historical industrial activities impose anthropogenic catastrophic effects on the local agricultural soil system. The ecological and health risk assessment of heavy metal(loid)s in soils proclaimed serious potential non-carcinogenic risks of Pb and V to adults, and Pb, Tl and As to children. Sequential extraction analysis showed that Tl, as well as Pb, Zn, Mn, Co, and Cd, mainly existed in the mobile fractions (exchangeable/acid-extractable, reducible and oxidizable), indicating an ecological risk of biological accumulation of multiple metal(loid)s in this area. These findings provide a theoretical basis for taking appropriate remediation measures in order to ensure safety of soils in such industrial areas likewise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shixing Ren
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xudong Wei
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Agripolis Campus, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Jin Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Juan Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Qi'en Ouyang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yanjun Jiang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Haiyao Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yeliang Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wentao Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Carlo Nicoletto
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Agripolis Campus, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Renella
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Agripolis Campus, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vaněk A, Vejvodová K, Mihaljevič M, Ettler V, Trubač J, Vaňková M, Teper L, Cabala J, Sutkowska K, Voegelin A, Göttlicher J, Holubík O, Vokurková P, Pavlů L, Galušková I, Zádorová T. Evaluation of thallium isotopic fractionation during the metallurgical processing of sulfides: An update. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127325. [PMID: 34600374 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we report combined Tl isotopic and Tl mineralogical and speciation data from a set of Tl-rich sulfide concentrates and technological wastes from hydrometallurgical Zn extraction. We also present the first evaluation of Tl isotopic ratios over a cycle of sulfide processing, from the ore flotation to pyro- and hydrometallurgical stages. The results demonstrate that the prevailing Tl form in all samples is Tl(I), without any preferential incorporation into sulfides or Tl-containing secondary phases, indicating an absence of Tl redox reactions. Although the Tl concentrations varied significantly in the studied samples (~9-280 mg/kg), the overall Tl isotopic variability was small, in the range of -3.1 to -4.4 ± 0.7 (2σ) ε205Tl units. By combining present ε205Tl results with the trends first found for a local roasting plant, it is possible to infer minimum Tl isotopic effects throughout the studied industrial process. As a result, the use of Tl isotopic ratios as a source proxy may be complicated or even impossible in areas with naturally high/extreme Tl background contents. On the other hand, areas with two or more isotopically contrasting Tl sources allow for relatively easy tracing, i.e., in compartments which do not suffer from post-depositional isotopic redistributions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Kateřina Vejvodová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Trubač
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Vaňková
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Leslaw Teper
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Jerzy Cabala
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Sutkowska
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Andreas Voegelin
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Göttlicher
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Ondřej Holubík
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Vokurková
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pavlů
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Galušková
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Zádorová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Vaněk A, Vejvodová K, Mihaljevič M, Ettler V, Trubač J, Vaňková M, Goliáš V, Teper L, Sutkowska K, Vokurková P, Penížek V, Zádorová T, Drábek O. Thallium and lead variations in a contaminated peatland: A combined isotopic study from a mining/smelting area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 290:117973. [PMID: 34428701 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117973] [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: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Vertical profiles of Tl, Pb and Zn concentrations and Tl and Pb isotopic ratios in a contaminated peatland/fen (Wolbrom, Poland) were studied to address questions regarding (i) potential long-term immobility of Tl in a peat profile, and (ii) a possible link in Tl isotopic signatures between a Tl source and a peat sample. Both prerequisites are required for using peatlands as archives of atmospheric Tl deposition and Tl isotopic ratios as a source proxy. We demonstrate that Tl is an immobile element in peat with a conservative pattern synonymous to that of Pb, and in contrast to Zn. However, the peat Tl record was more affected by geogenic source(s), as inferred from the calculated element enrichments. The finding further implies that Tl was largely absent from the pre-industrial emissions (>~250 years BP). The measured variations in Tl isotopic ratios in respective peat samples suggest a consistency with anthropogenic Tl (ε205Tl between ~ -3 and -4), as well as with background Tl isotopic values in the study area (ε205Tl between ~0 and -1), in line with detected 206Pb/207Pb ratios (1.16-1.19). Therefore, we propose that peatlands can be used for monitoring trends in Tl deposition and that Tl isotopic ratios can serve to distinguish its origin(s). However, given that the studied fen has a particularly complicated geochemistry (attributed to significant environmental changes in its history), it seems that ombrotrophic peatlands could be better suited for this type of Tl research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Kateřina Vejvodová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Trubač
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Vaňková
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Viktor Goliáš
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Leslaw Teper
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Sutkowska
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Petra Vokurková
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Penížek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Zádorová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Drábek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ning Z, Liu E, Yao D, Xiao T, Ma L, Liu Y, Li H, Liu C. Contamination, oral bioaccessibility and human health risk assessment of thallium and other metal(loid)s in farmland soils around a historic TlHg mining area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 758:143577. [PMID: 33246730 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, tweenty-nine soil samples were collected from a historic TlHg mining area, located in southwest Guizhou, China. Total concentrations of metal(loid)s in soils and in vitro extracts were analysed by ICP-MS, and the bioaccessibility of metal(loid)s was conducted by two often used in vitro extraction methods, Simplified bioaccessibility Extraction Test (SBET) and Physiologically Based Extraction Test (PBET). The health risk assessment based on total concentrations of metal(loid)s, bioaccessibility of SBET and PBET through soil ingestion were investigated. Results indicated that the collected cultivated soils contained elevated concentrations of Tl (44.8 ± 67.7 mg kg-1), Hg (110 ± 193 mg kg-1), As (84.4 ± 89.2 mg kg-1) and Sb (14.8 ± 24.8 mg kg-1), exceeding the regional background values of Guizhou province, China and the Chinese farmland risk screening values. However, the bioaccessibility of Tl, Hg, As and Sb were relatively low, usually less than 30% for most samples and varied greatly among metal(loid)s and sampling sites. The average bioaccessibility values of Tl, Hg, As and Sb by SBET were lower than those by PBET. The non-carsinogenic risk (HQ and HI) and Carcinogenic Risk (CR) values were significantly reduced when incorporating the bioaccessibiltiy of metal(loid)s into health risk assessment. It is worth noting that the health risk to children exceeded adults. Moreover, Tl and As contributed the most to the risk, indicating that more attention should be paid on Tl and As during the daily environmental regulation and management of contaminated soils in Lanmuchang.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zengping Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Enguang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dongju Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Liang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yizhang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Hang Li
- College of Environmental and Chemistry Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing 404020, China
| | - Chengshuai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vejvodová K, Vaněk A, Mihaljevič M, Ettler V, Trubač J, Vaňková M, Drahota P, Vokurková P, Penížek V, Zádorová T, Tejnecký V, Pavlů L, Drábek O. Thallium isotopic fractionation in soil: the key controls. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114822. [PMID: 32474338 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We studied the key geochemical and mineralogical factors that could affect the fractionation of stable thallium (Tl) isotopes in soil. A set of grassland soil samples enriched in geogenic Tl in combination with selected Tl-containing mineral materials from the Czech Republic (Kluky) were investigated for this purpose. The results demonstrate significant incorporation of Tl in pedogenic (specific) Mn-oxide, which led to a large accumulation of the heavy 205Tl isotope (∼+14 ε205Tl units), presumably resulting from oxidative Tl sorption. Consequently, we concluded that the Mn-oxide-controlled Tl uptake is the primary cause of the observed 205Tl enrichment in the middle profile zone, at the A/B soil horizon interface, with up to +4 of ε205Tl. Furthermore, our results displayed a clear relationship between the Tl isotopic fractionation degree and the Mn-oxide soil concentration (R2 = 0.6), as derived from the oxalate-extractable data. A combination of soil and mineralogical considerations suggests that 205Tl enrichment in respective soil samples is also partly due to the Tl present in micaceous clay minerals, mainly illite, which is the predominant pedogenic Tl host phase. In line with our previous results, this Tl behavior can be inferred from systematic Mn-oxide degradation and the associated Tl (enriched in 205Tl) cycling in the studied soils and thus, presumably in the redoximorphic soils in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Vejvodová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Trubač
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Vaňková
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Drahota
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Vokurková
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Penížek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Zádorová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Tejnecký
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pavlů
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Drábek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lin J, Yin M, Wang J, Liu J, Tsang DCW, Wang Y, Lin M, Li H, Zhou Y, Song G, Chen Y. Geochemical fractionation of thallium in contaminated soils near a large-scale Hg-Tl mineralised area. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 239:124775. [PMID: 31521931 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Enriched levels of thallium (Tl) in the environment are not only derived from anthropogenic sources but also have potential natural origins owing to Tl-rich sulphide mineralization. However, little is known regarding the geochemical fractionations of Tl in contaminated soils from geogenic sources. This study aims to reveal the Tl geochemical fractionations in different types of soils from a large-scale independent Tl mine in southwestern China, via a modified Institute for Reference Materials and Measurement (IRMM) sequential extraction (four-step) scheme. The results revealed that a large percentage of Tl was related to the labile portions (including reducible, weak-acid-exchangeable, and oxidizable fraction) of the soils (68.8-367 mg kg-1). Further analyses by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (STEM-EDS) found that Tl mainly existed in the Fe-containing minerals (such as jarosite and hematite) with fine particles (∼1 μm). These results highlight that, apart from the anthropogenically induced Tl pollution, the naturally occurring Tl contamination in soils may also pose significant risks to human health and ecological safety. Owing to the relatively high mobility and bioavailability of Tl in the labile fractions, it is important to understand geochemical fractionations of this element for alleviating Tl pollution and effective management of naturally occurring Tl contaminated soils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingfen Lin
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Meiling Yin
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuxuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Mao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hongchun Li
- Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, China
| | - Yaoyu Zhou
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Gang Song
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu J, Ren S, Zhou Y, Tsang DCW, Lippold H, Wang J, Yin M, Xiao T, Luo X, Chen Y. High contamination risks of thallium and associated metal(loid)s in fluvial sediments from a steel-making area and implications for environmental management. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 250:109513. [PMID: 31521041 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is an uncommon toxic element, with an even greater toxicity than that of As, Hg and Cd. Steel-making industry has been identified as an emerging new significant source of Tl contamination in China. This paper presents a pilot investigation of the contamination and geochemical transfer of Tl and associated metal(loid)s in river sediments affected by long-term waste discharge from the steel-making industry. The results uncovered an overall Tl contamination (1.96 ± 0.42 mg/kg) across a sediment profile of approximately 1.5 m in length, even 10 km downstream the steel plant. Highly elevated contents of Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn and Sb were found in the fluvial sediments, displaying strong positive correlations with Tl contents. Elevated levels of geochemically mobile Tl as well as Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb occurred in the fluvial sediments, signifying anthropogenic imprints from steel production activities at high temperature. Levels of contamination and ecological risk were calculated to be moderate to considerable for Tl, Cu, Zn and high to very high for Cd, Pb, Sb. The results highlight that there is a great challenge in view of potentially considerable Tl pollution due to continuous massive steel production in many other parts of China. It is high time to initiate process-based management of Tl contamination control for the ambient aquifer system in the steel-making area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- Institute of Environmental Research At Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Shixing Ren
- Institute of Environmental Research At Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuting Zhou
- Institute of Environmental Research At Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Holger Lippold
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Ressourcenökologie, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jin Wang
- Institute of Environmental Research At Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Meiling Yin
- Institute of Environmental Research At Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- Institute of Environmental Research At Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xuwen Luo
- Institute of Environmental Research At Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Institute of Environmental Research At Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Liu J, Luo X, Sun Y, Tsang DCW, Qi J, Zhang W, Li N, Yin M, Wang J, Lippold H, Chen Y, Sheng G. Thallium pollution in China and removal technologies for waters: A review. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 126:771-790. [PMID: 30884277 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a typical toxic metal, which poses a great threat to human health through drinking water and the food chain (biomagnification). China has rich Tl-bearing mineral resources, which have been extensively explored and utilized, leading to release of large amounts of Tl into the environment. However, research on Tl pollution and removal techniques is relatively limited, because Tl has not been listed within the scope of environmental monitoring in China for several decades. This paper reviewed Tl pollution in wastewater arising from various industries in China, as well as the latest available methods for treating Tl-containing industrial wastewater, in order to give an outlook on effective technologies for controlling Tl pollution. Conventional physical and chemical treatment technologies are efficient at removing trace amounts of Tl, but it proved to be difficult to achieve the stringent environmental standard (≤0.1-5 μg/L) cost-effectively. Adsorption by using newly developed nanomaterials, and metal oxide modified polymer materials and microbial fuel cells are highly promising and expected to become next-generation technologies for remediation of Tl pollution. With the potential for greater Tl contamination in the environment under accelerated growth of industrialization, researches based on lab-scale implementation of such promising treatment technologies should be further expanded to pilot and industrial scale, ensuring environmental protection and the safety of drinking water for sustainable development. Comprehensive insights into experiences of Tl pollution in China and in-depth perspectives on new frontier technologies of Tl removal from wastewaters will also benefit other nations/regions worldwide, which are susceptible to high exposure to Tl likewise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xuwen Luo
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuqing Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jianying Qi
- South China Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Weilong Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Nuo Li
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Meiling Yin
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Holger Lippold
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Ressourcenökologie, Leipzig 04318, Germany
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guodong Sheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Liu J, Yin M, Zhang W, Tsang DCW, Wei X, Zhou Y, Xiao T, Wang J, Dong X, Sun Y, Chen Y, Li H, Hou L. Response of microbial communities and interactions to thallium in contaminated sediments near a pyrite mining area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 248:916-928. [PMID: 30856507 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.02.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a well-recognized hazardous heavy metal with very high toxicity. It is usually concentrated in sulfide minerals, such as pyrite (FeS2), sphalerite (ZnS), chalcopyrite (CuS) and galena (PbS). Here, this study was carried out to investigate the indigenous microbial communities via 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis in typical surface sediments with various levels of Tl pollution (1.8-16.1 mg/kg) due to acid mine drainage from an active Tl-containing pyrite mining site in South China. It was found with more than 50 phyla from the domain Bacteria and 1 phyla from the domain Archaea. Sequences assigned to the genera Ferroplasma, Leptospirillum, Ferrovum, Metallibacterium, Acidithiobacillus, and Sulfuriferula manifested high relative abundances in all sequencing libraries from the relatively high Tl contamination. Canonical correspondence analysis further uncovered that the overall microbial community in this area was dominantly structured by the geochemical fractionation of Tl and geochemical parameters such as pH and Eh. Spearman's rank correlation analysis indicated a strong positive correlation between acidophilic Fe-metabolizing species and Tltotal, Tloxi, and Tlres. The findings clarify potential roles of such phylotypes in the biogeochemical cycling of Tl, which may facilitate the development of in-situ bioremediation technology for Tl-contaminated sediments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Meiling Yin
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Weilong Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xudong Wei
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuting Zhou
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Xinjiao Dong
- School of Life & Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yubing Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hui Li
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, Department of Ecology, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Liping Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu J, Yin M, Luo X, Xiao T, Wu Z, Li N, Wang J, Zhang W, Lippold H, Belshaw NS, Feng Y, Chen Y. The mobility of thallium in sediments and source apportionment by lead isotopes. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 219:864-874. [PMID: 30572236 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a very toxic heavy metal. As a part of ongoing investigations, the mobility, sources and fate of Tl were investigated for sediments from a watershed in the northern part of the Pearl River, South China, whose catchment has been seriously impacted by large-scale PbZn smelting activities onshore. A wide dispersion of severe Tl contamination was observed throughout the depth profiles. A modified IRMM (Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Europe) sequential extraction procedure of a selected depth profile uncovered an exceptionally high enrichment of Tl in geochemically-mobile fractions (i.e., weak-acid-exchangeable, reducible and oxidizable fractions), on average 5.94 ± 2.19 mg/kg (74.6% ± 5.1% of the total Tl content) not only in the surface sediments but also in deep sediments. The proximal quantitative source apportionment using Pb isotopic fingerprinting technique indicated that a majority (80%-90%) of Tl contamination along the depth profiles is anthropogenically derived from the PbZn smelting wastes. The results highlight the pivotal role of smelting activities in discharging huge amounts of geochemically-mobile Tl to the sediments down to approximately 1 m in length, which is quantitatively evidenced by Pb isotopic tracing technique. Lead isotopes combined with distribution of Tl and Pb contents identified a potential marker for a point source from the PbZn smelter in the river catchment, which also provides a theoretical framework for source apportionment of metal contamination in a larger river/marine system and in other sulfide mining/smelting areas likewise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK
| | - Meiling Yin
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xuwen Luo
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhifeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Nuo Li
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK.
| | - Weilong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Holger Lippold
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut for Ressourcenökologie, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Yuexing Feng
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
López-Arce P, Garrido F, García-Guinea J, Voegelin A, Göttlicher J, Nieto JM. Historical roasting of thallium- and arsenic-bearing pyrite: Current Tl pollution in the Riotinto mine area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 648:1263-1274. [PMID: 30340272 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Samples of an open-air pyrite roasting heap from the 19th century in the Riotinto mine area (SW Spain) and surrounding sediments and soil along a seasonal surface runoff channel were analyzed to study thallium (Tl) phase transformations during historical roasting of Tl-bearing arsenian pyrite, secondary weathering processes, Tl dispersion and current environmental pollution. Results from Electron Probe Microanalyses (EPMA) indicate an even distribution of Tl in pyrite grains of an ore sample (22 mg kg-1 total Tl), suggesting that Tl is incorporated in the pyrite structure rather than in discrete Tl-sulfide microparticles. The roasting residue (122 mg kg-1 total Tl) consists mainly of hematite. EPMA suggested that Tl in the roasting residue and contaminated soil was co-occurring with Fe oxide particles, with a mean Tl point concentration of 0.12% in samples from the roasting residues. Total concentrations of Tl in soil samples decrease with distance from the roasting heap to 14 mg kg-1. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra collected on pyrite roasting residue and a soil sample suggest that most Tl is Tl(I) substituting K in jarosite. Sequential extractions show that most Tl (85-99%) in the soil and sediment samples is concentrated in the residual fraction and, thus, is rather strongly bound. Lastly, water extracts indicate that colloidal particles (i.e. <1 μm size) may contribute to the dispersion of Tl around and away from the roasting heaps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula López-Arce
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28026 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Garrido
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28026 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Javier García-Guinea
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28026 Madrid, Spain
| | - Andreas Voegelin
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department of Water Resources and Drinking Water, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Göttlicher
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation, KIT Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Jose Miguel Nieto
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Aguilar-Carrillo J, Herrera L, Gutiérrez EJ, Reyes-Domínguez IA. Solid-phase distribution and mobility of thallium in mining-metallurgical residues: Environmental hazard implications. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 243:1833-1845. [PMID: 30408871 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) and its compounds are non-essential and highly toxic for living organisms, even at low concentrations. In this paper, we analyzed the presence and geochemical distribution of Tl in different mining-metallurgical and sediment samples collected from several mining zones of Mexico. A modified BCR sequential extraction procedure was also applied to the samples to investigate the geochemical behavior and potential environmental risk of Tl according to types of ore deposit and mineral processing method applied. Results revealed the presence of Tl in the majority of the mining-metallurgical samples, with labile concentrations reaching up to values of 184.4 mg kg-1, well above the environmental standards. A comparison of Tl partitioning in different samples showed that Tl was usually found associated with labile fractions instead of entrapped in the environmentally-passive residual fraction. Specifically, high levels of Tl were extracted from the exchangeable/acid-extractable and poorly-crystalline reducible fractions, suggesting its association with both soluble and amorphous Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides, respectively. Besides, Tl was also frequently found associated with the crystalline reducible fraction, presumably bonded to manganese oxides and jarosite-like minerals. Lastly, little amounts of Tl were extracted from the oxidizable fraction. Considering the fractionation of Tl in these mining-metallurgical samples, they may pose a significant environmental hazard. This study provides useful insights into the potential sources of Tl pollution in Mexico and emphasizes the need for further research to determine the extent of its impact and to develop effective remediation protocols to protect the environment from Tl toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Aguilar-Carrillo
- CONACyT - Department of Environmental Technology, Institute of Metallurgy, UASLP, 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P, Mexico.
| | - Lidya Herrera
- Department of Environmental Technology, Institute of Metallurgy, UASLP, 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P, Mexico.
| | - Emmanuel J Gutiérrez
- CONACyT - Department of Materials Engineering, Institute of Metallurgy, UASLP, 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P, Mexico.
| | - Iván A Reyes-Domínguez
- CONACyT - Department of Mineral Processing, Institute of Metallurgy, UASLP, 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Grösslová Z, Vaněk A, Oborná V, Mihaljevič M, Ettler V, Trubač J, Drahota P, Penížek V, Pavlů L, Sracek O, Kříbek B, Voegelin A, Göttlicher J, Drábek O, Tejnecký V, Houška J, Mapani B, Zádorová T. Thallium contamination of desert soil in Namibia: Chemical, mineralogical and isotopic insights. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 239:272-280. [PMID: 29656251 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We studied arid desert soils from Namibia (Rosh Pinah) that were contaminated with up to 7 mg kg-1 of thallium (Tl) via dust emitted from a local flotation tailing dam. Chemical extractions of waste and soil materials indicated that most of the Tl is strongly bound, in accordance with X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy data that point to the predominant association of Tl with metal sulfides and phyllosilicates. The isotope fractionation factor ε205Tl of the soil samples (from -0.4 to +3.8) shows a positive linear relationship (R2 = 0.62) with 1/Tl, indicative for the mixing of two major Tl pools, presumably anthropogenic Tl and geogenic Tl. The ε205Tl value for the topmost soil samples (∼+3) closely matches the ε205Tl value for post-flotation waste particles with a diameter of <0.05 mm, whereas the bulk flotation waste exhibits a significantly larger ε205Tl value (∼+6). These variations are in accordance with predominant atmospheric transfer of Tl from the tailings to the adjacent soils via fine (dust) particles. The identified minimal Tl alteration in soils indicates that only a small part of the Tl could be potentially released and passively enter the vegetation, local population and/or food chain in the long term. From this viewpoint, Tl does not represent such an important environmental concern as other (abundant) contaminants at the locality. Furthermore, there could be a relevance for other alkaline desert soils, including those where Tl pollution plays a major role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Grösslová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Vendula Oborná
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Trubač
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Drahota
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Penížek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pavlů
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondra Sracek
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, 17. Listopadu 12, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Bohdan Kříbek
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Andreas Voegelin
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, CH-8600, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Göttlicher
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Ondřej Drábek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Tejnecký
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Houška
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Benjamin Mapani
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Namibia, Private Bag, 13301, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Tereza Zádorová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Jia Y, Xiao T, Sun J, Yang F, Baveye PC. Microcolumn-based speciation analysis of thallium in soil and green cabbage. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 630:146-153. [PMID: 29477112 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a toxic trace metal, whose geochemical behavior and biological effects are closely controlled by its chemical speciation in the environment. However, little tends to be known about this speciation of Tl in soil and plant systems that directly affect the safety of food supplies. In this context, the objective of the present study was to elaborate an efficient method to separate and detect Tl(I) and Tl(III) species for soil and plant samples. This method involves the selective adsorption of Tl(I) on microcolumns filled with immobilized oxine, in the presence of DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), followed by DTPA-enhanced ultrasonic and heating-induced extraction, coupled with ICP-MS detection. The method was characterized by a LOD of 0.037 μg/L for Tl(I) and 0.18 μg/L for Tl(III) in 10 mL samples. With this method, a second objective of the research was to assess the speciation of Tl in pot and field soils and in green cabbage crops. Experimental results suggest that DTPA extracted Tl was mainly present as Tl(I) in soils (>95%). Tl in hyperaccumulator plant green cabbage was also mainly present as Tl(I) (>90%). With respect to Tl uptake in plants, this study provides direct evidence that green cabbage mainly takes up Tl(I) from soil, and transports it into the aboveground organs. In soils, Tl(III) is reduced to Tl(I) even at the surface where the chemical environment promotes oxidation. This observation is conducive to understanding the mechanisms of Tl isotope fractionation in the soil-plant system. Based on geochemical fraction studies, the reducible fraction was the main source of Tl getting accumulated by plants. These results indicate that the improved analytical method presented in this study offers an economical, simple, fast, and sensitive approach for the separation of Tl species present in soils at trace levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanlong Jia
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou Institute of Technology, Guiyang 550003, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Jialong Sun
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou Institute of Technology, Guiyang 550003, China
| | - Fei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Philippe C Baveye
- UMR Ecosys, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Avenue Lucien Brétignières, 78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Vaněk A, Grösslová Z, Mihaljevič M, Ettler V, Trubač J, Chrastný V, Penížek V, Teper L, Cabala J, Voegelin A, Zádorová T, Oborná V, Drábek O, Holubík O, Houška J, Pavlů L, Ash C. Thallium isotopes in metallurgical wastes/contaminated soils: A novel tool to trace metal source and behavior. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2018; 343:78-85. [PMID: 28941840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) concentration and isotope data have been recorded for contaminated soils and a set of industrial wastes that were produced within different stages of Zn ore mining and metallurgical processing of Zn-rich materials. Despite large differences in Tl levels of the waste materials (1-500mgkg-1), generally small changes in ε205Tl values have been observed. However, isotopically lighter Tl was recorded in fly ash (ε205Tl∼-4.1) than in slag (ε205Tl∼-3.3), implying partial isotope fractionation during material processing. Thallium isotope compositions in the studied soils reflected the Tl contamination (ε205Tl∼-3.8), despite the fact that the major pollution period ended more than 30 years ago. Therefore, we assume that former industrial Tl inputs into soils, if significant, can potentially be traced using the isotope tracing method. We also suggest that the isotope redistributions occurred in some soil (subsurface) horizons, with Tl being isotopically heavier than the pollution source, due to specific sorption and/or precipitation processes, which complicates the discrimination of primary Tl. Thallium isotope analysis proved to be a promising tool to aid our understanding of Tl behavior within the smelting process, as well as its post-depositional dynamics in the environmental systems (soils).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Zuzana Grösslová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Trubač
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vladislav Chrastný
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Penížek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Leslaw Teper
- Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Jerzy Cabala
- Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Andreas Voegelin
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Tereza Zádorová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vendula Oborná
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Drábek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Holubík
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Houška
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pavlů
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Christopher Ash
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Folens K, Du Laing G. Dispersion and solubility of In, Tl, Ta and Nb in the aquatic environment and intertidal sediments of the Scheldt estuary (Flanders, Belgium). CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 183:401-409. [PMID: 28554024 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.05.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Certain specialty elements are indispensable in modern technologies for their particular properties. Yet, potential risks associated to the release of these elements at any stage, remains unknown. Therefore, the dispersion of indium (In), thallium (Tl), tantalum (Ta) and niobium (Nb) in the aquatic environment of the Scheldt estuary (Flanders, Belgium) was studied. Maximum concentrations in intertidal sediments of 101 ± 15 μg kg-1 for In, 481 ± 37 μg kg-1 for Tl, 88 ± 19 μg kg-1 for Ta and 1162 ± 4 μg kg-1 for Nb appeared on the sampling location closest to the river mouth, i.e. 57.5 km upstream. Their distribution in the intertidal sediments depends on the physicochemical sediment characteristics along the flow of the river Scheldt. The same was the case for most other metals and aluminum as their occurrence also correlated (p < 0.05) with the occurrence of In, Tl and Nb. While in general, studied elements correlate to the OM content and sulfur and phosphorus herein included, a relative enrichment of In, Tl and Nb was seen at Rupelmonde (92.0 km from the river mouth). Mainly the intertidal sediment silt fraction is capable of retaining the elements by exchanging with other ions in the mineral interlayer. Increasing salinity towards the river mouth can furthermore induce the formation of insoluble chloride species. Overall, the solubility of In, Tl, Ta and Nb appeared extremely low upon extraction of pore water from intertidal sediments saturated to 100% field capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karel Folens
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Ecochemistry, Department of Applied Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Gijs Du Laing
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Ecochemistry, Department of Applied Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lopez-Arce P, Garcia-Guinea J, Garrido F. Chemistry and phase evolution during roasting of toxic thallium-bearing pyrite. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 181:447-460. [PMID: 28458220 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In the frame of a research project on microscopic distribution and speciation of geogenic thallium (Tl) from contaminated mine soils, Tl-bearing pyrite ore samples from Riotinto mining district (Huelva, SW Spain) were experimentally fired to simulate a roasting process. Concentration and volatility behavior of Tl and other toxic heavy metals was determined by quantitative ICP-MS, whereas semi-quantitative mineral phase transitions were identified by in situ thermo X-Ray Diffraction (HT-XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analyses after each firing temperature. Sample with initial highest amount of quartz (higher Si content), lowest quantity of pyrite and traces of jarosite (lower S content) developed hematite and concentrated Tl (from 10 up to 72 mg kg-1) after roasting at 900 °C in an oxidizing atmosphere. However, samples with lower or absent quartz content and higher pyrite amount mainly developed magnetite, accumulating Tl between 400 and 500 °C and releasing Tl from 700 up to 900 °C (from 10-29 mg kg-1 down to 4-1 mg kg-1). These results show the varied accumulative, or volatile, behaviors of one of the most toxic elements for life and environment, in which oxidation of Tl-bearing Fe sulfides produce Fe oxides wastes with or without Tl. The initial chemistry and mineralogy of pyrite ores should be taken into account in coal-fired power stations, cement or sulfuric acid production industry involving pyrite roasting processes, and steel, brick or paint industries, which use iron ore from roasted pyrite ash, where large amounts of Tl entail significant environmental pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Lopez-Arce
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/ José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, Madrid 28026, Spain.
| | - Javier Garcia-Guinea
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/ José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, Madrid 28026, Spain
| | - Fernando Garrido
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/ José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, Madrid 28026, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Antić-Mladenović S, Frohne T, Kresović M, Stärk HJ, Savić D, Ličina V, Rinklebe J. Redox-controlled release dynamics of thallium in periodically flooded arable soil. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 178:268-276. [PMID: 28334667 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
To our knowledge, this is the first work to mechanistically study the impact of the redox potential (EH) and principal factors, such as pH, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), chlorides (Cl-) and sulfates (SO42-), on the release dynamics of thallium (Tl) in periodically flooded soil. We simulated flooding using an automated biogeochemical microcosm system that allows for systematical control of pre-defined redox windows. The EH value was increased mechanistically at intervals of approximately 100 mV from reducing (-211 mV) to oxidizing (475 mV) conditions. Soluble Tl levels (0.02-0.28 μg L-1) increased significantly with increases in EH (r = 0.80, p < 0.01, n = 30). Thallium mobilization was found to be related to several simultaneous processes involving the gradual oxidation of Tl-bearing sulfides, reductive dissolution of Fe-Mn oxides and desorption from mineral sorbents. Manganese oxides did not appear to have a considerable effect on Tl retention under oxidizing conditions. Before conducting the microcosm experiment, Tl geochemical fractionation was assessed using the modified BCR sequential extraction procedure. The BCR revealed a majority of Tl in the residual fraction (77.7%), followed by reducible (13.3%) and oxidizable fractions (5.9%). By generating high levels of Tl toxicity at low doses, Tl released under oxidizing conditions may pose an environmental threat. In the future, similar studies should be conducted on various soils along with a determination of the Tl species and monitoring of the Tl content in plants to achieve more detailed insight into soluble Tl behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tina Frohne
- University of Bielefeld, Department for Information Management and University Development, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany; University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Mirjana Kresović
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Agriculture, Nemanjina 6, 11 080, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Hans-Joachim Stärk
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Dubravka Savić
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Agriculture, Nemanjina 6, 11 080, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Vlado Ličina
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Agriculture, Nemanjina 6, 11 080, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany; Sejong University, Department of Environment and Energy, 98 Gunja-Dong, Guangjin-Gu, Seoul, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Liu J, Luo X, Wang J, Xiao T, Chen D, Sheng G, Yin M, Lippold H, Wang C, Chen Y. Thallium contamination in arable soils and vegetables around a steel plant-A newly-found significant source of Tl pollution in South China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 224:445-453. [PMID: 28233568 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic rare element. Severe Tl poisoning can cause neurological brain damage or even death. The present study was designed to investigate contents of Tl and other associated heavy metals in arable soils and twelve common vegetables cultivated around a steel plant in South China, a newly-found initiator of Tl pollution. Potential health risks of these metals to exposed population via consumption of vegetables were examined by calculating hazard quotients (HQ). The soils showed a significant contamination with Tl at a mean concentration of 1.34 mg/kg. The Tl levels in most vegetables (such as leaf lettuce, chard and pak choy) surpassed the maximum permissible level (0.5 mg/kg) according to the environmental quality standards for food in Germany. Vegetables like leaf lettuce, chard, pak choy, romaine lettuce and Indian beans all exhibited bioconcentration factors (BCF) and transfer factors (TF) for Tl higher than 1, indicating a hyperaccumulation of Tl in these plants. Although the elevated Tl levels in the vegetables at present will not immediately pose significant non-carcinogenic health risks to residents, it highlights the necessity of a permanent monitoring of Tl contamination in the steel-making areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xuwen Luo
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Diyun Chen
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guodong Sheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China.
| | - Meiling Yin
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Holger Lippold
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Ressourcenökologie, Leipzig 04318, German
| | - Chunlin Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Guangzhou 510045, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Karbowska B. Presence of thallium in the environment: sources of contaminations, distribution and monitoring methods. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2016; 188:640. [PMID: 27783348 PMCID: PMC5080298 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5647-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Thallium is released into the biosphere from both natural and anthropogenic sources. It is generally present in the environment at low levels; however, human activity has greatly increased its content. Atmospheric emission and deposition from industrial sources have resulted in increased concentrations of thallium in the vicinity of mineral smelters and coal-burning facilities. Increased levels of thallium are found in vegetables, fruit and farm animals. Thallium is toxic even at very low concentrations and tends to accumulate in the environment once it enters the food chain. Thallium and thallium-based compounds exhibit higher water solubility compared to other heavy metals. They are therefore also more mobile (e.g. in soil), generally more bioavailable and tend to bioaccumulate in living organisms. The main aim of this review was to summarize the recent data regarding the actual level of thallium content in environmental niches and to elucidate the most significant sources of thallium in the environment. The review also includes an overview of analytical methods, which are commonly applied for determination of thallium in fly ash originating from industrial combustion of coal, in surface and underground waters, in soils and sediments (including soil derived from different parent materials), in plant and animal tissues as well as in human organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bozena Karbowska
- Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, ul. Berdychowo 4, 61-138, Poznan, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Vaněk A, Grösslová Z, Mihaljevič M, Trubač J, Ettler V, Teper L, Cabala J, Rohovec J, Zádorová T, Penížek V, Pavlů L, Holubík O, Němeček K, Houška J, Drábek O, Ash C. Isotopic Tracing of Thallium Contamination in Soils Affected by Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:9864-9871. [PMID: 27536872 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Here, for the first time, we report the thallium (Tl) isotope record in moderately contaminated soils with contrasting land management (forest and meadow soils), which have been affected by emissions from coal-fired power plants. Our findings clearly demonstrate that Tl of anthropogenic (high-temperature) origin with light isotope composition was deposited onto the studied soils, where heavier Tl (ε(205)Tl ∼ -1) naturally occurs. The results show a positive linear relationship (R(2) = 0.71) between 1/Tl and the isotope record, as determined for all the soils and bedrocks, also indicative of binary Tl mixing between two dominant reservoirs. We also identified significant Tl isotope variations within the products from coal combustion and thermo-desorption experiments with local Tl-rich coal pyrite. Bottom ash exhibited the heaviest Tl isotope composition (ε(205)Tl ∼ 0), followed by fly ash (ε(205)Tl between -2.5 and -2.8) and volatile Tl fractions (ε(205)Tl between -6.2 and -10.3), suggesting partial Tl isotope fractionations. Despite the evident role of soil processes in the isotope redistributions, we demonstrate that Tl contamination can be traced in soils and propose that the isotope data represent a possible tool to aid our understanding of postdepositional Tl dynamics in surface environments for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague , Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Grösslová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague , Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague , Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Trubač
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague , Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague , Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Leslaw Teper
- Department of Economic Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia , Bedzinska 60, Sosnowiec 41-200, Poland
| | - Jerzy Cabala
- Department of Economic Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia , Bedzinska 60, Sosnowiec 41-200, Poland
| | - Jan Rohovec
- Institute of Geology of the CAS, v.v.i. , Rozvojová 269, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Zádorová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague , Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Penížek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague , Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pavlů
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague , Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Holubík
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague , Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Němeček
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague , Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Houška
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague , Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Drábek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague , Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Christopher Ash
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague , Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Karbowska B, Zembrzuski W. Fractionation and Mobility of Thallium in Volcanic Ashes after Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull (2010) in Iceland. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2016; 97:37-43. [PMID: 27209545 PMCID: PMC4916190 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-016-1831-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Volcanic ash contains thallium (Tl), which is highly toxic to the biosphere. The aim of this study was to determine the Tl concentration in fractions of volcanic ash samples originating from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. A sequential extraction scheme allowed for a study of element migration in the environment. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry using a flow measuring system was selected as the analytical method to determine Tl content. The highest average content of Tl in volcanic ash was determined in the fraction entrapped in the aluminosilicate matrix (0.329 µg g(-1)), followed by the oxidizable fraction (0.173 µg g(-1)). The lowest content of Tl was found in the water soluble fraction (0.001 µg g(-1)); however, this fraction is important due to the fact that Tl redistribution among all the fractions occurs through the aqueous phase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bozena Karbowska
- Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, ul.Berdychowo 4, 61-138, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Wlodzimierz Zembrzuski
- Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, ul.Berdychowo 4, 61-138, Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Liu J, Wang J, Chen Y, Shen CC, Jiang X, Xie X, Chen D, Lippold H, Wang C. Thallium dispersal and contamination in surface sediments from South China and its source identification. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 213:878-887. [PMID: 27038575 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a non-essential element in humans and it is considered to be highly toxic. In this study, the contents, sources, and dispersal of Tl were investigated in surface sediments from a riverine system (the western Pearl River Basin, China), whose catchment has been contaminated by mining and roasting of Tl-bearing pyrite ores. The isotopic composition of Pb and total contents of Tl and other relevant metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Co, and Ni) were measured in the pyrite ores, mining and roasting wastes, and the river sediments. Widespread contamination of Tl was observed in the sediments across the river, with the highest concentration of Tl (17.3 mg/kg) measured 4 km downstream from the pyrite industrial site. Application of a modified Institute for Reference Materials and Measurement (IRMM) sequential extraction scheme in representative sediments unveiled that 60-90% of Tl and Pb were present in the residual fraction of the sediments. The sediments contained generally lower (206)Pb/(207)Pb and higher (208)Pb/(206)Pb ratios compared with the natural Pb isotope signature (1.2008 and 2.0766 for (206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(206)Pb, respectively). These results suggested that a significant fraction of non-indigenous Pb could be attributed to the mining and roasting activities of pyrite ores, with low (206)Pb/(207)Pb (1.1539) and high (208)Pb/(206)Pb (2.1263). Results also showed that approximately 6-88% of Tl contamination in the sediments originated from the pyrite mining and roasting activities. This study highlights that Pb isotopic compositions could be used for quantitatively fingerprinting the sources of Tl contamination in sediments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Jin Wang
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Chuan-Chou Shen
- High-Precision Mass Spectrometry and Environment Change Laboratory (HISPEC), Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Xiuyang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Processes, Ministry of Education, College of Geography Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
| | - Xiaofan Xie
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Diyun Chen
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Holger Lippold
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Ressourcenökologie Forschungsstelle Leipzig, Leipzig 04318, Germany
| | - Chunlin Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Guangzhou, 510045, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Liu J, Wang J, Chen Y, Xie X, Qi J, Lippold H, Luo D, Wang C, Su L, He L, Wu Q. Thallium transformation and partitioning during Pb-Zn smelting and environmental implications. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 212:77-89. [PMID: 26840520 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.01.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a toxic and non-essential heavy metal. Raw Pb-Zn ores and solid smelting wastes from a large Pb-Zn smelting plant - a typical thallium (Tl) pollution source in South China, were investigated in terms of Tl distribution and fractionation. A modified IRMM (Institute for Reference Materials and Measurement, Europe) sequential extraction scheme was applied on the samples, in order to uncover the geochemical behavior and transformation of Tl during Pb-Zn smelting and to assess the potential environmental risk of Tl arising from this plant. Results showed that the Pb-Zn ore materials were relatively enriched with Tl (15.1-87.7 mg kg(-1)), while even higher accumulation existed in the electrostatic dust (3280-4050 mg kg(-1)) and acidic waste (13,300 mg kg(-1)). A comparison of Tl concentration and fraction distribution in different samples clearly demonstrated the significant role of the ore roasting in Tl transformation and mobilization, probably as a result of alteration/decomposition of related minerals followed by Tl release and subsequent deposition/co-precipitation on fine surface particles of the electrostatic dust and acidic waste. While only 10-30% of total Tl amounts was associated with the exchangeable/acid-extractable fraction of the Pb-Zn ore materials, up to 90% of total Tl was found in this fraction of the electrostatic dust and acidic waste. Taking into account the mobility and bioavailability of this fraction, these waste forms may pose significant environmental risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Jin Wang
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaofan Xie
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jianying Qi
- South China Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou, China
| | - Holger Lippold
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V. (HZDR), Institut für Ressourcenökologie, Germany
| | - Dinggui Luo
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chunlin Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Longxiao Su
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lucheng He
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qiwei Wu
- Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lee JH, Kim DJ, Ahn BK. Distributions and concentrations of thallium in Korean soils determined by single and sequential extraction procedures. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2015; 94:756-63. [PMID: 25836266 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-015-1533-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to investigate the distribution of thallium in soils collected near suspected areas such as cement plants, active and closed mines, and smelters and to examine the extraction of thallium in the soils using 19 single chemical and sequential chemical extraction procedures. Thallium concentrations in soils near cement plants were distributed between 1.20 and 12.91 mg kg(-1). However, soils near mines and smelters contained relatively low thallium concentrations ranging from 0.18 to 1.09 mg kg(-1). Thallium extractability with 19 single chemical extractants from selected soils near cement plants ranged from 0.10% to 8.20% of the total thallium concentration. In particular, 1.0 M NH4Cl, 1.0 M (NH4)2SO4, and 1.0 M CH3COONH4 extracted more thallium than other extractants. Sequential fractionation results of thallium from different soils such as industrially and artificially contaminated soils varied with the soil properties, especially soil pH and the duration of thallium contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ho Lee
- Department of Bioenvironmental Chemistry, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 561-756, Jeonbuk, Korea,
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Dmowski K, Rossa M, Kowalska J, Krasnodębska-Ostręga B. Thallium in spawn, juveniles, and adult common toads (Bufo bufo) living in the vicinity of a zinc-mining complex, Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2015; 187:4141. [PMID: 25418553 PMCID: PMC4241486 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-4141-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A breeding population of the common toad Bufo bufo living in the vicinity of a Zn-Pb smelting works in Bukowno, Poland was studied for the presence of thallium. Tl concentration was measured in the bottom sediments of the spawning pond, in the laid eggs, in juveniles after metamorphosis, and in the selected tissues of the adult individuals. A very high concentration of Tl was detected in the spawn (13.97 ± 8.90 mg/kg d.w.). In 50% of the spawn samples, levels exceeded 20 mgTl/kg d.w. The issue of maternal transfer of thallium from females to oocytes is discussed. Due to a significant accumulation of thallium, spawn analysis can be used as a sensitive indicator of the presence of this element in the environment and may replace more invasive methods that involve the killing of adult animals. In those regions that are abundant in Zn-Pb ores, the spawn of amphibians may be a very important source of thallium contamination for predators. From among all tissues of the Bukowno adult toads, the livers have shown the highest accumulation of thallium (mean 3.98 mg/kg d.w. and maximum value--18.63). For as many as 96.5% of livers, concentrations exceeded 1.0 mgTl/kg d.w. which is treated as indicative of poisoning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Dmowski
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland,
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Rutyna I, Korolczuk M. Determination of Ultratrace Thallium(I) by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry at Bismuth Film Electrodes Following Double Deposition and Stripping Steps. ELECTROANAL 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/elan.201400483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
33
|
Vaněk A, Grösslová Z, Mihaljevič M, Ettler V, Chrastný V, Komárek M, Tejnecký V, Drábek O, Penížek V, Galušková I, Vaněčková B, Pavlů L, Ash C. Thallium contamination of soils/vegetation as affected by sphalerite weathering: a model rhizospheric experiment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2014; 283:148-156. [PMID: 25265594 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The environmental stability of Tl-rich sphalerite in two contrasting soils was studied. Rhizospheric conditions were simulated to assess the risk associated with sulfide microparticles entering agricultural (top)soils. The data presented here clearly demonstrate a significant effect of 500 μM citric acid, a model rhizospheric solution, on ZnS alteration followed by enhanced Tl and Zn release. The relative ZnS mass loss after 28 days of citrate incubation reached 0.05 and 0.03 wt.% in Cambisol and Leptosol samples respectively, and was up to 4 times higher, compared to H2O treatments. Incongruent (i.e., substantially increased) mobilization of Tl from ZnS was observed during the incubation time. Generally higher (long-term) stability of ZnS with lower Tl release is predicted for soils enriched in carbonates. Furthermore, the important role of silicates (mainly illite) in the stabilization of mobilized Tl, linked with structural (inter)layer Tl-K exchange, is suggested. Thallium was highly bioavailable, as indicated by its uptake by white mustard; maximum Tl amounts were detected in biomass grown on the acidic Cambisol. Despite the fact that sulfides are thought as relatively stable phases in soil environments, enhanced sulfide dissolution and Tl/trace element release (and bioaccumulation) can be assumed in rhizosphere systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Zuzana Grösslová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vladislav Chrastný
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Komárek
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Tejnecký
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Drábek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Penížek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Galušková
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vaněčková
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pavlů
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Christopher Ash
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Jia Y, Xiao T, Zhou G, Ning Z. Thallium at the interface of soil and green cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.): soil-plant transfer and influencing factors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 450-451:140-147. [PMID: 23474259 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Revised: 02/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a non-essential and toxic trace metal found in many plants, but it can accumulate at particularly high concentration in green cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.). The aim of this study is to explore the transfer and accumulation of Tl at the interface of rhizospheric soil and green cabbage from a long-term Tl contaminated site in southwestern Guizhou Province, China. Influencing factors such as Tl distribution in various soil fractions and physical-chemical characteristics of rhizospheric soil were also investigated. Our results demonstrated that green cabbage had high accumulation of Tl, with most bioconcentration factor (BF) values exceeding 1, and up to a maximum level of 11. The enrichment of Tl in the green cabbage tissues followed a descending order, i.e. old leaves>fresh leaves>stems≈roots. The stems functioned as a channel for Tl transportation to the leaves, where most of the Tl (greater than 80%) was found to accumulate. In the rhizospheric soils, 62-95% of Tl existed in the residual fraction, while lower concentrations of Tl (on average, 1.7% of total T1 in rhizospheric soil) were found in the water and acid soluble fractions. The major fraction of labile Tl was located in the reducible fraction (9%). Our results also suggested that the uptake and enrichment of Tl in green cabbage were affected by Tl concentrations, soil water content, soil pH, soil organic material (SOM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in rhizospheric soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanlong Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Vaněk A, Mihaljevič M, Galušková I, Chrastný V, Komárek M, Penížek V, Zádorová T, Drábek O. Phase-dependent phytoavailability of thallium--a synthetic soil experiment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2013; 250-251:265-271. [PMID: 23454466 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.01.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Revised: 01/11/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The study deals with the environmental stability of Tl-modified phases (ferrihydrite, goethite, birnessite, calcite and illite) and phytoavailability of Tl in synthetically prepared soils used in a model vegetation experiment. The data presented here clearly demonstrate a strong relationship between the mineralogical position of Tl in the model soil and its uptake by the plant (Sinapis alba L.). The maximum rate of Tl uptake was observed for plants grown on soil containing Tl-modified illite. In contrast, soil enriched in Ksat-birnessite had the lowest potential for Tl release and phytoaccumulation. Root-induced dissolution of synthetic calcite and ferrihydrite in the rhizosphere followed by Tl mobilization was detected. Highly crystalline goethite was more stable in the rhizosphere, compared to ferrihydrite, leading to reduced biological uptake of Tl. Based on the results obtained, the mineralogical aspect must be taken into account prior to general environmental recommendations in areas affected by Tl.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Anju M, Banerjee DK. Multivariate statistical analysis of heavy metals in soils of a Pb-Zn mining area, India. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2012; 184:4191-4206. [PMID: 21818539 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2255-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2010] [Accepted: 07/15/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Surface soil samples collected from a Pb and Zn mining area in India were subjected to multi-elemental analysis by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Multivariate statistical methods such as principal component analysis and cluster analysis, coupled with correlation coefficient analysis, were used to analyze the data and to apportion the possible sources of elements in soils of a metal mining area. Soils in this area have elevated heavy metal concentrations especially Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, As, and Tl. Using principal component (PC) analysis, six components were extracted, out of which two PCs explaining 50.12% of total variance are more important. The first principal component with a high contribution of Ag, As, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn was deemed to be technogenic/anthropogenic component, and the second principal component, with high loadings for the five discerning variables (Al, Be, Cr, K, Li), was considered as lithogenic component. The third component having strong loadings of Ba, Ca, K, and Na is supposed to have a mixed origin (lithogenic as well as technogenic). Electrical conductivity and total organic matter were not correlated with any element and also have a strong loading in the fifth component which is probably the biomass and ions present in these soils. The findings of the principal component analysis were also substantiated by the cluster analysis. The present study would not only enhance our knowledge regarding the soil pollution status in the study area but would also provide us information to manage the sources of these elements in the study area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Anju
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Lukaszewski Z, Karbowska B, Zembrzuski W, Siepak M. Thallium in fractions of sediments formed during the 2004 tsunami in Thailand. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2012; 80:184-9. [PMID: 22425211 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2012.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Revised: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 02/25/2012] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Thallium is a highly toxic element. Its concentration in sediment fractions from the 2004 tsunami in Thailand was investigated. A modified BCR procedure was used for sequential extraction. Tl was determined by flow injection differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. It was found that the majority of thallium in the investigated tsunami sediments (86-97 percent) is entrapped in the alumosilicate parent matter i.e. it is entirely immovable. Only the total destruction of this residual fraction with hydrofluoric acid made this thallium available. The conclusion strongly supports the hypothesis that thallium is mainly entrapped in alumosilicate parent matter. Total thallium concentration in the investigated tsunami sediments was divergent in various samples from 0.37 to 1.13 μg g(-1) and significantly different from the reference area (0.05 μg g(-1)). Tsunami sediment fractions from different sampling points are divergent in terms of total thallium concentration and concentration of mobile thallium. Generally, mobile thallium concentration was growing in sequence: water soluble fraction<exchangeable fraction<reducible fraction<oxidizable fraction. However, in two samples, thallium concentration in the reducible fraction was higher than in the oxidizable fraction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zenon Lukaszewski
- Poznan University of Technology, pl. Sklodowskiej-Curie 5,60-965 Poznan, Poland.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Liu J, Lippold H, Wang J, Lippmann-Pipke J, Chen Y. Sorption of thallium(I) onto geological materials: influence of pH and humic matter. CHEMOSPHERE 2011; 82:866-871. [PMID: 21094977 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.10.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Revised: 10/28/2010] [Accepted: 10/30/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The sorption behaviour of the severely toxic heavy metal thallium (Tl) as a monovalent cation onto three representative materials (goethite, pyrolusite and a natural sediment sampled from a field site) was examined as a function of pH in the absence and presence of two natural humic acids (HAs), using 204Tl(I) as a radiotracer. In order to obtain a basic understanding of trends in the pH dependence of Tl(I) sorption with and without HA, sorption of HAs and humate complexation of Tl(I) as a function of pH were investigated as well. In spite of the low complexation between Tl(I) and HAs, the presence of HAs results in obvious alterations of Tl(I) sorption onto pyrolusite and sediment. An influence on Tl(I) sorption onto goethite was not observed. Predictions of Kd (distribution coefficient) for Tl(I) on goethite in the presence of HAs, based on a linear additive model, agree well with the experimental data, while a notable disagreement occurs for the pyrolusite and sediment systems. Accordingly, it is suggested that HAs and goethite may act as a non-interacting sorbent mixture under the given conditions, but more complex interactions may take place between the HAs and the mineral phases of pyrolusite or sediment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- Guangzhou University (GU), Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Vanek A, Grygar T, Chrastný V, Tejnecký V, Drahota P, Komárek M. Assessment of the BCR sequential extraction procedure for thallium fractionation using synthetic mineral mixtures. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2010; 176:913-8. [PMID: 20022174 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.11.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 11/23/2009] [Accepted: 11/23/2009] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This work focused on the specific behavior of Tl-bearing phases in the BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction (SE) scheme, namely Tl-bearing ferrihydrite, goethite, birnessite, calcite, illite, sphalerite and feldspar in their simple model mixtures with quartz. Several significant discrepancies between the obtained and expected behaviors of these phases in the BCR SE were observed. The amount of Tl released as the exchangeable/acid-extractable fraction (55-82% of the total Tl content) showed a substantial H(+)-promoted dissolution of all Fe(III) and Mn(III, IV) oxides (corresponding to up to 61% of solid Fe dissolved) and incongruent (increased) extraction of Tl from ferrihydrite and goethite. Reductive conditions of the second SE step were insufficient to complete goethite dissolution with corresponding Tl amount retained in the solid phase. Similarly, insufficient oxidation of sphalerite and lower Tl recovery of the oxidisable fraction was identified. In contrast, the BCR SE seems to produce well predictable results of Tl leaching from Tl-bearing calcite and feldspar. Only 70% of total Tl content was extracted from Tl-modified illite in the exchangeable/acid-extractable step, while 30% was associated with the reducible and residual fractions, i.e., Tl was strongly fixed to the illite matrix.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ales Vanek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Jakubowska M, Zembrzuski W, Lukaszewski Z. Thallium Determination at the Single Picomole per Liter Level by Flow-Injection Differential-Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry. ELECTROANAL 2008. [DOI: 10.1002/elan.200704154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
41
|
Korolczuk M, Surmacz W, Tyszczuk K. Determination of Thallium in a Flow System by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry at a Bismuth Film Electrode. ELECTROANAL 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/elan.200703996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|