1
|
Sun M, Liu J, Lin K, Yuan W, Liang X, Wu H, Zhang Y, Dai Q, Yang X, Song G, Wang J. Distribution and migration of rare earth elements in sediment profile near a decommissioned uranium hydrometallurgical site in South China: Environmental implications. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 366:121832. [PMID: 39038435 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121832] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Rare earth elements have garnered increasing attention due to their strategic properties and chronic toxicity to humans. To better understand the content, migration, and ecological risk of rare earth elements in a 180 cm depth sediment profile downstream of a decommissioned uranium hydrometallurgical site in South China, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and High-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) were additionally used to quantify and clarify the mineral composition features. The results showed a high enrichment level of total rare earth elements in the sediment depth profile (range: 129.6-1264.3 mg/kg); the concentration variation of light rare earth elements was more dependent on depth than heavy rare earth elements. Overall, there was an obvious enrichment trend of light rare earth elements relative to heavy rare earth elements and negative anomalies of Ce and Eu. The fractionation and anomaly of rare earth elements in sediments were closely related to the formation and weathering of iron-bearing minerals and clay minerals, as confirmed by the correlation analysis of rare earth elements with Fe (r2 = 0.77-0.90) and Al (r2 = 0.50-0.71). The mineralogical composition of sediments mainly consisted of quartz, feldspar, magnetite, goethite, and hematite. Pollution assessment based on the potential ecological risk index, pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor, and geological accumulation index (Igeo) showed that almost all the sediments had varying degrees of pollution and a high level of ecological risk. This study implied that continued environmental supervision and management are needed to secure the ecological health in terms of rare earth elements enrichment around a decommissioned uranium hydrometallurgical site. The findings may provide valuable insights for other uranium mining and hydrometallurgical areas globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengqing Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke Lin
- Earth Observatory of Singapore and Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Wenhuan Yuan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoliang Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mineralogy and Metallogeny/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mineral Physics and Materials, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hanyu Wu
- Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qunwei Dai
- School of Environment and Resource, Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycling, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Geng T, Mangeret A, Péron O, Suhard D, Gorny J, Darricau L, Le Coz M, Ait-Ouabbas N, David K, Debayle C, Blanchart P, Montavon G, Gourgiotis A. Unveiling the origins and transport processes of radioactive pollutants downstream from a former U-mine site using isotopic tracers and U-238 series disequilibrium. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134416. [PMID: 38703677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
High U concentrations (reaching up to 14,850 mg ⋅ kg-1), were determined in soils and sediments of a wetland downstream of a former U mine in France. This study aims to identify the origin of radioactive contaminants in the wetland by employing Pb isotope fingerprinting, (234U/238U) disequilibrium, SEM, and SIMS observations. Additionally, information about U and 226Ra transport processes was studied using U-238 series disequilibrium. The results of Pb fingerprinting highlighted inherited material inputs of different U-mines with mainly two types of U-ores: i) pitchblende (UO2), and ii) parsonsite (Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2). Moreover, significant disequilibrium of (230Th/238U) and (226Ra/230Th) activity ratios highlighted the mobility of 238U and 226Ra in the wetland, primarily driven by the water table fluctuations. Finally, this work uncovered a limitation of Pb isotope fingerprinting in the case of parsonsite materials, as the high natural Pb content of this mineral may hide the uranogenic Pb signature in the samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Geng
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457, IMT Atlantique/Université de Nantes/CNRS/IN2P3, 4, rue Alfred Kastler, Nantes 44307, France; Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Arnaud Mangeret
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Olivier Péron
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457, IMT Atlantique/Université de Nantes/CNRS/IN2P3, 4, rue Alfred Kastler, Nantes 44307, France
| | - David Suhard
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Josselin Gorny
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Louise Darricau
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Mathieu Le Coz
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Nicolas Ait-Ouabbas
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Karine David
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457, IMT Atlantique/Université de Nantes/CNRS/IN2P3, 4, rue Alfred Kastler, Nantes 44307, France
| | - Christophe Debayle
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Pascale Blanchart
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Gilles Montavon
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457, IMT Atlantique/Université de Nantes/CNRS/IN2P3, 4, rue Alfred Kastler, Nantes 44307, France
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang J, Hu H, Lin K, Wei X, Beiyuan J, Xiong X, Wan Y, Deng P, Wu H, Kang M, Liu J, Dong X. Pb isotopic fingerprinting of uranium pollution: New insight on uranium transport in stream-river sediments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134417. [PMID: 38691992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Uranium mill tailings (UMT) present a significant environmental concern due to high levels of radioactive and toxic elements, including uranium (U), thorium (Th), and lead (Pb), which can pose serious health risks to aquatic ecosystems. While Pb isotopic tracers have been widely utilized in environmental studies to identify elemental sources and geological processes, their application in U geochemistry remains relatively limited. In this study, we investigate the distribution and migration of U in stream-river sediments surrounding a decommissioned U hydrometallurgical area, employing Pb isotopes as tracers. Our findings reveal significant enrichment and ecological risk of U, Pb, and Th in the sediments. Uranium predominantly associates with quartz and silicate minerals, and its dispersion process is influenced by continuous leaching and precipitation cycles of typical U-bearing minerals. Furthermore, we establish a compelling positive relationship (r2 = 0.97) between 208Pb/207Pb and 206Pb/207Pb in the stream-river sediments and sediment derived from UMT. Application of a binary Pb mixing model indicates that anthropogenic hydrometallurgical activities contribute to 2.5-62.7% of the stream-river sediments. Notably, these values are lower than the 6.6-89.6% recorded about 10 years ago, prior to the decommissioning of the U hydrometallurgical activity. Our results underscore the continued risk of U pollution dispersion even after decommission, highlighting the long-term environmental impact of UMT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiyao Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke Lin
- Earth Observatory of Singapore and Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Xudong Wei
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingzi Beiyuan
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinni Xiong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuebing Wan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| | - Pengyuan Deng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| | - Hanyu Wu
- Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Mingliang Kang
- Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Juan Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xuhui Dong
- School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhao B, Sun Z, Guo Y, Zhou Z, Wang X, Ke P. Occurrence characteristics of uranium mineral-related substances in various environmental media in China: A critical review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 441:129856. [PMID: 36115096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The high demand and extensive exploitation of uranium resources resulted in the ubiquity and high detection levels of uranium mineral-related substances in various environment media in China. The potential adverse effects of uranium mineral-related substances on environment and human health have received extensive attention. Therefore, we reviewed the occurrence and spatial distribution of uranium mineral-related substances in various basins and environmental media in China to obtain an overall understanding. We collected information from over 70 papers reporting the occurrence and distribution of uranium mineral-related substances in multiple environments and 183 articles on the genesis of uranium deposits in China from 2001 to 2021. Then the occurrence of uranium mineral-related substances and corresponding correlation in different basins, environmental media and depth ranges were compared in detail. And this review assessed the uranium mineral-related pollution in China based on various environmental quality standards of China, EPA and WHO, and proposed the priority uranium mineral-related heavy metals and radioactive substances based on cluster analysis. This review showed that there were obvious differences in the occurrence characteristics of various uranium mineral-related substances in different environmental media, especially in the surrounding environment of sandstone type and hard rock type uranium deposits. These results will guide us to tackle the challenge of uranium mineral-related pollution in China. The correlation analysis of uranium mineral-related pollutants in different environmental media and the identification of priority pollutants will also provide instructions for us to control uranium mineral-related pollution. Finally, we put forward a series of urgent and practical suggestions on risk management and control of uranium mining according to the current situation of uranium mining environment in China, which is of guiding significance for the realization of "green uranium mining".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bei Zhao
- China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhanxue Sun
- China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China.
| | - Yadan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Zhongkui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Xuegang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Pingchao Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Morereau A, Jaegler H, Hain K, Steier P, Golser R, Beaumais A, Lepage H, Eyrolle F, Grosbois C, Cazala C, Gourgiotis A. Deciphering sources of U contamination using isotope ratio signatures in the Loire River sediments: Exploring the relevance of 233U/ 236U and stable Pb isotope ratios. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135658. [PMID: 35835235 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A broad range of contaminants has been recorded in sediments of the Loire River over the last century. Among a variety of anthropogenic activities of this nuclearized watershed, extraction of uranium and associated activities during more than 50 years as well as operation of several nuclear power plants led to industrial discharges, which could persist for decades in sedimentary archives of the Loire River. Highlighting and identifying the origin of radionuclides that transited during the last decades and were recorded in the sediments is challenging due to i) the low concentrations which are often close or below the detection limits of routine environmental surveys and ii) the mixing of different sources. The determination of the sources of anthropogenic radioactivity was performed using multi-isotopic fingerprints (236U/238U, 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb) and the newly developed 233U/236U tracer. For the first time 233U/236U data in a well-dated river sediment core in the French river Loire are reported here. Results highlight potential sources of contamination among which a clear signature of anthropogenic inputs related to two accidents of a former NUGG NPP that occurred in 1969 and 1980. The 233U and 236U isotopes were measured by recent high performance analytical methods due to their ultra-trace levels in the samples and show a negligible radiological impact on health and on the environment. The determination of mining activities by the use of stable Pb isotopes is still challenging probably owing to the limited dissemination of the Pb-bearing material marked by the U-ore signature downstream to the former U mines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Morereau
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Hugo Jaegler
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Karin Hain
- Faculty of Physics, Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steier
- Faculty of Physics, Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robin Golser
- Faculty of Physics, Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aurélien Beaumais
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Hugo Lepage
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Frédérique Eyrolle
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Cécile Grosbois
- Université de Tours, EA 6293 Géohydrosystèmes Continentaux (GéHCO), Parc de Grandmont, 37200, Tours, Cedex, France
| | - Charlotte Cazala
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Beaumais A, Mangeret A, Suhard D, Blanchart P, Neji M, Cazala C, Gourgiotis A. Combined U-Pb isotopic signatures of U mill tailings from France and Gabon: A new potential tracer to assess their fingerprint on the environment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 430:128484. [PMID: 35739667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128484] [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: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Uranium milling activities have produced high volumes of long-lived radioactive processed wastes stored worldwide in near surface environment. The aim of this study is to highlight relevant tracers that can be used for environmental impact assessment studies involving U mill tailings. A multi-tracer study involving elemental content, 238U decay products disequilibria and stable Pb isotopes was performed in different types of U mill tailings (alkaline, acid, neutralized acid) collected from five Tailings Management Facilities in France (Le Bosc, L'Ecarpière, Le Bernardan, and Bellezane) and Gabon (Mounana). Our results showed that U and Pb concentrations range between 30 and 594 ppm and 66-805 ppm, respectively. These tailings have a strong disequilibrium of (234U/238U) and (230Th/238U) activity ratios (1.27-1.87 and 6-65, respectively), as well as higher 206Pb/207Pb (1.86-7.15) and lower 208Pb/207Pb (0.22-2.39) compared to geochemical background ((234U/238U) and (230Th/238U) equal to unity; 206Pb/207Pb = 1.20; 208Pb/207Pb = 2.47). In situ analyzes (SEM, SIMS) showed that Pb-bearing phases with high 206Pb/207Pb are related to remaining U-rich phases, S-rich phases and potentially clay minerals or oxyhydroxides. We suggest that the combination of the 206Pb/207Pb with the (234U/238U) ratio is a relevant tool for the fingerprinting of the impact of U milling activities on the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Beaumais
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, 31 Av. de la Division Leclerc, Fontenay-aux-Roses 92260, France
| | - Arnaud Mangeret
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, 31 Av. de la Division Leclerc, Fontenay-aux-Roses 92260, France
| | - David Suhard
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, 31 Av. de la Division Leclerc, Fontenay-aux-Roses 92260, France
| | - Pascale Blanchart
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, 31 Av. de la Division Leclerc, Fontenay-aux-Roses 92260, France
| | - Mejdi Neji
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, 31 Av. de la Division Leclerc, Fontenay-aux-Roses 92260, France
| | - Charlotte Cazala
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, 31 Av. de la Division Leclerc, Fontenay-aux-Roses 92260, France
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, 31 Av. de la Division Leclerc, Fontenay-aux-Roses 92260, France.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tang L, Zhang Y, Ma S, Yan C, Geng H, Yu G, Ji H, Wang F. Potentially Toxic Element Contaminations and Lead Isotopic Fingerprinting in Soils and Sediments from a Historical Gold Mining Site. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010925. [PMID: 34682671 PMCID: PMC8535448 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) isotopes have been widely used to identify and quantify Pb contamination in the environment. Here, the Pb isotopes, as well as the current contamination levels of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, As, and Hg, were investigated in soil and sediment from the historical gold mining area upstream of Miyun Reservoir, Beijing, China. The sediment had higher 206Pb/207Pb ratios (1.137 ± 0.0111) than unpolluted soil did (1.167 ± 0.0029), while the soil samples inside the mining area were much more variable (1.121 ± 0.0175). The mean concentrations (soil/sediment in mg·kg−1) of Pb (2470/42.5), Zn (181/113), Cu (199/36.7), Cr (117/68.8), Ni (40.4/28.9), Cd (0.791/0.336), As (8.52/5.10), and Hg (0.168/0.000343) characterized the soil/sediment of the studied area with mean Igeo values of the potentially toxic element (PTE) ranging from −4.71 to 9.59 for soil and from −3.39 to 2.43 for sediment. Meanwhile, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) coupled with Pearson’s correlation coefficient among PTEs indicated that the major source of the Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd contamination was likely the mining activities. Evidence from Pb isotopic fingerprinting and a binary mixing model further confirmed that Pb contamination in soil and sediment came from mixed sources that are dominated by mining activity. These results highlight the persistence of PTE contamination in the historical mining site and the usefulness of Pb isotopes combined with multivariate statistical analysis to quantify contamination from mining activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Tang
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China; (L.T.); (Y.Z.); (S.M.); (C.Y.); (H.G.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Geo-Exploration and Water Environment Engineering Institute Co., Ltd., 9 Linglong Road, Beijing 100142, China;
| | - Yiyue Zhang
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China; (L.T.); (Y.Z.); (S.M.); (C.Y.); (H.G.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Shuai Ma
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China; (L.T.); (Y.Z.); (S.M.); (C.Y.); (H.G.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Changchun Yan
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China; (L.T.); (Y.Z.); (S.M.); (C.Y.); (H.G.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Huanhuan Geng
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China; (L.T.); (Y.Z.); (S.M.); (C.Y.); (H.G.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Guoqing Yu
- Beijing Geo-Exploration and Water Environment Engineering Institute Co., Ltd., 9 Linglong Road, Beijing 100142, China;
| | - Hongbing Ji
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China; (L.T.); (Y.Z.); (S.M.); (C.Y.); (H.G.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China
- Correspondence: (H.J.); (F.W.); Tel./Fax: +86-10-62333305 (F.W.)
| | - Fei Wang
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China; (L.T.); (Y.Z.); (S.M.); (C.Y.); (H.G.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, 30 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China
- Correspondence: (H.J.); (F.W.); Tel./Fax: +86-10-62333305 (F.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Le Coz M, Gourgiotis A, Blanchart P, Mangeret A. Factorial kriging for estimating and mapping the geochemical background from in situ gamma dose rate measurements downstream of a former uranium mine. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 237:106681. [PMID: 34144247 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A geostatistical approach is applied for extracting the geochemical background from gamma dose rate data acquired downstream of a former French uranium mining area. The exploratory data analysis shows that the spatial structure of the gamma dose rate consists of two components: a short isotropic component (10 m-range) that corresponds to the geochemical background; and a long anisotropic component (30-60 m-range) that corresponds to the drainage network features previously fed by the mine discharge water. The gamma dose rate on the whole area of interest was estimated and simulated (to deal with uncertainties) through a kriging of the measured values. The spatial component related to the geochemical background was then extracted through factorial kriging. The proportion of the gamma dose rate explained by the geochemical background according to factorial kriging is consistent within uncertainties with geochemical analyses performed on soil and sediment samples. This study thus highlights the potential of such geostatistical approaches for better exploiting radiometric data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Le Coz
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE, 31 avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE, 31 avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Pascale Blanchart
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE, 31 avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Arnaud Mangeret
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE, 31 avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yin M, Sun J, He H, Liu J, Zhong Q, Zeng Q, Huang X, Wang J, Wu Y, Chen D. Uranium re-adsorption on uranium mill tailings and environmental implications. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 416:126153. [PMID: 34492934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Uranium mill tailings (UMTs) are one critical source of environmental U pollution. Leaching test has been extensively used to reveal U release capacity and mechanism from UMTs, while little attention has been paid to the effects of re-adsorption process on U release. In this study, the role of U re-adsorption behaviors during leaching test with UMTs was comprehensively investigated. Through paired data on mineralogical composition and aqueous U speciation, the influence of environmentally relevant factors on U re-absorption capacity and mechanism on UMTs with different particle sizes was revealed. Significant amounts of U re-adsorption were observed and primarily attributed to the adsorption on chlorite, albite and muscovite as well as combined reduction-sequestration by muscovite. Uranium re-adsorption predominantly occurred via inner-sphere complexation and surface precipitation depending on leachant pH. Coexisting sulfate or phosphate could further enhance U re-adsorption. The enhanced re-adsorption from sulfate occurred when inner-sphere complexation governed the re-adsorption process. These findings suggest that the environmental hazards and ecological risks of the U containing (waste) solids might have been underestimated due to the ignorance of the re-adsorption process, since the re-adsorbed U could be easily re-mobilized. The insights from this study are also helpful in developing effective in-situ remediation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Yin
- 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; School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Hongping He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mineral Physics and Materials, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Juan Liu
- 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
| | - Qiaohui Zhong
- 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
| | - Qingyi Zeng
- School of Resource Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Xianfeng Huang
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jin Wang
- 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; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Yingjuan Wu
- 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
| | - Diyun Chen
- 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; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang J, Yin M, Liu J, Shen CC, Yu TL, Li HC, Zhong Q, Sheng G, Lin K, Jiang X, Dong H, Liu S, Xiao T. Geochemical and U-Th isotopic insights on uranium enrichment in reservoir sediments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 414:125466. [PMID: 33657470 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) geochemistry and its isotopic compositions of reservoir sediments in U mine area were poorly understood. Herein, U and Th isotopic compositions were employed to investigate source apportionment and geochemical behavior of U in 41 reservoir sediments from a U mining area, Guangdong, China. The remarkably high contents of both total U (207.3-1117.7 mg/kg) and acid-leachable U (90.3-638.5 mg/kg) in the sediments exhibit a severe U contamination and mobilization-release risk. The U/Th activity ratios (ARs) indicate that all sediments have been contaminated apparently by U as a result of discharge of U containing wastewater, especially uranium mill tailings (UMT) leachate, while the variations of U/Th ARs are dominated by U geochemical behaviors (mainly redox process and adsorption). The U isotopic compositions (δ238U) showed a large variance through the sediment profile, varying from - 0.62 to - 0.04‰. The relation between δ238U and acid-leachable U fraction demonstrates that the U isotopic fractionation in sediments can be controlled by bedrock weathering (natural activity), UMT leachate (anthropogenic activity) and subsequent biogeochemical processes. The findings suggest that U-Th isotopes are a powerful tool to better understand U geochemical processes and enrichment mechanism in sediments that were affected by combined sources and driving forces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University; Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Meiling Yin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University; Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Juan Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University; Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chuan-Chou Shen
- High-Precision Mass Spectrometry and Environment Change Laboratory (HISPEC), Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; Research Center for Future Earth, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Luen Yu
- High-Precision Mass Spectrometry and Environment Change Laboratory (HISPEC), Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; Research Center for Future Earth, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; Marine Industry and Engineering Research Center, National Academy of Marine Research, Kaohsiung 80661, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Chun Li
- High-Precision Mass Spectrometry and Environment Change Laboratory (HISPEC), Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Qiaohui Zhong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University; Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guodong Sheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China
| | - Ke Lin
- High-Precision Mass Spectrometry and Environment Change Laboratory (HISPEC), Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Xiuyang Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
| | - Hongliang Dong
- Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research, Pudong, Shanghai 201203, China; State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201899, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University; Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University; Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yin M, Zhou Y, Tsang DCW, Beiyuan J, Song L, She J, Wang J, Zhu L, Fang F, Wang L, Liu J, Liu Y, Song G, Chen D, Xiao T. Emergent thallium exposure from uranium mill tailings. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 407:124402. [PMID: 33189469 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) pollution caused by the exploitation of uranium (U) mines has long been neglected due to its low crustal abundance. However, Tl may be enriched in minerals of U ore because Tl has both sulfurophile and lithophile properties. Herein, a semi-dynamic leaching experiment combined with statistical analysis, geochemical speciation and multi-characterization provided novel insight into the distinct features and mechanisms of Tl release from uranium mill tailings (UMT). The results showed that particle size effects prevail over the pH on Tl release, and surface dissolution is the pivotal mechanism controlling Tl release based on Fick's diffusion model. The study revealed that long-term leaching and weathering can lead to the increased acid-extractable and oxidizable fractions of Tl in UMT, and that the exposure and dissolution of Tl-containing sulfides would largely enhance the flux of Tl release. The findings indicate that UMT containing (abundant) pyrite should be paid particular attention due to Tl exposure. Besides, critical concern over the potential Tl pollution in universal U mining and hydrometallurgical areas likewise may need to be seriously reconsidered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Yin
- 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
- 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
| | - Jingzi Beiyuan
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Lan Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jingye She
- 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
- 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; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Li Zhu
- 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
| | - Fa Fang
- 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
| | - Lulu Wang
- 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
| | - Juan Liu
- 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.
| | - Yanyi Liu
- 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
| | - Gang Song
- 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; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Diyun Chen
- 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; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- 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
|
12
|
Chen G, Wang H, Han L, Yang N, Hu B, Qiu M, Zhong X. Highly efficient removal of U(VI) by a novel biochar supported with FeS nanoparticles and chitosan composites. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
13
|
Wang J, Wang L, Wang Y, Tsang DCW, Yang X, Beiyuan J, Yin M, Xiao T, Jiang Y, Lin W, Zhou Y, Liu J, Wang L, Zhao M. Emerging risks of toxic metal(loid)s in soil-vegetables influenced by steel-making activities and isotopic source apportionment. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106207. [PMID: 33197789 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Industrial activities tend to deteriorate adjacent agricultural lands due to accumulation of potentially toxic elements in soils and crops. However, better understanding of their distinctive source partitions and transfer process remains insufficient in steel-making area. The paper focuses on the pollution levels, health risks, and provenance identification of Tl, As, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co, Sb, Cd, Zn, Be, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Sn, and V in common vegetables from different farmlands near a steel-making plant. The results showed that the Tl, As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu and Mn were of high-level contamination in soils and generally above the maximum permissible level (MPL). Calculation using hazard quotients (HQ) exhibited that consumption of the studied vegetables may entail significant health risks to residents, especially for children, resulting from the elevated contents of Tl, As and associated toxic elements. Calculation by binary mixing model using Pb isotopic compositions suggested that steel-making activities contributed to 35-80% of the contamination of Pb and As in vegetables. It is necessary to adopt appropriate remediation measures to mitigate the farmland contamination and ensure the food safety of the agricultural products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuxuan Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jingzi Beiyuan
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Meiling Yin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yanjun Jiang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wenli Lin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuchen Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Juan Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Liang Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang J, Fang F, Zhou Y, Yin M, Liu J, Wang J, Wu Y, Beiyuan J, Chen D. Facile modification of graphene oxide and its application for the aqueous uranyl ion sequestration: Insights on the mechanism. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 258:127152. [PMID: 32544809 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Graphene oxide (GO) has been proved with favorable affinity to U(VI), while some drawbacks such as poor dispersity and low adsorption performance limit its application. Herein, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) modified graphene oxide (MGO) composites were successfully fabricated, characterized and compared with graphene oxide (GO) in the sequestration of U(VI) in aqueous solutions. The results showed that maximum adsorption rate of MGO (99.21%) was obviously higher than that of GO (66.51%) under the same initial condition. Simultaneous introduction of C-H and NO coupled with the enhanced dispersity of GO after modification were mainly responsible for the updated performance verified with multiple characterization techniques. Based on the results of kinetics and isotherms investigations, the experimental data were best described by Pseudo-first-order kinetic model and Redlich-Peterson isotherm model. The results of ΔH, ΔS and ΔG show that adsorptive behaviors of uranyl ion on MGO are endothermic and spontaneous. The study provides a feasible alternative to the chemical modification of GO and enhancing the performance towards uranyl ion removal from solution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Fa Fang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuchen Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Meiling Yin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Juan Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Jinwen Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yang Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jingzi Beiyuan
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Diyun Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Yin M, Tsang DCW, Sun J, Wang J, Shang J, Fang F, Wu Y, Liu J, Song G, Xiao T, Chen D. Critical insight and indication on particle size effects towards uranium release from uranium mill tailings: Geochemical and mineralogical aspects. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 250:126315. [PMID: 32234624 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) is both chemically toxic and radioactive. Uranium mill tailings (UMTs) are one of the most important sources of U contamination in the environment, wherein the mechanisms that control U release from UMTs with different granularities have not yet been well understood. Herein, the release behaviours and underlying release mechanisms of U from UMTs with five different particle size fractions (<0.45, 0.45-0.9, 0.9-2, 2-6 and 6-10 mm) were studied with a well-defined leaching test (ANS 16.1) combined with geochemical and mineralogical characterizations. The results showed that the most remarkable U release unexpectedly emerged from UMT2-6 mm; in contrast, the smallest particle size UMT<0.45 mm contributed to the least U release. The predominant mechanism of U release from UMT2-6 mm was the oxidative dissolution of U-bearing sulfides, while abundant gypsum present in UMT<0.45 mm inhibited U release. The study highlights the importance of combined geochemical and mineralogical investigation when performing leaching tests of mineral-containing hazardous materials such as UMTs with consideration of particle size effects. The findings also indicate that elevating the content of gypsum and avoiding the oxidation of sulfides can effectively help immobilize and minimize the residual U release from the UMTs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jing Sun
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - 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.
| | - Jianying Shang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Fa Fang
- 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
| | - Yang Wu
- 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.
| | - 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
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- 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
| | - Diyun 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
|
16
|
Wang R, Mai J, Guan Y, Liu Z. Radionuclides in the environment around the uranium mines in Guangxi, China. Appl Radiat Isot 2020; 159:109098. [PMID: 32250770 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Uranium and plutonium are both poisonous radioactive elements, which are very harmful to human health and environment. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the distribution of 238U concentration and 239+240Pu activity in the uranium mine surrounding soils. We have collected some surface soil sediments within 2 km of two uranium mines and a solid waste management center in Guangxi Province. The 238U concentration in these study areas is in the range of 1.44-83.91 mg/g, and the 238U concentration in the A uranium mine surrounding surface soils is higher than that in the B uranium mine and the solid waste management center. While the B uranium mine and the solid waster management center don't pollute the surrounding soils because the 238U concentrations in their surrounding soils are similar to the average 238U concentration in the soil. The 239+240Pu activities in soil samples collected around the two uranium mines and the solid waste management center are close ranged from 0.06 mBq/g to 0.51 mBq/g. Moreover, the 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in our study samples are ranged from 0.15 to 0.23, which indicate the Pu may come from the global fallout. In addition, we study heavy metals in our collected samples, only heavy metal Tl has weak positive correlations with 238U concentrations and 239+240Pu activities. And there is a weak positive correlation between 238U concentrations and 239+240Pu activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Jingyu Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Yongjin Guan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang J, Zhou Y, Dong X, Yin M, Tsang DCW, Sun J, Liu J, Song G, Liu Y. Temporal sedimentary record of thallium pollution in an urban lake: An emerging thallium pollution source from copper metallurgy. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 242:125172. [PMID: 31675584 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is an extremely toxic metal with high risk. Sediment samples from a well dated sediment core retrieved from a heavily polluted urban lake were measured to assess the magnitude of Tl pollution and reveal its transfer mechanisms within the lake. The results show that the lake has experienced serious Tl pollution during the past 60 years, owing to a large influx of Tl-bearing wastes mostly from a neighboring copper (Cu) smelter. The Tl contents in the sediment core at different depths generally correlated positively with the production scale of Cu smelting activities in the past. Further mineralogical analysis on the electrostatic precipitator dust from the Cu smelter and highly-polluted samples from the sediment core by electronic microscopy and X-ray diffraction suggested that Tl was primarily bound to quartz and aluminosilicates. Large quantities of Tl were also observed in diatom frustules collected from the sediments, suggesting a potentially significant role of biogenic silicates in the uptake and transfer of Tl in the sediment-water system. The findings indicate a new and emerging pollution source of thallium arising from copper metallurgy activities. The results also highlight the necessity of strengthened monitoring and regulations towards Tl pollution in environmental systems impacted by Cu smelting activities in China and other nations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & 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
| | - Yuting Zhou
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & 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
| | - Xuhui Dong
- School of Geographical Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Meiling Yin
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & 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
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jing Sun
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Juan Liu
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & 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; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Gang Song
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & 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
| | - Yonghui Liu
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Quality & 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
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Liu J, Wei X, Zhou Y, Tsang DCW, Bao Z, Yin M, Lippold H, Yuan W, Wang J, Feng Y, Chen D. Thallium contamination, health risk assessment and source apportionment in common vegetables. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 703:135547. [PMID: 31761365 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
As an element with well-known toxicity, excessive thallium (Tl) in farmland soils, may threaten food security and induce extreme risks to human health. Identification of key contamination sources is prerequisite for remediation technologies. This study aims to examine the contamination level, health risks and source apportionment of Tl in common vegetables from typical farmlands distributed over a densely populated residential area in a pyrite mine city, which has been exploiting Tl-bearing pyrite minerals over 50 years. Results showed excessive Tl levels were exhibited in most of the vegetables (0.16-20.33 mg/kg) and alarming health risks may induce from the vegetables via the food chain. Source apportionment of Tl contamination in vegetables was then evaluated by using Pb isotope fingerprinting technique. Both vegetables and soils were characterized with overall low 206Pb/207Pb. This indicated that a significant contribution may be ascribed to the anthropogenic activities involving pyrite deposit exploitation, whose raw material and salgs were featured with lower 206Pb/207Pb. Further calculation by binary mixing model suggested that pyrite mining and smelting activities contributed 54-88% to the thallium contamination in vegetables. The results highlighted that Pb isotope tracing is a suitable technique for source apportionment of Tl contamination in vegetables and prime contamination from pyrite mining/smelting activities urges authorities to initiate proper practices of remediation.
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, 510006 Guangzhou, China; 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, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, 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, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhi'an Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, 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, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| | - Holger Lippold
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Ressourcenökologie, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wenhuan Yuan
- 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, 510006 Guangzhou, 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, 510006 Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yuexing Feng
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Diyun 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, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gourgiotis A, Mangeret A, Manhès G, Blanchart P, Stetten L, Morin G, Le Pape P, Lefebvre P, Le Coz M, Cazala C. New Insights into Pb Isotope Fingerprinting of U-Mine Material Dissemination in the Environment: Pb Isotopes as a Memory Dissemination Tracer. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:797-806. [PMID: 31821755 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Stable Pb isotope ratios were measured and compared to U distributions in three soil cores located in a wetland highly impacted by water discharge of a former U-mine. Pb isotope ratios showed notable alignments in binary mixing plots, demonstrating the dissemination of radioactive-enriched material from the U-mine. Thanks to these alignments and to the measurement of the 204Pb isotope, a precise characterization of the Pb isotope composition of the U-ore was performed without the use of U-ore samples. The well-defined end-members with the help of a reevaluated isotope mixing model allowed the accurate determination of the radiogenic Pb percentages in the cores that were overall found to be >50%. Noncorrelated distributions of radiogenic 206Pb and U are observed in several of the wetland soil samples. They reveal postdepositional U redistribution explained by major U speciation changes due to redox cycling in the wetland. On the contrary, the radiogenic 206Pb showed no or little postdepositional mobility and thus can be considered to be a memory tracer of the dissemination of U-rich radioactive material: even after an important U loss, the radiogenic 206Pb is able to reveal past contamination by U-rich materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire - PSE/ENV - SEDRE/LELI , Fontenay-aux-Roses 92262 , France
| | - Arnaud Mangeret
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire - PSE/ENV - SEDRE/LELI , Fontenay-aux-Roses 92262 , France
| | - Gérard Manhès
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris-Diderot, UMR CNRS 7154 , 1 rue Jussieu , Paris 75238 Cedex , France
| | - Pascale Blanchart
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire - PSE/ENV - SEDRE/USDR , Fontenay-aux-Roses 92262 , France
| | - Lucie Stetten
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire - PSE/ENV - SEDRE/LELI , Fontenay-aux-Roses 92262 , France
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie (IMPMC), UMR 7590 CNRS-Sorbonne Université IRD-MNHN , Case 115, 4 place Jussieu , Paris 75252 Cedex 5 , France
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14, UZA II , Vienna 1090 , Austria
| | - Guillaume Morin
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie (IMPMC), UMR 7590 CNRS-Sorbonne Université IRD-MNHN , Case 115, 4 place Jussieu , Paris 75252 Cedex 5 , France
| | - Pierre Le Pape
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie (IMPMC), UMR 7590 CNRS-Sorbonne Université IRD-MNHN , Case 115, 4 place Jussieu , Paris 75252 Cedex 5 , France
| | - Pierre Lefebvre
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie (IMPMC), UMR 7590 CNRS-Sorbonne Université IRD-MNHN , Case 115, 4 place Jussieu , Paris 75252 Cedex 5 , France
| | - Mathieu Le Coz
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire - PSE/ENV - SEDRE/LELI , Fontenay-aux-Roses 92262 , France
| | - Charlotte Cazala
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire - PSE/ENV - SEDRE/LELI , Fontenay-aux-Roses 92262 , France
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Malikova IN, Strakhovenko VD, Ustinov MT. Uranium and thorium contents in soils and bottom sediments of lake Bolshoye Yarovoye, western Siberia. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 211:106048. [PMID: 31546081 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The uranium and thorium contents in the soils and bottom sediments of the Lake Bolshoye Yarovoye natural system correspond to the data for the steppe climate zone and are noticeably lower than the background values for the Altai Territory as a whole. Factors that reduce the content of uranium and thorium are: 1 - lighter grain size distribution of the substrate, and, accordingly, the soils in this area; 2 - low content of organic matter (high ash content at 600 °C); 3 - the presence of significant quantities of quartz and calcite; 4 - general salinization of soils and the development of the solonchak process; 5 - remoteness from the region of material removal from the Altai mountains with its uranium-thorium-bearing granites and various mineraliszation. The distribution of uranium and thorium in the soils of the catchment area is heterogeneous. Minimum contents are observed in the soils of the boggy eastern coast and in its southern part in connection with the development of the solonchak process. This part of the catchment is characterized by high salinity (HCO3-- Na+) of water extracts in soils. Under subalkaline and alkaline conditions (pH 7.1-8.4) in soil waters, an increase in the content of these ions facilitates the transition of uranium to the liquid phase and its migration to the lake. In this part of the water area, the maximum uranium content in bottom sediments is observed. The results of cluster analysis indicate a change in the correlation of uranium and thorium during their redistribution from soils to bottom sediments. In soils, there is no correlation between uranium and thorium; in the bottom sediments, a strong positive correlation is observed between them (correlation coefficient 0.9). Uranium in soils has only a bond with Cr and possibly with Mn. The absence of a correlation with the elements of the mineral component of the soil confirms it finding, mainly in soluble form. In bottom sediments, both elements are associated with the mineral component. The established features of the distribution of uranium and thorium in the soils and bottom sediments of Lake Bolshoye Yarovoye indicate the need for detailed geochemical studies in lakes of a similar type. This will help to avoid ecological risks when choosing such lakes as anthropogenic objects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I N Malikova
- V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS, Acad. Koptyug ave. 3, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - V D Strakhovenko
- V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS, Acad. Koptyug ave. 3, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Pirogov str. 2, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - M T Ustinov
- Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Avenue, Lavrentieva, 8/2, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li N, Yin M, Tsang DCW, Yang S, Liu J, Li X, Song G, Wang J. Mechanisms of U(VI) removal by biochar derived from Ficus microcarpa aerial root: A comparison between raw and modified biochar. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 697:134115. [PMID: 32380609 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134115] [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: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) is a toxic and radioactive element. Excessive amounts of aqueous U(VI) generated from U mining, processing and nuclear industry may result in severe and irreversible damage to the environment. Herein, Ficus microcarpa aerial root (FMAR), a biowaste material, was used to adsorb U(VI) from aqueous solutions for the first time. Potassium permanganate (KMnO4)-modified FMAR biochar was synthesised, characterised and compared with raw (unmodified) biochar with respect to U(VI) adsorption. The results showed that the adsorption capability of the modified FMAR biochar was evidently higher than that of the raw biochar. Multiple characterisation techniques confirmed that the discrepancy was mainly due to the increased content of O-H and formation of irregular sheet-like nanostructure with the ultrafine MnO2 nanoparticles on the biochar surfaces after KMnO4 modification. The abundance of O-H and nanoscale MnO2 notably enhanced the adsorption of U(VI) by means of coordination and Lewis acid-base interaction. The results indicate that KMnO4-modified FMAR biochar has a good potential to serve as an environment-friendly adsorbent for the removal of U(VI) from solution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuo Li
- 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
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shitong Yang
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - 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.
| | - Xue Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, 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; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, 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; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Yang S, Zhang X, Wu X, Li M, Zhang L, Peng Y, Huang Q, Tan W. Understanding the solid phase chemical fractionation of uranium in soil profile near a hydrometallurgical factory. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 236:124392. [PMID: 31545195 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) contamination of soil has become a major concern with respect to its toxicity, accumulation in the food chain, and persistence in the environment. Anthropogenic activities like mining and processing of U ores has become pressing issues throughout the world. The aim of the work is to understand the chemical fractionation of U in polluted soil and the mechanism involved. U-free soils samples of eluvial (E), illuvial (B), and parent-material (C) horizons from a hydrometallurgical factory area were used. The experimental results showed that the U adsorption capacity decreased with depth, and its mobility in the upper soil is better than the lower. It was closely related to distribution coefficient (Kd), pH, organic-matter (OM), and carbonate content of soil horizons. The chemical fractionation of U was studied using the BCR sequential extraction scheme for soils after saturated adsorption. It was noted that the U reducible and oxidizable fraction in the E and B horizons can vertically transfer to the C horizon and occurs a significant rearrangement of U in different horizons. BET, SEM, XRD, and FT-IR analyses showed that different U distribution and migration in soil profile is mainly affected by specific surface area, soil particle size, mineral composition, and active groups. The XPS data further indicated that U (VI) is gradually converted to U (IV) with decreased depth and fixed in deeper soil becoming insoluble and immobile. It is the first step to investigate potential migration and plan U mining and milling area long-term management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yang
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Xiaowen Zhang
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China; Key Laboratory of Radioactive Waste Treatment and Disposal, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China; Key Laboratory of Radioactive Waste Treatment and Disposal, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Mi Li
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China; Key Laboratory of Radioactive Waste Treatment and Disposal, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Lijiang Zhang
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Ying Peng
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Qianwen Huang
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Wenfa Tan
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China; Key Laboratory of Radioactive Waste Treatment and Disposal, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhang Y, Li C, Luo X. Enrichment effect of Hypnum plumaeforme on 210Po and 210Pb. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION 2019; 22:140-147. [PMID: 31429316 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2019.1652560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The mosses have been widely used as bioindicators to investigate pollution and changes of heavy metals in different countries and regions. In this research, the field surveys were carried out for understanding the moss community and enrichment effects of the dominant species of mosses around the uranium mill tailings impoundment in South China, especially for the enriched contentions of 210Pb and 210Po in soil and Hypnum plumaeforme. The results showed that the maximum concentrations of U and 226Ra in the study sites were 93 mg kg-1 and 1130.8 Bq kg-1, respectively. The exhalation rate of 222Rn (ERRn), soil U, and 226Ra contents in SS1, SS2, and SS3 were higher than CKS. With the increase of the distance from the central well, the contents of nuclides (U and 226Ra) in soils and H. plumaeforme were both decreased. And, the bioconcentration factors of H. plumaeforme for 210Pb and 210Po ranged from 1.05 to 1.49, and 1.25 to 1.40, respectively, indicating an accumulation of 210Po and 210Pb from soil by H. plumaeforme. These results indicated that H. plumaeforme is hopeful to become an accumulator plant for remediation of radon pollution, and also can be used as a potential indicator plant for radon pollution monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, PR China
- Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Mianyang, PR China
| | - Chen Li
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, PR China
- School of Environment and Resource, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, PR China
| | - Xuegang Luo
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, PR China
- Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Mianyang, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhao D, Wang Y, Zhao S, Wakeel M, Wang Z, Shaikh RS, Hayat T, Chen C. A simple method for preparing ultra-light graphene aerogel for rapid removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 251:547-554. [PMID: 31108287 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In this study, graphene aerogel (GA) was successfully prepared through a simple hydrothermal method. The resulting GA exhibited a porous network structure with a large specific surface area (350.8 m2/g), ultra-light mass and easy separation from water. The pHIEP value of the GA was estimated to be 3.5. The adsorption process and the factors that affect adsorption capacity were studied. The adsorption could be conducted in a wide pH range from 2.0 to 7.0. The maximum adsorption capacity of GA towards U(VI) at pH 4.0 and T = 298 K was 238.67 mg/g calculated from the Langmuir model. The GA had greatly rapid adsorption property for the removal of U(VI) at pH 4.0. Kinetic data showed good correlation with pseudo-second-order equation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry characterizations showed that GA adsorbed U(VI) through chemical interaction by oxygen-containing and nitrogen-containing groups functional groups. The results show that GA has excellent application potential as an adsorbent material for removing U(VI) from aqueous solution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donglin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Key Laboratory of and Functional Molecule Design and Interface Process, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, 230601, PR China; Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 1126, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, PR China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Key Laboratory of and Functional Molecule Design and Interface Process, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, 230601, PR China
| | - Siyu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Key Laboratory of and Functional Molecule Design and Interface Process, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, 230601, PR China
| | - Muhammad Wakeel
- Department of Environmental Science, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Zheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Key Laboratory of and Functional Molecule Design and Interface Process, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, 230601, PR China
| | - Rehan S Shaikh
- Institute of Molecular and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Tasawar Hayat
- NAAM Research Group, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Changlun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 1126, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, PR China; NAAM Research Group, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Huang YH, Liu Y, Du PP, Zeng LJ, Mo CH, Li YW, Lü H, Cai QY. Occurrence and distribution of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant genes in water and sediments of urban rivers with black-odor water in Guangzhou, South China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 670:170-180. [PMID: 30903891 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Urban rivers in some countries have been heavily polluted and the water became black and odor. Nevertheless, only few studies reported the occurrence of antibiotics and their corresponding antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in urban rivers with black-odor water with and without remediation. In this study, nine antibiotics (belonging to sulfonamides, tetracyclines, quinolones, and macrolides) and their corresponding ARGs in water and sediments of six urban rivers in Guangzhou, South China were analyzed to investigate their spatial distribution and the influence of water remediation. The concentrations of individual antibiotics varied from ND (not detectable) to 2702 ng/L and ND to 449 μg/kg in surface water and sediments, respectively. Norfloxacin displayed the highest average concentrations, followed by ciprofloxacin. The relative abundance of quinolone-resistance gene qnrA (~103 ARGs/16S rRNA) was the highest, followed by tetracyclines-resistance genes tetC (~10-2 ARGs/16S rRNA). The antibiotics and ARGs in sediments from various rivers exhibited distinct spatial distribution with large variation from upstream to downstream. Generally, levels of antibiotics and tetracyclines-resistance genes (tetA, tetC and tetM) in urban rivers with black-odor water (affected by industrial and domestic sewage) were higher than those in remediated urban rivers. Significant positive correlations were observed only between the relative abundances of tetA (or tetC) with the concentrations of some antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin). TetA was also significantly positively correlated with the concentrations of Ni, Cr, and As in sediments. This study found that urban rivers remediated with dredging might lower antibiotic levels in sediment, but high relative abundance of certain ARGs (e.g., tetB, qnrA) may still exist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hong Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Pei-Pei Du
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Li-Juan Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ce-Hui Mo
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yan-Wen Li
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Huixiong Lü
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Quan-Ying Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Chang C, Yin R, Wang X, Shao S, Chen C, Zhang H. Selenium translocation in the soil-rice system in the Enshi seleniferous area, Central China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 669:83-90. [PMID: 30878943 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.451] [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: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Rice is an important source of selenium (Se) exposure; however, the transformation and translocation of Se in the soil-rice system remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the speciation of Se in Se-rich soils from Enshi, Central China and assessed which Se species is bioavailable for rice grown in Enshi. Extremely high Se concentrations (0.85 to 11.46 mg/kg) were observed in the soils. The soil Se fractions, which include water-soluble Se (0.2 to 3.4%), ligand-exchangeable Se (4.5 to 15.0%), organically bound Se (57.8 to 80.0%) and residual Se (6.1 to 32.9%), are largely controlled by soil organic matter (SOM) levels. Decomposition of SOM promotes the transformation of organically bound Se to water-soluble Se and ligand-exchangeable Se, thereby increasing the bioavailability of Se. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of Se decrease in the following order: roots (0.84 ± 0.30) > bran (0.33 ± 0.17) > leaves (0.18 ± 0.09) > polished rice (0.14 ± 0.07) > stems (0.12 ± 0.07) > husks (0.11 ± 0.07). Selenium levels in rice plants are affected by multiple soil Se fractions in the soil. Water-soluble, ligand-exchangeable and organically bound Se fractions are the major sources of Se in rice tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanyu Chang
- 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
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Shuxun Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Chongying Chen
- 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
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
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
|
28
|
Liu J, Li N, Zhang W, Wei X, Tsang DCW, Sun Y, Luo X, Bao Z, Zheng W, Wang J, Xu G, Hou L, Chen Y, Feng Y. Thallium contamination in farmlands and common vegetables in a pyrite mining city and potential health risks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 248:906-915. [PMID: 30856506 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.02.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Thallium (Tl) is a trace metal of severe toxicity. Its health concerns via consumption of contaminated vegetables have often been overlooked or underestimated. This study was designed to gain insight into the actual level and distribution characteristics of Tl and metal (loid)s (Pb, Cd, Cr, Sb, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Co) in agricultural soils and common vegetables cultivated in different zones (upstream, midstream, and downstream) of a densely populated residential area in a typical mine city, which has been open-pit exploiting Tl-bearing pyrite minerals since 1960s. The results show that most of the agricultural soils exhibit contaminated levels of Tl, with Tl contents (upstream: 1.35-4.31 mg/kg, midstream: 2.43-5.19 mg/kg, and downstream: 0.65-2.33 mg/kg) mostly exceeding the maximum permissible level (MPL) for agricultural land use (1 mg/kg). Sequential extraction procedure indicates that even Tl is predominantly retained in the residual fraction, significant levels of Tl are still present in the geochemically mobile fractions. Besides, metals like Cu, Cd, Mn, and Co are mostly distributed in the labile fractions. Almost all metal (loid)s in edible parts of the vegetables exceed their corresponding MPL for consumption. The chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) values calculated for inhabitants at different ages indicate non-negligible Tl risks via consumption of local vegetables, especially for children. Therefore, it is critical to establish effective measures for hazardous waste management and enforceable regulations in Tl-polluted area to mitigate potential severe impacts of Tl on human health through food chain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- 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; Rural Non-point Source Pollution Comprehensive Management Technology Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Nuo Li
- 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
| | - Weilong Zhang
- 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
| | - Xudong Wei
- 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
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 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
| | - Xuwen Luo
- 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
| | - Zhi'an Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Wentao Zheng
- 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.
| | - Guoliang Xu
- Rural Non-point Source Pollution Comprehensive Management Technology Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Liping Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510655, 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
| | - Yuexing Feng
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wang W, Xu H, Ren X, Deng L. Interfacial interaction of graphene oxide with Na-montmorillonite and its effect on the U(VI) retention properties of Na-montmorillonite. J Mol Liq 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2018.12.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
30
|
Yin M, Sun J, Chen Y, Wang J, Shang J, Belshaw N, Shen C, Liu J, Li H, Linghu W, Xiao T, Dong X, Song G, Xiao E, Chen D. Mechanism of uranium release from uranium mill tailings under long-term exposure to simulated acid rain: Geochemical evidence and environmental implication. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 244:174-181. [PMID: 30336376 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
To date, there is not sufficient knowledge to fully understand the occurrence, transport and fate of residual uranium (U) from uranium mill tailings (UMT). Herein this study investigated different U release behaviors from natural UMT (without grinding) under four simulated acid rain (pH = 2.0-5.0) compared with controlled scenario (pH = 6.0) for 25 weeks. The results showed that the most notable U release was observed from UMTpH2.0, followed by UMTpH3.0 whereas a nonlinear relationship between pH and U release was observed from UMTpH4.0-6.0. The divergence of U release behaviors was attributed to the presence of minerals such as calcite and clinochlore. Autunite, a secondary mineral formed after leaching, might regulate U release in UMTpH3.0-6.0. Fick theory model revealed the shift of U release mechanism from surface dissolution to diffusion transport for UMTpH2.0, UMTpH3.0 and UMTpH5.0 at varied stage, whereas UMTpH4.0 and UMTpH6.0 displayed univocal dissolution and diffusion mechanism, respectively. This study highlights the necessity of performing long-term leaching tests to detect the "shift event" of leaching kinetics and to better understand the mechanism of U release influenced by mineralogy of the natural UMT under simulated acid rain conditions, which is conducive to developing UMT management strategies to minimize the risk of U release and exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Yin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jing Sun
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Yongheng Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jin Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK.
| | - Jianying Shang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Nick Belshaw
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK
| | - ChuanChou Shen
- Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan; Research Center for Future Earth, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Juan Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK.
| | - Huosheng Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Wensheng Linghu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xinjiao Dong
- School of Life & Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Gang Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Enzong Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Diyun Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Linley S, Holmes A, Leshuk T, Nafo W, Thomson NR, Al-Mayah A, McVey K, Sra K, Gu FX. Targeted nanoparticle binding & detection in petroleum hydrocarbon impacted porous media. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 215:353-361. [PMID: 30326441 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Targeted nanoparticle binding has become a core feature of experimental pharmaceutical product design which enables more efficient payload delivery and enhances medical imaging by accumulating nanoparticles in specific tissues. Environmental remediation and geophysical monitoring encounter similar challenges which may be addressed in part by the adoption of targeted nanoparticle binding strategies. This study illustrates that engineered nanoparticles can bind to crude oil-impacted silica sand, a selective adsorption driven by active targeting based on an amphiphilic polymer coating. This coating strategy resulted in 2 mg/kg attachment to clean silica sand compared to 8 mg/kg attachment to oil-impacted silica sand. It was also shown that modifying the surface coating influenced the binding behaviour of the engineered nanoparticles - more hydrophobic polymers resulted in increased binding. Successful targeting of Pluronic-coated iron oxide nanoparticles to a crude oil and silica sand mixture was demonstrated through a combined quantitative Orbital Emission Spectroscopy mass analysis supported by Vibrating Scanning Magnetometer magnetometry, and a qualitative X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT) visualization approach. These non-destructive characterization techniques facilitated efficient analysis of nanoparticles in porous medium samples with minimal sample preparation, and in the case of X-Ray CT, illustrated how targeted nanoparticle binding may be used to produce 3-D images of contaminated porous media. This work demonstrated successful implementation of nanoparticle targeted binding toward viscous LNAPL such as crude oil in the presence of a porous medium, a step which opens the door to successful application of targeted delivery technology in environmental remediation and monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Linley
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Canada
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Canada
| | - Timothy Leshuk
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Canada
| | - Wanis Nafo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neil R Thomson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Adil Al-Mayah
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin McVey
- Chevron Energy Technology Company, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Frank X Gu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|