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Pereira R, Bouguerra S, Lopes I, Santos B, Marques CR, Silva C, Mestiri A, Frankenbach S, Hentati O, Khadraoui M, Römbke J, Ksibi M, Haddioui A, Sousa JP, Gonçalves FJM. Application of a standard risk assessment scheme to a North Africa contaminated site (Sfax, Tunisia) -Tier 1. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:128326. [PMID: 33297257 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorus is a critical element to agriculture, consequently global phosphate rock demand will remain rising to feed a growing world population. The beneficiation of phosphorous ore gives rise to several tons of a waste by-product [phosphogypsum (PG)] which valorisation is limited, within other reasons, by the risks posed to environment and human health. Although threatening, the accumulation in stacks is the only procedure so far practiced by several countries as a means to get rid of this industrial externality. As part of a NATO Science for Peace Project (SfP 983311) this study describes the application of an environmental risk assessment (ERA) framework, to assess the risks posed by a PG stack to the surrounding soils, in Sfax, Republic of Tunisia. The ERA followed a weight of evidence approach, supported by two lines of evidence (LoE): the chemical (ChemLoE) and the ecotoxicological (EcotoxLoE). Integrated risks point for risk values greater than 0.5 in soils collected in PG stack surrounding area. Soil salinization, has likely contributed to the exacerbation of risks, as well as to the lack of consistency between both LoEs. This study highlights the need of rethinking the weight given to each LoE in ERA, in areas where soil salinization is a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Pereira
- GreenUPorto - Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre & Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre S/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Sirine Bouguerra
- GreenUPorto - Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre & Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre S/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Lopes
- CESAM - Center of Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Santos
- CIBIO INBIO, Universidade Do Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairao, 4485-661, Vairao, Portugal
| | - Catarina R Marques
- CESAM - Center of Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cátia Silva
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Amira Mestiri
- Université de Sfax, Laboratoire de Génie de L'Environnement et Ecotechnologie (LGEET - LR16ES19), Ecole Nationale D'Ingénieurs de Sfax (ENIS), Route de Soukra, Km 4.5; B.P. 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Silja Frankenbach
- CESAM - Center of Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Olfa Hentati
- Université de Sfax, Laboratoire de Génie de L'Environnement et Ecotechnologie (LGEET - LR16ES19), Ecole Nationale D'Ingénieurs de Sfax (ENIS), Route de Soukra, Km 4.5; B.P. 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Moncef Khadraoui
- Université de Sfax, Laboratoire de Génie de L'Environnement et Ecotechnologie (LGEET - LR16ES19), Ecole Nationale D'Ingénieurs de Sfax (ENIS), Route de Soukra, Km 4.5; B.P. 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jörg Römbke
- ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH, Böttgerst. 2-14, 65439, Flörsheim, Germany
| | - Mohamed Ksibi
- Université de Sfax, Laboratoire de Génie de L'Environnement et Ecotechnologie (LGEET - LR16ES19), Ecole Nationale D'Ingénieurs de Sfax (ENIS), Route de Soukra, Km 4.5; B.P. 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Abdelmajid Haddioui
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorisation of Plant Genetic Resources, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, Faculty of Science and Techniques, P.O. 523, Beni-Mellal, 23000, Morocco
| | - José Paulo Sousa
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- CESAM - Center of Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Campos A, Pereira R, Vaz A, Caetano T, Malta M, Oliveira J, Carvalho FP, Mendo S, Lourenço J. Metals and low dose IR: Molecular effects of combined exposures using HepG2 cells as a biological model. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 396:122634. [PMID: 32304850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Uranium mining sites produce residues rich in metals and radionuclides, that may contaminate all environmental matrices, exposing human and non-human biota to low doses of ionizing radiation (LDIR) and to the chemical toxicity of several metals. To date, experimental and radio-epidemiological studies do not provide conclusive evidence of LDIR induced cancer. However, co-exposures (LDIR plus other contaminants), may increase the risks. To determine the potential for genotoxic effects in human cells induced by the exposure to LDIR plus metals, HEPG2 cells were exposed to different concentrations of a uranium mine effluent for 96 h. DNA damage was evaluated using the comet assay and changes in the expression of tumor suppressor and oncogenes were determined using qPCR. Results show that effluent concentrations higher than 5%, induce significant DNA damage. Also, a significant under-expression of ATM and TP53 genes and a significant overexpression of GADD45a gene was observed. Results show that the exposure to complex mixtures cannot be disregarded, as effects were detected at very low doses. This study highlights the need for further studies to clarify the risks of exposure to LDIR along with other stressors, to fully review the IR exposure risk limits established for human and non-human biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Campos
- ICBAS & Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Pereira
- ICBAS & Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal; GreenUPorto- Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
| | - A Vaz
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - T Caetano
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - M Malta
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - J Oliveira
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - F P Carvalho
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - S Mendo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - J Lourenço
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Rodrigues R, Lourenço J, Pereira P, Carvalho S, Mendo S. Effects of metal contamination on the gene expression profile of two benthic species: Cerastoderma edule and Ruditapes philippinarum. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 125:157-165. [PMID: 28811037 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify new biomarkers for metal exposure in two bivalve species. Suppressive Subtractive Hybridization (SSH) was employed to evaluate the transcriptomic response of Cerastoderma edule and Ruditapes philippinarum to metal pollution. Protein synthesis and catalytic activity were the most affected metabolic processes in C. edule and R. philippinarum, respectively. Also, different genes responded to the effect of contamination in each species. The different response observed in both species reinforces the importance of including more than one bioindicator species in risk assessment studies. These results provide the basis for new studies, which are necessary for further validation of the use of the identified genes as molecular biomarkers for metal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Rodrigues
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies and Department of Biology (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Joana Lourenço
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies and Department of Biology (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies and Department of Biology (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; IPMA - Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Avenida Brasília, 1449-006 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Carvalho
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sonia Mendo
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies and Department of Biology (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Li L, He J, Wang L, Chen W, Chang Z. Gene expression profiles of fin regeneration in loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanu). Gene Expr Patterns 2017; 25-26:124-130. [PMID: 28710028 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Revised: 07/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Teleost fins can regenerate accurate position-matched structure and function after amputation. However, we still lack systematic transcriptional profiling and methodologies to understand the molecular basis of fin regeneration. After histological analysis, we established a suppression subtraction hybridization library containing 418 distinct sequences expressed differentially during the process of blastema formation and differentiation in caudal fin regeneration. Genome ontology and comparative analysis of differential distribution of our data and the reference zebrafish genome showed notable subcategories, including multi-organism processes, response to stimuli, extracellular matrix, antioxidant activity, and cell junction function. KEGG pathway analysis allowed the effective identification of relevant genes in those pathways involved in tissue morphogenesis and regeneration, including tight junction, cell adhesion molecules, mTOR and Jak-STAT signaling pathway. From relevant function subcategories and signaling pathways, 78 clones were examined for further Southern-blot hybridization. Then, 17 genes were chosen and characterized using semi-quantitative PCR. Then 4 candidate genes were identified, including F11r, Mmp9, Agr2 and one without a match to any database. After real-time quantitative PCR, the results showed obvious expression changes in different periods of caudal fin regeneration. We can assume that the 4 candidates, likely valuable genes associated with fin regeneration, deserve additional attention. Thus, our study demonstrated how to investigate the transcript profiles with an emphasis on bioinformatics intervention and how to identify potential genes related to fin regeneration processes. The results also provide a foundation or knowledge for further research into genes and molecular mechanisms of fin regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang 453007, Henan, China; Department of Biology and CAREG, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Jingya He
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang 453007, Henan, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang 453007, Henan, China
| | - Weihua Chen
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University Medical Center (CMU), Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Zhongjie Chang
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang 453007, Henan, China.
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Lourenço J, Mendo S, Pereira R. Radioactively contaminated areas: Bioindicator species and biomarkers of effect in an early warning scheme for a preliminary risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 317:503-542. [PMID: 27343869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about the impacts on public health and on the natural environment have been raised regarding the full range of operational activities related to uranium mining and the rest of the nuclear fuel cycle (including nuclear accidents), nuclear tests and depleted uranium from military ammunitions. However, the environmental impacts of such activities, as well as their ecotoxicological/toxicological profile, are still poorly studied. Herein, it is discussed if organisms can be used as bioindicators of human health effects, posed by lifetime exposure to radioactively contaminated areas. To do so, information was gathered from several studies performed on vertebrates, invertebrate species and humans, living in these contaminated areas. The retrieved information was compared, to determine which are the most used bioindicators and biomarkers and also the similarities between human and non-human biota responses. The data evaluated are used to support the proposal for an early warning scheme, based on bioindicator species and on the most sensitive and commonly shared biomarkers, to perform a screening evaluation of radioactively contaminated sites. This scheme could be used to support decision-making for a deeper evaluation of risks to human health, making it possible to screen a large number of areas, without disturbing and alarming local populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Lourenço
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Sónia Mendo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ruth Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto & CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research & GreenUP/CITAB-UP, Porto, Portugal
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Hentati O, Abrantes N, Caetano AL, Bouguerra S, Gonçalves F, Römbke J, Pereira R. Phosphogypsum as a soil fertilizer: Ecotoxicity of amended soil and elutriates to bacteria, invertebrates, algae and plants. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2015; 294:80-9. [PMID: 25855616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2014] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Phosphogypsum (PG) is a metal and radionuclide rich-waste produced by the phosphate ore industry, which has been used as soil fertilizer in many parts of the world for several decades. The positive effects of PG in ameliorating some soil properties and increasing crop yields are well documented. More recently concerns are emerging related with the increase of metal/radionuclide residues on soils and crops. However, few studies have focused on the impact of PG applications on soil biota, as well as the contribution to soils with elements in mobile fractions of PG which may affect freshwater species as well. In this context the main aim of this study was to assess the ecotoxicity of soils amended with different percentages of Tunisian phosphogypsum (0.0, 4.9, 7.4, 11.1, 16.6 and 25%) and of elutriates obtained from PG - amended soil (0.0, 6.25, 12.5 and 25% of PG) to a battery of terrestrial (Eisenia andrei, Enchytraeus crypticus, Folsomia candida, Hypoaspis aculeifer, Zea mays, Lactuca sativa) and aquatic species (Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Lemna minor). Both for amended soils and elutriates, invertebrates (especially D. magna and E. andrei) were the most sensitive species, displaying acute (immobilization) and chronic (reproduction inhibition) effects, respectively. Despite the presence of some concerning metals in PG and elutriates (e.g., zinc and cadmium), the extremely high levels of calcium found in both test mediums, suggest that this element was the mainly responsible for the ecotoxicological effects observed. Terrestrial and aquatic plants were the most tolerant species, which is in line with studies supporting the application of PG to increase crop yields. Nevertheless, no stimulatory effects on growth were observed for any of the species tested despite the high levels of phosphorus added to soils by PG. Given the importance of soil invertebrates for several soil functions and services, this study gives rise to new serious concerns about the consequences of PG applications on agricultural soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olfa Hentati
- High Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 4.5 P.O. Box 1175, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- Departamento de Ambiente da Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Luísa Caetano
- Departamento de Biologia da Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sirine Bouguerra
- High Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 4.5 P.O. Box 1175, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia; Departamento de Biologia da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia da Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jörg Römbke
- ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH, Böttgerstrasse 2-14, D-65439 Flörsheim am Main, Germany
| | - Ruth Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
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Roubalová R, Dvořák J, Procházková P, Elhottová D, Rossmann P, Škanta F, Bilej M. The effect of dibenzo-p-dioxin- and dibenzofuran-contaminated soil on the earthworm Eisenia andrei. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2014; 193:22-28. [PMID: 24992343 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Revised: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) belong to the group of persistent organic pollutants, highly toxic environmental pollutants that include hydrophobic compounds with the tendency to bioaccumulate. Earthworms (Eisenia andrei) were exposed to PCDD/Fs-contaminated soil, and changes in their lipophilic structures and the gene expression of their defense molecules were followed. Damage to the intestinal wall and adjacent chloragogenous tissue was observed. Further, the up-regulation of the expression of several genes was detected. On the basis of these results, the mechanism of the impact of PCDD/Fs on earthworms has been proposed. Dioxins that accumulate in the lipophilic structures cause an increase in reactive oxidative species that triggers oxidative stress followed by the gene expression of two molecules that play a role in protection against oxidant toxicity, calreticulin (CRT) and Hsp70. Moreover, the effect of microbial biomass on the expression of coelomic cytolytic factor (CCF), a pattern recognition receptor, was also observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radka Roubalová
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Praha 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiří Dvořák
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Praha 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Petra Procházková
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Praha 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Dana Elhottová
- Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Institute of Soil Biology, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Rossmann
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Praha 4, Czech Republic.
| | - František Škanta
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Praha 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Bilej
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Praha 4, Czech Republic.
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Gramss G, Voigt KD. Forage and rangeland plants from uranium mine soils: long-term hazard to herbivores and livestock? ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2014; 36:441-452. [PMID: 24096941 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-013-9572-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Metalliferous uranium mine overburden soils integrated into arable land or stabilized by perennial rangeland plants evoke concern about the quality of crops and the exposure of grazing and thereby soil-ingesting (wildlife) herbivores to heavy metals (HM) and radionuclides. In a 2-year trial, thirteen annual and perennial forage and rangeland plants were thus potted on, or taken from, cultivated field soil of a metalliferous hot spot near Ronneburg (Germany). The content of soil and shoot tissues in 20 minerals was determined by ICP-MS to estimate HM (and uranium) toxicities to grazing animals and the plants themselves, and to calculate the long-term persistence of the metal toxicants (soil clean-up times) from the annual uptake rates of the plants. On Ronneburg soil elevated in As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, U, and Zn, the shoot mineral content of all test plants remained preferentially in the range of "normal plant concentrations" but reached up to the fourfold to sixfold in Mn, Ni, and Zn, the 1.45- to 21.5-fold of the forage legislative limit in Cd, and the 10- to 180-fold of common herb concentrations in U. Shoot and the calculated root concentrations in Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn accounted for phytotoxic effects at least to grasses and cereals. Based on WHO PTWI values for the tolerable weekly human Cd and Pb intake, the expanded Cd and Pb limits for forage, and reported rates of hay, roots, and adhering-soil ingestion, the tolerable daily intake rates of 0.65/11.6 mg in Cd/Pb by a 65 kg herbivore would be surpassed by the 11- to 27/0.7- to 4.7-fold across the year, with drastic consequences for winter-grazing and thereby high rates of roots and soil-ingesting animals. The daily intake of 5.3-31.5 mg of the alpha radiation emitter, U, may be less disastrous to short-lived herbivores. The annual phytoextraction rates of critical HM by the tested excluder crops indicate that hundreds to thousands of years are necessary to halve the HM and (long-lived) radionuclide load of Ronneburg soil, provided the herbage is harvested at all. It is concluded that the content in Cd/As, Cd, and Cu exclude herbage/Ronneburg soil from the commercial use as forage or pasture land soil for incalculable time spans. Caution is required, too, with the consumption of game.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Gramss
- Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Burgweg 11, 07749, Jena, Germany,
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Pereira R, Barbosa S, Carvalho FP. Uranium mining in Portugal: a review of the environmental legacies of the largest mines and environmental and human health impacts. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2014; 36:285-301. [PMID: 24030454 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-013-9563-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The history of uranium mining in Portugal during almost one century has followed international demand peaks of both radium and uranium, which in turn were driven by medical, military, and civil applications. Nowadays, following price drop in the 1980s, mining activities decreased and ceased in 2001. The current challenge is to deal with environmental legacies left by old uranium mines, mainly located in Viseu and Guarda districts. In 2001, based on several radiological surveys carried out, the Portuguese government assumed the remediation costs of abandoned mine areas for environmental safety and public health protection. Detailed environmental and public health risk assessments were performed under the scope of studies both requested by the government and by funded research projects. It was found that the existing risks, due to radiological and chemical exposures to metals and radionuclide's, were particularly high at the old milling facilities and mines where in situ and heap leaching of low-grade ore occurred. The different studies, involving both humans and non-human species from different trophic levels, demonstrated the existence of effects at different levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, tissues, individuals, and populations) and on ecosystem services. To mitigate the risks, the environmental rehabilitation works at the Urgeiriça mine complex are almost complete, while at Cunha Baixa mine, they are presently in progress. These works and environmental improvements achieved and expected are described herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal,
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