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Kasongo J, Alleman LY, Kanda JM, Kaniki A, Riffault V. Metal-bearing airborne particles from mining activities: A review on their characteristics, impacts and research perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175426. [PMID: 39137842 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
The presence of various contaminants in airborne dusts from metal mining sites poses obvious risks to human health and the environment. Yet, few studies have thoroughly investigated the properties of airborne particles in terms of their morphology, size distribution and chemical composition, that are associated with health effects around mining activities. This review presents the most recent knowledge on the sources, physicochemical characteristics, and health and environmental risks associated with airborne dusts from various mining and smelting operations. The literature reviewed found only one research on atmospheric dust associated with hydrometallurgical plants compared to a larger number of pyrometallurgical processes/smelters studies. In addition, there are relatively few works comparing the distribution of metals between the fine and coarse size fractions around mining sites. Our analysis suggests that (i) exposure pathways of metal(loid)s to the human body are defined by linking concentration data in human biosamples and contaminated samples such as soils, drinking water and food, and (ii) chitosan and its derivatives may serve as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for soil remediation, with removal rates for metal(loid)s around 70-95 % at pH 6-8, and as dust suppressants for unpaved roads around mining sites. The specific limit values for PM and metal(loid)s at mining sites are not well documented. Despite the health risks associated with fine particles around mining areas, regulations have tended to focus on coarse particles. While some air quality agencies have issued regulations for occupational health and safety, there is no global alignment or common regulatory framework for enforcement. Future research priorities should focus on investigating PM and secondary inorganic aerosols associated with hydrometallurgical processes and dust monitoring, using online metal(loid)s analysers to identify the driving parameters in the deposition and resuspension process.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kasongo
- IMT Nord Europe, Institut Mines-Télécom, Université de Lille, Centre for Energy and Environnement, 59000 Lille, France; Department of Industrial Chemistry, Polytechnic Faculty, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| | - Laurent Y Alleman
- IMT Nord Europe, Institut Mines-Télécom, Université de Lille, Centre for Energy and Environnement, 59000 Lille, France.
| | - Jean-Marie Kanda
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, Polytechnic Faculty, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Arthur Kaniki
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, Polytechnic Faculty, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Véronique Riffault
- IMT Nord Europe, Institut Mines-Télécom, Université de Lille, Centre for Energy and Environnement, 59000 Lille, France
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Hiller E, Faragó T, Kolesár M, Filová L, Mihaljevič M, Jurkovič Ľ, Demko R, Machlica A, Štefánek J, Vítková M. Metal(loid)s in urban soil from historical municipal solid waste landfill: Geochemistry, source apportionment, bioaccessibility testing and human health risks. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142677. [PMID: 38908448 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142677] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Landfills, especially those poorly managed, can negatively affect the environment and human beings through chemical contamination of soils and waters. This study investigates the soils of a historical municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill situated in the heart of a residential zone in the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, with an emphasis on metal (loid) contamination and its consequences. Regardless of the depth, many of the soils exhibited high metal (loid) concentrations, mainly Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Sn and Zn (up to 24, 2620, 2420, 134, 811 and 6220 mg/kg, respectively), classifying them as extremely contaminated based on the geo-accumulation index (Igeo >5). The stable lead isotopic ratios of the landfill topsoil varied widely (1.1679-1.2074 for 206Pb/207Pb and 2.0573-2.1111 for 208Pb/206Pb) and indicated that Pb contained a natural component and an anthropogenic component, likely municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ash and construction waste. Oral bioaccessibility of metal (loid)s in the topsoil was variable with Cd (73.2-106%) and Fe (0.98-2.10%) being the most and least bioaccessible, respectively. The variation of metal (loid) bioaccessibility among the soils could be explained by differences in their geochemical fractionation as shown by positive correlations of bioaccessibility values with the first two fractions of BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction for As, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn. The results of geochemical fractionation coupled with the mineralogical characterisation of topsoil showed that the reservoir of bioaccessible metal (loid)s was calcite and Fe (hydr)oxides. Based on aqua regia metal (loid) concentrations, a non-carcinogenic risk was demonstrated for children (HI = 1.59) but no risk taking into account their bioaccessible concentrations (HI = 0.65). This study emphasises the need for detailed research of the geochemistry of wastes deposited in urban soils to assess the potentially hazardous sources and determine the actual bioaccessibility and human health risks of the accumulated metal (loid)s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Hiller
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Tomáš Faragó
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Martin Kolesár
- DEKONTA Slovensko, Ltd., Odeská 49, 821 06 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Lenka Filová
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina 1, 842 48 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Ľubomír Jurkovič
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Rastislav Demko
- Department of Older Geological Formations, Division of Geology, State Geological Institute of Dionýz Štúr, Mlynská dolina 1, 817 04 Bratislava 11, Slovak Republic.
| | - Andrej Machlica
- DEKONTA Slovensko, Ltd., Odeská 49, 821 06 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Ján Štefánek
- DEKONTA Slovensko, Ltd., Odeská 49, 821 06 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Martina Vítková
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha - Suchdol, Czech Republic.
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Gaberšek M, Gosar M. Oral bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements in various urban environmental media. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:259. [PMID: 38900276 PMCID: PMC11190014 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02073-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
An important aspect of geochemical studies is determining health hazard of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Key information on PTEs behaviour in the human body in case of their ingestion is provided with the use of in vitro bioaccessibility tests. We analysed and compared oral bioaccessibility of a wide range of PTEs (As, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cu, Hg, La, Li, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn), including some that are not often studied but might pose a human health hazard, in soil, attic dust, street dust, and household dust, using Unified BARGE Method (UBM). Additionally, feasibility of usage of scanning electron microscope techniques in analyses of solid residuals of UBM phases was tested. Results show that bioaccessible fractions (BAFs) of PTEs vary significantly between individual samples of the same medium, between different media and between the gastric and gastro-intestinal phases. In soil, attic dust and street dust, bioaccessibility of individual PTE is mostly higher in gastric than in gastro-intestinal phase. The opposite is true for PTEs in household dust. In all four media, with the exception of Pb in household dust, among the most bioaccessible PTEs in gastric phase are Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. During the transition from the stomach to small intestine, the mean BAFs of most elements in soil, attic dust, and street dust decreases. The most bioaccessible PTEs in gastro-intestinal phase are Cu, Cd, Ni, and As. Micromorphological and chemical characterisation at individual particle level before and after bioaccessibility test contribute significantly to the understanding of oral bioaccessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gaberšek
- Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva Ulica 14, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Mateja Gosar
- Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva Ulica 14, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Zhang H, Wang S, Liu Z, Li Y, Wang Q, Zhang X, Li M, Zhang B. Community assembly and microbial interactions in an alkaline vanadium tailing pond. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118104. [PMID: 38181847 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118104] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Intensive development of vanadium-titanium mines leads to an increasing discharge of vanadium (V) into the environment, imposing potential risks to both environmental system and public health. Microorganisms play a key role in the biogeochemical cycling of V, influencing its transformation and distribution. In addition, the characterization of microbial community patterns serves to assess potential threats imposed by elevated V exposure. However, the impact of V on microbial community remains largely unknown in alkaline V tailing areas with a substantial amounts of V accumulation and nutrient-poor conditions. This study aims to explore the characteristics of microbial community in a wet tailing pond nearby a large-scale V mine. The results reveal V contamination in both water (0.60 mg/L) and sediment tailings (340 mg/kg) in the tailing pond. Microbial community diversity shows distinctive pattern between environmental metrices. Genera with the functional potential of metal reduction\resistance, nitrogen metabolism, and carbon fixation have been identified. In this alkaline V tailing pond, V and pH are major drivers to induce community variation, particularly for functional bacteria. Stochastic processes primarily govern the assemblies of microbial community in the water samples, while deterministic process regulate the community assemblies of sediment tailings. Moreover, the co-occurrence network pattern unveils strong selective pattern for sediment tailings communities, where genera form a complex network structure exhibiting strong competition for limited resource. These findings reveal the patterns of microbial adaptions in wet vanadium tailing ponds, providing insightful guidelines to mitigate the negative impact of V tailing and develop sustainable management for mine-waste reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vanadium and Titanium Resources Comprehensive Utilization, Panzhihua, 617000, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Song Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Ziqi Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yinong Li
- Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100035, China.
| | - Qianwen Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaolong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vanadium and Titanium Resources Comprehensive Utilization, Panzhihua, 617000, China
| | - Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vanadium and Titanium Resources Comprehensive Utilization, Panzhihua, 617000, China
| | - Baogang Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
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Mufalo W, Arima T, Igarashi T, Ito M, Sato T, Tomiyama S, Nyambe I, Tabelin CB, Nakata H, Nakayama S, Ishizuka M. Insights on hazardous metal bioaccessibility, and groundwater impacted by Zn residues from a legacy mine and risk evaluation of adjacent soils. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:64. [PMID: 38319371 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-01864-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
This study explored the legacy impact of Zinc plant residues (ZPRs) in Kabwe, Zambia, on the environment and human health, particularly in light of the town's reputation for Pb pollution. ZPRs solid samples and groundwater within and around ZPRs zone were collected from the legacy mine, along with soils in a 10 km radius from the mine site. Bioaccessible fractions of Pb and Zn were elucidated by Japanese leaching test (JLT) and simple bioaccessibility extraction test (SBET). Cationic speciation of Pb and Zn from inhalable and ingestible ZPRs particles was investigated via sequential extraction. Groundwater in the ZPRs area showed higher Zn levels (1490 mg/L) compared to Pb (1.7 mg/L). Elevated Zn concentration were facilitated by the presence of soluble Zn sulfates while Pb was constrained due to its precipitation as anglesite. Groundwater sampled outside the ZPRs area was within the Zambia regulatory limits (< 0.5 mg/L for Pb and < 1 mg/L for Zn). Inhalation exposure to < 30 µm dust particles from ZPRs and soils near the mine indicated negligible risk, with < 3% of bioaccessible Pb in artificial lysosomal fluid. Meanwhile, oral intake of ZPRs particles < 250 µm revealed elevated bioaccessible fractions (36% for Pb and 70% for Zn). ZPRs cationic speciation of ingestible particles < 30 µm, 30-75 µm, 75-150 µm and 150-250 µm indicated that the bioaccessible Pb predominantly emanated from labile Pb fractions under gastric conditions with pH < 1. This was due to the dissolution of Pb associated with the exchangeable phase, carbonates and iron/manganese oxides; however, only exchangeable/carbonate Pb was bioaccessible at pH < 2. Hazard quotients indicated increased risks of Pb intoxication through the ingestion of ZPRs and soils near the legacy mine, with higher risks observed in children, emphasizing the need to remediate legacy mine wastes to reduce health risks and protect groundwater through monitoring in mining-affected regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walubita Mufalo
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan.
| | - Takahiko Arima
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Igarashi
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Mayumi Ito
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Sato
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Shingo Tomiyama
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Imasiku Nyambe
- IWRM Centre/Geology Department, School of Mines, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, 32379, Zambia
| | - Carlito Baltazar Tabelin
- Department of Materials and Resources Engineering Technology, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, 9200, Iligan City, Philippines
| | - Hokuto Nakata
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Shouta Nakayama
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
- Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Mayumi Ishizuka
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
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Ettler V, Raus K, Mihaljevič M, Kříbek B, Vaněk A, Penížek V, Sracek O, Koubová M, Mapani B. Bioaccessible metals in dust materials from non-sulfide Zn deposit and related hydrometallurgical operation. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 345:140498. [PMID: 37866499 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Mining and processing of ores in arid (desert) areas generates high amounts of dust, which might be enriched in potentially harmful elements. We studied dust fractions of ores, soils, and technological materials from mining and related hydrometallurgical operation at former Skorpion Zinc non-sulfide Zn deposit in southern Namibia (closed and placed under maintenance in 2020). Chemical and mineralogical investigation was combined with oral bioaccessibility testing of fine dust fractions (<48 μm and <10 μm) in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) to assess potential risk of intake of metallic contaminants (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) for staff operating in the area. The bulk metals concentrations were largely variable and ranked as follows: soils < tailings ≪ Skorpion ores < imported ores and dross used for feed ore blending. Maximum contaminant concentrations in the original granular materials were 927 mg Cd/kg, 9150 mg Cu/kg, 50 g Pb/kg and 706 g Zn/kg, respectively, and generally increased as a function of decreasing grain size. The highest bioaccessible concentrations of Cd and Pb yielded imported ores from Taiwan and Turkey and, together with the milled dross, these samples also exhibited the highest Zn bioaccessibilities. The exposure estimates calculated for a worker (weighing 70 kg) in this mining/ore processing operation at a dust ingestion rate of 100 mg/day indicated that most dust samples (soils, tailings, Skorpion ores) exhibited metals intake values far below tolerable daily intake limits. The overall health risk was limited in all mining and ore processing areas except for the ore blending area, where imported ores and recycled dross enriched in bioaccessible Cd, Pb and/or Zn were used for the ore blending. Safety measures required by the mine operator (wearing of masks by the operating staff) helped to prevent the staff's exposure to potentially contaminated dust even in this blending ore area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Karel Raus
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Bohdan Kříbek
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Penížek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondra Sracek
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, 17. listopadu 12, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Magdalena Koubová
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Ben Mapani
- Department of Mining and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Private Bag, 13388, Windhoek, Namibia
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Khan YK, Toqeer M, Shah MH. Mobility, bioaccessibility, pollution assessment and risk characterization of potentially toxic metals in the urban soil of Lahore, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:1391-1412. [PMID: 35429312 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01270-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The present study is based on the measurement of potentially toxic metal contents employing various extraction methodologies aimed at the evaluation of their mobility, bioaccessibility and bioavailability in the urban soil (n = 56) of Lahore, Pakistan. Selected metal levels in the soil were quantified using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. On the average basis, aqua regia and glycine extracts revealed comparatively higher contents for most of the metals; average concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Co and Cd were found at 1566, 451.1, 114.8, 52.84, 39.15, 24.82, 12.59 and 3.953 mg/kg in aqua regia extract, while in glycine extract the metal levels were found at 579.6, 174.2, 74.72, 49.74, 19.28, 7.103, 4.692 and 3.357 mg/kg, respectively. However, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn showed significantly higher mobility and bioavailability in the soil, while Co, Fe and Mn were least mobile/bioavailable. The pollution index was assessed in terms of enrichment factor and modified degree of contamination which revealed severe to significant contamination and anthropogenic enrichment of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn. Multivariate analysis showed mostly anthropogenic contributions for Zn-Cu-Cr-Pb-Cd. Health risk assessment revealed relatively higher exposure of the metals through ingestion, while only minor contributions were noted for inhalation and dermal contact. Hazard quotient index was within the safe limit (< 1.0) in all soil extractions, thereby indicating no significant non-carcinogenic health risks. The incremental lifetime cancer risk for Cr (4.1E-06) through ingestion was comparatively higher than the safe limit which showed significant lifetime cancer risk to the local population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Karim Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Toqeer
- Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Munir H Shah
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
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Cánovas CR, Quispe D, Macías F, Callejón-Leblic B, Arias-Borrego A, García-Barrera T, Nieto JM. Potential release and bioaccessibility of metal/loids from mine wastes deposited in historical abandoned sulfide mines. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120629. [PMID: 36370976 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
This study deals with the potential release of metal/loids from sulfide mine wastes upon weathering and the health risks associated with their accidental ingestion. To address this, a complete chemical and mineralogical characterization of a variety of sulfide mine wastes was performed alongside a determination of metal/loid bioaccessibility through leaching tests simulating human digestive and lung fluids. The mine wastes consisted predominantly of Fe (35-55% of Fe2O3) and exhibited high concentrations of trace metalloids such as As (382-4310 mg/kg), Pb (205-15,974 mg/kg), Cu (78-1083 mg/kg), Zn (274-1863 mg/kg), or Sb (520-1816 mg/kg). Most wastes with high concentrations of soluble compounds are considered hazardous according to the European regulations due to the exceedance of threshold values for As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Sb, sulfates, and Zn determined by standardized tests. In general terms, the absorption of waste-hosted metals through both digestive and respiratory routes was low compared to the total metal contents of the wastes, with values below 8% of the total concentration in wastes for most metal/loids including Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Tl, or U. However, some metals exhibited a significantly higher absorption potential, especially through the respiratory route, reaching values of up to 17% for Cr and 75% for Pb, highlighting the strong bioaccessibility of Pb in certain sulfide wastes. Despite the high metal/loid concentrations observed in the studied wastes, a health risk assessment indicated that some non-carcinogenic effects could be observed in children only following the accidental digestion of Pb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Ruiz Cánovas
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus El Carmen, Avenida 3 de Marzo S/n 21007, Huelva, Spain; Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Campus "El Carmen", 21007, Huelva, Spain.
| | - Dino Quispe
- Department of Chemistry, Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad Del Cusco, Av. de La Cultura, 733, 921, Cusco, Peru
| | - Francisco Macías
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus El Carmen, Avenida 3 de Marzo S/n 21007, Huelva, Spain; Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Campus "El Carmen", 21007, Huelva, Spain
| | - Belén Callejón-Leblic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Campus El Carmen, Avenida 3 de Marzo S/n 21007, Huelva, Spain; Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Campus "El Carmen", 21007, Huelva, Spain
| | - Ana Arias-Borrego
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Campus El Carmen, Avenida 3 de Marzo S/n 21007, Huelva, Spain; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Avenida Professor García González, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Tamara García-Barrera
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Campus El Carmen, Avenida 3 de Marzo S/n 21007, Huelva, Spain; Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Campus "El Carmen", 21007, Huelva, Spain
| | - José Miguel Nieto
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus El Carmen, Avenida 3 de Marzo S/n 21007, Huelva, Spain; Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Campus "El Carmen", 21007, Huelva, Spain
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Chen T, Wen XC, Zhang LJ, Tu SC, Zhang JH, Sun RN, Yan B. The geochemical and mineralogical controls on the release characteristics of potentially toxic elements from lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120328. [PMID: 36202267 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Large quantities of lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings were deposited at tailings impoundments without proper management, which have posed considerable risks to the local ecosystem and residents in mining areas worldwide. Therefore, the geochemical behaviors of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in tailings were in-depth investigated in this study by a coupled use of batch kinetic tests, statistical analysis and mineralogical characterization. The results indicated that among these studied PTEs, Cd concentration fluctuated within a wide range of 0.83-6.91 mg/kg, and showed the highest spatial heterogeneity. The mean Cd concentrations generally increased with depth. Cd were mainly partitioned in the exchangeable and carbonate fractions. The release potential of PTEs from tailings was ranged as: Cd > Mn > Zn > Pb > As, Cd > Pb > Zn > Mn > As and Cd > Pb > Mn > Zn > As, respectively, under the assumed environmental scenarios, i.e. acid rain, vegetation restoration, human gastrointestinal digestion. The results from mineralogical characterization indicated that quartz, sericite, calcite and pyrite were typical minerals, cumulatively accounting for over 80% of the tailings. Sulfides (arsenopyrite, galena, and sphalerite), carbonates (calcite, dolomite, cerussite and kutnahorite), oxides (limonite) were identified as the most relevant PTEs-bearing phases, which significantly contributed to PTEs release from tailings. A combined result of statistical, geochemical and mineralogical approaches would be provided valuable information for the alteration characteristics and contaminant release of Pb/Zn mine tailings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Cui Wen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Li-Juan Zhang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shu-Cheng Tu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jun-Hao Zhang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ruo-Nan Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, 77005, USA
| | - Bo Yan
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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10
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Ettler V, Hladíková K, Mihaljevič M, Drahota P, Culka A, Jedlicka R, Kříbek B, Vaněk A, Penížek V, Sracek O, Bagai Z. Contaminant Binding and Bioaccessibility in the Dust From the Ni-Cu Mining/Smelting District of Selebi-Phikwe (Botswana). GEOHEALTH 2022; 6:e2022GH000683. [PMID: 36348990 PMCID: PMC9636585 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We studied the dust fractions of the smelting slag, mine tailings, and soil from the former Ni-Cu mining and processing district in Selebi-Phikwe (eastern Botswana). Multi-method chemical and mineralogical investigations were combined with oral bioaccessibility testing of the fine dust fractions (<48 and <10 μm) in a simulated gastric fluid to assess the potential risk of the intake of metal(loid)s contaminants. The total concentrations of the major contaminants varied significantly (Cu: 301-9,600 mg/kg, Ni: 850-7,000 mg/kg, Co: 48-791 mg/kg) but were generally higher in the finer dust fractions. The highest bioaccessible concentrations of Co, Cu, and Ni were found in the slag and mine tailing dusts, where these metals were mostly bound in sulfides (pentlandite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite). On the contrary, the soil dusts exhibited substantially lower bioaccessible fractions of these metals due to their binding in less soluble spinel-group oxides. The results indicate that slag dusts are assumed to be risk materials, especially when children are considered as a target group. Still, this exposure scenario seems unrealistic due to (a) the fencing of the former mine area and its inaccessibility to the local community and (b) the low proportion of the fine particles in the granulated slag dump and improbability of their transport by wind. The human health risk related to the incidental ingestion of the soil dust, the most accessible to the local population, seems to be quite limited in the Selebi-Phikwe area, even when a higher dust ingestion rate (280 mg/d) is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral ResourcesFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPrague 2Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Hladíková
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral ResourcesFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPrague 2Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral ResourcesFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPrague 2Czech Republic
| | - Petr Drahota
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral ResourcesFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPrague 2Czech Republic
| | - Adam Culka
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral ResourcesFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPrague 2Czech Republic
| | - Radim Jedlicka
- Institute of Petrology and Structural GeologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPrague 2Czech Republic
| | | | - Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil ProtectionFaculty of AgrobiologyFood and Natural ResourcesCzech University of Life Sciences PraguePrague 6Czech Republic
| | - Vít Penížek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil ProtectionFaculty of AgrobiologyFood and Natural ResourcesCzech University of Life Sciences PraguePrague 6Czech Republic
| | - Ondra Sracek
- Department of GeologyFaculty of SciencePalacký University in OlomoucOlomoucCzech Republic
| | - Zibisani Bagai
- Department of GeologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity of BotswanaGaboroneBotswana
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11
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Wang J, Gao P, Li MY, Ma JY, Li JY, Yang DL, Cui DL, Xiang P. Dermal bioaccessibility and cytotoxicity of heavy metals in urban soils from a typical plateau city: Implication for human health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155544. [PMID: 35489519 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The dermal exposure of heavy metals in contaminated urban soils poses huge environmental health risks globally. However, their dermal bioaccessibility and adverse effects on human skin cells were not fully understood. In this study, we measured the total and dermal bioaccessibility of Cr, As, Cd, Pb, and Cu in four selected urban soil samples from Kunming, Yunnan, China, and evaluated the cellular responses of these bioaccessible extracts on human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Among all the metals, only As in Soil-3 (S3) exceeded Chinese risk screening and Yunnan background values at 38.2 mg/kg. The average concentrations of Cr, As, Cd, Pb, and Cu in all soil samples were 47.79, 15.50, 3.11, 104.27, and 180.29 mg/kg respectively. Although relatively high concentrations of heavy metals were detected in soil samples, the highest dermal bioaccessibility of Cd was 3.57% with others' being lower than 1%. The bioaccessible dermal-absorbed doses (DADs) of Cr, As, Cd, Pb, and Cu from soils reflected acceptable health risks since all DADs were below the corresponding derived dermal reference values. However, the toxic data showed the extracts of S3 and S4 presented certain cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells, indicating the existing models based on dermal bioaccessibility and DADs may be not accurate enough to assess their human health risk. Taken together, the human health risk assessment should be modified by taking their skin cytotoxicity into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Yunnan Province Innovative Research Team of Environmental Pollution, Food Safety and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Remediation and Human Health, School of Ecology and Environment, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Meng-Ying Li
- Yunnan Province Innovative Research Team of Environmental Pollution, Food Safety and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Remediation and Human Health, School of Ecology and Environment, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Jiao-Yang Ma
- Yunnan Province Innovative Research Team of Environmental Pollution, Food Safety and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Remediation and Human Health, School of Ecology and Environment, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Jing-Ya Li
- Yunnan Province Innovative Research Team of Environmental Pollution, Food Safety and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Remediation and Human Health, School of Ecology and Environment, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Dan-Lei Yang
- Yunnan Province Innovative Research Team of Environmental Pollution, Food Safety and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Remediation and Human Health, School of Ecology and Environment, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Dao-Lei Cui
- Yunnan Province Innovative Research Team of Environmental Pollution, Food Safety and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Remediation and Human Health, School of Ecology and Environment, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Yunnan Province Innovative Research Team of Environmental Pollution, Food Safety and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Remediation and Human Health, School of Ecology and Environment, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China.
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12
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Geng H, Wang F, Yan C, Ma S, Zhang Y, Qin Q, Tian Z, Liu R, Chen H, Zhou B, Yuan R. Rhizosphere microbial community composition and survival strategies in oligotrophic and metal(loid) contaminated iron tailings areas. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 436:129045. [PMID: 35525218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the metal(loid) fractions in two alkaline iron tailings areas with similar physico-chemical properties and the enrichment ability of dominant plants in these areas were investigated. Additionally, high-throughput sequencing and metagenome analysis were used to examine the rhizosphere microbial community structures and their strategies and potential for carbon fixation, nitrogen metabolism, and metal(loid) resistance in mining areas. Results showed that Salsola collina, Setaria viridis, and Xanthium sibiricum have strong enrichment capacity for As, and the maximum transport factor for Mn can reach 4.01. The richness and diversity of bacteria were the highest in rhizosphere tailings, and the dominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Ascomycota, and Thaumarchaeota. The key taxa present in rhizosphere tailings were generally metal(loid) resistant, especially Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, Nocardioides, and Microbacterium. The reductive citrate cycle was the main carbon fixation pathway of microorganisms in tailings. Rhizosphere microorganisms have evolved a series of survival strategies and can adapt to oligotrophic and metal(loid) polluted mining environments. The results of this study provide a basis for the potential application of plant-microbial in situ remediation of alkaline tailings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Geng
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China; School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St, Haidian District, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Fei Wang
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St, Haidian District, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Changchun Yan
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Shuai Ma
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yiyue Zhang
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Qizheng Qin
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology (Beijing), D11 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhijun Tian
- Beijing Geo-engineering Design and Research Institute, 6 East Yuanlin Road, Miyun District, Beijing 101500, China
| | - Ruiping Liu
- Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, 15 Shixing St, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Huilun Chen
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Beihai Zhou
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Rongfang Yuan
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
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13
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Xu DM, Fu RB. A typical case study from smelter-contaminated soil: new insights into the environmental availability of heavy metals using an integrated mineralogy characterization. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:57296-57305. [PMID: 35352226 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19823-6] [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: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mineralogy was an important driver for the environmental release of heavy metals. Therefore, the present work was conducted by coupling mineral liberation analyzer (MLA) with complementary geochemical tests to evaluate the geochemical behaviors and their potential environmental risks of heavy metals in the smelter contaminated soil. MLA analysis showed that the soil contained 34.0% of quartz, 17.15% of biotite, 1.36% of metal sulfides, 19.48% of metal oxides, and 0.04% of gypsum. Moreover, As, Pb, and Zn were primarily hosted by arsenopyrite (29.29%), galena (88.41%), and limonite (24.15%), respectively. The integrated geochemical results indicated that among the studied metals, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn were found to be more bioavailable, bioaccessible, and mobile. Based on the combined mineralogical and geochemical results, the environmental release of smelter-driven elements such as Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn were mainly controlled by the acidic dissolution of minerals with neutralizing potential, the reductive dissolution of Fe/Mn oxides, and the partial oxidation of metal sulfide minerals. The present study results have confirmed the great importance of mineralogy analysis and geochemical approaches to explain the contribution of smelting activities to soil pollution risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Mao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
- Centre for Environmental Risk Management and Remediation of Soil and Groundwater, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong-Bing Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China.
- Centre for Environmental Risk Management and Remediation of Soil and Groundwater, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Yu YQ, Luo HQ, Yang JY. Health risk of fluorine in soil from a phosphorus industrial area based on the in-vitro oral, inhalation, and dermal bioaccessibility. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 294:133714. [PMID: 35065175 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Health risk of F in soil is of special concern due to the continuously elevated concentration of F in soil. However, there is still a dearth of risk assessments of F in soil based on in-vitro bioaccessibility posed by multiple exposure routes. Herein, the oral, inhalation, and dermal bioaccessibility of F in soil was firstly obtained by adapting and combining in-vitro methods, which then was introduced to remedy an information gap of a comprehensive risk of F in soil posed by a multi-exposure pathway. Combined in-vitro tests indicate the oral, inhalation, and dermal bioaccessibility of F was 13.15 ± 2.63%, 16.55 ± 2.63%, and 1.27 ± 0.73%, respectively. Plasma yielded a detoxic potential for the absorbed F after digesting in small intestine, while effects of enzymes, sweat, and food on the oral bioaccessibility of F were insignificant. Different with metals, the major dissolving phase of F was the interstitial fluid in the deep lung instead of in the alveolar macrophages intracellular environment. A potentially major release of F in the exocrine sweat was noted than in the apocrine sweat. Risk assessments based on the daily exposure incorporated with the in-vitro bioaccessibility suggested that compared with inhalation and dermal contact, oral ingestion was the main exposure route of F in soil to human. Present findings provide insights into the bioaccessibility and health risk of F in soil by multiple exposure routes, which are crucial for the risk control of F contamination in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Qi Yu
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Hou-Qiao Luo
- Sichuan Academy of Environmental Policy and Planning, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Jin-Yan Yang
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
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15
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Helser J, Vassilieva E, Cappuyns V. Environmental and human health risk assessment of sulfidic mine waste: Bioaccessibility, leaching and mineralogy. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127313. [PMID: 34597925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sulfidic mine waste can pose environmental and human health risks, especially when it contains high levels of mobile metal(loid)s. To assess the environmental and health risks of mine waste originating from three historic and active sulfidic Pb-, Zn- and/or Cu-mines in Europe, mineralogical and chemical characterizations were conducted in combination with in vitro bioaccessibility tests, sequential extractions and leaching tests. Results indicated that most samples contained highly elevated levels of metal(loid)s and key minerals consisting of pyrite, sphalerite and cerussite. The orally bioaccessible fraction varied amongst samples: Cd (13-100%), Zn (9-69%), Pb (4-67%), Cu (8-41%) and As (1-11%). Given these bioaccessible levels, the human health risk assessment indicated carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for most investigated samples in a worst-case exposure scenario. The leaching tests revealed a high mobility of metal(loid)s, especially Pb, posing potential environmental risks. The sequential extractions coupled with mineralogical analyses highlighted the highly mobile levels of Cd, Pb and Zn, posing environmental and health risks. Cerussite dissolved in the easily exchangeable fraction, releasing elevated levels of Pb, while pyrite never completely dissolved. In conclusion, the studied wastes pose environmental and health risks, but the high mobility of some elements also provides opportunities for the valorization of the waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Helser
- KU Leuven, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Research Center for Economics and Corporate Sustainability (CEDON), 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Elvira Vassilieva
- KU Leuven, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Valérie Cappuyns
- KU Leuven, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Research Center for Economics and Corporate Sustainability (CEDON), 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
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16
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Aquatic Ecological Risk of Heavy-Metal Pollution Associated with Degraded Mining Landscapes of the Southern Africa River Basins: A Review. MINERALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/min12020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Africa accounts for nearly 30% of the discovered world’s mineral reserves, with half of the world’s platinum group metals deposits, 36% of gold, and 20% of cobalt being in Southern Africa (SA). The intensification of heavy-metal production in the SA region has exacerbated negative human and environmental health impacts. In recent years, mining waste generated from industrial and artisanal mining has significantly affected the ecological integrity of SA aquatic ecosystems due to the accelerated introduction and deposition of heavy metals. However, the extent to which heavy-metal pollution associated with mining has impacted the aquatic ecosystems has not been adequately documented, particularly during bioassessments. This review explores the current aquatic ecological impacts on the heavily mined river basins of SA. It also discusses the approaches to assessing the ecological risks, inherent challenges, and potential for developing an integrated ecological risk assessment protocol for aquatic systems in the region. Progress has been made in developing rapid bioassessment schemes (RBS) for SA aquatic ecosystems. Nevertheless, method integration, which also involves heavy-metal pollution monitoring and molecular technology, is necessary to overcome the current challenges of the standardisation of RBS protocols. Citizenry science will also encourage community and stakeholder involvement in sustainable environmental management in SA.
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Kim H, Cho K, Purev O, Choi N, Lee J. Remediation of Toxic Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil by Combining a Washing Ejector Based on Hydrodynamic Cavitation and Soil Washing Process. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:786. [PMID: 35055606 PMCID: PMC8776021 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Based on the features of hydrodynamic cavitation, in this study, we developed a washing ejector that utilizes a high-pressure water jet. The cavitating flow was utilized to remove fine particles from contaminated soil. The volume of the contaminants and total metal concentration could be correlated to the fine-particle distribution in the contaminated soil. These particles can combine with a variety of pollutants. In this study, physical separation and soil washing as a two-step soil remediation strategy were performed to remediate contaminated soils from the smelter. A washing ejector was employed for physical separation, whereas phosphoric acid was used as the washing agent. The particles containing toxic heavy metals were composed of metal phase encapsulated in phyllosilicates, and metal phase weakly bound to phyllosilicate surfaces. The washing ejector involves the removal of fine particles bound to coarse particles and the dispersion of soil aggregates. From these results we determined that physical separation using a washing ejector was effective for the treatment of contaminated soil. Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) was effective in extracting arsenic from contaminated soil in which arsenic was associated with amorphous iron oxides. Thus, the obtained results can provide useful information and technical support for field soil washing for the remediation of soil contaminated by toxic heavy metals through emissions from the mining and ore processing industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunsoo Kim
- Department of Energy and Resource Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea; (H.K.); (O.P.)
| | - Kanghee Cho
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea;
| | - Oyunbileg Purev
- Department of Energy and Resource Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea; (H.K.); (O.P.)
| | - Nagchoul Choi
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea;
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18
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Tuhý M, Ettler V, Rohovec J, Matoušková Š, Mihaljevič M, Kříbek B, Mapani B. Metal(loid)s remobilization and mineralogical transformations in smelter-polluted savanna soils under simulated wildfire conditions. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 293:112899. [PMID: 34089961 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112899] [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: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The surroundings of mines and smelters may be exposed to wildfires, especially in semi-arid areas. The temperature-dependent releases of metal(loid)s (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) from biomass-rich savanna soils collected near a Cu smelter in Namibia have been studied under simulated wildfire conditions. Laboratory single-step combustion experiments (250-850 °C) and experiments with a continuous temperature increase (25-750 °C) were coupled with mineralogical investigations of the soils, ashes, and aerosols. Metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) were released at >550-600 °C, mostly at the highest temperatures, where complex aerosol particles, predominantly composed of slag-like aggregates, formed. In contrast, As exhibited several emission peaks at ~275 °C, ~370-410 °C, and ~580 °C, reflecting its complex speciation in the solid phase and indicating its remobilization, even during wildfires with moderate soil heating. At <500 °C, As was successively released via the transformation of As-bearing hydrous ferric oxides, arsenolite (As2O3) grains attached to the organic matter fragments, metal arsenates, and/or As-bearing apatite, followed by the thermal decomposition of enargite (Cu3AsS4) at >500 °C. The results indicate that the active and abandoned mining and smelting sites, especially those highly enriched in As, should be protected against wildfires, which can be responsible for substantial As re-emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Tuhý
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Rohovec
- Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Šárka Matoušková
- Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Bohdan Kříbek
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Ben Mapani
- Department of Mining and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Private Bag, 13388, Windhoek, Namibia
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Soltani N, Keshavarzi B, Moore F, Cave M, Sorooshian A, Mahmoudi MR, Ahmadi MR, Golshani R. In vitro bioaccessibility, phase partitioning, and health risk of potentially toxic elements in dust of an iron mining and industrial complex. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 212:111972. [PMID: 33513479 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.111972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Dust emitted from mining, ore processing, and tailing dumps have direct effects on miners who work close to these operations. The Gol-E-Gohar (GEG) mining and industrial company is one of the most important iron concentrate producers in the Middle East. The objective of the present study was to estimate the distribution, fractionation, and oral bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in dust generated by the GEG mining and industrial company. Total PTE content including Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn was quantified for suspended particulate matter (PM) in PM2.5, PM10, and total suspended particulate matter (TSP). As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Pb were quantified in fallout dust samples for oral bioaccessibility using in vitro Unified BARGE (UBM) Method and modified BCR fractionation analysis. Enrichment factors (EF) were calculated for the studied elements in PM; Cu, Fe, and As were found to be extremely enriched. Oral bioaccessibility of selected PTEs in fallout dust samples ranged from 0.35% to 41.55% and 0.06-37.58% in the gastric and intestinal phases, respectively. Regression modeling revealed that the bioaccessibilities of the PTEs could mostly be explained by total concentrations in dust particles. Average daily intake (ADI) calculations revealed that the intake of PTEs did not exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) values and as such was not considered a significant risk to workers. Additionally, the hazard quotients (HQ) and carcinogenic risk (CR) values were lower than the acceptable level. This study can provide further risk assessment and management of PTE pollution in occupational environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naghmeh Soltani
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran
| | - Behnam Keshavarzi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Farid Moore
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mark Cave
- British Geological Survey, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Armin Sorooshian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | | | - Mohammad Reza Ahmadi
- Gol-E-Gohar Iron Ore and Steel Research Institute, Gol-E-Gohar Mining and Industrial Co., Sirjan, Iran
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Zhao X, Li Z, Wang D, Tao Y, Qiao F, Lei L, Huang J, Ting Z. Characteristics, source apportionment and health risk assessment of heavy metals exposure via household dust from six cities in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 762:143126. [PMID: 33121772 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the characteristics and health risks of heavy metals in household dust in urban and rural areas during heating and non-heating period in 2016-2017, 762 dust samples and 381 questionnaires from 381 households were collected from Dalian, Taiyuan, Lanzhou, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Chengdu in China. The results indicated that Dalian was the most polluted city, while Shanghai and Chengdu were the least polluted cities during the study period. Longer ventilation times led to higher concentrations of heavy metals, and the weighting of heating duration exceeded that of heating type. Soil was the dominant contributor to household dust for Hg, Ni, Cu, Zn, and As, whereas Pb primarily originated from traffic. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with heavy metals in household dust were acceptable, with ingestion being the primary exposure route. The risk of adverse health effects caused by heavy metal intake via household dust in urban areas was higher than that in rural areas, and increased during household heating period. Ingestion was the most significant route leading to adverse health effects due to heavy metals in household dust. The exception was the carcinogenic risk associated with Ni, which is known to enter the human body mainly via inhalation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuge Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Prediction and Control, Gansu Province, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Zhenglei Li
- Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Prediction and Control, Gansu Province, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Danlu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Yan Tao
- Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Prediction and Control, Gansu Province, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Feiyang Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Prediction and Control, Gansu Province, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Limin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Prediction and Control, Gansu Province, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ju Huang
- Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Prediction and Control, Gansu Province, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhang Ting
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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21
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O'Shea MJ, Vigliaturo R, Choi JK, McKeon TP, Krekeler MPS, Gieré R. Alteration of yellow traffic paint in simulated environmental and biological fluids. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:141202. [PMID: 32853929 PMCID: PMC7657991 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Pollution from heavy metals in urban environments is a topic of growing concern because many metals, including Pb and Cr, are a human health hazard. Exposure to Pb and Cr has been linked to the inhibition of neurological development as well as toxic effects on many organs. Yellow traffic paint (YTP) is a mixture that contains organic polymers, binders, and pigments, which in some cases consist of crocoite (PbCrO4) that may be coated by silica. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the behavior of the crocoite pigment grains within YTP and their silica coatings in simulated environmental and human body conditions. To do this, both YTP and asphalt were collected in Philadelphia, PA, USA. These samples as well as a standard PbCrO4 were investigated with powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Using this multi-analytical approach, mineral phases were determined in the YTP, their shape, dimensional distributions, crystallinity, and chemical composition, as well as elemental distributions before and after experimental interactions. Three batch dissolution experiments with YTP, asphalt, and standard PbCrO4 were performed to simulate ingestion, inhalation, and environmental interaction with rainwater. Elemental releases were determined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, and results indicated that little (ingestion) to no (environmental and inhalation) Pb and Cr were leached from the YTP during the three experimental procedures. This is likely due to the silica coating that encapsulates the crocoite particles, which persisted during all interactions. The ESEM results for YTP showed dimensional reductions after interactions with all three fluids. The silica coating must be further explored to determine how it breaks down in real environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J O'Shea
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6316, USA.
| | - Ruggero Vigliaturo
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6316, USA
| | - Jessica K Choi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6316, USA
| | - Thomas P McKeon
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6316, USA
| | - Mark P S Krekeler
- Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science, Miami University Hamilton, Hamilton, OH 45011, USA; Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Reto Gieré
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6316, USA; Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6316, USA
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22
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Ettler V, Štěpánek D, Mihaljevič M, Drahota P, Jedlicka R, Kříbek B, Vaněk A, Penížek V, Sracek O, Nyambe I. Slag dusts from Kabwe (Zambia): Contaminant mineralogy and oral bioaccessibility. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 260:127642. [PMID: 32683030 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The former Pb-Zn mining town of Kabwe in central Zambia is ranked amongst the worst polluted areas both in Africa and in the world. The fine dust particles from the ISF and Waelz slags deposited in Kabwe represent a health risk for the local population. Here, we combined a detailed multi-method mineralogical investigation with oral bioaccessibility testing in simulated gastric fluid (SGF; 0.4 M glycine, pH 1.5, L/S ratio of 100, 1 h, 37 °C) to evaluate the risk related to the incidental dust ingestion. The slag dust fractions contain up to 2610 mg/kg V, 6.3 wt% Pb and 19 wt% Zn. The metals are mainly bound in a slag glass and secondary phases, which formed during the slag weathering or were windblown from nearby tailing stockpiles (carbonates, Fe and Mn oxides, phosphates, vanadates). The bioaccessible fractions (BAFs) are rather high for all the main contaminants, with the BAF values generally higher for the ISF slags than for the Waelz slags: Pb (24-96%), V (21-100%) and Zn (54-81%). The results clearly indicate the potential risks related to the incidental slag dust ingestion. Even when a conservative value of the dust daily intake (100 mg/day) is considered, the daily contaminant intake significantly exceeds the tolerable daily intake limits, especially for Pb ≫ V > Zn. At higher ingestion rates, other minor contaminants (As, Cd) also become a health risk, especially for children. The slag heaps in Kabwe should be fenced to prevent local people entering and should be covered to limit the dust dispersion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - David Štěpánek
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Drahota
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Jedlicka
- Institute of Petrology and Structural Geology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Bohdan Kříbek
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Penížek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondra Sracek
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, 17. Listopadu 12, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Imasiku Nyambe
- Department of Geology, University of Zambia, School of Mines, P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
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23
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Tian S, Li K, Møller P, Ying SC, Wang L, Li Z, Roursgaard M, Liang T. Assessment of reactive oxygen species production and genotoxicity of rare earth mining dust: Implications for public health and mining management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:139759. [PMID: 32569908 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mining rare earth elements (REEs) can release large amounts of metal(loid)-rich dust, which can pose significant health risks to local residents. However, compared to other types of particulates, toxicity of mining dust has been largely overlooked. To provide experimental evidence on toxicity of REE mine dust, the study assessed the oxidative stress potential and genotoxicity of inhalable particles collected in a REE mining area, and associated toxicological response with source compositions. Both source types (i.e., mine and tailing area) and distances from source (i.e., industrial and residential areas) were considered when selecting the 44 sampling sites. The particle samples contained 2.3-3.5 folds higher concentrations of tested metal(loid)s than background concentrations in soil. Specially, elevated Fe, REEs, Cd, Pb were found. In spite of low cytotoxicity in lung epithelial A549 cells, there was increased cellular ROS production by of particle exposure. Samples with higher mining-originated source contributions (Provenance Index <0.3) had higher cellular ROS production (1.72 fold, 95%CI: 1.66-1.79 fold) than samples with lower mining contributions (1.58 fold, 95%CI: 1.52-1.65 fold). The factors soil (~46%), mine (~22%), and heavy metal (~20%) sources were recognized by source apportionment analysis as the main contributors to cellular ROS production; importantly, mine and heavy metal sources counted more in industrial samples. While samples generated genotoxicity, there were no differences in DNA damage between the location groups of sampling. Collectively, the results indicate that particles in mining areas may cause ROS production and DNA damage in lung cells depending on mine dust. Coupled with the long-range transportation potential of mine dust, safety measures on open pit and dust disposal sites should be adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Public Health, Section of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, DK-1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kexin Li
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Peter Møller
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, DK-1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Samantha C Ying
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States
| | - Lingqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Martin Roursgaard
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, DK-1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
| | - Tao Liang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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24
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Mehta N, Cipullo S, Cocerva T, Coulon F, Dino GA, Ajmone-Marsan F, Padoan E, Cox SF, Cave MR, De Luca DA. Incorporating oral bioaccessibility into human health risk assessment due to potentially toxic elements in extractive waste and contaminated soils from an abandoned mine site. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 255:126927. [PMID: 32417510 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The waste rock, tailings and soil around an abandoned mine site in Gorno (northwest Italy) contain elevated concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTE) exceeding the permissible limits for residential uses. Specifically, the maximum concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn were 107 mg/kg, 340 mg/kg, 1064 mg/kg, and 148 433 mg/kg, respectively. A site-specific human health risk assessment (HHRA) was conducted for residential and recreational exposure scenarios, using an approach based on Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA) method, refined by incorporating oral bioaccessibility data. Oral bioaccessibility analyses were performed by simulating the human digestion process in vitro (Unified BARGE Method). Detailed analysis of oral bioaccessible fraction (BAF i.e. ratio of bioaccessible concentrations to total concentrations on <250 μm fraction) indicated BAF of As (5-33%), Cd (72-98%), Co (24-42%), Cr (3-11%), Cu (25-90%), Ni (17-60%), Pb (16-88%) and Zn (73-94%). The solid phase distribution and mineralogical analyses showed that the variation of BAF is attributed to presence of alkaline calcareous rocks and association of PTE with a variety of minerals. The HHRA for ingestion pathway, suggested that bioaccessibility-corrected cancer risk reached up to 2.7 × 10-5 and 0.55 × 10-5 for residential and recreational senarios respectively (acceptable level is 1 × 10-5). The hazard index (HI) recalculated after incorporation of oral bioaccessible concentrations for a residential scenario ranged from 0.02 to 17.9. This was above the acceptable level (>1) for 50% of the samples, indicating potential human health risks. This study provides information for site-specific risk assessments and planning future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Mehta
- Queen's University Belfast, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Belfast, BT9 5AH, UK; University of Torino, Department of Earth Sciences, Torino, 10125, Italy.
| | - Sabrina Cipullo
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Tatiana Cocerva
- Queen's University Belfast, School of Natural and Built Environment, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK
| | - Frederic Coulon
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
| | | | - Franco Ajmone-Marsan
- University of Torino, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Grugliasco, 10095, Italy
| | - Elio Padoan
- University of Torino, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Grugliasco, 10095, Italy
| | - Siobhan Fiona Cox
- Queen's University Belfast, School of Natural and Built Environment, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK
| | - Mark R Cave
- British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
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25
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Pereira WVDS, Teixeira RA, Souza ESD, Moraes ALFD, Campos WEO, Amarante CBD, Martins GC, Fernandes AR. Chemical fractionation and bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements in area of artisanal gold mining in the Amazon. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 267:110644. [PMID: 32421675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal mining may have modified the mobility, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the Serra Pelada gold mine, eastern Amazon, Brazil, which has not yet been studied. The objectives were to perform chemical fractionation of barium (Ba), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), and to determine the bioaccessibility of these elements in soils and mining wastes collected in agriculture, forest, mining, and urban areas from the influence zone of the Serra Pelada gold mine. Pseudo total concentrations were obtained by acid digestion, chemical fractionation was performed using the Bureau Community of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction, oral bioaccessibility was obtained by the Simple Bioaccessibility Extraction Test (SBET) and lung bioaccessibility was obtained through Gamble's solution. The pseudo total concentrations indicated contamination by Ba, Cu and Ni. The sequential extraction revealed the predominance of all elements in the residual fraction. However, Ba is in high concentrations in the greater mobility forms, ranging from 166.36 to 1379.58 mg kg-1. Regardless of the area, Cr and Cu are more oral bioaccessible in the intestinal phase, and Zn in the gastric phase. Ba, Cr and Zn are not lung bioaccessible, while Cu, Ni and Pb are bioaccessible via inhalation. The PTEs studied deserve attention not only due to the high pseudo total concentrations found (which indicate potential risk), but also the concentrations in high mobility forms and bioaccessible fractions, especially in the areas of greatest anthropogenic occupation.
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26
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Fry KL, Wheeler CA, Gillings MM, Flegal AR, Taylor MP. Anthropogenic contamination of residential environments from smelter As, Cu and Pb emissions: Implications for human health. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 262:114235. [PMID: 32146362 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Communities in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) are disproportionally affected by industrial pollution compared to more developed nations. This study evaluates the dispersal and associated health risk of contaminant-laden soil and dust at a copper (Cu) smelter in Tsumeb, Namibia. It is Africa's only smelter capable of treating complex Cu ores that contain high arsenic (As) contents (<1%). The analyses focused on the primary trace elements associated with ore processing at the smelter: As, Cu, and lead (Pb). Portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) of trace elements in soils (n = 83) and surface dust wipes (n = 80) showed that elemental contamination was spatially associated with proximity to smelter operations. Soil concentrations were below US EPA soil guidelines. Dust wipe values were elevated relative to sites distal from the facility and similar to those at other international smelter locations (As = 1012 μg/m2 (95% CI 687-1337); Cu = 1838 μg/m2 (95% CI 1191-2485); Pb = 1624 μg/m2 (95% CI 862-2385)). Source apportionment for Pb contamination was assessed using Pb isotopic compositions (PbIC) of dust wipes (n = 22). These data revealed that the PbIC of 73% (n = 16/22) of these wipes corresponded to the PbIC of smelter slag and tailings, indicating contribution from industrial emissions to ongoing exposure risk. Modeling of carcinogenic risk showed that dust ingestion was the most important pathway, followed by inhalation, for both adults and children. Dermal contact to trace elements in dust was also determined to pose a carcinogenic risk for children, but not adults. Consequently, contemporary smelter operations remain an ongoing health risk to the surrounding community, in spite of recent efforts to improve emissions from the operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara L Fry
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Cassandra Anne Wheeler
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Max M Gillings
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - A Russell Flegal
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, WIGS, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, United States
| | - Mark Patrick Taylor
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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Gu J, Yao J, Duran R, Sunahara G, Zhou X. Alteration of mixture toxicity in nonferrous metal mine tailings treated by biochar. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 265:110511. [PMID: 32275241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nonferrous metal mining activities produce enormous amounts of tailings that contain high concentrations of toxic chemicals threatening human health and the environment. This risk could be alleviated using remediation agents such as biochar, as proposed by others. However, contradictory evidence indicates that biochar can increase or sometimes decrease bioavailable concentrations depending on the selection of metal(loid)s in mine tailings. Here three biochars derived from different raw stocks were used to treat mine tailings samples. Chemical analyses indicated that all biochars favored the stabilization of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn, as well as the mobilization of As and Sb. The barley root elongation bioassay showed that the tailings toxicity was only partially diminished (up to 55.8%) or even elevated (up to 20.7%) by biochar treatment. Similar results were also observed from microbial enzyme assays (increased up to 28.3% or decreased up to 24.0%). Further analyses showed that these toxic effects correlated well with the relative toxicity index (R2 = 0.66 to 0.88). Toxicity testing coupled with the use of a toxicity prediction model presented here suggested that the release of As and Sb from tailings compromised the favorable effects of biochar treatment on toxic cationic metals. Such information is of paramount importance when taking countermeasures for improving bioremediation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihai Gu
- School of Water Resource and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Yao
- School of Water Resource and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083, Beijing, China.
| | - Robert Duran
- School of Water Resource and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083, Beijing, China; Equipe Environnement et Microbiologie, MELODY Group, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S-UPPA, IPREM UMR CNRS 5254, BP 1155, 64013, Pau Cedex, France
| | - Geoffrey Sunahara
- School of Water Resource and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083, Beijing, China; Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Drive, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Xiaoqi Zhou
- School of Water Resource and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083, Beijing, China
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Tuhý M, Rohovec J, Matoušková Š, Mihaljevič M, Kříbek B, Vaněk A, Mapani B, Göttlicher J, Steininger R, Majzlan J, Ettler V. The potential wildfire effects on mercury remobilization from topsoils and biomass in a smelter-polluted semi-arid area. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 247:125972. [PMID: 32069734 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.125972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires can be responsible for significant mercury (Hg) emissions especially in contaminated areas. Here, we investigated the Hg distribution in topsoils and vegetation samples and temperature-dependent Hg mobilization from biomass-rich topsoils collected near a copper (Cu) smelter in Tsumeb (semi-arid Namibia), where Hg-rich Cu concentrates are processed. The thermo-desorption (TD) experiments conducted on representative biomass-rich topsoils (3.9-7.7 mg Hg/kg) indicated that more than 91% of the Hg was released at ∼340 °C, which corresponds to the predominant grassland-fire conditions. The mineralogical investigation indicated that the Hg comes mainly from the deposited smelter emissions because no distinct Hg-rich microparticles corresponding to the windblown dust from the nearby disposal sites of the technological materials (concentrates, slags, tailings) were found. A comparison with the TD curves of the Hg reference compounds confirmed that the Hg in the biomass-rich topsoils occurs as a mixture of Hg bound to the organic matter and metacinnabar (black HgS), which exhibits similarities with the TD pattern of smelter flue dust residue. Despite the installation of a sulfuric acid plant in the smelter in 2015 and a calculated drop in the estimated Hg emissions (from 1301 ± 457 kg/y for the period 2004-2015 to 67 ± 5 kg/y after 2015), the Hg legacy pool in the smelter surroundings can potentially be re-emitted back to the atmosphere by wildfire. Using the Hg spatial distribution data in the area (184 km2), the estimates indicate that up to 303 kg and 1.3 kg can be remobilized from the topsoils and vegetation, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Tuhý
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Rohovec
- Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Šárka Matoušková
- Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Bohdan Kříbek
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 152 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ben Mapani
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Namibia, Private Bag, 13301, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Jörg Göttlicher
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, DE-76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Ralph Steininger
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, DE-76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Juraj Majzlan
- Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich-Schiller University, Burgweg 11, D-07749, Jena, Germany
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
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Ma J, Li Y, Liu Y, Lin C, Cheng H. Effects of soil particle size on metal bioaccessibility and health risk assessment. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 186:109748. [PMID: 31606640 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Oral ingestion is the main exposure pathway through which humans ingest trace metals in the soil, particularly for children. Metals in different soil particle size fractions may vary in terms of concentration and properties. Urban school/kindergarten soil samples were collected from three cities: Lanzhou in northwest China, Wuhan in central China, and Shenzhen in southeast China. Soil samples were classified according to particle size (<63 μm, 63-150 μm, 150-250 μm, and 250-2000 μm) to estimate the effects of soil particle size on the total content and bioaccessibility of metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn). Based on the results, we assessed whether the standard size <150 μm (containing < 63 μm and 63-150 μm), recommended by the Technical Review Workgroup (TRW) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and <250 μm (containing < 63 μm, 63-150 μm, and 150-250) recommended by the Bioaccessibility Research Group of Europe (BARGE), are suitable where the largest proportion adhering to hands is the finest soil (<63 μm). The results showed that different metals exhibited different relationships between soil particle size and content and between soil particle size and bioaccessibility. Pb and Zn generally exhibited the greatest bioaccessibility in the coarsest particle sizes (250-2000 μm); whereas the highest Ni bioaccessibility occurred in the finest sizes (<63 μm); the bioaccessibility of other metals did not exhibit any obvious relationships with particle size. When assessing health risks using bioaccessible metal content in the recommended soil particle size ranges (<150 μm and <250 μm) and in finer particles (<63 μm), the results for noncarcinogenic risks to children exhibited no obvious difference, while the actual carcinogenic risks may be underestimated with the use of soil particle size ranges < 150 μm and <250 μm. Therefore, when choosing an optimal particle size fraction to evaluate the health risk of oral soil ingestion, we recommend the use of the bioaccessible metal content in <63 μm soil fraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, HaiDian District, Beijing, 100875, PR China.
| | - Yuqian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, HaiDian District, Beijing, 100875, PR China.
| | - Yanzhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, HaiDian District, Beijing, 100875, PR China.
| | - Chunye Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, HaiDian District, Beijing, 100875, PR China.
| | - Hongguang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, HaiDian District, Beijing, 100875, PR China.
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Yang S, Li P, Liu J, Bi X, Ning Y, Wang S, Wang P. Profiles, source identification and health risks of potentially toxic metals in pyrotechnic-related road dust during Chinese New Year. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 184:109604. [PMID: 31473563 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Potentially toxic metal (PTM) pollution in road dust is of great concern, however, our understanding of PTMs released by pyrotechnic displays and their adverse impacts on human health in road dust is limited. Here, we studied PTM pollution levels and Pb isotope signatures in pyrotechnic ash and road dust (aged dust and pyrotechnic-influenced dust) samples from eight cities in China during Chinese New Year and carried out a human health risk assessment. Pyrotechnic ash had higher values of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr and Pb but lower values of Mn and Cd than Chinese background soil. Pyrotechnic-influenced dust had significantly higher Cu and Cr values than aged dust, with enrichment of Sr, Cu, Pb, Cr and Ni in road dust after pyrotechnic displays. Both 208Pb/206Pb and Sr values were used to confirm the presence of pyrotechnic ash in road dust. A positive matrix factorization demonstrated that pyrotechnic events contributed 70.1%, 50.4%, 36.6% and 35.5% of the Sr, Cu, Cr and Pb values to these road dust, respectively. We found that non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks related to PTMs in road dust were at safe levels during the Chinese New Year, although both risks were elevated following pyrotechnic events. Typically, PTM pollutants related to pyrotechnic events contributed 33.99% to non-carcinogenic and 21.83% to carcinogenic risks, suggesting that more attention needs to be paid to this source of PTM pollution in China. Current results improve our understanding of PTM pollution in pyrotechnic-influenced road dust and health risks related to pyrotechnic displays in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochen Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Jinling Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Xiangyang Bi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yongqiang Ning
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Pengcong Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
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