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Gačnik J, Živković I, Kotnik J, Božič D, Tassone A, Naccarato A, Pirrone N, Sprovieri F, Steffen A, Horvat M. Comparison of active measurements, lichen biomonitoring, and passive sampling for atmospheric mercury monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:35800-35810. [PMID: 38740686 PMCID: PMC11136809 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33582-6] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The number of atmospheric mercury (Hg) monitoring stations is growing globally. However, there are still many regions and locations where Hg monitoring is limited or non-existent. Expansion of the atmospheric Hg monitoring network could be facilitated by the use of cost-effective monitoring methods. As such, biomonitoring and passive monitoring offer a unique alternative to well-established monitoring by active measurements, since they do not require a power supply and require minimal workload to operate. The use of biomonitoring (lichens and mosses) and passive air samplers (PASs) (various designs with synthetic materials) has been reported in the literature, and comparisons with active measurement methods have also been made. However, these studies compared either biomonitoring or PASs (not both) to only one type of active measurement. In our work, we used transplanted (7 sampling sites) and in situ lichens (8 sampling sites) for biomonitoring, two PASs from different producers (3 sampling sites), and two different active measurement types (continuous and discontinuous active measurements, 1 and 8 sampling sites, respectively) to evaluate their effectiveness as monitoring methods. In the 9-month sampling campaign, 3 sampling locations with different characteristics (unpolluted, vicinity of a cement plant, and vicinity of a former Hg mine) were used. The results obtained with lichens and PASs clearly distinguished between sampling locations with different Hg concentrations; using both PASs and lichens together increased the confidence of our observations. The present work shows that biomonitoring and passive sampling can be effectively used to identify areas with elevated atmospheric Hg concentrations. The same can be said for discontinuous active measurements; however, the discrepancy between atmospheric Hg concentrations derived from PASs and discontinuous active measurements should be further investigated in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Gačnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Živković
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jože Kotnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dominik Božič
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Antonella Tassone
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
| | - Attilio Naccarato
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Nicola Pirrone
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
| | - Francesca Sprovieri
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
| | - Alexandra Steffen
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Canada
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Wang D, Li Z, Wang Q. Ecological restoration reduces mercury in corn kernel and the distinction of mercury in corn plants in rural China - A case in Wuchuan mercury mining area. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 271:115964. [PMID: 38232525 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.115964] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Corn is a crucial crop in China and is widely cultivated in the mercury (Hg) mining region of Guizhou. This study analyzed the Hg content in soil and corn plant samples from the Wuchuan Hg mining area (WCMA) and the surrounding non-Hg mining regions (SNMR). The findings suggest that ongoing ecological rehabilitation and environmental conservation measures in the WCMA have significantly decreased the Hg content in corn kernels. The Hg concentration in different parts of the corn plant varied, being higher in the roots, tassels, and leaves and lower in kernels and stalks. Hg stored in corn plant growing in the WCMA primarily originates from the soil (55.4%), while in the SNMR, it mainly comes from the atmosphere (74.9%). Despite counted only about 7% of the total plant mass, corn roots play a crucial role in soil Hg pollution remediation when corn is used for remediation. Household corn residues burning release about 58.5% and 66.9% of the stored Hg in corn plants growing in the WCMA and the SNMR, respectively, into the atmosphere. Our findings indicate that corn cultivation acts as a reservoir for both soil and atmospheric Hg in the SNMR, while in the WCMA, it serves as a source of atmospheric Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- Department of Resources and Environment, Zunyi Normal College, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Zhonggen Li
- Department of Resources and Environment, Zunyi Normal College, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Qingfeng Wang
- Department of Resources and Environment, Zunyi Normal College, Zunyi 563006, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, China.
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Feng B, Ibesich M, Hainz D, Waidhofer D, Veit-Öller M, Trunner C, Stummer T, Foster M, Nemetz M, Welch JM, Villa M, Sterba JH, Musilek A, Renz F, Steinhauser G. Development of a Novel Passive Monitoring Technique to Showcase the 3D Distribution of Tritiated Water (HTO) Vapor in Indoor Air of a Nuclear Facility. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20024-20033. [PMID: 37964532 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Tritiated water (HTO), a ubiquitous byproduct of the nuclear industry, is a radioactive contaminant of major concern for environmental authorities. Although understanding spatiotemporal heterogeneity of airborne HTO vapor holds great importance for radiological safety as well as diagnosing a reactor's status, comprehensive HTO distribution dynamics inside nuclear facilities has not been studied routinely yet due to a lack of appropriate monitoring techniques. For current systems, it is difficult to simultaneously achieve high representativeness, sensitivity, and spatial resolution. Here, we developed a passive monitoring scheme, including a newly designed passive sampler and a tailored analytical protocol for the first comprehensive 3D distribution characterization of HTO inside a nuclear reactor facility. The technique enables linear sampling in any environment at a one-day resolution and simultaneous preparation of hundreds of samples within 1 day. Validation experiments confirmed the method's good metrological properties and sensitivity to the HTO's spatial dynamics. The air in TU Wien's reactor hall exhibits a range of 3H concentrations from 75-946 mBq m-3 in the entire 3D matrix. The HTO release rate estimated by the mass-balance model (3199 ± 306 Bq h-1) matches the theoretical calculation (2947 ± 254 Bq h-1), suggesting evaporation as the dominant HTO source in the hall. The proposed method provides reliable and quality-controlled 3D monitoring at low cost, which can be adopted not only for HTO and may also inspire monitoring schemes of other indoor pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Feng
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & TRIGA Center Atominstitut, TU Wien, 1060 Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Ibesich
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & TRIGA Center Atominstitut, TU Wien, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieter Hainz
- TRIGA Center Atominstitut, TU Wien, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel Waidhofer
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & TRIGA Center Atominstitut, TU Wien, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Thomas Stummer
- TRIGA Center Atominstitut, TU Wien, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Markus Nemetz
- TRIGA Center Atominstitut, TU Wien, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan M Welch
- TRIGA Center Atominstitut, TU Wien, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mario Villa
- TRIGA Center Atominstitut, TU Wien, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Franz Renz
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Georg Steinhauser
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & TRIGA Center Atominstitut, TU Wien, 1060 Vienna, Austria
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Cho IG, Hwang DW, Kwon SY, Choi SD. Optimization and application of passive air sampling method for gaseous elemental mercury in Ulsan, South Korea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:17257-17267. [PMID: 36192588 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23375-0] [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: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We compared uptake rates and concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) by passive sampling conditions and investigated the spatial distribution of GEM in Ulsan, the largest industrial city in South Korea. For the optimization of sampling conditions, two outer sampling containers (cylindrical polyethylene terephthalate and two stainless steel bowls), two different sulfur contents of the sorbent (16.3% and 26.3%), and three sampling periods (1, 2, and 3 months) were considered. The uptake rates of GEM were not statistically different by the sampling container, but they were increased with the sulfur contents of activated carbon. A sampling condition using two stainless bowls and lower sulfur contents of activated carbon for 2-3 months was preferred with the highest precision of GEM concentrations. With the same method, passive air samples were collected for 3 months in duplicate from 10 sites in Ulsan. The concentrations of GEM ranged from 3.13 to 11.2 ng/m3 (mean 4.65 ng/m3), and the highest concentration was measured at a non-ferrous industrial complex. A zinc smelter in the non-ferrous industrial complex was identified as a major mercury source in Ulsan. This study is the first passive air sampling study investigating the spatial distributions of GEM in different types of industrial areas as well as residential areas of Ulsan.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Gyu Cho
- Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Woon Hwang
- Marine Environment Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS), Busan, 46083, Republic of Korea
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Deuk Choi
- Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea.
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Monaci F, Ancora S, Paoli L, Loppi S, Wania F. Lichen transplants as indicators of gaseous elemental mercury concentrations. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 313:120189. [PMID: 36116569 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120189] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Lichens play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg) and are commonly used as indicators of Hg enrichment in remote and anthropogenically impacted environments. To assess their capacity for Hg uptake and accumulation, we determined the concentration of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) in air and the concentration of total Hg (THg) in transplanted thalli of two lichen species. Lichen transplants and passive air samplers (PASs) were concurrently deployed, side by side, at 10 sites within an abandoned mining area, characterized by large gradients in atmospheric Hg contamination. Highly variable time-weighted GEM concentrations determined by the PASs, ranging from 17 to 4,200 ng/m3, were mirrored by generally high Hg concentrations in transplanted thalli of both Xanthoria parietina (174-8,800 ng/g) and Evernia prunastri (143-5,500 ng/g). Hg concentrations in the two species co-varied linearly indicating about 60% greater Hg accumulation in X. parietina than in E. prunastri. Whereas Hg uptake in the fruticose E. prunastri increased linearly with GEM, a power law equation with a fractional exponent described the uptake in the foliose X. parietina. Extrapolating the relationships observed here to higher GEM levels yielded concentrations in lichen that agree very well with those measured in an earlier fumigation experiment performed under laboratory-controlled conditions. The uptake model of X. parietina was further verified by correctly estimating GEM concentrations from the THg measured in autochthonous thalli collected from the urban area adjacent to the mine site. Passive sampling can effectively provide time-weighted data of suitable spatial resolution to quantitatively describe GEM assimilation by lichens. Therefore, the combined use of passive sampling and lichen transplants can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the role of lichens, and potentially also of other cryptogams, in the deposition of atmospheric Hg to terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Monaci
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Stefania Ancora
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Paoli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Luca Ghini, 13, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Frank Wania
- University of Toronto Scarborough, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, 1065 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
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Feng B, Steinhauser G, Zhuo W, Li Z, Yao Y, Blenke T, Zhao C, Renz F, Chen B. Development and calibration of a modifiable passive sampler for monitoring atmospheric tritiated water vapor in different environments. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 169:107505. [PMID: 36115249 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic release of tritium from nuclear facilities is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades, which may cause radiation exposure to humans through the contamination of water and food chains. It is necessary and urgent to acquire detailed information about tritium in various environments for studying its behavior and assessing the potential radiation risk. In the atmosphere, although the passive sampling technique provides a low-cost and convenient way to characterize the dynamics of tritiated water vapor (HTO), a single, simple sampler configuration makes it difficult to collect sufficient and representative samples within the expected period from different environments. In this study, we systematically studied the impacts of sampler configurations on sampling performance and proposed a modifiable sampler design by scaling sampler geometry and adjusting absorbent to achieve different monitoring demands. The samplers were subsequently deployed at five sites in China and Germany for the field calibration and the measured results exhibited a good agreement between the adsorption process obtained in sites corrected with diffusion coefficient and the one calibrated in Shanghai. This suggests the feasibility of predicting sampling performance in the field based on known data. Finally, we developed a strategy for sampler modification and selection in different environments and demonstrated that using easily obtainable environmental data, our sampler can be optimized for any area without any time-consuming preliminary experiments. This work provides a scientific basis for establishing high-resolution atmospheric HTO database and expands the conventional empirical sampler design paradigm by demonstrating the feasibility of using quantitative indices for sampler performance customization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Feng
- Institute of Radioecology and Radiation Protection, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30419 Hannover, Germany; Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Georg Steinhauser
- Institute of Radioecology and Radiation Protection, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30419 Hannover, Germany; TU Wien, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & TRIGA Center Atominstitut, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Weihai Zhuo
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhiling Li
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yupeng Yao
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tobias Blenke
- Institute of Radioecology and Radiation Protection, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Chao Zhao
- Shanghai Institute of Measurement and Testing Technology, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Franz Renz
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Bo Chen
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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A pocket-size device for monitoring gaseous elemental mercury by passive sampling on a Nano-Au screen-printed electrode and detection by single drop smartphone-controlled voltammetry. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.107642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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8
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Huang H, Mangal V, Rennie MD, Tong H, Simpson MJ, Mitchell CPJ. Mercury methylation and methylmercury demethylation in boreal lake sediment with legacy sulphate pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:932-944. [PMID: 35532885 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00064d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sulphate and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in freshwater systems may regulate the formation of methylmercury (MeHg), a potent neurotoxin that biomagnifies in aquatic ecosystems. While many boreal lakes continue to recover from decades of elevated atmospheric sulphate deposition, little research has examined whether historically high sulphate concentrations can result in persistently elevated MeHg production and accumulation in aquatic systems. This study used sediment from a historically sulphate-impacted lake and an adjacent reference lake in northwestern Ontario, Canada to investigate the legacy effects of sulphate pollution, as well as the effects of newly added sulphate, natural organic matter (NOM) of varying sulphur content and a sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) inhibitor on enhancing or inhibiting the Hg methylation and demethylation activity (Kmeth and Kdemeth) in the sediment. We found that Kmeth and MeHg concentrations in sulphate-impacted lake sediment were significantly greater than in reference lake sediment. Further adding sulphate or NOM with different sulphur content to sediment of both lakes did not significantly change Kmeth. The addition of a SRB inhibitor resulted in lower Kmeth only in sulphate-impacted sediment, but methylation was not entirely depressed. Methylmercury demethylation potentials in sediment were consistent across lakes and experimental treatments, except for some impacts related to SRB inhibitor additions in the reference lake sediment. Overall, a broader community of microbes beyond SRB may be methylating Hg and demethylating MeHg in this system. This study reveals that legacies of sulphate pollution in boreal lakes may persist for decades in stimulating elevated Hg methylation in sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyong Huang
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Vaughn Mangal
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Michael D Rennie
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Huan Tong
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
- Environmental NMR Centre, University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Myrna J Simpson
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
- Environmental NMR Centre, University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carl P J Mitchell
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
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Snow MA, Darko G, Gyamfi O, Ansah E, Breivik K, Hoang C, Lei YD, Wania F. Characterization of inhalation exposure to gaseous elemental mercury during artisanal gold mining and e-waste recycling through combined stationary and personal passive sampling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:569-579. [PMID: 33565550 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00494d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
While occupational inhalation exposure to gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) has decreased in many workplaces as mercury is being removed from most products and processes, it continues to be a concern for those engaged in artisanal and small-scale gold mining or in recycling mercury-containing products. Recently, stationary and personal passive air samplers based on activated carbon sorbents and radial diffusive barriers have been shown to be suitable for measuring GEM concentrations across the range relevant for chronic health effects. Here, we used a combination of stationary and personal passive samplers to characterize the inhalation exposure to GEM of individuals living and working in two Ghanaian gold mining communities and working at a Norwegian e-waste recycling facility. Exposure concentrations ranging from <7 ng m-3 to >500 μg m-3 were observed, with the higher end of the range occurring in one gold mining community. Large differences in the GEM exposure averaged over the length of a workday between individuals can be rationalized by their activity and proximity to mercury sources. In each of the three settings, the measured exposure of the highest exposed individuals exceeded the highest concentration recorded with a stationary sampler, presumably because those individuals were engaged in an activity that generated or involved GEM vapors. High day-to-day variability in exposure for those who participated on more than one day, suggests the need for sampling over multiple days for reliable exposure characterization. Overall, a combination of personal and stationary passive sampling is a cost-effective approach that cannot only provide information on exposure levels relative to regulatory thresholds, but also can identify emission hotspots and therefore guide mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Snow
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4.
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