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Migaszewski ZM, Gałuszka A, Migaszewski A. Legacy of anthropogenic activity recorded in sediments by microtechnofossils and chemical markers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172800. [PMID: 38679086 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
This overview presents comparison of common microtechnofossils with other geochemical markers that may have the great potential to be the anthropogenic signatures for recent and future sediment strata. The novel man-made products encompass spherical and spheroidal fly-ash particulates, microplastics, synthetic crystals, and more recently examined glass microspheres. Due to their low specific gravity and small size varying from a tiny fraction of millimeter to approximately 5 mm, microtechnofossils may be transported over a long distance from their primary or secondary sources by water and wind. Of these technogenic materials, among the most resistant to physical and chemical degradation are glass microbeads, and additionally synthetic crystals and some types of fly-ash particulates derived mostly from coal/oil combustion, metal ore smelting operations and cement/lime manufacturing. Nonetheless, synthetic glass microspheres have found exponentially growing applications as reflective ingredients in traffic-related paints and building facades, as well as in a variety of applications mostly as low-density fillers of many materials. In contrast to anthropogenic fly-ash and microplastic particles, glass microspheres resemble in many respects common detrital quartz grains. Moreover, like quartz, they are resistant to depositional and diagenetic processes, which is a prerequisite for future geologic archives preserving anthropogenic signals. These and other characteristics make glass microspheres a more widely used product in various fields thus assigning them to a new emerging and globally spreading chronostratigraphic marker of human-impacted sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdzisław M Migaszewski
- Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Gałuszka
- Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland
| | - Andrzej Migaszewski
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Geomatics and Renewable Energy, Kielce University of Technology, 7 Domaszowska St., 25-314 Kielce, Poland
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Vo PHN, Danaee S, Hai HTN, Huy LN, Nguyen TAH, Nguyen HTM, Kuzhiumparambil U, Kim M, Nghiem LD, Ralph PJ. Biomining for sustainable recovery of rare earth elements from mining waste: A comprehensive review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168210. [PMID: 37924876 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for advanced manufacturing (e.g., renewable energy, military equipment, electric vehicles); hence, the recovery of REEs from low-grade resources has become increasingly important to address their growing demand. Depending on specific mining sites, its geological conditions, and sociodemographic backgrounds, mining waste has been identified as a source of REEs in various concentrations and abundance. Yttrium, cerium, and neodymium are the most common REEs in mining waste streams (50 to 300 μg/L). Biomining has emerged as a viable option for REEs recovery due to its reduced environmental impact, along with reduced capital investment compared to traditional recovery methods. This paper aims to review (i) the characteristics of mining waste as a low-grade REEs resource, (ii) the key operating principles of biomining technologies for REEs recovery, (iii) the effects of operating conditions and matrix on REEs recovery, and (iv) the sustainability of REEs recovery through biomining technologies. Six types of biomining will be examined in this review: bioleaching, bioweathering, biosorption, bioaccumulation, bioprecipitation and bioflotation. Based on a SWOT analyses and techno-economic assessments (TEA), biomining technologies have been found to be effective and efficient in recovering REEs from low-grade sources. Through TEA, coal ash has been shown to return the highest profit amongst mining waste streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phong H N Vo
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Soroosh Danaee
- Biotechnology Department, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran 3353-5111, Iran
| | - Ho Truong Nam Hai
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Lai Nguyen Huy
- Environmental Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Klongluang, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Tuan A H Nguyen
- Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Hong T M Nguyen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Unnikrishnan Kuzhiumparambil
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Mikael Kim
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Long D Nghiem
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Peter J Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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Zheng T, Lin H, Jiang Y, Deng Y, Du X, Xie Y, Yuan J, Pei X. Insights from distribution and fractionation of the rare earth elements into As enrichment in the Singe Tsangpo River Basin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167388. [PMID: 37758139 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The geogenic As enrichment occurs extensively in the major river basin from the Tibetan Plateau, while the knowledge involved with the underlying mechanisms is far from completion. The present study utilized the geochemical behaviors of rare earth elements (REE) to study the hydrogeochemical evolution and As enrichment in the Singe Tsnagpo River basin, a typical As-rich river basin in the Tibetan Plateau. The river water was characterized by significant positive Eu anomalies and slight negative Ce anomalies, indicating the hydrogeochemical control of oxidative weathering of sourcing rocks and the contribution of felsic rocks. The PHREEQC modeling results suggested that the carbonate weathering contributed to the complexation of REE in the river water, where REE(CO3)+ and REE(CO3)2- were the predominant complex species. Besides, the reversing scenarios of HREE/LREE enrichment in the river water/sediments suggested a critical control of iron (hydr)oxides on the REE fractionation due to the preferential adsorption of LREE compared with HREE. Interestingly, the variations in Y/Ni and Cr/V ratios from the river sediments suggested a different contribution of sourcing rock weathering along the river flow path, where ultramafic rock showed a substantial contribution to the river sediments in the lower reaches and granite source is predominant in the upper reaches. It was also notable that the concurrent enrichment of REE and As in the river waters showed a response to the substantial enhancement of chemical weathering in the upper reaches of the STR basin, which was evidenced by the corresponding increases in the electrical conductivity and the δ18O values in the river waters. The present study thus provides new insights into utilizing REE as environmental tracers for studying hydrogeochemical evolution and As enrichment in the STR basin, which could also apply to similar alpine arid and cold river basins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianliang Zheng
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, PR China; Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu 610213, PR China.
| | - He Lin
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, PR China
| | - Yue Jiang
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, PR China
| | - Yang Deng
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, PR China
| | - Xingguo Du
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, PR China
| | - Yanhua Xie
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, PR China
| | - Jianfei Yuan
- Chengdu Center, China Geological Survey (Geosciences Innovation Center of Southwest China), Chengdu 610081, PR China
| | - Xiangjun Pei
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, PR China; Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu 610213, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, PR China.
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Moreno-González R, Cánovas CR, Millán-Becerro R, León R, Olías M. High-resolution temporal monitoring of rare earth elements in acidic drainages from an abandoned sulphide mine (iberian pyrite belt, Spain). CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 344:140297. [PMID: 37783356 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REE) are strategic elements due to their economic importance. However, the studies dedicated to the distribution and behaviour of REE in aquatic systems have been scarce until a few decades ago. This work studies the seasonal variations of REE concentrations in acid mine drainage (AMD) affected water courses and the factors controlling their mobility under different hydrological conditions. To address this issue, a high-resolution sampling was performed for two years in selected sampling sites. REE concentrations were very high (median values of 2.7-3.4 mg/L, maximum of 7.0 mg/L). These values are several orders of magnitude higher than those found in natural waters, highlighting the importance of AMD processes on the release of REE to the hydrosphere. No good correlations were found between pH and REE concentration, while REE correlated positively (r Spearman coefficient of 0.78-0.94) with EC and negatively (r -0.88 to -0.90) with discharge in AMD-affected streams. A conservative behaviour of REE was observed due to the strongly acidic conditions observed in the study area. The waters also showed an enrichment in MREEs over LREEs and HREEs (mean values of GdN/LaN>1.8 and YbN/GdN < 0.7), typical of AMD waters. An asymmetry in the content of LREE and HREE was observed in AMD samples studied, which could be explained by the preferential dissolution of LREE or HREE-enriched minerals within each waste heaps. Multivariate analysis suggests the influence of Mn-rich minerals existent in the study area as a potential source of LREE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Moreno-González
- Department of Earth Sciences, Drone Service, Institute for Marine Research (INMAR), University of Cadiz, Campus Rio San Pedro, S/n, 11510, Puerto Real, Spain.
| | - Carlos Ruiz Cánovas
- Department of Earth Sciences & Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment. University of Huelva, Campus "El Carmen", E-21071, Huelva, Spain
| | - Ricardo Millán-Becerro
- Department of Earth Sciences & Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment. University of Huelva, Campus "El Carmen", E-21071, Huelva, Spain
| | - Rafael León
- Department of Earth Sciences & Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment. University of Huelva, Campus "El Carmen", E-21071, Huelva, Spain
| | - Manuel Olías
- Department of Earth Sciences & Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment. University of Huelva, Campus "El Carmen", E-21071, Huelva, Spain
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González-Hernández R, Martínez-Miranda V, Linares-Hernández I, Castillo-Suárez LA, Ceballos GS, Cortés-Martínez R. Acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment using galvanic electrochemical system Al-Cu. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2023; 44:4424-4440. [PMID: 35731670 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2093653] [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: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage was evaluated using a galvanic (GV) electrochemical system, Al-Cu (anode/cathode), based on a 32 factorial design. The factors analyzed were anodic area/volume ratios (A/V) of 0.037, 0.072, and 0.112 cm2/cm3, and treatment time from 0.25-8 h, and analyses were performed in duplicate with 11 degrees of freedom. The response variables were the total dissolved solids and concentrations of As, Cu, Co, Cr, Pb, Fe, Ni, and S O 4 2 - . The pH, electrical conductivity, and temperature were monitored during the process. Significant differences between treatments were determined by analysis of variance with Tukey's test (p < 0.05) using Statgraphics Centurion XVI.I software. The results showed that a greater electrode surface, A/V ratio, and treatment time improved pollutant removal. The spontaneous reactions generated by the galvanic cell, through the current that flows owing to the potential difference between the Al and Cu electrodes, allows the removal of heavy metals, arsenic, and S O 4 2 - by coagulation and precipitation mechanisms. The removal efficiencies achieved were Cu (99.1%), As (76.6%), Ni (80.2%), Pb (83.6%), Cr (100%), Fe (93.71%), and 92.9% for sulfates. The X-ray diffraction and Raman analyses of the solid fraction indicated that cuprite was formed with a purity of 96%, and the recovery of Cu by the GV system may be a viable option for mining companies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Luis Antonio Castillo-Suárez
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, México
- Cátedras COMECYT, Consejo Mexiquense de Ciencia y Tecnología COMECYT, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Giovanni Sosa Ceballos
- Instituto de Geofísica, Unidad Michoacán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Morelia, México
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Migaszewski ZM, Gałuszka A. The use of rare earth element profiles as a proxy for a fractionation source and mine-waste provenance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:166517. [PMID: 37619738 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) have been determined in acid mine drainage samples from the Wiśniówka area, south-central Poland. Two benchmark acid pit ponds, i.e., Podwiśniówka (PwIIb) and Wiśniówka Duża (WD), have shown diverse contents of sulfates, phosphates, REEs and metal(loid)s. Moreover, these ponds exhibit different NASC-normalized REE concentration patterns: (i) a positive middle REE anomaly in PwIIb and (ii) a positive heavy REE anomaly in WD, regardless of sampling time. This MREE anomaly has also been highlighted in a small tailings pile pool showing high contents of metal(loid)s, including As (3.86 g/L) and REEs (90.1 mg/L). In contrast, the light REE (LaEu)-rich profiles are recorded in all Upper Cambrian rock series of the study area. However, the Pw geologic section is distinctly enriched in pyrite, goethite/hematite and carbonaceous clayey-silty shales compared to its WD counterpart that contains a lesser amount of these components, but many more quartzite/sandstone beds. The Pw mineral-lithologic pattern favors selective partitioning of heavy REEs to abundant Fe- and Al-oxyhydroxides and organic matter. Both very short solute transport from sheer rock faces to pit ponds and a low pH of acid waters (mean of 2.3 to 3.0) indicate that scavenging/adsorption and mineral co-precipitation of REEs in a water column may be negligible. This inference is also backed up by overlapping REE profiles at different depths of acid pit ponds. Taken together, this implies that preferential fractionation of REEs takes place primarily during on-site weathering of pyrite and REE-bearing minerals in different rock media thus leading to changes in the Pw- and WD shale-normalized REE concentration patterns at source. The characteristic Pw roof-shaped (convex-up) profile in water samples has been used as a proxy for tracing the most detrimental Podwiśniówka As-bearing mine-waste that were scattered within the mining area a couple of years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdzisław M Migaszewski
- Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Gałuszka
- Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland
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Li X, Qiao W, Chen D, Wu P, Xie Y, Chen X. Anomalous concentrations of rare earth elements in acid mine drainage and implications for rare earth resources from late Permian coal seams in northern Guizhou. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163051. [PMID: 36966834 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) have attracted much attention in recent decades due to their growing applications in high-tech industries. Coal and acid mine drainage (AMD) are considered promising alternative sources due to their high concentrations of REEs. Here, AMD with anomalous REEs concentrations was reported in a coal-mine area in northern Guizhou, China. The AMD had a total concentration as high as 22.3 mg/l, suggesting that regional coal seams may be enriched with REEs. Five segments from borehole samples, which contained coal, rocks from the roof and floor of the coal seam were collected from the coal mine site to investigate the abundance, enrichment, and occurrence of REE-bearing minerals. Elemental analysis showed that the REE contents in the coal, mudstone and limestone from the coal seam roof, and claystone from the floor (all dating to the late Permian) varied greatly, with averages of 388, 549, 60.1 mg/kg and 2030 mg/kg, respectively. Encouragingly, the REEs content in the claystone is over an order of magnitude higher than the average content reported in most other coal-based materials. The enrichment of REEs resources in regional coal seams is particularly associated with the contribution of REEs in the claystone that comprises the coal seam floor, rather than just the coal, as considered in previous studies. The minerals in these claystone samples were dominated by kaolinite, pyrite, quartz and anatase. Two types of REE-bearing minerals, bastnaesite and monazite, were detected in the claystone samples by SEM-EDS analysis, and they were found to be adsorbed by a large amount of clay minerals, mainly kaolinite. Additionally, the results of chemical sequential extraction also confirmed that the majority of the REEs in the claystone samples are mainly in their ion-exchangeable, metal oxide and acid-soluble forms, which are viable prospects for REE extraction. Therefore, the anomalous concentrations of REEs and most of them are in extractable phases, which demonstrates that the claystone from the floor of the late Permian coal seam should be a potential secondary source of REEs. Future studies will further consider the extraction model and the economic benefits of REEs from the floor claystone samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexian Li
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Wenlang Qiao
- 102 Geological Brigade of Guizhou Bureau of Geology and Mineral, Zunyi 563003, China
| | - Deng Chen
- 102 Geological Brigade of Guizhou Bureau of Geology and Mineral, Zunyi 563003, China
| | - Pan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Yixi Xie
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xue Chen
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
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A Thermodynamic Model for Nd(III)–Sulfate Interaction at High Ionic Strengths and Elevated Temperatures: Applications to Rare Earth Element Extraction. J SOLUTION CHEM 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10953-022-01245-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
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Yang H, Zhou J, Fei J, Ci K, Li D, Fan J, Wei C, Liang J, Xia R, Zhou J. Soil ammonium (NH 4+) toxicity thresholds for restoration grass species. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120869. [PMID: 36528204 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ionic rare earth mining has resulted in large amounts of bare soils, and revegetation success plays an important role in mine site rehabilitation and environmental management. However, the mining soils still maintain high NH4+ concentrations that inhibit plant growth and NH4+ toxicity thresholds for restoration plants have not been established. Here we investigated the NH4+ toxicological effects and provided toxicity thresholds for grasses (Lolium perenne L. and Medicago sativa L.) commonly used in restoration. The results show that high NH4+ concentration not only reduces the plant biomass and soluble sugars in leaves but also increases the H2O2 and MDA content, and SOD, POD, and GPX activities in roots. The SOD activities and root biomass can be adopted as the most NH4+ sensitive biomarkers. Six ecotoxicological endpoints (root biomass, soluble sugars, proline, H2O2, MDA, and GSH) of ryegrass, eight ecotoxicological endpoints (root biomass, soluble sugars, proline, MDA, SOD, POD, GPX, and GSH) of alfalfa were selected to determine the threshold concentrations. The toxicity thresholds of NH4+ concentrations were proposed as 171.9 (EC5), 207.8 (EC10), 286.6 (EC25), 382.3 (EC50) mg kg-1 for ryegrass and 171.9 (EC5), 193.2 (EC10), 234.7 (EC25), 289.6 (EC50) mg kg-1 for alfalfa. The toxicity thresholds and the relation between plant physiological indicators and NH4+ concentrations can be used to assess the suitability of the investigated plants for ecological restoration strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixian Yang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Red Soil Improvement, Red Soil Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Red Soil Improvement, Red Soil Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China.
| | - Jiasai Fei
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Red Soil Improvement, Red Soil Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kaidong Ci
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Red Soil Improvement, Red Soil Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China
| | - Demin Li
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Red Soil Improvement, Red Soil Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China
| | - Jianbo Fan
- National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Red Soil Improvement, Red Soil Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China
| | - Chaoyang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jiani Liang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Red Soil Improvement, Red Soil Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China
| | - Ruizhi Xia
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Red Soil Improvement, Red Soil Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Red Soil Improvement, Red Soil Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China
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10
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Han G, Liu M, Li X, Zhang Q. Sources and geochemical behaviors of rare earth elements in suspended particulate matter in a wet-dry tropical river. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 218:115044. [PMID: 36513127 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115044] [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: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The processes of rock weathering and soil erosion, and hydrochemical characteristics are significantly affected by the climate in a basin. However, the sources of rare earth elements (REEs) in suspended particulate matter (SPM) under soil erosion, as well as the geochemical behaviors of REEs with changes in hydrochemical properties between seasons, have received little attention in the tropical monsoon zone. In this study, the temporal and spatial characteristics of the REEs in SPM were investigated in the Mun River (a wet-dry tropical river), Northeast Thailand. During the dry season, the compositions of the major elements and REEs in SPM were very similar to those in local soils. However, there was a clear difference between the compositions of these major elements and REEs in SPM and those in local soils during the rainy season. This suggests that the SPM and its REEs during the dry season were primarily derived from soil materials, while those during the rainy season were primarily derived from soil materials and products of rock weathering. The ∑REE contents in SPM decreased from 191.2 mg kg-1 to 170.6 mg kg-1 along the flow direction during the dry season, while they increased from 100.7 mg kg-1 to 135.3 mg kg-1 during the rainy season. The δEu (mean 1.26) and δGd (mean 1.58) values in SPM during the rainy season were higher than those (mean δEu 1.21 and mean δGd 1.12) during the dry season, and both of them were mainly controlled by the relative contributions of rock weathering products and soil materials to SPM. The results suggest that the temporal differences of REE geochemical characteristics in SPM were closely associated with SPM sources, while their spatial variations were mainly affected by the water-particle interaction in the tropical monsoon zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilin Han
- Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Man Liu
- Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Li
- Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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Sun Y, Lu T, Pan Y, Shi M, Ding D, Ma Z, Liu J, Yuan Y, Fei L, Sun Y. Recovering rare earth elements via immobilized red algae from ammonium-rich wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 12:100204. [PMID: 36157340 PMCID: PMC9500351 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2022.100204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Biotreatment of acidic rare earth mining wastewater via acidophilic living organisms is a promising approach owing to their high tolerance to high concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs); however, simultaneous removal of both REEs and ammonium is generally hindered since most acidophilic organisms are positively charged. Accordingly, immobilization of acidophilic Galdieria sulphuraria (G. sulphuraria) by calcium alginate to improve its affinity to positively charged REEs has been used for simultaneous bioremoval of REEs and ammonium. The results indicate that 97.19%, 96.19%, and 98.87% of La, Y, and Sm, respectively, are removed by G. sulphuraria beads (GS-BDs). The adsorption of REEs by calcium alginate beads (BDs) and GS-BDs is well fitted by both pseudo first-order (PFO) and pseudo second-order (PSO) kinetic models, implying that adsorption of REEs involves both physical adsorption caused by affinity of functional groups such as -COO- and -OH and chemical adsorption based on ion exchange of Ca2+ with REEs. Notably, GS-BDs exhibit high tolerance to La, Y, and Sm with maximum removal efficiencies of 97.9%, 96.6%, and 99.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the ammonium removal efficiency of GS-BDs is higher than that of free G. sulphuraria cells at an initial ammonium concentration of 100 mg L-1, while the efficiency decreases when initial concentration of ammonium is higher than 150 mg L-1. Last, small size of GS-BDs favors ammonium removal because of their lower mass transfer resistance. This study achieves simultaneous removal of REEs and ammonium from acidic mining drainage, providing a potential strategy for biotreatment of REE tailing wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yabo Sun
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Material Science & Engineering, Anhui University, Jiulong Rd 111, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials (Anhui University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry of Anhui Province, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, PR China
| | - Tao Lu
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Material Science & Engineering, Anhui University, Jiulong Rd 111, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, PR China
| | - Yali Pan
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Material Science & Engineering, Anhui University, Jiulong Rd 111, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, PR China
| | - Menghan Shi
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Material Science & Engineering, Anhui University, Jiulong Rd 111, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, PR China
| | - Dan Ding
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Material Science & Engineering, Anhui University, Jiulong Rd 111, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, PR China
| | - Zhiwen Ma
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Material Science & Engineering, Anhui University, Jiulong Rd 111, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, PR China
| | - Jiuyi Liu
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Material Science & Engineering, Anhui University, Jiulong Rd 111, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, PR China
| | - Yupeng Yuan
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Material Science & Engineering, Anhui University, Jiulong Rd 111, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, PR China
| | - Ling Fei
- Chemical Engineering Department, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, 70504, United States
| | - Yingqiang Sun
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Material Science & Engineering, Anhui University, Jiulong Rd 111, Hefei, Anhui, 230039, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials (Anhui University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry of Anhui Province, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, PR China
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12
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Pan Y, Fu Y, Liu S, Ma T, Tao X, Ma Y, Fan S, Dang Z, Lu G. Spatial and temporal variations of metal fractions in paddy soil flooding with acid mine drainage. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113241. [PMID: 35390301 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113241] [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: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Environmental release of acid mine drainage (AMD) poses a potential threat to the environment and human health due to its high content of heavy metals. The impact of AMD flooding on unpolluted soil leads to serious pollution over time via a complex process, related to the geochemical behavior of toxic metals that so far has only been partially investigated. Here, a soil column study was conducted to investigate the migration of Cu and Cd fractions in unpolluted paddy soil following treatment with AMD collected from the Dabaoshan Mining area. Tessier's sequential extraction was performed to fractionate the metals at various depths over time. After 160 days of experimental flooding, the soil pH stabilized at 2.52 at a column depth of 5 cm. The fractions of Cu and Cd that were highly mobile increased significantly during AMD flooding. For Cd, the latter already occurred on day 67. At a depth of 20 cm, the total content of Cu maximally increased from initially 26.89 mg kg-1 to 696.96 mg kg-1 on day 160, while the content of Cd maximally increased from 0.22 mg kg-1 to 391.30 mg kg-1 on day 67. Reduced partition index analysis conformed that the mobility of both Cu and Cd significantly increased in contaminated soil during continuous AMD flooding. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) identified a changed distribution of the elements in the soil, with Fe appearing to have aggregated. The correlation analysis between Cu and Cd in pore water and in different fractions in the soil's solid phase identified a dynamic distribution of these metals in certain geochemical components during their migration. The results of this study contribute to a scientific foundation to describe the geochemical behavior of heavy metals in soil subject to AMD flooding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Pan
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Yuanqi Fu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Sijia Liu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Xueqin Tao
- College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, PR China
| | - Yao Ma
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Sheng Fan
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Zhi Dang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Guining Lu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
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R. JB, S. B, J.A. A, C. PDLR, J. GP, M. S, F.J. GN. Occurrence of some rare earth elements in vineyard soils under semiarid Mediterranean environment. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:341. [PMID: 35389127 PMCID: PMC8989820 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-09956-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive investigation has been carried out into the concentrations of a range of REEs (neodymium Nd, cerium Ce, lanthanum La, yttrium Y, scandium Sc) in soils of vineyards belonging to the protected denomination of origin (PDO) Valdepeñas (Central Spain). The mean concentrations (expressed in mg kg-1) are Ce 70.6, Nd 32.9, La 36.2, Y 21.6, and Sc 13.7 in surface horizons (Ap), while in subsurface horizons (Bt or Bw and some Ck), the values are Ce 67.6, Nd 31.8, La 34.4, Y 19.6, and Sc 13.9. The relative abundance in these soils is Ce > La > Nd > Y > Sc in both the surface and subsurface horizons. These values are close to, or slightly higher than, the regional levels but similar to national and global averages, although relatively high values have been detected at certain sampling points. Another aim was to explain the spatial variations in these elements within the territory under study. It was found that the spatial variations are due to the nature of the parent materials and the pedogenetic processes, although the sparse spatial distribution patterns with prominent anomalies are interpreted arising from anthropogenic sources (fertilization). However, these anomalies did not present any environmental risk in the studied zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiménez-Ballesta R.
- Deparment of Geology and Geochemistry, Autónoma University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bravo S.
- Higher Technical School Agricultural Engineers of Ciudad Real, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Amorós J.A.
- Higher Technical School Agricultural Engineers of Ciudad Real, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pérez-de-los-Reyes C.
- Higher Technical School Agricultural Engineers of Ciudad Real, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - García-Pradas J.
- Higher Technical School Agricultural Engineers of Ciudad Real, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Sanchez M.
- Higher Technical School Agricultural Engineers of Ciudad Real, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - García-Navarro F.J.
- Higher Technical School Agricultural Engineers of Ciudad Real, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
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Bispo FHA, de Menezes MD, Fontana A, Sarkis JEDS, Gonçalves CM, de Carvalho TS, Curi N, Guilherme LRG. Rare earth elements (REEs): geochemical patterns and contamination aspects in Brazilian benchmark soils. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 289:117972. [PMID: 34426210 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements have been increasingly used in modern societies and soils are likely to be the final destination of several REE-containing (by)products. This study reports REE contents for topsoils (0-20 cm) of 175 locations in reference (n = 68) and cultivated (n = 107) areas in Brazil. Benchmark soil samples were selected accomplishing a variety of environmental conditions, aiming to: i) establishing natural background and anthropogenic concentrations for REE in soils; ii) assessing potential contamination of soils - via application of phosphate fertilizers - with REE; and, iii) predicting soil-REE contents using biomes, soil type, parent material, land use, sand content, and biomes-land use interaction as forecaster variables through generalized least squares multiple regression. Our hypotheses were that the variability of soil-REE contents is influenced by parent material, pedogenic processes, land use, and biomes, as well as that cultivated soils may have been potentially contaminated with REE via input of phosphate fertilizers. The semi-total concentrations of REE were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) succeeding a microwave-assisted aqua regia digestion. Analytical procedures followed a rigorous QA/QC protocol. Soil physicochemical composition and total oxides were also determined. Natural background and anthropogenic concentrations for REE were established statistically from the dataset by the median plus two median absolute deviations method. Contamination aspects were assessed by REE-normalized patterns, REE fractionation indices, and Ce and Eu anomalies ratios, as well as enrichment factors. The results indicate that differences in the amounts of REE in cultivated soils can be attributed to land use and agricultural sources (e.g., phosphate-fertilizer inputs), while those in reference soils can be attributed to parent materials, biomes, and pedogenic processes. The biomes, land use, and sand content helped to predict concentrations of light REE in Brazilian soils, with parent material being also of special relevance to predict heavy REE contents in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ademir Fontana
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - Soil Science Division, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Nilton Curi
- Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Liu M, Han G. Distribution and fractionation of rare earth elements in suspended particulate matter in a coastal river, Southeast China. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12414. [PMID: 34760394 PMCID: PMC8559607 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the river system, the geochemistry of rare earth elements (REEs, a series of elements from La to Lu) in suspended particulate matter (SPM) is generally controlled by rock weathering processes and hydrochemical characteristics, as well as being affected by anthropogenic activities. However, the variations of geochemical characteristics and behaviors of REEs in SPM with a salinity gradient from the inland river to the estuary have been short of a systematic understanding. Methods The REE concentrations, Post Archean Australia Shale (PAAS)-normalized REE, La/Yb, La/Sm, and Sm/Yb ratios of SPM were investigated in the Jiulongjiang River, which is a coastal river mainly flowing through granite rocks in Southeast China. The correlation relationships between physicochemical parameters (including water pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), HCO3 - concentrations, and the concentrations of major elements of SPM) and PAAS-normalized REE ratios of SPM were analyzed to determine the factors that affect the REE concentration and fractionation of SPM in the different regions of Jiulongjiang River, including the main stream and tributary of Beixi River, Xixi River, Nanxi River, and estuary. Additionally, the Ce, Eu, and Gd anomalies of SPM were estimated. Results The average ∑REE concentration of SPM (352 mg/kg) in the granite rock basin was twice higher than the mean value (175 mg/kg) of the world's rivers. The PAAS-normalized REE ratios of SPM in the main rivers including Beixi River (main stream), Xixi River, and Nanxi River were near due to the same lithologic distribution. In the tributary of Beixi River, the input of low-weathered carbonate minerals which contain very few REE caused the lower REE concentrations of SPM. The PAAS-normalized REE ratios of SPM in the estuary were significantly lower than those in the main rivers, which was mainly attributed to the significant REE removal with the increment of salinity. The enrichment of LREE relative to HREE in SPM increased with decreasing water pH in the main rivers. In the estuary, the preferential removal of dissolved LREE occurred compared to HREE with the increment of salinity. The negative Ce and Eu anomalies of SPM occurred in both the main rivers and estuary region and rare Gd pollution was present in the basin. Additionally, human activities caused the increment of REE concentrations and more negative Ce anomaly at some specific sites, such as dam effect and agricultural pollution. Conclusions The REE concentrations and fractionations of SPM in river water mainly depend on lithologic distribution and riverine pH, while they are affected by salinity in the estuary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Liu
- Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China, China
| | - Guilin Han
- Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China, China
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16
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Geochemical Occurrence of Rare Earth Elements in Mining Waste and Mine Water: A Review. MINERALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/min11080860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Μining waste, processing by-products and mine water discharges pose a serious threat to the environment as in many cases they contain high concentrations of toxic substances. However, they may also be valuable resources. The main target of the current review is the comparative study of the occurrence of rare earth elements (REE) in mining waste and mine water discharges produced from the exploitation of coal, bauxite, phosphate rock and other ore deposits. Coal combustion ashes, bauxite residue and phosphogypsum present high percentages of critical REEs (up to 41% of the total REE content) with ΣREY content ranging from 77 to 1957.7 ppm. The total REE concentrations in mine discharges from different coal and ore mining areas around the globe are also characterised by a high range of concentrations from 0.25 to 9.8 ppm and from 1.6 to 24.8 ppm, respectively. Acid mine discharges and their associated natural and treatment precipitates seem to be also promising sources of REE if their extraction is coupled with the simultaneous removal of toxic pollutants.
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Ren K, Zeng J, Liang J, Yuan D, Jiao Y, Peng C, Pan X. Impacts of acid mine drainage on karst aquifers: Evidence from hydrogeochemistry, stable sulfur and oxygen isotopes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 761:143223. [PMID: 33160668 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The pollution of karst aquifers by acid mine drainage (AMD) waters is increasing. Major and minor ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3-, SO42-, F-, and Fe), stable sulfur and oxygen isotopes of dissolved sulfates (δ34SSO4 and δ18OSO4) and oxygen isotope of water (δ18OH2O), were analyzed in rainwater, surface water, groundwater, and AMD water sampled from the Babu subterranean stream watershed, in Southwest China. The principal aim of this study was to explore the impact of AMD waters on the evolution of karst aquifers. Based on hydrogeochemistry and stable isotopes (δ18OH2O, δ18OSO4 and δ34SSO4): (1) the chemistry of AMD waters was primarily controlled by pyrite oxidation, karst conduit water by AMD waters and mixing with calcite and dolomite dissolution, and spring water by atmospheric precipitation and carbonate dissolution; (2) contamination of the karst conduit water was mainly attributed to the input of AMD waters, resulting in a shift of δ34SSO4 towards more negative values (from 3.4‰ to -13.2‰); (3) the quality of karst conduit water changed from suitable to unsuitable for irrigation and drinking, particularly due to the increase in total Fe, SO42-, and F- concentrations, reflecting the cumulative effect of AMD waters derived from tailings dumps; this influence was enhanced during rainstorm/drought and anthropogenic activities; and (4) the flow of contaminated groundwater through the conduit promoted the dissolution of carbonates, especially during the dry season due to the greater proportion of AMD in the groundwater. This released more CO2 to the atmosphere. We believe that analysis of stable isotopes (δ18OH2O, δ18OSO4, and δ34SSO4), combined with hydrogeochemistry, is effective for exploring the impact of AMD on karst aquifers. Therefore, reasonable treatment methods should be taken to reduce the negative impacts of tailings dumps on karst aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Ren
- Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, Ministry of Natural Resources & Guangxi, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Jiapeng Liang
- Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, Ministry of Natural Resources & Guangxi, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Daoxian Yuan
- Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Youjun Jiao
- Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Cong Peng
- Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Xiaodong Pan
- Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China.
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Hussain MM, Wang J, Bibi I, Shahid M, Niazi NK, Iqbal J, Mian IA, Shaheen SM, Bashir S, Shah NS, Hina K, Rinklebe J. Arsenic speciation and biotransformation pathways in the aquatic ecosystem: The significance of algae. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 403:124027. [PMID: 33265048 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of aquatic systems with arsenic (As) is considered to be an internationally-important health and environmental issue, affecting over 115 countries globally. Arsenic contamination of aquatic ecosystems is a global threat as it can enter the food chain from As-rich water and cause harmful impacts on the humans and other living organisms. Although different factors (e.g., pH, redox potential, iron/manganese oxides, and microbes) control As biogeochemical cycling and speciation in water systems, the significance of algal species in biotransformation of As is poorly understood. The overarching attribute of this review is to briefly elaborate various As sources and its distribution in water bodies and factors affecting As biogeochemical behavior in aqueous ecosystems. This review elucidates the intriguing role of algae in biotransformation/volatilization of As in water bodies under environmentally-relevant conditions. Also, we critically delineate As sorption, uptake, oxidation and reduction pathways of As by algae and their possible role in bioremediation of As-contaminated water (e.g., drinking water, wastewater). The current review provides the updated and useful framework for government and water treatment agencies to implement algae in As remediation programs globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Mahroz Hussain
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Jianxu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550082, PR China; University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water, and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, Wuppertal 42285, Germany; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Irshad Bibi
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Shahid
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
| | - Nabeel Khan Niazi
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan; School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 4350, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Jibran Iqbal
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ishaq Ahmad Mian
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Sabry M Shaheen
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water, and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, Wuppertal 42285, Germany; King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment, and Arid Land Agriculture, Department of Arid Land Agriculture, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kafrelsheikh, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Safdar Bashir
- University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Sub-campus Depalpur, Okara 56130, Pakistan
| | - Noor Samad Shah
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
| | - Kiran Hina
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water, and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, Wuppertal 42285, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, South Korea
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Pandey B, Singh S, Roy LB, Shekhar S, Singh RK, Prasad B, Singh KKK. Phytostabilization of coal mine overburden waste, exploiting the phytoremedial efficacy of lemongrass under varying level of cow dung manure. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111757. [PMID: 33396080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A pot study was performed to assess the phytoremedial potential of Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Staf. for reclamation of coal mine overburden dump wastes, emphasizing the outcome of amendment practices using cow dung manure (CM) and garden soil mixtures on the revegetation of over-burden wastes (OB). Wastes amendment with cow dung manure and garden soil resulted in a significant increase in soil health and nutrient status along with an increment in the phytoavailability of Zn and Cu which are usually considered as micronutrients, essential for plant growth. A significant increment in the total biomass of lemongrass by 38.6% under CM20 (OB: CM 80:20) was observed along with improved growth parameters under amended treatments as compared to OB (100% waste). Furthermore, the proportionate increases in the assimilative rate, water use efficiency, and chlorophyll fluorescence have been observed with the manure application rates. Lemongrass emerged out to be an efficient metal-tolerant herb species owing to its high metal-tolerance index (>100%). Additionally, lemongrass efficiently phytostablized Pb and Ni in the roots. Based on the strong plant performances, the present study highly encourages the cultivation of lemongrass in coal mining dumpsites for phytostabilization coupled with cow-dung manure application (20% w/w).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhanu Pandey
- Natural Resources and Environment Management, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826 015, India.
| | - Siddharth Singh
- Natural Resources and Environment Management, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826 015, India.
| | - Lal Babu Roy
- Natural Resources and Environment Management, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826 015, India.
| | - Sameer Shekhar
- Natural Resources and Environment Management, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826 015, India.
| | - Ranjeet Kumar Singh
- Natural Resources and Environment Management, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826 015, India.
| | - Bably Prasad
- Natural Resources and Environment Management, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826 015, India.
| | - Krishna Kant Kumar Singh
- Natural Resources and Environment Management, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826 015, India.
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Yuan Z, Zhang G, Ma X, Yu L, Wang X, Wang S, Jia Y. A combined abiotic oxidation-precipitation process for rapid As removal from high-As(III)-Mn(II) acid mine drainage and low As-leaching solid products. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 401:123360. [PMID: 32645540 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A combination process of Fenton-like and catalytic Mn(II) oxidation via molecular oxygen-induced abio-oxidation of As(III)-Mn(II)-rich acid mine drainage (AMD) is developed to rapidly and efficiently remove As and obtain low As-leaching solids in this study. The effect of pH, temperature, oxygen flow rate and neutralization reagent on As removal was investigated. The results showed that pH was important to As removal efficiency, which achieved maximum in 0.25-2 h, but decreased from ∼100 % to ∼92.6 % with the increase of pH 5-9. pH, temperature and oxygen flow rate played key roles in As(III) oxidation. The increase of As(III) oxidized from 16.8 to 67.1% to 98.6-99.0 % occurred as increasing the pH 5-9, 25-95 °C and oxygen flow rate of 0-2.4 L min-1. NaOH or Ca(OH)2 as base was less important to As removal. The mechanism involved Fenton-like reaction between Fe(II) and O2 for produced Fe(III) (oxy)hydroxide association with As(III + V) and Mn(II), catalytic Mn(II) oxidation for the formation of Mn(III, IV) oxides, and further As(III) oxidation by Mn(III, IV) oxides. As-bearing six-line ferrihydrite was the main solid product for low As-leaching fixation. pH 8, 95 °C and oxygen flow rate of 1.6 L min-1 were optimal for As removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zidan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Guoqing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Xu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Le Yu
- Northern Heavy Industries Group Co., Ltd, Shenyang, 110141, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Shaofeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China.
| | - Yongfeng Jia
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China.
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Zhang Q, Ren F, Li F, Chen G, Yang G, Wang J, Du K, Liu S, Li Z. Ammonia nitrogen sources and pollution along soil profiles in an in-situ leaching rare earth ore. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 267:115449. [PMID: 33254692 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4) in-situ leaching process is the most widely used extraction technology for weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores (WCED-REOs). Highly concentrated (NH4)2SO4, a representative leaching agent, is often used in the leaching process of WCED-REOs. However, this in-situ leaching process causes nitrogen pollution in the soil, surrounding surface and ground water due to the high concentrations of (NH4)2SO4 solutions used as a long term leaching agent. To date, the mechanism behind the variations in ammonia nitrogen (AN) in deep soil profiles is unclear. We conducted vertical and lateral soil sampling and analyzed the collected samples for soil moisture, pH, ammonia forms, and AN contents in soil profiles deeper than 500 cm in an in-situ leaching mining area of Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, southern China. The results show that primary chemical pollutants in the soil are derived from residual leaching agents with high acidities and concentrations of AN. Twelve years after the mining process was completed, the mean pH values of the tailings in the mining area were 3.90 and 4.87 in its lower reaches. Due to the presence of chemical residues, the AN concentration was 12-40 times higher than that of the raw ore soil before it was mined. The percentages of different ammonium forms in the rare earth tailing soil were 65%, 30%, and 5% for the water-soluble, exchangeable, and fixed ammonium forms, respectively. The results of this study support effective prevention and remediation treatment of environmental problems caused by AN pollution of the soil in WCED-REOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuying Zhang
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Futian Ren
- College of Water and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China; Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Beijing, China; Xinjiang Production and Construction Group Key Laboratory of Modern Water-Saving Irrigation, Shihezi, China.
| | - Fadong Li
- College of Water and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China; Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | | | - Guang Yang
- College of Water and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China; Xinjiang Production and Construction Group Key Laboratory of Modern Water-Saving Irrigation, Shihezi, China.
| | - Jianqi Wang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Beijing, China.
| | - Kun Du
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Shanbao Liu
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhao Li
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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22
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Selective Removal of As(V) Ions from Acid Mine Drainage Using Polymer Inclusion Membranes. MINERALS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/min10100909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is globally recognized as one of the environmental pollutants of the priority concern due to high concentrations of toxic metals and sulfates. More rigorous environmental legislation requires exploitation of effective technologies to remove toxic metals from contaminated streams. In view of high selectivity, effectiveness, durability, and low energy demands, the separation of toxic metal ions using immobilized membranes with admixed extractants could ameliorate water quality. Cellulose triacetate based polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs), with extractant and plasticizer, were studied for their ability to transport of As(V) ions from synthetic aqueous leachates. The effects of the type and concentration of extractant, plasticizer content, and sulfuric acid concentration in source phase on the arsenic removal efficiency have been assessed. Under the best of applied conditions, PIM with Cyanex 921 as extractant and o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) as plasticizer showed high repeatability and excellent transport activity for selective removal of As(V) from AMD.
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23
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Viadero RC, Zhang S, Hu X, Wei X. Mine drainage: Remediation technology and resource recovery. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2020; 92:1533-1540. [PMID: 32671879 DOI: 10.1002/wer.1401] [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: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Drainage from current and historic mining operations remains a persistent environmental problem. Numerous research and development efforts were made in 2019 with a goal to minimize the impact of mine drainage on the environment, while other research endeavors addressed the mine drainage issue from a different perspective, where mine drainage was considered a resource for water and valuable products, such as metals, sulfuric acid, and rare earth elements. Thus, this review has two main sections: (a) focusing on research efforts in mine drainage remediation technology, and (b) emphasizing advances in resource recovery from mine drainage. The first section covers traditional and emerging passive and active treatment technologies. The second section summarizes resource recovery efforts using various technologies, such as selective precipitation, membrane process, and biological systems. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Significant progress continued to be made in the management of mine drainage and related issues. Recent remediation technology advances in mine drainage were presented. Technologies focusing on resource recovery from mine drainage were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger C Viadero
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois
| | - Shicheng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomin Hu
- School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xinchao Wei
- School of Engineering, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
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24
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Royer-Lavallée A, Neculita C, Coudert L. Removal and potential recovery of rare earth elements from mine water. J IND ENG CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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25
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Yan Y, Chi HF, Liu JR, Hu GR, Yu RL, Huang HB, Lin CQ. Provenance and bioaccessibility of rare earth elements in atmospheric particles in areas impacted by the optoelectronic industry. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 263:114349. [PMID: 32244157 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114349] [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: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are widely used in optoelectronic industries, and they can be emitted into the environment and may induce biological effects. In this study, we investigated the provenance and bioaccessibility of REEs in atmospheric particles (APs) collected from areas impacted by the optoelectronic industry. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) values showed that Y, Eu, and Tb were much more enriched in the APs from the optoelectronic recycling sites than in those from the optoelectronic producing sites and were not enriched in the APs from the optoelectronic administrative sites and background sites. The characteristic parameters and the distribution patterns of REEs demonstrated that the AP samples from the recycling sites and producing sites showed remarkably positive Eu and Tb anomalies. According to the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, the optoelectronic industry was quantitatively determined to contribute 82.8% of Y, 86.5% of Eu, and 83.4% of Tb. Furthermore, an in vitro physiologically based extraction test (PBET) was performed to assess the bioaccessibility of REEs in the APs. The results showed that the bioaccessibility of all the REEs in the APs was below 50.0% in the human gastrointestinal tract, with higher values in the gastric phases than in the intestinal phases. In particular, extremely low gastric bioaccessibilities of Tb and Ce and relatively high gastric bioaccessibilities of Y and Eu were observed in the APs from the recycling sites and producing sites, which may due to the chemical composition of the compounds containing REEs that are used in the optoelectronic industry. In conclusion, our results provide additional information about the contribution and influence of the optoelectronic industry on the provenance and bioaccessibility of REEs in APs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yan
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Hai-Feng Chi
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jia-Rong Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Gong-Ren Hu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Rui-Lian Yu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China.
| | - Hua-Bin Huang
- Department of Science and Technology for Inspection, Xiamen Huaxia University, Xiamen, 361024, China
| | - Cheng-Qi Lin
- Department of Science and Technology for Inspection, Xiamen Huaxia University, Xiamen, 361024, China
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26
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Gałuszka A, Migaszewski ZM, Pelc A, Trembaczowski A, Dołęgowska S, Michalik A. Trace elements and stable sulfur isotopes in plants of acid mine drainage area: Implications for revegetation of degraded land. J Environ Sci (China) 2020; 94:128-136. [PMID: 32563476 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The abundances of trace elements, a low pH of water and soil in areas impacted by the acid mine drainage (AMD) may cause an excessive uptake of potentially toxic elements and nutritional imbalances in plants. Metal-tolerant, native plants are used for revegetation of degraded mining areas. We established levels of selected trace elements and stable sulfur isotopes in the above-ground plant biomass collected in a mining area in south-central Poland. In 2016, 20 samples of the most common species were collected from sites with a different influence of acid mine drainage and analyzed for trace elements by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique. On the basis of the results obtained in 2016, the most contaminated site was selected for a more detailed study, in which sulfur contents and stable sulfur isotope ratios were determined together with trace elements in 17 samples. The results confirmed that the plants native to the AMD area efficiently accumulated trace elements, especially As and rare earth elements. Mosses showed the highest content of trace elements, but exhibited the lowest concentrations of sulfur accompanied by the highest δ34S values. It has been shown for the first time that stable sulfur isotope composition of AMD plants in south-central Poland is significantly depleted in the 34S isotope showing an average δ34S value of -10.5‰ in comparison with positive δ34S values in local vegetation growing outside the AMD area and in local precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Gałuszka
- Geochemistry and the Environment Division, Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland.
| | - Zdzisław M Migaszewski
- Geochemistry and the Environment Division, Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pelc
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 1 Maria Curie-Skłodowska Sq., 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Trembaczowski
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 1 Maria Curie-Skłodowska Sq., 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Sabina Dołęgowska
- Geochemistry and the Environment Division, Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland
| | - Artur Michalik
- Geochemistry and the Environment Division, Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland
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27
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Zhu J, Zhang P, Yuan S, Tong M. Arsenic oxidation and immobilization in acid mine drainage in karst areas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 727:138629. [PMID: 32330720 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
High concentrations of arsenic (As) occur in acid mine drainage (AMD), while the mechanisms governing its distribution along the flow of AMD are not fully understood. In this study, As species distribution was surveyed along the flow of an AMD in Jiaole coal mine in a typical kast area, in which length of creek is about 1100 m. AMD from the discharging source contained 1754.2 μg/L As (1570.0 μg/L in As (III)) and 644.1 mg/L Fe (all in Fe (II)) at pH 3.45. Both As and Fe concentrations decreased drastically to trace levels along the flow in the creek. As(III) oxidation to As(V) and Fe(II) oxidation to Fe(III) were discovered in a short distance from the discharging source. Lab experiments were performed to unveil the mechanisms governing As and Fe species distribution. Biological mechanism governed As(III) and Fe(II) oxidation in the AMD phase without contact with solid matrix, while different mechanisms governed the oxidation in the presence of solid matrix at different stages of AMD flow. At the beginning of AMD discharge, its contact with the soil matrix in rich of carbonate minerals in the karst area facilitated Fe(II) oxidation by O2 due to pH rise, which generated reactive oxidants for As(III) oxidation and iron oxyhydroxides for As adsorption or co-precipitation. Along the AMD flow, bacteria in the underlying sediments profoundly accelerated the biological oxidation of As(III) and Fe(II) as well as the co-precipitation into the sediments. Findings of this study deepen the understanding of As transport and transformation along the AMD flow, particularly in karst areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhu
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Huaxi District, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Huaxi District, Guiyang 550025, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan 430078, PR China
| | - Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan 430078, PR China
| | - Songhu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan 430078, PR China.
| | - Man Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan 430078, PR China
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28
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Jain S, Khare P, Mishra D, Shanker K, Singh P, Singh RP, Das P, Yadav R, Saikia BK, Baruah BP. Biochar aided aromatic grass [Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Wats.] vegetation: A sustainable method for stabilization of highly acidic mine waste. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 390:121799. [PMID: 31818656 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121799] [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: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Dumping of acidic mine waste poses severe threats to the ecosystem due to high acidity, nutrient deficiency and mobility of toxic metals. The present study has been undertaken on phytoremediation by amending the acidic soil/mine waste with biochar (BC) and plantation of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Wats. A greenhouse experiment in different combinations of biochar and acidic mine waste was conducted to assess the phytoremediation efficiency of palmarosa by BC amendments. Results indicate that the palmarosa tolerates multiple stresses effectively with a 54 % metal tolerance index (MTI) and capable of reducing acid production from the acidic mine waste alone. BC incorporation in the mine waste and soil treatments significantly enhanced the palmarosa biomass (1.11-3.3 times) and oil content by liming the acid, immobilization of metals and improving the soil quality. BC addition in highly acidic mine waste amplified the phytoremediation efficiency and mitigates abiotic oxidative stress on plants (MTI 84 % to >100 %). BC aided palmarosa plantation shifted the soil from high-risk assessment code (RAC) to low RAC for vegetation. Biochar amendments along with palmarosa plantation offer a sustainable technology for phytostabilization of highly acidic mine waste along with the production of industrially important essential oil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Jain
- Agronomy and Soil Science Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Puja Khare
- Agronomy and Soil Science Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India.
| | - Disha Mishra
- Agronomy and Soil Science Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Karuna Shanker
- Analytical Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Priyambada Singh
- Agronomy and Soil Science Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Raghavendra Pratap Singh
- Agronomy and Soil Science Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Paurabi Das
- Agronomy and Soil Science Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Ranu Yadav
- Agronomy and Soil Science Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Binoy K Saikia
- Polymer Petroleum & Coal Chemistry Group (MSTD), CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat, 785006, Assam, India
| | - B P Baruah
- Polymer Petroleum & Coal Chemistry Group (MSTD), CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat, 785006, Assam, India
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29
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Moreno González R, Cánovas CR, Olías M, Macías F. Seasonal variability of extremely metal rich acid mine drainages from the Tharsis mines (SW Spain). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 259:113829. [PMID: 31884218 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113829] [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: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Tharsis mine is presently abandoned, but the past intense exploitation has left large dumps and other sulphide-rich mining wastes in the area generating acid mine drainages (AMD). The main goal of this work is to study the effect of hydrogeochemical processes, hydrological regime and the waste typology on the physicochemical parameters and dissolved concentrations of pollutants in a deeply AMD-affected zone. Extreme leachates are produced in the area, reaching even negative pH and concentrations of up to 2.2 g/L of As and 194 g/L of Fe. The results of the comparison of ore grades of sulphide deposits with dissolved concentrations in waters shows that Pb is the least mobile element in dissolution probably due to the precipitation of Pb secondary minerals and/or its coprecipitation on Fe oxyhydroxysulphates. Arsenic, Cr, and V are also coprecipitated with Fe minerals. Seasonal patterns in metal contents were identified: elements coming from the host rocks, such as Al, Mn and Ni, show their maximum values in the dry period, when dilution with freshwater is lower and the interaction of water-rock processes and evaporation is higher. On the other hand, As, Cr, Fe, Pb and V show minimum concentrations in the dry period due to intense Fe oxyhydroxysulphate precipitation. In this sense, large sulphide rich waste heaps would be a temporal sink of these elements (i.e. Pb, As, Cr and V) in the dry period, and a significant source upon intense rainfalls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Moreno González
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus 'El Carmen' s/n, 21071, Huelva, Spain; Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment (RENSMA), University of Huelva, 21071, Huelva, Spain
| | - Carlos Ruiz Cánovas
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus 'El Carmen' s/n, 21071, Huelva, Spain; Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment (RENSMA), University of Huelva, 21071, Huelva, Spain.
| | - Manuel Olías
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus 'El Carmen' s/n, 21071, Huelva, Spain; Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment (RENSMA), University of Huelva, 21071, Huelva, Spain
| | - Francisco Macías
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus 'El Carmen' s/n, 21071, Huelva, Spain; Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment (RENSMA), University of Huelva, 21071, Huelva, Spain; Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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30
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Krzciuk K, Gałuszka A. Presence and possible origin of positive Eu anomaly in shoot samples of Juncus effusus L. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2020; 58:126432. [PMID: 31778963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2019.126432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rare earth elements (REE) are non-essential elements for plants. They stimulate plant growth at low doses, but at high levels are phytotoxic. There are differences in concentrations of REE in various organs of the same plant species, but the normalized REE patterns can be very similar in samples of the same species collected in different locations. Here we compare normalized REE curves in above-ground samples of Juncus effusus L. (common rush, soft rush) collected from sites with different land-use types. METHODS The concentrations of rare earth elements were measured in 55 shoot samples of J. effusus L. The samples were collected from 15 sampling sites located in the Holy Cross Mts., south-central Poland and analyzed with the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results were normalized to the North American Shale Composite and anomalies of different elements were calculated. RESULTS Total REE concentrations varied from 0.028 mg/kg to 2.7 mg/kg. The samples were enriched in the light REE (from La to Eu) with the highest concentrations of La and Ce. The North American Shale Composite (NASC)-normalized REE curves were roughly similar in all samples except for two samples collected in the acid mine drainageaffected areas. CONCLUSION All samples showed positive europium anomalies in NASC-normalized REE concentration patterns. The most probable explanation of this is that the uptake and translocation of Eu in J. effusus (and possibly in other wetland plants) is caused by a short-term decrease of the redox potential in a rhizosphere favoring reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ and thus enhancing Eu mobility in the soil-plant environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Krzciuk
- Geochemistry and the Environment Div., Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, 15G Świętokrzyska St, 25-406 Kielce, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Gałuszka
- Geochemistry and the Environment Div., Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, 15G Świętokrzyska St, 25-406 Kielce, Poland
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31
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Saedpanah S, Amanollahi J. Environmental pollution and geo-ecological risk assessment of the Qhorveh mining area in western Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 253:811-820. [PMID: 31344542 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In order to evaluate the effect of mining activity on the environment of the Qhorveh mining area in the west of Iran, the geological, ecological and environmental data, related to social development and regional economic status, were used. The geological data included seven sub-indices, such as vegetation coverage, land utilization type, and fault activity; ecological data, with two sub-indices, such as degree of ecological environment recovery; and finally, environmental data, with three sub-indices, such as soil and dust pollutions. These were selected based on the literature and expert opinion which were utilized for environmental pollution and geo-ecological (EPGE) risk assessment of the study site. Remote sensing (RS) image, field sampling, digital elevation map, and data retrieved from different government agencies were used to generate layers for the sub-indices in the geographic information system (GIS) environment. In addition, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to determine the weight of sub-indices. Five levels consisting of best, good, middle, poor and worst were used to describe the EPGE risk assessment of the Qhorveh mining area. Results showed that worst and poor levels of EPGE risk are in the east and northeast of the study area where the gold and pumice mines are located while best and good levels of EPGE risk are in its center where the stone mines are located. According to the results of this research, the EPGE risk assessment of the Qhorveh mining area is affected by the environmental pollution index with its highest weight (0.3908). It can be concluded that the integration of the RS, GIS and AHP methods proposed in this study improved the evaluation quality of EPGE risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safoura Saedpanah
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Jamil Amanollahi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
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Pagano G, Thomas PJ, Di Nunzio A, Trifuoggi M. Human exposures to rare earth elements: Present knowledge and research prospects. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 171:493-500. [PMID: 30743241 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The extensive use of rare earth elements (REEs) in a number of technologies is expected to impact on human health, including occupational and environmental REE exposures. A body of experimental evidence on REE-associated toxicity has been accumulated in recent decades, thus providing extensive background information on the adverse effects of REE exposures. Unlike experimental studies, the consequences of REE exposures to human health have been subjected to relatively fewer investigations. Geographical studies have been conducted on residents in REE mining districts, reporting on REE bioaccumulation, and associations between REE residential exposures and adverse health effects. A recent line of studies has associated tobacco smoking and indoor smoke with increased levels of some REEs in exposed residents. A body of literature has been focused on occupational REE exposures, with the observation of respiratory tract damage. The occupations related to REE mining and processing have shown REE bioaccumulation in scalp hair, excess REE urine levels, and defective gene expression. As for other REE occupational exposures, mention should be made of: a) jobs exposing to REE aerosol, such as movie operator; b) e-waste processing and, c) diesel engine repair and maintenance, with exposures to exhaust microparticulate (containing nanoCeO2 as a catalytic additive). Diesel exhaust microparticulate has been studied in animal models, leading to evidence of several pathological effects in animals exposed by respiratory or systemic routes. A working hypothesis for REE occupational exposures is raised on REE-based supermagnet production and manufacture, by reviewing experimental studies that suggest several pathological effects of static magnetic fields, and warrant further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Pagano
- Federico II Naples University, Department of Chemical Sciences, via Cinthia, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Philippe J Thomas
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science & Technology Branch, National Wildlife Research Center - Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0H3
| | - Aldo Di Nunzio
- Federico II Naples University, Department of Chemical Sciences, via Cinthia, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Trifuoggi
- Federico II Naples University, Department of Chemical Sciences, via Cinthia, I-80126 Naples, Italy
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Naidu G, Ryu S, Thiruvenkatachari R, Choi Y, Jeong S, Vigneswaran S. A critical review on remediation, reuse, and resource recovery from acid mine drainage. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 247:1110-1124. [PMID: 30823340 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.01.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a global environmental issue. Conventionally, a number of active and passive remediation approaches are applied to treat and manage AMD. Case studies on remediation approaches applied in actual mining sites such as lime neutralization, bioremediation, wetlands and permeable reactive barriers provide an outlook on actual long-term implications of AMD remediation. Hence, in spite of available remediation approaches, AMD treatment remains a challenge. The need for sustainable AMD treatment approaches has led to much focus on water reuse and resource recovery. This review underscores (i) characteristics and implication of AMD, (ii) remediation approaches in mining sites, (iii) alternative treatment technologies for water reuse, and (iv) resource recovery. Specifically, the role of membrane processes and alternative treatment technologies to produce water for reuse from AMD is highlighted. Although membrane processes are favorable for water reuse, they cannot achieve resource recovery, specifically selective valuable metal recovery. The approach of integrated membrane and conventional treatment processes are especially promising for attaining both water reuse and recovery of resources such as sulfuric acid, metals and rare earth elements. Overall, this review provides insights in establishing reuse and resource recovery as the holistic approach towards sustainable AMD treatment. Finally, integrated technologies that deserve in depth future exploration is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Naidu
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Seongchul Ryu
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Ramesh Thiruvenkatachari
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 1 Technology Court, Pullenvale, Queensland, 4069, Australia
| | - Youngkwon Choi
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Sanghyun Jeong
- Graduate School of Water Resources, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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