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Gačnik J, Živković I, Kotnik J, Božič D, Tassone A, Naccarato A, Pirrone N, Sprovieri F, Steffen A, Horvat M. Comparison of active measurements, lichen biomonitoring, and passive sampling for atmospheric mercury monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:35800-35810. [PMID: 38740686 PMCID: PMC11136809 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33582-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The number of atmospheric mercury (Hg) monitoring stations is growing globally. However, there are still many regions and locations where Hg monitoring is limited or non-existent. Expansion of the atmospheric Hg monitoring network could be facilitated by the use of cost-effective monitoring methods. As such, biomonitoring and passive monitoring offer a unique alternative to well-established monitoring by active measurements, since they do not require a power supply and require minimal workload to operate. The use of biomonitoring (lichens and mosses) and passive air samplers (PASs) (various designs with synthetic materials) has been reported in the literature, and comparisons with active measurement methods have also been made. However, these studies compared either biomonitoring or PASs (not both) to only one type of active measurement. In our work, we used transplanted (7 sampling sites) and in situ lichens (8 sampling sites) for biomonitoring, two PASs from different producers (3 sampling sites), and two different active measurement types (continuous and discontinuous active measurements, 1 and 8 sampling sites, respectively) to evaluate their effectiveness as monitoring methods. In the 9-month sampling campaign, 3 sampling locations with different characteristics (unpolluted, vicinity of a cement plant, and vicinity of a former Hg mine) were used. The results obtained with lichens and PASs clearly distinguished between sampling locations with different Hg concentrations; using both PASs and lichens together increased the confidence of our observations. The present work shows that biomonitoring and passive sampling can be effectively used to identify areas with elevated atmospheric Hg concentrations. The same can be said for discontinuous active measurements; however, the discrepancy between atmospheric Hg concentrations derived from PASs and discontinuous active measurements should be further investigated in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Gačnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Živković
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jože Kotnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dominik Božič
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Antonella Tassone
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
| | - Attilio Naccarato
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Nicola Pirrone
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
| | - Francesca Sprovieri
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
| | - Alexandra Steffen
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Canada
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Zhou J, Bollen SW, Roy EM, Hollinger DY, Wang T, Lee JT, Obrist D. Comparing ecosystem gaseous elemental mercury fluxes over a deciduous and coniferous forest. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2722. [PMID: 37169778 PMCID: PMC10175444 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38225-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Sources of neurotoxic mercury in forests are dominated by atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) deposition, but a dearth of direct GEM exchange measurements causes major uncertainties about processes that determine GEM sinks. Here we present three years of forest-level GEM deposition measurements in a coniferous forest and a deciduous forest in northeastern USA, along with flux partitioning into canopy and forest floor contributions. Annual GEM deposition is 13.4 ± 0.80 μg m-2 (coniferous forest) and 25.1 ± 2.4 μg m-2 (deciduous forest) dominating mercury inputs (62 and 76% of total deposition). GEM uptake dominates in daytime during active vegetation periods and correlates with CO2 assimilation, attributable to plant stomatal uptake of mercury. Non-stomatal GEM deposition occurs in the coniferous canopy during nights and to the forest floor in the deciduous forest and accounts for 24 and 39% of GEM deposition, respectively. Our study shows that GEM deposition includes various pathways and is highly ecosystem-specific, which complicates global constraints of terrestrial GEM sinks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhou
- Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Silas W Bollen
- Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Eric M Roy
- Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Ting Wang
- Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - John T Lee
- School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Daniel Obrist
- Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA.
- University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Davis, CA, USA.
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Hood CO, Radjoko J, Mensah SY, Horvat M. Spatial distribution of Hg in Pra River Basin, Southwestern Ghana using HF acid combination method. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:604. [PMID: 37086341 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11122-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The study assessed the spatial distribution of total mercury (THg) in soils, sediments, mining wastes, and Au-rich Hg-contaminated tailings from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) from Offin, Lower and Upper Pra, Birim, and Anum Rivers, Pra River Basin, Southwestern Ghana. THg measurement using Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CVAAS) after acid digestion with HNO3/HCl/HF and k0-INAA, as a reference method, and both provided comparable results. A digestion method, HNO3/HClO2/H2SO4 acid mixture before CVAAS provided lower results, which indicates that the use of HF is of fundamental importance in THg analysis based on acid digestion and its omission may significantly underestimate the presence of Hg in soils and sediments. THg in soils, sediments, Au-rich Hg-contaminated tailings, and mining wastes from the river basin were liberated into a solution for measurement using HNO3/HCl/HF. The study revealed Offin and Lower Pra Rivers showed high distribution (ranges; mg Hg kg-1) of THg in soils (103-770) and sediments (0.20-20.8), respectively; Upper Pra and Anum rivers showed the lowest THg in soils (2.20-3.20) and sediments (0.004-0.02), respectively. About 76.0% of THg in sediments was lower than the USEPA guideline of 0.2 mg Hg kg-1. The highest mean THg (mg Hg kg-1) in Au-rich Hg-contaminated tailings (1673 ± 4.8, n = 4) and mining wastes (17.3-21.5) were from the river Offin. The study showed Offin (Dunkwa-on-Offin site 1) and Lower Pra (Beposo Township) rivers are Hg hotspots that need attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiana Odumah Hood
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
| | - Jaćimović Radjoko
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Samuel Yeboah Mensah
- Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Popović V, Šešlija Jovanović D, Miletić Z, Milovanović J, Lučić A, Rakonjac L, Miljković D. The evaluation of hazardous element content in the needles of the Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) that originated from anthropogenic activities in the vicinity of the native habitats. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 195:109. [PMID: 36376774 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10732-2] [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: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this research was to quantify the content of hazardous elements in the needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) in the natural habitats that were accumulated from thermal power plants, mines, and metal processing industry. Fifteen natural populations of the Norway spruce were sampled from the mountain ranges in Southeastern Europe (Dinaric Alps and Balkan Mountains). Two-year-old spruce needles were evaluated the content of the following hazardous elements: heavy metals cadmium, mercury, nickel, lead and zinc, and metalloid arsenic. The effect of the distance between air pollution emitters and the Norway spruce natural habitats on the hazardous elements content in needles was also evaluated. The results of the analysis of variance confirmed interpopulation differences in the content of all analyzed hazardous elements. The effect of the air pollution source (thermal power plants, mines, and industry) on the content of hazardous elements in the spruce needles was also assessed. Significant correlation was found between the distance of air pollution emitters and the amount of zinc. This study could serve as the startup point of future monitoring programs and provide new prospect of using Norway spruce needles as the bioindicator of air pollution with hazardous elements on Balkan Peninsula since the fact that the Norway spruce natural populations inhabit wide geographic range of the continental Europe, from the Balkan Peninsula, over European Alps to Scandinavia and a large-scale of altitude from 980 to 1860 m above sea level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladan Popović
- Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding, Seed and Nursery Production, Institute of Forestry, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Darka Šešlija Jovanović
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zoran Miletić
- Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding, Seed and Nursery Production, Institute of Forestry, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Milovanović
- Environment and Sustainable Development, Singidunum University, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandar Lučić
- Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding, Seed and Nursery Production, Institute of Forestry, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljubinko Rakonjac
- Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding, Seed and Nursery Production, Institute of Forestry, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Miljković
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
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Wang X, Zhong W, Wang B, Quan M, Li T, Lin D, Shang S, Zhu C, Zhang C, Liao Y. Spatial-temporal variations and pollution risks of mercury in water and sediments of urban lakes in Guangzhou City, South China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:80817-80830. [PMID: 35729385 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21424-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the spatial and temporal characteristics, pollution degrees, and potential ecological risks of mercury (Hg) in urban lake waters and sediments in Guangzhou, where is a typical area of Hg emission and population-economic-industrial concentration in South China. In different districts of this city, the water from 15 lakes were collected continuously from June 2020 to May 2021, and the sediments from 9 lakes were collected in 2015 and 2021. The seasonal changes of Hg concentration (Hg-C) in the water were found to be high in winter and low in summer. The spatial distribution of Hg-C in sediments showed that it was high in urban central areas and low in suburbs. The Nemero index and geological accumulation index showed that there were uncontaminated of Hg in the collected lake water, and above moderately contaminated in the lake sediments in urban center, respectively. The Hg pollution potential ecological risk index showed that there was low risk in the collected water, high and extremely high risk in the lake sediments in urban center, respectively. The principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis (CA) of Hg and meteorological factors showed that precipitation, temperature, and vapor pressure had negative effects on the seasonal changes of Hg-C in water, and air pressure and wind direction had positive effects. The PCA and CA of Hg and other geochemical elements showed that anthropogenic emissions may be the main sources of Hg in sediments, which was also supported by the data of population density, road density, and motor vehicles per 1000 people. This study provided a reference for urban lake pollution treatment, resident health, and ecological environment protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Wang
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
| | - Bingxiang Wang
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Mingying Quan
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Tianhang Li
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Durui Lin
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Shengtan Shang
- School of Earth Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Chan Zhu
- Guangdong Center for Marine Development Research, Guangzhou, 510220, China
| | - Churan Zhang
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yiling Liao
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
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6
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Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Myanmar and Other Southeast Asian Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106290. [PMID: 35627826 PMCID: PMC9142007 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is one of the most harmful metals and has been a public health concern according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the world’s fastest-growing source of Hg and can release Hg into the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Hg has been widely used in ASGM industries throughout Southeast Asia countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand. Here, 16 relevant studies were systematically searched by performing the PRISMA flow, combining the keywords of “Hg”, “ASGM”, and relevant study areas. Mercury concentrations exceeding the WHO and United States Environmental Protection Agency guideline values were reported in environmental (i.e., air, water, and soil) and biomonitoring samples (i.e., plants, fish, and human hair). ASGM-related health risks to miners and nonminers, specifically in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, were also assessed. The findings indicated severe Hg contamination around the ASGM process, specifically the gold-amalgamation stage, was significantly high. To one point, Hg atmospheric concentrations from all observed studies was shown to be extremely high in the vicinity of gold operating areas. Attentions should be given regarding the public health concern, specifically for the vulnerable groups such as adults, pregnant women, and children who live near the ASGM activity. This review summarizes the effects of Hg in Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries. In the future, more research and assessment will be required to investigate the current and evolving situation in ASGM communities.
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Yusupov DV, Lyapina EE, Tursunalieva EM, Osipova NA, Baranovskaya NV. Poplar tree (Populus balsamifera L.) as indicator of mercury emission from a point source. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132157. [PMID: 34560495 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The article provides original data on the ecological and geochemical characteristics of the distribution of Hg in the leaves and annual rings of balsam poplar (P. balsamifera L.) in the zone of influence of lithium production (Novosibirsk). In 2017 high Hg concentration (1300 ng/g) in the poplar leaves was recorded in the northeastern part of the city near the industrial facility of the lithium plant. The investigation showed a clear trend of increased Hg accumulation in the poplar leaves during the growing season. The maximum average Hg content was detected in the leaf litter in 2006 (1153-2425 ng/g). However, the average Hg content in the soil is 294 ng/g, which is significantly lower than the threshold limit value (2100 ng/g). Studies of changes in the content of Hg with the height of the crown of the tree revealed an increase in the upwind side of the emission source, the concentration of Hg in the leaves is on average 1.5 times higher than on the side of the "wind shadow". Hg in poplar leaves, leaf litter, and soils is mainly found in free and physically bonded forms - the most mobile, prone to increased migration, transformation and methylation under environmental conditions. According to the Hg content in the poplar cores, an increase in the Hg input near the source was established with the beginning of Li production - in the period 1967-1985 years (441 ng/g) with a subsequent decrease to 6 ng/g in 2000-2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- D V Yusupov
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Lenin Ave., 30, Tomsk, 634050, Russia; Amur State University, Ignatyevskoe highway, 21, Blagoveshchensk, Amur Region, 675027, Russia
| | - E E Lyapina
- Institute of Monitoring of Climatic and Ecological Systems Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Akademichesky Ave., 10/3, Tomsk, 634055, Russia.
| | - E M Tursunalieva
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Lenin Ave., 30, Tomsk, 634050, Russia; National Research Tomsk State University, Lenin Ave., 36, Tomsk, 634050, Russia
| | - N A Osipova
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Lenin Ave., 30, Tomsk, 634050, Russia
| | - N V Baranovskaya
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Lenin Ave., 30, Tomsk, 634050, Russia
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Correa-Ochoa M, Mejia-Sepulveda J, Saldarriaga-Molina J, Castro-Jiménez C, Aguiar-Gil D. Evaluation of air pollution tolerance index and anticipated performance index of six plant species, in an urban tropical valley: Medellin, Colombia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:7952-7971. [PMID: 34480696 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16037-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
High atmospheric pollution levels in urban areas have become a global problem that threatens both human health and urban ecosystems. Trees that grow near areas with vehicular and industrial emissions can be highly affected, since they constitute the main barrier for emitted pollutants, with trees being either tolerant or sensitive to them. Different methodologies worldwide have been implemented to evaluate the tolerance and sensitivity of tree species to atmospheric pollutants. In this research, the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and the anticipated performance index (API) are evaluated in order to determine both the degree of tolerance or sensitivity of trees to pollutants in the air and their performance in urban areas. To this end, six tree species found in four biomonitoring zones in the city of Medellín, Colombia, were selected: Mangifera indica, Tabebuia chrysantha-rosea, Erythrina fusca, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Fraxinus uhdei, and Spathodea campanulata. A total of 54 individual trees were evaluated by means of the APTI and API, and it was determined that the species with the highest tolerance (APTI≥16) and the best performance (81<API<90) was Mangifera indica, which highlights the importance of this species in urban areas with air quality problems. On the other hand, it was determined that the most sensitive species (APTI≤11) are Tabebuia chrysantha-rosea, Erythrina fusca, and Spathodea campanulata, while the species with poor performance (41<API<50) are Tabebuia chrysantha-rosea, Erythrina fusca, and Jacaranda mimosifolia. These values, therefore, can be used to classify which species can be planted as pollutant sinks and which as air quality bioindicators and thus highlight the importance of urban forests and trees for environmental management and planning in big cities with air quality problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Correa-Ochoa
- Research Group and Environmental Monitoring Laboratory -G-LIMA-, Environmental School, Faculty of Engineering, University of Antioquia, Cl 67 No. 53-108 Of. 20-250, Medellin, Colombia.
| | - Juliana Mejia-Sepulveda
- Research Group and Environmental Monitoring Laboratory -G-LIMA-, Environmental School, Faculty of Engineering, University of Antioquia, Cl 67 No. 53-108 Of. 20-250, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Julio Saldarriaga-Molina
- Research Group and Environmental Monitoring Laboratory -G-LIMA-, Environmental School, Faculty of Engineering, University of Antioquia, Cl 67 No. 53-108 Of. 20-250, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Camilo Castro-Jiménez
- Research Group and Environmental Monitoring Laboratory -G-LIMA-, Environmental School, Faculty of Engineering, University of Antioquia, Cl 67 No. 53-108 Of. 20-250, Medellin, Colombia
| | - David Aguiar-Gil
- Research Group and Environmental Monitoring Laboratory -G-LIMA-, Environmental School, Faculty of Engineering, University of Antioquia, Cl 67 No. 53-108 Of. 20-250, Medellin, Colombia
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Woś B, Gruba P, Socha J, Pietrzykowski M. Biomonitoring of Mercury Contamination in Poland Based on Its Concentration in Scots Pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) Foliage. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910366. [PMID: 34639665 PMCID: PMC8507935 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This work evaluates current mercury (Hg) contamination in Poland, represented by the Hg concentrations in Scots pine foliage. Samples were collected over 295 investigation plots in monitoring grids throughout Poland, from pines aged between 12 and 147 years. Analyses were conducted with consideration of bioclimatic factors and soil properties. Concentrations in the pine foliage did not exceed the values characteristic of an ecosystem unaffected by industrial pollution, ranging from 0.0032 to 0.0252 mg kg−1 dry mass. However, pine stands located in western and central Poland, and in the northwest near the Baltic Sea, exhibited higher Hg concentrations in foliage than in eastern regions. Hg content in foliage depends on the mean temperature of the driest quarter, as well as on Hg content in soils. This indicates that the periods of drought observed in recent years in Poland may affect Hg concentrations in pine foliage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Woś
- Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland; (P.G.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Piotr Gruba
- Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland; (P.G.); (M.P.)
| | - Jarosław Socha
- Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Marcin Pietrzykowski
- Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland; (P.G.); (M.P.)
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10
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Viso S, Rivera S, Martinez-Coronado A, Esbrí JM, Moreno MM, Higueras P. Biomonitoring of Hg 0, Hg 2 and Particulate Hg in a Mining Context Using Tree Barks . INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:5191. [PMID: 34068268 PMCID: PMC8153109 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The biomonitoring of atmospheric mercury (Hg) is an important topic in the recent scientific literature given the cost-benefit advantage of obtaining indirect measurements of gaseous Hg using biological tissues. Lichens, mosses, and trees are the most commonly used organisms, with many standardized methods for some of them used across European countries by scientists and pollution regulators. Most of the species used the uptake of gaseous Hg (plant leaves), or a mixture of gaseous and particulate Hg (mosses and lichens), but no method is capable of differentiating between main atmospheric Hg phases (particulate and gaseous), essential in a risk assessment. The purpose of this work was to evaluate different uptake patterns of biological tissues in terms of atmospheric Hg compounds. To accomplish this, the feasibility of two plant tissues from a tree commonly found in urban environments has been evaluated for the biomonitoring of gaseous Hg species in a Hg mining environment. Sampling included leaves and barks from Platanus hispanica and particulate matter from the atmosphere of the urban area around Almadén (south-central Spain), while analytical determinations included data for total Hg concentrations in biological and geological samples, Hg speciation data and total gaseous Hg (TGM). The results allowed us to identify the main Hg compounds in leaves and bark tissues and in atmospheric particulate matter, finding that leaves bioaccumulated only gaseous Hg (Hg0 and Hg2+), preferably during daylight hours, whereas the barks accumulated a combination of TGM and particulate bound Hg (PBM) during the day and at night. Subsequent merging of the atmospheric Hg speciation data obtained from leaves and barks allowed indicative maps of the main sources of TGM and PBM emissions to be obtained, thereby perfectly delimiting the main TGM and PBM sources in the urban area around Almadén. This method complements TGM biomonitoring systems already tested with other urban trees, adding the detection of PBM emission sources and, therefore, biomonitoring all Hg species present in the atmosphere. Scenarios other than mining sites should be evaluated to determine the utility of this method for Hg biospeciation in the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Viso
- Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13400 Ciudad Real, Spain; (S.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Sofía Rivera
- Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13400 Ciudad Real, Spain; (S.V.); (S.R.)
| | | | - José María Esbrí
- Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13400 Ciudad Real, Spain; (S.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Marta M. Moreno
- Escuela Técnica de Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain;
| | - Pablo Higueras
- Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13400 Ciudad Real, Spain; (S.V.); (S.R.)
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Binda G, Di Iorio A, Monticelli D. The what, how, why, and when of dendrochemistry: (paleo)environmental information from the chemical analysis of tree rings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 758:143672. [PMID: 33277003 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143672] [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: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The chemical analysis of tree rings has attracted the interest of researchers in the past five decades in view of the possibility of exploiting this biological indicator as a widely available, high-resolution environmental archive. Information regarding the surrounding environment can be derived either by directly measuring environmental variables (nutrient availability, presence of pollutants, etc.) or by exploiting proxies (e.g. paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental reconstructions). This review systematically covers the topic and provides a critical view on the reliability of dendrochemical information. First, we introduce the determinable chemical species, such as major elements, trace metals, isotopic ratios, and organic compounds, together with a brief description of their uptake mechanisms and functions in trees. Subsequently, we present the possibilities offered by analytical techniques in the field of tree ring analysis, focusing on direct methods and recent developments. The latter strongly improved the details of the accessible information, enabling the investigation of complex phenomena associated with plant life and encouraging the direct analysis of new analytes, particularly minor organic compounds. With regard to their applications, dendrochemical proxies have been used to trace several processes, such as environmental contamination, paleoclimate reconstruction, global environmental changes, tree physiology, extreme events, ecological trends, and dendroprovenance. Several case studies are discussed for each proposed application, with special emphasis on the reliability of tracing each process. Starting from the reviewed literature data, the second part of the paper is devoted to the critical assessment of the reliability of tree ring proxies. We provide an overview of the current knowledge, discuss the limitations of the inferences that may be drawn from the dendrochemical data, and provide recommendations for the best practices to be used for their validation. Finally, we present the future perspectives related to the advancements in analytical instrumentation and further extension of application fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilberto Binda
- Department of Science and High Technology, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via Valleggio, 12, 22100 Como, Italy
| | - Antonino Di Iorio
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via Jean Henry Dunant, 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Damiano Monticelli
- Department of Science and High Technology, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via Valleggio, 12, 22100 Como, Italy.
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12
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Golzadeh N, Barst BD, Basu N, Baker JM, Auger JC, McKinney MA. Evaluating the concentrations of total mercury, methylmercury, selenium, and selenium:mercury molar ratios in traditional foods of the Bigstone Cree in Alberta, Canada. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 250:126285. [PMID: 32114346 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Traditional foods provide nutritional, social, and economic benefits for Indigenous communities; however, anthropogenic activities have raised concerns about mercury (Hg), especially methylmercury (MeHg), in these foods. This issue may be of particular concern for communities near large industrial activities, including the Bigstone Cree Nation adjacent to the Athabasca oil sands region, Canada. This community-led study sought to assess variation in THg and MeHg concentrations among traditional food types (plants or animals), species, and tissues (muscles, organs), and variation in concentrations of the micronutrient selenium (Se)- thought to protect against Hg toxicity-and Se:THg ratios. Thirteen plant and animal species were collected in 2015 by Bigstone Cree community members. We quantified THg, Se, and Se:THg ratios in 65 plant and 111 animal samples and MeHg in 106 animal samples. For plants, the lichen, old man's beard (Usnea spp.), showed the highest concentrations of THg and Se (0.11 ± 0.02 and 0.08 ± 0.01 μg g-1 w. w., respectively) and also had a low Se:THg molar ratio. Concentrations of THg, MeHg, and Se differed among animal samples (P < 0.010), showing variation among species and among tissues/organs. Generally, concentrations of THg and MeHg were highest in aquatic animals, which also had relatively low Se:THg molar ratios. Overall results revealed substantial variation in the patterns of THg, MeHg, Se and Se:THg ratios across this comprehensive basket of traditional foods. Thus, measuring concentrations of THg alone, without considering MeHg and potential associations with Se, may not adequately convey the exposure to Hg in traditional foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasrin Golzadeh
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Benjamin D Barst
- Water and Environmental Research Center (WERC), University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
| | - Niladri Basu
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Janelle M Baker
- Department of Anthropology, Centre for Social Sciences, Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta, Canada
| | - Josie C Auger
- Bigstone Cree Nation, Wabasca-Desmarais, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Melissa A McKinney
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
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13
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Rimondi V, Benesperi R, Beutel MW, Chiarantini L, Costagliola P, Lattanzi P, Medas D, Morelli G. Monitoring of Airborne Mercury: Comparison of Different Techniques in the Monte Amiata District, Southern Tuscany, Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17072353. [PMID: 32244315 PMCID: PMC7177839 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, mercury (Hg) concentrations were investigated in lichens (Flavoparmelia caperata (L.) Hale, Parmelia saxatilis (L.) Ach., and Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th.Fr.) collected in the surrounding of the dismissed Abbadia San Salvatore Hg mine (Monte Amiata district, Italy). Results were integrated with Hg concentrations in tree barks and literature data of gaseous Hg levels determined by passive air samplers (PASs) in the same area. The ultimate goal was to compare results obtained by the three monitoring techniques to evaluate potential mismatches. Lichens displayed 180–3600 ng/g Hg, and Hg concentrations decreased exponentially with distance from the mine. Mercury concentration was lower than in Pinus nigra barks at the same site. There was a moderate correlation between Hg in lichen and Hg in bark, suggesting similar mechanisms of Hg uptake and residence times. However, correlation with published gaseous Hg concentrations (PASs) was moderate at best (Kendall Tau = 0.4–0.5, p > 0.05). The differences occurred because a) PASs collected gaseous Hg, whereas lichens and barks also picked up particulate Hg, and b) lichens and bark had a dynamic exchange with the atmosphere. Lichen, bark, and PAS outline different and complementary aspects of airborne Hg content and efficient monitoring programs in contaminated areas would benefit from the integration of data from different techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Rimondi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; (L.C.); (P.C.)
- CNR-IGG, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; (P.L.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-055-2757506
| | - Renato Benesperi
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Marc W. Beutel
- University of California, Merced, 5200 Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA;
| | - Laura Chiarantini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; (L.C.); (P.C.)
- Centro di Servizi di Microscopia Elettronica e Microanalisi (M.E.M.A), Università di Firenze, Via G. Capponi 3r, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Pilario Costagliola
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; (L.C.); (P.C.)
- CNR-IGG, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; (P.L.); (G.M.)
| | | | - Daniela Medas
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università di Cagliari, S.S. 554 bivio per Sestu, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy;
| | - Guia Morelli
- CNR-IGG, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; (P.L.); (G.M.)
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14
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Wang X, Yuan W, Feng X, Wang D, Luo J. Moss facilitating mercury, lead and cadmium enhanced accumulation in organic soils over glacial erratic at Mt. Gongga, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 254:112974. [PMID: 31376600 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.112974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Moss is usually as an initial colonizer in alpine glacier retreated regions. We hypothesized that moss can significantly facilitate the toxic metals accumulation in alpine ecosystems based on its strong ability of absorption and the role in soil development. Hence, we investigated the trace element pool sizes and enrichment factors, especially for mercury (Hg) by using the Hg isotopic compositions to determine the source contributions in a moss-dominated ecosystem over glacial erratic in Eastern Tibetan Plateau. Results show that Hg, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are highly enriched in organic soils. Specifically, Cd concentration is 5-20 times higher than the safety limit of the acid soil (pH ≤ 5.5) in China. Atmospheric depositions dominantly contribute to the Pb and Cd sources in organic soils, and followed by the moraine particles influences. The lowering pH in organic soils increasing with glacial retreated time results in the desorption of Cd in organic soils. Atmospheric Hg0 uptake by moss predominantly contributes to the Hg sources in organic soils. The average Pb accumulation rate over last 125-year is about 5.6 ± 1.0 mg m-2 yr-1, and for Cd is 0.4 ± 0.1 mg m-2 yr-1, and for Hg0 is 27.6 ± 3.2 μg m-2 yr-1. These elevated accumulation rates are caused by the high moss biomass and elevated atmospheric Hg, Pb and Cd pollution levels in China and neighbouring regions. Our study indicates that the moss not only as the bioindicator, but also plays an important role in the hazardous metal biogeochemical cycling in alpine regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
| | - Dingyong Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Ji Luo
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Ministry of Water Conservancy, Chengdu, 610041, China
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15
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Ștefănuț S, Öllerer K, Manole A, Ion MC, Constantin M, Banciu C, Maria GM, Florescu LI. National environmental quality assessment and monitoring of atmospheric heavy metal pollution - A moss bag approach. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 248:109224. [PMID: 31310934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.06.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
As airborne pollution is recognised as the single largest environmental health hazard in Europe, the necessity to develop effective systems for monitoring and reducing the level of air pollutants, becomes imperative. The paper describes a tested and implemented long-term biomonitoring system for airborne heavy metals at a national scale. Moss bags (Hylocomium splendens) were exposed in 142 monitoring stations designated in Romania, and the content of Pb, Cd, Ni and As was quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results revealed that the accumulation of heavy metals exceeded the established thresholds, marking high pollution levels in 8.8% of samples for As, in 5.63% samples for Cd, in 3.17% samples for Pb, and in 0.35% samples for Ni. The maximum heavy metal concentration was 113.77 mg kg-1 dry weight for Pb, 44.93 mg kg-1 dry weight for Ni, 14.68 mg kg-1 dry weight for As, and 3.88 mg kg-1 dry weight for Cd, with several overlaps for at least two metals, thus marking pollution hotspots. In order to process, summarise and communicate the obtained data, a software named BioMonRo has been developed as the core part of a complex monitoring and warning-informative system. The software is able to generate heavy metal pollution maps and specific reports, depicting the levels and patterns of distribution, which can be automatically sent to a number of interested recipients. The results show that the developed national system is functional, cost-effective, and could be successfully used for long-term monitoring of airborne heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorin Ștefănuț
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independenței, 060031, Bucharest, P.O. Box 56-53, Romania.
| | - Kinga Öllerer
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independenței, 060031, Bucharest, P.O. Box 56-53, Romania.
| | - Anca Manole
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independenței, 060031, Bucharest, P.O. Box 56-53, Romania.
| | - Mihaela C Ion
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independenței, 060031, Bucharest, P.O. Box 56-53, Romania.
| | - Marian Constantin
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independenței, 060031, Bucharest, P.O. Box 56-53, Romania.
| | - Cristian Banciu
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independenței, 060031, Bucharest, P.O. Box 56-53, Romania.
| | - Gabriel M Maria
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independenței, 060031, Bucharest, P.O. Box 56-53, Romania.
| | - Larisa I Florescu
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independenței, 060031, Bucharest, P.O. Box 56-53, Romania.
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16
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Tormena CD, Marcheafave GG, Pauli ED, Bruns RE, Scarminio IS. Potential biomonitoring of atmospheric carbon dioxide in Coffea arabica leaves using near-infrared spectroscopy and partial least squares discriminant analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:30356-30364. [PMID: 31432374 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06163-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The potencial of Coffea arabica leaves as bioindicators of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) was evaluated in a free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) experiment by using near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy for direct analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). A supervised classification model was built and validated from the spectra of coffee leaves grown under elevated and current CO2 levels. PLS-DA allowed correct test set classification of 92% of the elevated-CO2 level leaves and 100% of the current-CO2 level leaves. The spectral bands accounting for the discrimination of the elevated-CO2 leaves were at 1657 and 1698 nm, as indicated by the variable importance in the projection (VIP) score together with the regression coefficients. Seven months after suspension of enriched CO2, returning to current-CO2 levels, new spectral measurements were made and subjected to PLS-DA analysis. The predictive model correctly classified all leaves as grown under current-CO2 levels. The fingerprints suggest that after suspension of elevated-CO2, the spectral changes observed previously disappeared. The recovery could be triggered by two reasons: the relief of the stress stimulus or the perception of a return of favorable conditions. In addition, the results demonstrate that NIR spectroscopy can provide a rapid, nondestructive, and environmentally friendly method for biomonitoring leaves suffering environmental modification. Finally, C. arabica leaves associated with NIR and mathematical models have the potential to become a good biomonitoring system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Domiciano Tormena
- Laboratório de Quimiometria em Ciências Naturais, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, CP 6001, Londrina, PR, 86051-990, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Galo Marcheafave
- Laboratório de Quimiometria em Ciências Naturais, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, CP 6001, Londrina, PR, 86051-990, Brazil.
| | - Elis Daiane Pauli
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CP 6154, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Roy Edward Bruns
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CP 6154, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Ieda Spacino Scarminio
- Laboratório de Quimiometria em Ciências Naturais, Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, CP 6001, Londrina, PR, 86051-990, Brazil.
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17
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Chiarantini L, Rimondi V, Bardelli F, Benvenuti M, Cosio C, Costagliola P, Di Benedetto F, Lattanzi P, Sarret G. Mercury speciation in Pinus nigra barks from Monte Amiata (Italy): An X-ray absorption spectroscopy study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 227:83-88. [PMID: 28458249 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study determined, by means of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, the speciation of mercury (Hg) in black pine (Pinus nigra) barks from Monte Amiata, that were previously shown to contain exceptionally high (up to some mg kg-1) Hg contents because of the proximity to the former Hg mines and roasting plants. Linear fit combination (LCF) analysis of the experimental spectra compared to a large set of reference compounds showed that all spectra can be fitted by only four species: β-HgS (metacinnabar), Hg-cysteine, Hg bound to tannic acid, and Hg0. The first two are more widespread, whereas the last two occur in one sample only; the contribution of organic species is higher in deeper layers of barks than in the outermost ones. We interpret these results to suggest that, during interaction of barks with airborne Hg, the metal is initially mechanically captured at the bark surface as particulate, or physically adsorbed as gaseous species, but eventually a stable chemical bond is established with organic ligands of the substrate. As a consequence, we suggest that deep bark Hg may be a good proxy for long term time-integrated exposure, while surface bark Hg is more important for recording short term events near Hg point sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Chiarantini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Valentina Rimondi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bardelli
- CNR-Nanotec c/o Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro 2, 00185, Roma, Italy.
| | - Marco Benvenuti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Claudia Cosio
- Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, 66 bd Carl-Vogt, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Pilario Costagliola
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Benedetto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Pierfranco Lattanzi
- CNR IGG, Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Géraldine Sarret
- ISTerre, Univ. Grenoble Alpes & CNRS, 38058 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
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18
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Boamponsem LK, de Freitas CR. Validation of Parmotrema reticulatum as a biomonitor of elemental air pollutants in Auckland, New Zealand. J R Soc N Z 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/03036758.2017.1296472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Louis K. Boamponsem
- School of Environment, University of Auckland, 10 Symonds Street, PB 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - C. R. de Freitas
- School of Environment, University of Auckland, 10 Symonds Street, PB 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
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19
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López Berdonces MA, Higueras PL, Fernández-Pascual M, Borreguero AM, Carmona M. The role of native lichens in the biomonitoring of gaseous mercury at contaminated sites. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2017; 186:207-213. [PMID: 27140327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Contamination by atmospheric mercury has been assessed in two different areas from Spain (Las Cuevas, Ciudad Real and Flix, Tarragona) using lichens as biomonitors. The relationship established between mercury contents in the soils and the gaseous mercury (GM) was also observed. It was found that the GM is highest in the vicinity of the source and it is dispersed depending on of the distance to the source and the wind directions. The mercury concentration in the gas phase in Flix was higher than that found in Las Cuevas and also higher than the value that the US EPA recommended. The mercury bioaccumulation in the native lichens from genders Ramalina and Xanthoria were used as biomonitors for absorbing mercury in Las Cuevas and Flix, respectively. The mercury uptake by Ramalina was higher than the amount accumulated by Xanthoria, a difference that was mainly due to the lichen characteristics. The content of mercury in lichens in relation to the mercury in gas was fitted by a Freundlich type equation, indicating that the equilibrium between both phases was established. Besides, transplanted Ramalina lichen in Las Cuevas allowed to obtain the kinetic of mercury uptake. A kinetic model of first order based on the equilibrium was proposed and the mass transfer constants for each sampling station were estimated. As it was expected, these values increased with the predominant wind flow direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A López Berdonces
- Department of Geological and Mining Engineering, Institute for Applied Geology, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza Manuel Meca, 1, 13400, Almadén, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pablo L Higueras
- Department of Geological and Mining Engineering, Institute for Applied Geology, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza Manuel Meca, 1, 13400, Almadén, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Mercedes Fernández-Pascual
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Agricultural Sciences (ICA), CSIC, Serrano 115-bis, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana M Borreguero
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical and Environmental Technology, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de Camilo José Cela s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Manuel Carmona
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical and Environmental Technology, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de Camilo José Cela s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
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20
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Fadic X, Placencia F, Domínguez AM, Cereceda-Balic F. Tradescantia as a biomonitor for pesticide genotoxicity evaluation of iprodione, carbaryl, dimethoate and 4,4'-DDE. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 575:146-151. [PMID: 27736697 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
There is a current tendency to develop and apply environmentally friendly techniques that meet the requirements of green analytical chemistry as an alternative to conventional analytical methods. For toxicity evaluation, these alternatives may be found in bioassays such as Tradescantia. This technique, developed in the 1980s, is highly sensitive to evaluate environmental mutagens, simple and cheap. In this paper, the sensibility of both the Tradescantia micronucleus bioassay (Trad-MCN) and the Tradescantia stamen hair bioassay (Trad-SH) were studied for carbaryl, dimethoate and iprodione, common agricultural and domestic pesticides that are currently used in Chile, which have never been tested with such bioassays. Biomonitor exposures were performed by capillary absorption for each individual pesticide over a wide range of concentrations, from maximum residue limits (trace levels) up to the application dose in agricultural fields. In addition, the organochloride 4,4'-DDE was included but only in the concentration range from 0.01mgL-1 to 1mgL-1, mimicking residue concentrations since it is not a commercial product but, rather, the main breakdown product of the persistent organochloride pesticide 4,4-DDT, whose use was discontinued in Chile in the 1980s. The Trad-MCN bioassay revealed a significant increase in micronucleus frequency at the early tetrads of meiotic pollen mother cells of the biomonitor Tradescantia pallida var. purpurea, induced by 4,4'-DDE (for 1mgL-1), dimethoate (for 40mgL-1, 200mgL-1, 400mg/L-1) and carbaryl (for 889mgL-1). Iprodione did not generate any significant change at the tested concentration. Meanwhile, the Trad-SH bioassay was carried out by analysis of the phenotype variations of the stamen hair cells of the Tradescantia clone KU-20 for the same pesticides and doses. This bioassay was not sufficiently sensitive for toxicity evaluation of most of the pesticides tested, with exception of dimethoate in low doses (2 and 5mg/L-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Fadic
- Centro de Tecnologías Ambientales (CETAM), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (UTFSM), Av. España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Fabián Placencia
- Centro de Tecnologías Ambientales (CETAM), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (UTFSM), Av. España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile; Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Ana María Domínguez
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Francisco Cereceda-Balic
- Centro de Tecnologías Ambientales (CETAM), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (UTFSM), Av. España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile; Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile.
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Liu Y, Wu B, Hao Y, Zhu W, Li Z, Chai X. Site-specific diel mercury emission fluxes in landfill: Combined effects of vegetation and meteorological factors. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 59:247-254. [PMID: 27720579 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mercury emission fluxes (MEFs) under different surface coverage conditions in a landfill were investigated in this study. The results show similar diel patterns of Hg emission flux under different coverage conditions, with peak fluxes occurring at midday and decreasing during night. We examined the effects of environmental factors on MEFs, such as the physiological characteristics of vegetation and meteorological conditions. The results suggest that growth of vegetation in the daytime facilitates the release of Hg in the anaerobic unit, while in the semi-aerobic unit, where vegetation had been removed, the higher mercury content of the cover soil prompted the photo-reduction pathway to become the main path of mercury release and increased MEFs. MEFs are positively correlated with solar radiation and air temperature, but negatively correlated with relative humidity. The correlation coefficients for MEFs with different environmental parameters indicate that in the anaerobic unit, solar radiation was the main influence on MEFs in September, while air temperature became the main determining factor in December. These observations suggest that the effects of meteorological conditions on the mercury release mechanism varies depending on the vegetation and soil pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Boran Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yongxia Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Zhonggen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Xiaoli Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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22
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Bargagli R. Moss and lichen biomonitoring of atmospheric mercury: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 572:216-231. [PMID: 27501421 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Long-range transport and residence time of elemental Hg (Hg°) in air promote global dispersion and deposition in remote ecosystems. Many biotic and abiotic factors contribute to the photoreduction and phytovolatilization of Hg from terrestrial ecosystems, and the assessment of deposition and volatilization fluxes is very challenging. Mosses and lichens are widespread in nature and constitute the dominant vegetation in alpine and polar ecosystems. This review surveys the results of Hg biomonitoring with cryptogams in areas with different Hg sources and deposition processes. Lichen and moss ecophysiology, and factors affecting Hg uptake and bioaccumulation are discussed. Although some laboratory experiments indicate a linear accumulation of Hg in cryptogams exposed to Hg°, without any significant release, in nature the Hg accumulated in cryptogams is in a dynamic equilibrium with Hg in air and decreases when organisms are transplanted to clean environments. Mercury concentrations in mosses and lichens have often been used to estimate concentrations and deposition fluxes of atmospheric Hg; however, Hg° exchanges between cryptogams and air, and the time necessary for mosses and lichens to equilibrate elemental composition with changing atmospheric chemistry, preclude reliable estimates. Biological processes of Hg uptake and exchange with air cannot be reproduced by mechanical collectors, and comparisons between Hg concentrations in biomonitors and those in atmospheric deposition are scarcely reliable. However, the Hg biomonitoring with mosses and lichens is easy and cheap and allows to locate "hot spots" of natural or anthropogenic emissions and to assess spatio-temporal changes in Hg deposition patterns. Climate change is affecting the global Hg cycle through the melting of sea-ice in coastal Polar Regions, and modifying Hg sequestration in mountain ecosystems. Despite limitations, large-scale monitoring of Hg with mosses and lichens may be used as a tool to evaluate the impact of global processes in remote ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bargagli
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, Siena, Italy
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Bargagli R. Atmospheric chemistry of mercury in Antarctica and the role of cryptogams to assess deposition patterns in coastal ice-free areas. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 163:202-208. [PMID: 27529384 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mercury in the Antarctic troposphere has a distinct chemistry and challenging long-term measurements are needed for a better understanding of the atmospheric Hg reactions with oxidants and the exchanges of the various mercury forms among air-snow-sea and biota. Antarctic mosses and lichens are reliable biomonitors of airborne metals and in short time they can give useful information about Hg deposition patterns. Data summarized in this review show that although atmospheric Hg concentrations in the Southern Hemisphere are lower than those in the Northern Hemisphere, Antarctic cryptogams accumulate Hg at levels in the same range or higher than those observed for related cryptogam species in the Arctic, suggesting an enhanced deposition of bioavailable Hg in Antarctic coastal ice-free areas. In agreement with the newest findings in the literature, the Hg bioaccumulation in mosses and lichens from a nunatak particularly exposed to strong katabatic winds can be taken as evidence for a Hg contribution to coastal ecosystems by air masses from the Antarctic plateau. Human activities on the continent are mostly concentrated in coastal ice-free areas, and the deposition in these areas of Hg from the marine environment, the plateau and anthropogenic sources raises concern. The use of Antarctic cryptogams as biomonitors will be very useful to map Hg deposition patterns in costal ice-free areas and will contribute to a better understanding of Hg cycling in Antarctica and its environmental fate in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bargagli
- Department of Physics, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
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Chiarantini L, Rimondi V, Benvenuti M, Beutel MW, Costagliola P, Gonnelli C, Lattanzi P, Paolieri M. Black pine (Pinus nigra) barks as biomonitors of airborne mercury pollution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 569-570:105-113. [PMID: 27341111 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Tree barks are relevant interfaces between plants and the external environment, and can effectively retain airborne particles and elements at their surface. In this paper we have studied the distribution of mercury (Hg) in soils and in black pine (Pinus nigra) barks from the Mt. Amiata Hg district in southern Tuscany (Italy), where past Hg mining and present-day geothermal power plants affect local atmospheric Hg concentration, posing serious environmental concerns. Barks collected in heavily Hg-polluted areas of the district display the highest Hg concentration ever reported in literature (8.6mg/kg). In comparison, barks of the same species collected in local reference areas and near geothermal power plants show much lower (range 19-803μg/kg) concentrations; even lower concentrations are observed at a "blank" site near the city of Florence (5-98μg/kg). Results show a general decrease of Hg concentration from bark surface inwards, in accordance with a deposition of airborne Hg, with minor contribution from systemic uptake from soils. Preliminary results indicate that bark Hg concentrations are comparable with values reported for lichens in the same areas, suggesting that tree barks may represent an additional useful tool for biomonitoring of airborne Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Chiarantini
- CNR IGG, Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Valentina Rimondi
- CNR IGG, Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Marco Benvenuti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Marc W Beutel
- School of Engineering, University of California, Merced, SE1 210 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Pilario Costagliola
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Cristina Gonnelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Firenze, Via Micheli, 1, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Pierfranco Lattanzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Trentino, 51, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mario Paolieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
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25
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Kowalski A, Frankowski M. Seasonal variability of mercury concentration in soils, buds and leaves of Acer platanoides and Tilia platyphyllos in central Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:9614-24. [PMID: 26846237 PMCID: PMC4871916 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6179-2] [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: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we present the results of mercury concentration in soils, buds and leaves of maple (Acer platanoides-Ap) and linden (Tilia platyphyllos-Tp) collected in four periods of the growing season of trees, i.e. in April (IV), June (VI), August (VIII) and November (IX) in 2013, from the area of Poznań city (Poland). The highest average concentration of mercury for 88 samples was determined in soils and it equaled 65.8 ± 41.7 ng g(-1) (range 14.5-238.9 ng g(-1)); lower average concentration was found in Ap samples (n = 66): 55.4 ± 18.1 ng g(-1) (range 26.5-106.9 ng g(-1)); in Tp samples 50.4 ± 15.8 ng g(-1) (range 23.1-88.7 ng g(-1)) and in 22 samples of Tp buds 40.8 ± 22.7 ng g(-1) (range 12.4-98.7 ng g(-1)) and Ap buds 28.2 ± 13.6 ng g(-1) (range 8.0-59.5 ng g(-1)). Based on the obtained results, it was observed that the highest concentration of mercury in soils occurred in the centre of Poznań city (95.5 ± 39.1 ng g(-1)), and it was two times higher than the concentration of mercury in other parts of the city. Similar dependencies were not observed for the leaf samples of Ap and Tp. It was found that mercury concentrations in the soil and leaves of maple and linden were different depending on the period of the growing season (April to November). Mercury content in the examined samples was higher in the first two research periods (April IV, June VI), and then, in the following periods, the accumulation of mercury decreased both in soil and leaf samples of the two tree species. There was no correlation found between mercury concentration in leaves and mercury concentration in soils during the four research periods (April-November). When considering the transfer coefficient, it was observed that the main source of mercury in leaves is the mercury coming from the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Kowalski
- Department of Water and Soil Analysis, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Umultowska 89b, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Marcin Frankowski
- Department of Water and Soil Analysis, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Umultowska 89b, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
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26
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Esbrí JM, López-Berdonces MA, Fernández-Calderón S, Higueras P, Díez S. Atmospheric mercury pollution around a chlor-alkali plant in Flix (NE Spain): an integrated analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:4842-4850. [PMID: 25035055 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3305-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
An integrated analysis approach has been applied to a mercury (Hg) case study on a chlor-alkali plant located in the Ebro River basin, close to the town of Flix (NE Spain). The study focused on atmospheric Hg and its incorporation in soils and lichens close to a mercury cell chlor-alkali plant (CAP), which has been operating since the end of the 19th century. Atmospheric Hg present in the area was characterized by means of seven total gaseous mercury (TGM) surveys carried out from 2007 to 2012. Surveys were carried out by car, walking, and at fixed locations, and covered an area of some 12 km(2) (including the CAP area, the village in which workers live, Flix town, and the Sebes Wildlife Reserve). Finally, an atmospheric Hg dispersion model was developed with ISC-AERMOD software validated by a lichen survey of the area. The results for the atmospheric compartment seem to indicate that the Flix area currently has the highest levels of Hg pollution in Spain on the basis of the extremely high average concentrations in the vicinity of the CAP (229 ng m(-3)). Moreover, the Hg(0) plume affects Flix town center to some extent, with values well above the international thresholds for residential areas. Wet and dry Hg deposition reached its highest values on the banks of the Ebro River, and this contributes to increased soil contamination (range 44-12,900 ng g(-1), average 775 ng g(-1)). A good fit was obtained between anomalous areas indicated by lichens and the dispersion model for 1 year.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Esbrí
- Departamento de Ingeniería Geológica y Minera and Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, E.I.M.I. Almadén, 13400, Almadén, Ciudad Real, Spain
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27
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Canivet L, Dubot P, Garçon G, Denayer FO. Effects of engineered iron nanoparticles on the bryophyte, Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp, after foliar exposure. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2015; 113:499-505. [PMID: 25576736 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The effects of iron nanoparticles on bryophytes (Physcomitrella patens) were studied following foliar exposure. We used iron nanoparticles (Fe-NP) representative of industrial emissions from the metallurgical industries. After a characterization of iron nanoparticles and the validation of nanoparticle internalization in cells, the effects (cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation of membrane) of iron nanoparticles were determined through the axenic culturing of Physcomitrella patens exposed at five different concentrations (5 ng, 50 ng, 500 ng, 5 µg and 50 µg per plant). Following exposure, the plant health, measured as ATP concentrations, was not impacted. Moreover, we studied oxidative stress in three ways: through the measure of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, through malondialdehyde (MDA) production and also through glutathione regulation. At concentrations tested over a short period, the level of ROS, MDA and glutathione were not significantly disturbed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Canivet
- Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Laboratoire des Sciences Végétales et Fongiques, EA4483, 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse - BP83, 59006 Lille cedex, France.
| | - P Dubot
- MCMC - ICMPE UMR 7182, rue H. Dunant, 94320 Thiais, France
| | - G Garçon
- Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Département de Toxicologie, Santé publique et Environnement, EA4483, 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse - BP83, 59006 Lille cedex, France
| | - F-O Denayer
- Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Laboratoire des Sciences Végétales et Fongiques, EA4483, 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse - BP83, 59006 Lille cedex, France
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28
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Zawadzki K, Sokołowska K, Samecka-Cymerman A, Kolon K, Dubińska A, Kempers AJ. Mercury in Pleurozium schreberi and Polytrichum commune from areas with various levels of Hg pollution--an accumulation and desorption experiment with microscopic observations. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2014; 108:36-41. [PMID: 25038270 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Because of its high mobility in ecosystems, mercury is one of the main toxic threats to the environment, and its concentration must be carefully controlled. To fulfill this need, we selected terrestrial mosses with different characteristic life forms: orthotropic and endohydric Polytrichum commune and plagiotropic and ectohydric Pleurozium schreberi. The concentrations of mercury were determined in both species growing together at sites situated approximately 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 6km to the north, south, east and west, respectively of five known mercury polluters. The mercury concentrations reflected the emissions produced by the surrounding industry, reaching values of 0.44mgkg(-1) in P. schreberi and 0.79mgkg(-1) in P. commune in the vicinity of the chlor-alkali industry. To determine how long a load of Hg would remain in the mosses after mercury emitters restricted releases of Hg to the atmosphere, accumulation and desorption experiments were performed. We compared the two moss species collected from clean and moderately and heavily mercury-polluted sites. After eight days of exposure to mercury, P. schreberi accumulated up to 25mgkg(-1) of Hg, and P. commune accumulated up to 31mgkg(-1). Both in the field and in the experiment, P. commune accumulated significantly higher concentrations of Hg than did P. schreberi, most likely because of its surface morphology, which is likely to enhance the capture of metal from the atmosphere. After sixteen days of exposure, mercury changed the structure of the plasma membrane and affected organelles such as the nuclei and chloroplasts, leading to cell disintegration and death. The negative effects of mercury on the functioning of living cells appeared first in the older leaves of P. schreberi. After 64 days growing in the absence of Hg, P. schreberi clearly retained only 10-14% of the initially accumulated Hg, while P. commune retained 10-21%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Zawadzki
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Wrocław, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Sokołowska
- Department of Plant Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, University of Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Samecka-Cymerman
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Wrocław, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Kolon
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Wrocław, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Anna Dubińska
- University School of Physical Education in Cracow, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Department of Geography in Tourism, Poland
| | - Alexander J Kempers
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, Huygens building, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Wiederhold JG, Smith RS, Siebner H, Jew AD, Brown GE, Bourdon B, Kretzschmar R. Mercury isotope signatures as tracers for Hg cycling at the New Idria Hg mine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:6137-6145. [PMID: 23662941 DOI: 10.1021/es305245z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) and mass-independent fractionation (MIF) of Hg isotopes provides a new tool for tracing Hg in contaminated environments such as mining sites, which represent major point sources of Hg pollution into surrounding ecosystems. Here, we present Hg isotope ratios of unroasted ore waste, calcine (roasted ore), and poplar leaves collected at a closed Hg mine (New Idria, CA, U.S.A.). Unroasted ore waste was isotopically uniform with δ(202)Hg values from -0.09 to 0.16‰ (± 0.10‰, 2 SD), close to the estimated initial composition of the HgS ore (-0.26‰). In contrast, calcine samples exhibited variable δ(202)Hg values ranging from -1.91‰ to +2.10‰. Small MIF signatures in the calcine were consistent with nuclear volume fractionation of Hg isotopes during or after the roasting process. The poplar leaves exhibited negative MDF (-3.18 to -1.22‰) and small positive MIF values (Δ(199)Hg of 0.02 to 0.21‰). Sequential extractions combined with Hg isotope analysis revealed higher δ(202)Hg values for the more soluble Hg pools in calcines compared with residual HgS phases. Our data provide novel insights into possible in situ transformations of Hg phases and suggest that isotopically heavy secondary Hg phases were formed in the calcine, which will influence the isotope composition of Hg leached from the site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan G Wiederhold
- Soil Chemistry Group, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich , Switzerland
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