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Dabiré BAM, Sako A. Comprehensive assessment of heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils impacted by the Kalsaka abandoned gold mine and artisanal gold mining in northern Burkina Faso. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:755. [PMID: 39031288 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12894-7] [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: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
In this study, the environmental quality of agricultural soils around the Kalsaka abandoned gold mine was evaluated. A total of 117 samples including industrial mine wastes, topsoil, and control soil were collected in and around the mine, and their heavy metal concentrations were determined using ICP-MS after aqua regia digestion. Except for Zn, the average concentrations of the metals were higher in mine wastes and the agricultural soils than their average upper continental crust (UCC) counterpart, whereas those of Ag, As, and Hg exceeded the UCC in the control soils. The control soils had the lowest contaminations and the lowest pollution levels for all metals except for Hg. Based on the average concentrations and coefficients of variation, it can be concluded that Cr, Ni, and Zn abundance in the agricultural soils was controlled by natural factors, whereas that of Ag, As, Hg, Co, Cu, and Mn was mainly associated with mining. The absence of Hg in industrial mine wastes and its high contents in agricultural and control soils reflected the artisanal gold mining source of this metal. Thus, single and integrated pollution indices showed that ecological risk and toxicity are much higher when Hg is included in the index calculation, suggesting cumulative effects of industrial and artisanal gold mining on the agricultural soil quality. The results also showed that Hg and As are the pollutants of major concern in the Kalsaka abandoned gold mine. Because of its proximity to human settlements, the Kalsaka abandoned gold mine necessitates an immediate rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baonipouo Anselme Metoman Dabiré
- Laboratoire Géosciences et Environnement (LaGE), Département Des Sciences de La Terre, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Aboubakar Sako
- Laboratoire Géosciences et Environnement (LaGE), Département Des Sciences de La Terre, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
- UFR Sciences Appliquées et Technologie, Université Daniel Ouezzin COULIBALY, BP 139, Dédougou, Burkina Faso.
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Ondayo MA, Watts MJ, Humphrey OS, Osano O. Public health assessment of Kenyan ASGM communities using multi-element biomonitoring, dietary and environmental evaluation. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 277:116323. [PMID: 38653024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The Kakamega gold belt's natural geological enrichment and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) have resulted in food and environmental pollution, human exposure, and subsequent risks to health. This study aimed to characterise exposure pathways and risks among ASGM communities. Human hair, nails, urine, water, and staple food crops were collected and analysed from 144 ASGM miners and 25 people from the ASGM associated communities. Exposure to PHEs was predominantly via drinking water from mine shafts, springs and shallow-wells (for As>Pb>Cr>Al), with up to 366 µg L-1 arsenic measured in shaft waters consumed by miners. Additional exposure was via consumption of locally grown crops (for As>Ni>Pb>Cr>Cd>Hg>Al) besides inhalation of Hg vapour and dust, and direct dermal contact with Hg. Urinary elemental concentrations for both ASGM workers and wider ASGM communities were in nearly all cases above bioequivalents and reference upper thresholds for As, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and Sb, with median concentrations of 12.3, 0.4, 1.6, 5.1, 0.7 and 0.15 µg L-1, respectively. Urinary As concentrations showed a strong positive correlation (0.958) with As in drinking water. This study highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in integrating environmental, dietary, and public health investigations to better characterise the hazards and risks associated with ASGM and better understand the trade-offs associated with ASGM activities relating to public health and environmental sustainability. Further research is crucial, and study results have been shared with Public Health and Environmental authorities to inform mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureene Auma Ondayo
- Department of Environmental Health and Biology, University of Eldoret, P.O Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya; Inorganic Geochemistry, Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Michael J Watts
- Inorganic Geochemistry, Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK.
| | - Olivier S Humphrey
- Inorganic Geochemistry, Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Odipo Osano
- Department of Environmental Health and Biology, University of Eldoret, P.O Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya
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Cho IG, Hwang DW, Kwon SY, Choi SD. Optimization and application of passive air sampling method for gaseous elemental mercury in Ulsan, South Korea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:17257-17267. [PMID: 36192588 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23375-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We compared uptake rates and concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) by passive sampling conditions and investigated the spatial distribution of GEM in Ulsan, the largest industrial city in South Korea. For the optimization of sampling conditions, two outer sampling containers (cylindrical polyethylene terephthalate and two stainless steel bowls), two different sulfur contents of the sorbent (16.3% and 26.3%), and three sampling periods (1, 2, and 3 months) were considered. The uptake rates of GEM were not statistically different by the sampling container, but they were increased with the sulfur contents of activated carbon. A sampling condition using two stainless bowls and lower sulfur contents of activated carbon for 2-3 months was preferred with the highest precision of GEM concentrations. With the same method, passive air samples were collected for 3 months in duplicate from 10 sites in Ulsan. The concentrations of GEM ranged from 3.13 to 11.2 ng/m3 (mean 4.65 ng/m3), and the highest concentration was measured at a non-ferrous industrial complex. A zinc smelter in the non-ferrous industrial complex was identified as a major mercury source in Ulsan. This study is the first passive air sampling study investigating the spatial distributions of GEM in different types of industrial areas as well as residential areas of Ulsan.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Gyu Cho
- Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Woon Hwang
- Marine Environment Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS), Busan, 46083, Republic of Korea
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Deuk Choi
- Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Mason RP, Coulibaly M, Hansen G, Inman H, Myer PK, Yao KM. An examination of mercury levels in the coastal environment and fish of Cote d'Ivoire. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 300:134609. [PMID: 35430197 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), energy production and other industrial inputs are a major source of anthropogenic mercury (Hg) to the aquatic environment globally, and these inputs have led to environmental contamination and human exposure. While studies have documented the effects of Hg inputs to rivers and marine waters of the West African region, estuarine waters of Cote d'Ivoire have been understudied, besides the waters surrounding Abidjan. To fill this gap, and to examine the potential for human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), we measured the concentrations of total Hg, MeHg, and ancillary parameters in water (dissolved and particulate phases), sediment and fish to determine the extent of environmental impact and the potential for MeHg exposure for people consuming these fish. Levels of Hg and MeHg in sediment were elevated in the vicinity of the urban environment (up to 0.3 ng/g dry weight (dw) MeHg and 623 ng/g dw total Hg) and lowest in the more remote estuarine environments. Measurements of Hg in tuna and other larger pelagic coastal species indicated that levels were elevated but comparable to other North Atlantic regions. However, levels of Hg in fish, even smaller estuarine species, were such that the rural and urban populations are potentially being exposed to unsafe levels of MeHg, primarily as a result of the relatively high fish consumption in Cote d'Ivoire compared to other countries. Overall, both local point sources and the transport of Hg used in interior ASGM activities are the sources for Hg contamination to these coastal waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Mason
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA.
| | - M Coulibaly
- Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS), Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
| | - G Hansen
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA
| | - H Inman
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA
| | - P K Myer
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA
| | - K M Yao
- Oceanographic Institute, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
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Pocket Mercury-Vapour Detection System Employing a Preconcentrator Based on Au-TiO 2 Nanomaterials. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21248255. [PMID: 34960349 PMCID: PMC8708684 DOI: 10.3390/s21248255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In environments polluted by mercury vapors that are potentially harmful to human health, there is a need to perform rapid surveys in order to promptly identify the sources of emission. With this aim, in this work, a low cost, pocket-sized portable mercury measurement system, with a fast response signal is presented. It consists of a preconcentrator, able to adsorb and subsequently release the mercury vapour detected by a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor. The preconcentrator is based on an adsorbing layer of titania/gold nanoparticles (TiO2NP/AuNPs), deposited on a micro-heater that acts as mercury thermal desorption. For the detection of the released mercury vapour, gold electrodes QCM (20 MHz) have been used. The experimental results, performed in simulated polluted mercury-vapour environments, showed a detection capability with a prompt response. In particular, frequency shifts (-118 Hz ± 2 Hz and -30 Hz ± 2 Hz) were detected at concentrations of 65 µg/m3 Hg0 and 30 µg/m3 Hg0, with sampling times of 60 min and 30 min, respectively. A system limit of detection (LOD) of 5 µg/m3 was evaluated for the 30 min sampling time.
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Takenaka C, Shibata H, Tomiyasu T, Yasumatsu S, Murao S. Effects of forest fires on mercury accumulation in soil at the artisanal small-scale gold mining. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:699. [PMID: 34622348 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09394-3] [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: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In response to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, international organizations, governments, nonprofit organizations, and other institutions as well as individuals have worked to promote the development and implementation of safe and environmentally healthy practices, processes, and products. It is expected that the accumulation of mercury in the natural environment will decrease in volume each year. However, even after Hg ceases to be used, the Hg already accumulated in forests will continue to pose an ecological risk. Forest fires are serious events, partly because they release accumulated Hg from the environment. In this study, the effects of forest fires on the accumulation and chemical species of Hg in soil, related to the mobilization of Hg, were investigated. The research was conducted in secondary forests located near artisanal small-scale gold mining sites, where Hg is used for the amalgamation of gold in Camarines Norte, Philippines. The results showed that the original Hg accumulation level in the burned forest was not as high as that in the control forest, and that burn severity might have affected only the surface soil (0-5 cm). However, the proportion of water-soluble Hg, which was derived from ash, was increased by fire. Therefore, it is suggested that forest fires not only increase the release of Hg into the atmosphere but also increase the outflow risk to the aquatic system through rainfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chisato Takenaka
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Harune Shibata
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takashi Tomiyasu
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Sora Yasumatsu
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Satoshi Murao
- Faculty of Engineering , Daiichi Institute of Technology, Kirishima, Japan
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Gallo Corredor JA, Humberto Pérez E, Figueroa R, Figueroa Casas A. Water quality of streams associated with artisanal gold mining; Suárez, Department of Cauca, Colombia. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07047. [PMID: 34141911 PMCID: PMC8187243 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gold mining is one of the major problems of contamination of hydric resources in Colombia, this practice generates a high impact on water quality due to the accumulation of waste during its process. In this study water quality was evaluated in five natural stream beds corresponding to four streams with gold mining operations and one in the Cauca River, taking samples before the water inlet and after the outlet in each operation in the streams of Dios Te Dé, Tamboral, Piedra Imán, and Lorenzo affected by artisanal gold mining labor, which drain into the Salvajina Reservoir on the Cauca River in the municipality of Suárez Cauca, Colombia. Characterization of water bodies in the streams was carried out applying contamination indices of Colombia. The IDEAM protocol was used as guide to monitor the water currents. Samples were taken in 15 stations in the natural stream beds with operations and a sampling station on the Cauca River after the reservoir in these lotic ecosystems, during three periods; two from 2018 and one from 2019. The range of the contamination indices according to the environmental variables were considered. Results show that the contaminants associated with TSS, TUR, and Hg are high in the sampling stations in the output of the operations and the sampling stations of the streams with influence on the operations (T3, T4, I2, I3, D2, and D5). The water quality score according to the ICA IDEAM index varied between acceptable and regular in the different sampling stations. However the Hg concentration in sampling station C1 of the Cauca River is due to contributions from the operations in the amalgamation process. This requires strategic interventions by the communities, miners, operation owners, and control organisms as the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cauca (CRC) and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS) to minimize the negative impacts on the hydric resource and ecosystemic services associated with this resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Gallo Corredor
- Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, University of Cauca, Department of Chemistry, Research Group on Environmental Analytical Chemistry (GIQA), 3 Nº 3N-100, Popayán, 190002, Colombia
| | - Edier Humberto Pérez
- Ph.D. University of Cauca, Department of Chemistry, Research Group on Agro-chemistry, 3 Nº 3N-100, Popayán, 190002, Colombia
| | - Ricardo Figueroa
- Ph.D. University of Conception, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and EULA-Chile Center, St Victor Lamas 1290, Concepción, 4030000, Chile
| | - Apolinar Figueroa Casas
- Ph.D. University of Cauca, Department of Biology, Research Group on Environmental Studies, 3 Nº 3N-100, Popayán, 190002, Colombia
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Snow MA, Darko G, Gyamfi O, Ansah E, Breivik K, Hoang C, Lei YD, Wania F. Characterization of inhalation exposure to gaseous elemental mercury during artisanal gold mining and e-waste recycling through combined stationary and personal passive sampling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:569-579. [PMID: 33565550 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00494d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
While occupational inhalation exposure to gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) has decreased in many workplaces as mercury is being removed from most products and processes, it continues to be a concern for those engaged in artisanal and small-scale gold mining or in recycling mercury-containing products. Recently, stationary and personal passive air samplers based on activated carbon sorbents and radial diffusive barriers have been shown to be suitable for measuring GEM concentrations across the range relevant for chronic health effects. Here, we used a combination of stationary and personal passive samplers to characterize the inhalation exposure to GEM of individuals living and working in two Ghanaian gold mining communities and working at a Norwegian e-waste recycling facility. Exposure concentrations ranging from <7 ng m-3 to >500 μg m-3 were observed, with the higher end of the range occurring in one gold mining community. Large differences in the GEM exposure averaged over the length of a workday between individuals can be rationalized by their activity and proximity to mercury sources. In each of the three settings, the measured exposure of the highest exposed individuals exceeded the highest concentration recorded with a stationary sampler, presumably because those individuals were engaged in an activity that generated or involved GEM vapors. High day-to-day variability in exposure for those who participated on more than one day, suggests the need for sampling over multiple days for reliable exposure characterization. Overall, a combination of personal and stationary passive sampling is a cost-effective approach that cannot only provide information on exposure levels relative to regulatory thresholds, but also can identify emission hotspots and therefore guide mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Snow
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4.
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Du B, Yin R, Fu X, Li P, Feng X, Maurice L. Use of mercury isotopes to quantify sources of human inorganic mercury exposure and metabolic processes in the human body. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 147:106336. [PMID: 33360410 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The pathways of human mercury (Hg) exposure are complex and accurate understanding of relative contributions from different pathways are crucial for risk assessment and risk control. In this study, we determined total Hg concentration and Hg isotopic composition of human urine, dietary components, and inhaled air in the Wanshan Hg mining area (MA), Guiyang urban area (UA), and Changshun background area (BA) to understand Hg exposure sources and metabolic processes in human body. At the three studied sites, total gaseous mercury (TGM) showed negative δ202Hg (-3.11‰ to + 1.12‰) and near-zero Δ199Hg (-0.16‰ to + 0.13‰), which were isotopically distinguishable from Hg isotope values of urine (δ202Hg: -4.02‰ to - 0.84‰; Δ199Hg: -0.14‰ to 0.64‰). We observed an offset of -1.01‰ to -1.6‰ in δ202Hg between TGM and urine samples, and an offset of -1.01‰ to 0.80‰ in δ202Hg between rice and urine samples, suggesting that lighter isotopes are more easily accumulated in the kidneys and excreted by urine. We proposed that the high positive Δ199Hg in urine samples of UA was derived from fish consumption. The results of a binary mixing model based on Δ199Hg were compared with those from a classic dietary model. The results from the MIF binary model showed that fish consumption accounted for 22% of urine Hg in the families at UA, whereas fish consumption contributed limited Hg to MA and BA. This study highlighted that Hg isotopes can be a useful tracer in understanding the sources and fates of Hg in human bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buyun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; College of Environmental Ecology, Jiangsu Open University, Nanjing 210017, China
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xuewu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), CNRS, IRD, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31400, France
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Karuppusamy P, Senthilvelan J, Vijayakumar V, Sarveswari S. A Pyrazole‐Based Highly Selective Colorimetric Chemosensor for Hg
2+
Ion in Semi‐Aqueous Medium. ChemistrySelect 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201903109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Karuppusamy
- Department of ChemistryVIT University Vellore - 632014 India
| | - J. Senthilvelan
- Department of ChemistryVIT University Vellore - 632014 India
| | - V. Vijayakumar
- Department of ChemistryVIT University Vellore - 632014 India
| | - S. Sarveswari
- Department of ChemistryVIT University Vellore - 632014 India
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11
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Mason RP, Baumann Z, Hansen G, Yao KM, Coulibaly M, Coulibaly S. An assessment of the impact of artisanal and commercial gold mining on mercury and methylmercury levels in the environment and fish in Cote d'Ivoire. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 665:1158-1167. [PMID: 30893747 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.393] [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: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities are an important source of mercury (Hg) to the atmosphere globally, and in most countries in West Africa, where gold production has increased dramatically in the last decade from both commercial and ASGM activities. This study focused on examining the concentrations of Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) in water, sediments and fish in four regions associated with gold mining activities in Cote d'Ivoire to assess the potential exposure of the local communities to MeHg from fish consumption. Concentrations of dissolved total Hg and MeHg in water and sediment were elevated at some locations sample and were indicative of local contamination. Several locations had sediment total Hg above 100 ng g-1 and sediment %MeHg ranged from 0.03 to 4.4%. Fish concentrations exceeded 0.3 μg/ g wet wt., especially for carnivores and fish caught in the western region of the country. Bioaccumulation factors, relative to dissolved MeHg, were higher for carnivores than omnivores and varied with region, suggesting other factors besides MeHg concentration alone were impacting uptake and trophic transfer. Given that people in Cote d'Ivoire consume fish at a higher level than other countries, the levels in fish were sufficient to exceed the US EPA's guidance criteria even at average consumption levels, and particularly for people consuming fish at a higher rate. Overall, this study provides compelling evidence that ASGM activities in Cote d'Ivoire are leading to elevated exposure and likely impacting the health of the local populations in regions where such activity is occurring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Mason
- Dept. Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA.
| | - Zofia Baumann
- Dept. Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Gunnar Hansen
- Dept. Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA
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12
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Insights into the Potential Role of Mercury in Alzheimer's Disease. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 67:511-533. [PMID: 30877448 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01274-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), which is a non-essential element, is considered a highly toxic pollutant for biological systems even when present at trace levels. Elevated Hg exposure with the growing release of atmospheric pollutant Hg and rising accumulations of mono-methylmercury (highly neurotoxic) in seafood products have increased its toxic potential for humans. This review aims to highlight the potential relationship between Hg exposure and Alzheimer's disease (AD), based on the existing literature in the field. Recent reports have hypothesized that Hg exposure could increase the potential risk of developing AD. Also, AD is known as a complex neurological disorder with increased amounts of both extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, which may also be related to lifestyle and genetic variables. Research reports on AD and relationships between Hg and AD indicate that neurotransmitters such as serotonin, acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and glutamate are dysregulated in patients with AD. Many researchers have suggested that AD patients should be evaluated for Hg exposure and toxicity. Some authors suggest further exploration of the Hg concentrations in AD patients. Dysfunctional signaling pathways in AD and Hg exposure appear to be interlinked with some driving factors such as arachidonic acid, homocysteine, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate, hydrogen peroxide, glucosamine glycans, glutathione, acetyl-L carnitine, melatonin, and HDL. This evidence suggests the need for a better understanding of the relationship between AD and Hg exposure, and potential mechanisms underlying the effects of Hg exposure on regional brain functions. Also, further studies evaluating brain functions are needed to explore the long-term effects of subclinical and untreated Hg toxicity on the brain function of AD patients.
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Yoshida M, Lee JY, Satoh M, Watanabe C. Neurobehavioral effects of postnatal exposure to low-level mercury vapor and/or methylmercury in mice. J Toxicol Sci 2018; 43:11-17. [PMID: 29415947 DOI: 10.2131/jts.43.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the effects on neurobehavioral function of exposure to low-level mercury vapor (Hg0), methylmercury (MeHg) in female mice and the combination of Hg0 and MeHg during postnatal development. Postnatal mice were exposed to Hg0 at a mean concentration of 0.188 mg/m3 Hg0 and supplied with food containing 3.85 μg/g of MeHg from day 2 to day 28 after delivery. The combined exposure group was exposed to both Hg0 and MeHg, using the same procedure. When their offspring reached the age of 11 weeks, behavioral analyses were performed. The behavioral effects in mice were evaluated based on locomotive activity and rate of center entries in the open field (OPF), learning activity in the passive avoidance response (PA) and spatial learning ability in the radial maze (RM). Total locomotive activity in the OPF significantly decreased in the Hg0, MeHg and combined exposure groups compared with the control group. The proportion of entries to central area in the OPF was significantly higher in the combined exposure group than in the control group, while those in the Hg0 or MeHg exposure group did not differ from the control group. Other behavioral tests did not reveal significant differences among the groups. Behavioral anomalies were more distinctive after combined exposure compared to Hg0 or MeHg exposure alone. The brain Hg concentration of offspring, immediately after exposure, was highest in the combined exposure group, exceeding 2 μg/g, followed by the MeHg and Hg0 exposure groups. Thus, the enhancement of neurobehavioral effects in the combined exposure group was associated with higher brain mercury concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Yoshida
- Faculty of Health and Medical Care, Hachinohe Gakuin University
| | - Jin-Yong Lee
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Masahiko Satoh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Chiho Watanabe
- Department of Human Ecology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo
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14
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de Barros Santos E, Moher P, Ferlin S, Fostier AH, Mazali IO, Telmer K, Brolo AG. Proof of concept for a passive sampler for monitoring of gaseous elemental mercury in artisanal gold mining. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16513. [PMID: 29184193 PMCID: PMC5705635 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16713-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury emissions from artisanal gold mining operations occurring in roughly 80 developing countries are a major workplace health hazard for millions of people as well as the largest contributor to global mercury pollution. There are no portable, cheap, and rapid methods able to inform workers or health practitioners of mercury exposure on site in remote locations. In this work, a proof of concept for a miniaturized mercury sampler, prepared by the direct reduction of gold into the porous nanostructures of Vycor glass (PVG), is introduced. Mercury retention on the PVG/Au sampler induces significant color changes, due to the formation of Au-Hg amalgam that affects the surface plasmon resonance characteristics of the material. The color change can potentially be quantified by the analysis of pictures obtained with a cell phone camera rapidly and onsite. Laboratory experiments showed the viability of using PVG/Au as passive sampler for monitoring of Hg°. PVG/Au samplers were then deployed in an artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) operations in Burkina Faso and it was able to indicate personal mercury exposures. The amount of mercury quantified in the samplers for all miners was higher than the current personal exposure limit set by the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias de Barros Santos
- Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of São Paulo, 12231-280, São José do Campos, SP, Brazil.,Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, PO Box 3055, V8W 3V6, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Paleah Moher
- Department of Geography, University of Victoria, V8W 3P2, Victoria, BC, Canada.,Artisanal Gold Council, C100-633 Courtney Street., Victoria, B.C., V8W 1B9, Canada
| | - Stacy Ferlin
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Anne Hélène Fostier
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Italo Odone Mazali
- Functional Materials Laboratory - Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, Zip Code 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Kevin Telmer
- Department of Geography, University of Victoria, V8W 3P2, Victoria, BC, Canada.,Artisanal Gold Council, C100-633 Courtney Street., Victoria, B.C., V8W 1B9, Canada
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15
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Ordoñez S, Flores MU, Patiño F, Reyes IA, Islas H, Reyes M, Méndez E, Palacios EG. Kinetic Analysis of the Decomposition Reaction of the Mercury Jarosite in NaOH Medium. INT J CHEM KINET 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/kin.21116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sayra Ordoñez
- Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales; Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo; 42184 Hidalgo México
| | - Mizraim U. Flores
- Área de Electromecánica Industrial; Universidad Tecnológica de Tulancingo; 43642 Tulancingo Hidalgo México
| | - Francisco Patiño
- Ingeniería en Energía; Universidad Politécnica Metropolitana de Hidalgo; 43860 Tulancingo, Tolcayuca Hidalgo México
| | - Iván A. Reyes
- Catedrático CONACYT-Instituto de Metalurgia; Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí; 78210 San Luis Potosí S.L.P. México
| | - Hernán Islas
- Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales; Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo; 42184 Hidalgo México
| | - Martín Reyes
- Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales; Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo; 42184 Hidalgo México
| | - Eliecer Méndez
- Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales; Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo; 42184 Hidalgo México
| | - Elia G. Palacios
- Departamento de Ingeniería en Metalurgia y Materiales; ESIQIE-IPN, UPALM; 07738 México, D.F. México
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