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Mestanza-Ramón C, Jiménez-Oyola S, Montoya AVG, Vizuete DDC, D’Orio G, Cedeño-Laje J, Straface S. Assessment of Hg pollution in stream waters and human health risk in areas impacted by mining activities in the Ecuadorian Amazon. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:7183-7197. [PMID: 37160830 PMCID: PMC10517888 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01597-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Illegal gold mining activities have contributed to the release and mobilization of Hg and environmental degradation in many parts of the world. This study aims to determine the concentration of Hg in five provinces of the Amazon Region of Ecuador, in addition to assessing the risk to human health of exposed populations, applying deterministic and probabilistic methods. For this purpose, 147 water samples were collected in rivers and streams crossing and/or located near mining areas. As a result, 100% of the samples analyzed exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) according to the water quality criteria for the preservation of aquatic life of the Ecuadorian regulations, while 7% of the samples exceeded the MPL for drinking water. On the other hand, considering the European Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) for surface water bodies, in our study, 100% of the samples exceed the maximum permissible limit (0.07 µg/L), and with respect to the Canadian water quality guidelines, 35% of the samples exceed the permissible limit (0.001 mg/l) for drinking water, and 100% of the samples exceed the limit for life in water bodies (0.0001 mg/l). The risk assessment revealed that the probability of developing adverse health effects from exposure to Hg is below the recommended limits according to the probabilistic assessment; this is in relation to the criterion of residential and recreational use of water resources. However, it was identified that the child population doubles the acceptable systemic risk level according to the results of the deterministic assessment in the residential scenario. This information can be used by decision-makers to implement strategies to reduce Hg contamination and exposure of the population in Ecuadorian Amazonian rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Mestanza-Ramón
- Research Group YASUNI-SDC, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, 20001 El Coca, Ecuador
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Samantha Jiménez-Oyola
- Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de La Tierra, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Alex Vinicio Gavilanes Montoya
- Faculty of Natural Resources, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Panamericana Sur, Km 1 ½, EC-060155 Riobamba, Ecuador
- Department of Forest Engineering, Forest Management Planning and Terrestrial Measurements, Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, Şirul Beethoven 1, 500123 Brasov, Romania
| | - Danny Daniel Castillo Vizuete
- Faculty of Natural Resources, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Panamericana Sur, Km 1 ½, EC-060155 Riobamba, Ecuador
- Department of Forest Engineering, Forest Management Planning and Terrestrial Measurements, Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, Şirul Beethoven 1, 500123 Brasov, Romania
| | - Giovanni D’Orio
- Department of Economics, Statistics ands Finasnce, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata Di Rende, Italy
| | - Juan Cedeño-Laje
- Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de La Tierra, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Salvatore Straface
- Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de La Tierra, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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Ruiz R, Estevan C, Estévez J, Alcaide C, Sogorb MA, Vilanova E. Reference Values on Children's Hair for 28 Elements (Heavy Metals and Essential Elements) Based on a Pilot Study in a Representative Non-Contaminated Local Area. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098127. [PMID: 37175834 PMCID: PMC10179086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies have been published, and laboratories offer services of measuring elements in hair as biomarkers of environmental exposure and/or control of essential elements (trace or macro). These reported values can have only sense if compared with adopted reference values. In this work, we propose provisional reference values based on a pilot child population. The concentrations of 28 elements were measured in children's hair samples. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a typical child population in the Mediterranean region void of excessive pollution problems to analyze 419 hair samples of children aged 3-12 years. Children were selected by a simple random method from eight primary education schools in different municipal districts, which included urban, rural and industrial areas. Samples of around 100 mg were washed and acid digested by an optimized procedure. All measures were performed using ICP-MS with Sc, Y and Re as internal standards. The statistical analysis was performed by two approaches: (a) considering all the data and (b) without outliers (second-order atypical data) to compare them with other published studies. The distribution curves in all the elements studied were asymmetric and did not fit the theoretical normality distributions. Therefore, the analysis based on percentiles was more appropriate. In most elements, only slight differences were observed with sex or age, which did not justify proposing separate reference ranges. From the results of this study, provisional reference values are proposed following two criteria: (a) simple application of the table of percentiles built by removing outlier values and (b) values after a detailed analysis case-by-case, considering other data as the distribution profile and other published data of each element. Although the pilot sample was from a limited area, it was carefully selected to be representative of a general non-contaminated population. With this limitation, the proposed reference values might be useful for researchers and physicians until a wider geographical study is available for a large number of elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ruiz
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Carmen Estevan
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Jorge Estévez
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Carolina Alcaide
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Miguel A Sogorb
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Eugenio Vilanova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
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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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Zhou Q, Wu Y, Li Z, Li Y, Liu M, Qu T, Chen C. Measurement of mercury with highly selective fluorescent chemoprobe by carbon dots and silver nanoparticles. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 274:129959. [PMID: 33979911 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
This work describes a novel fluorescent chemoprobe that uses carbon dots and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to monitor mercury ions in aqueous samples attributed to the principle of inner filter effect. The fluorescent response signal of the carbon dots is diminished by AgNPs, attributed to inner filter effect, and is restored with the addition of Hg2+. The fluorescent chemoprobe was specific over the range from 0.01 to 2.5 μM and a high sensitivity of 3.6 nM. The chemoprobe was validated using real local aqueous samples, and the spike recoveries of 97.4%-103% were excellent and satisfied. The data indicated that the developed fluorescent chemoprobe was sensitive, selective, stable and reliable. This fluorescent chemoprobe provides a sensitive tool with broad prospects for mercury detection in aqueous samples and the work will offer ideas for designing and constructing novel fluorescent probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Yalin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China; Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Yanhui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Menghua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Tongxu Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Chunmao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China.
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Du B, Li P, Feng X, Yin R, Zhou J, Maurice L. Monthly variations in mercury exposure of school children and adults in an industrial area of southwestern China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110362. [PMID: 33169691 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that rice consumption can be the major pathway for human methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in inland China. However, few studies have considered the susceptible population of school children's exposure through rice ingestion. In this study, monthly variations in total Hg (THg)/MeHg concentrations in rice, fish, hair, and urine samples were studied to evaluate the Hg (both THg and MeHg) exposure in Guiyang, a typical industrial area with high anthropogenic emission of Hg. A total of 17 primary school (school A) students, 29 middle school (school B) students, and 46 guardians participated in this study for one year. Hair THg, hair MeHg, and urine THg concentrations ranged from 355-413 ng g-1, 213-236 ng g-1, and 469-518 ng g-1 Creatinine (ng·g-1 Cr), respectively, and no significant differences were observed between different genders and age groups. Hair and urine Hg concentrations showed slightly higher values in the cold season (October to February) than the hot season (March to September), but without significant difference. High monthly variability of individual hair and urine Hg concentrations suggested that long-term study could effectively decrease the uncertainty. The school students showed significantly higher urine THg concentrations than adults due to children's unique physiological structure and behaviors. Probable daily intake (PDI) of MeHg via rice and fish ingestion averaged at 0.0091, 0.0090, and 0.0079 μg kg-1 d-1 for school A students, school B students, and their guardians, respectively, which means that 86%, 84%, and 87% of the PDI were originated from rice ingestion, respectively. Therefore, more attention should be paid to children as a susceptible population. The results indicated low risk of Hg exposure via rice and fish consumption for urban residents in a Chinese industrial city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buyun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Nanjing, 210042, China
| | - Ping Li
- 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.
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Laboratoire Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, IRD-CNRS-Université Toulouse, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, Toulouse, 31400, France
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6
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Lukina AO, Fisher M, Khoury C, Than J, Guay M, Paradis JF, Arbuckle TE, Legrand M. Temporal variation of total mercury levels in the hair of pregnant women from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 264:128402. [PMID: 33022505 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128402] [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: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to total mercury (T-Hg) comes from both natural and anthropogenic sources. T-Hg can cross the blood-brain and placental barriers, and may be associated with future neurological and physiological dysfunctions. Scalp hair is an optimal and non-invasive indicator of chronic T-Hg exposure. As part of the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, hair samples from 350 women were collected within weeks after giving birth, to determine temporal variations in T-Hg levels from preconception to delivery, and to compare these levels to corresponding levels measured in other matrices (maternal and umbilical cord blood, and infant's meconium). A maximum of 12 one-cm hair segments were cut starting at the scalp; segments closer to the scalp reflected recent exposure (within the last month). For proper comparison, the hair segments were matched with the collection dates for other matrices. GM hair T-Hg levels greatly decreased during pregnancy, from 0.26 μg g-1 (preconception or full-length hair) to 0.18 μg g-1 (at delivery or segments closer to the scalp). A similar decreasing trend was found for T-Hg in maternal blood: 1st trimester (0.60 μg L-1) to 3rd trimester (0.47 μg L-1). The median hair-to-blood ratios of T-Hg levels varied from 364 (1st trimester), to 408 (3rd trimester), to 229 (cord blood). Very low T-Hg levels were detected in meconium. Mercury levels in blood and hair correlated with consumption of large predatory fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna O Lukina
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Mandy Fisher
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Cheryl Khoury
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - John Than
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mireille Guay
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jean-François Paradis
- Health Products and Food Laboratories, Regulatory Operations and Regions Branch, Health Canada, Longueuil, QC, Canada
| | - Tye E Arbuckle
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa Legrand
- Family Physician, GMF Wakefield, 777 Riverside Dr., Wakefield, QC, Canada
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Snow MA, Feigis M, Lei YD, Mitchell CPJ, Wania F. Development, characterization, and testing of a personal passive sampler for measuring inhalation exposure to gaseous elemental mercury. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106264. [PMID: 33227582 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Inhalation of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) is an occupational exposure concern for workers handling elemental mercury or mercury-containing waste. GEM is also often present near historically mercury-contaminated sites, potentially resulting in low-level, chronic exposure of the wider population. Here we introduce a passive sampler for personal GEM monitoring which combines a radial porous diffusive barrier with an activated carbon sorbent. A total mercury analyzer is used to quantify GEM sorbed to the carbon by thermal decomposition, amalgamation, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. A sampling rate of 0.070 m3/day was determined by calibrating the sampler at low and high concentrations. Deployments lasting 8 h result in limits of quantification well below 200 ng/m3. The sampler has a measurement range of at least four orders of magnitude. Derived air concentrations were not statistically significantly different from those obtained by active air sampling but were more precise than those obtained using a personal pump. If properly stored, the sampler maintains low blank levels in high GEM environments. Affordability, sturdiness, simplicity, and the wide availability of total mercury analyzers make this sampler highly suited for monitoring GEM inhalation exposure, including in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Snow
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Michelle Feigis
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Ying Duan Lei
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Carl P J Mitchell
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Frank Wania
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada.
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Jiménez-Oyola S, García-Martínez MJ, Ortega MF, Bolonio D, Rodríguez C, Esbrí JM, Llamas JF, Higueras P. Multi-pathway human exposure risk assessment using Bayesian modeling at the historically largest mercury mining district. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 201:110833. [PMID: 32535368 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The largest mercury (Hg) mining district in the world is located in Almadén (Spain), with well-known environmental impacts in the surrounding ecosystem. However, the impact of mercury on the health of the inhabitants of this area has not been documented accordingly. This study aims to carry out a probabilistic human health risk assessment using Bayesian modeling to estimate the non-carcinogenic risk related to Hg through multiple exposure pathways. Samples of vegetables, wild mushrooms, fish, soil, water, and air were analyzed, and adult residents were randomly surveyed to adjust the risk models to the specific population data. On the one hand, the results for the non-carcinogenic risk based on Hazard Quotient (HQ) showed unacceptable risk levels through ingestion of Hg-contaminated vegetables and fish, with HQ values 20 and 3 times higher, respectively, than the safe exposure threshold of 1 for the 97.5th percentile. On the other hand, ingestion of mushrooms, dermal contact with soil, ingestion of water, dermal contact with water and inhalation of air, were below the safety limit for the 97.5th percentile, and did not represent a risk to the health of residents. In addition, the probabilistic approach was compared with the conservative deterministic approach, and similar results were obtained. This is the first study conducted in Almadén, which clearly reveals the high levels of human health risk to which the population is exposed due to the legacy of two millennia of Hg mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Jiménez-Oyola
- Department of Energy and Fuels, E.T.S. Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ríos Rosas 21, 28003, Madrid, Spain; Escuela Superior Politécnica Del Litoral, ESPOL, Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra, Campus Gustavo Galindo, Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - María-Jesús García-Martínez
- Department of Energy and Fuels, E.T.S. Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ríos Rosas 21, 28003, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Marcelo F Ortega
- Department of Energy and Fuels, E.T.S. Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ríos Rosas 21, 28003, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Bolonio
- Department of Energy and Fuels, E.T.S. Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ríos Rosas 21, 28003, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Rodríguez
- Department of Energy and Fuels, E.T.S. Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ríos Rosas 21, 28003, Madrid, Spain
| | - José-María Esbrí
- Department of Geology and Mining Engineering, Escuela Universitaria Politécnica de Almadén, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Plaza Manuel Meca, 13400, Almadén, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Juan F Llamas
- Department of Energy and Fuels, E.T.S. Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ríos Rosas 21, 28003, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Higueras
- Department of Geology and Mining Engineering, Escuela Universitaria Politécnica de Almadén, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Plaza Manuel Meca, 13400, Almadén, Ciudad Real, Spain
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Kulikova T, Hiller E, Jurkovič Ľ, Filová L, Šottník P, Lacina P. Total mercury, chromium, nickel and other trace chemical element contents in soils at an old cinnabar mine site (Merník, Slovakia): anthropogenic versus natural sources of soil contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:263. [PMID: 30953219 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7391-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to investigate the occurrence and distribution of total mercury (Hg) and other trace elements of environmental concern, such as arsenic (As), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and vanadium (V), in soils from the abandoned Merník cinnabar mine in eastern Slovakia. For this purpose, thirty soil samples from two depth intervals within the mine area (n = 60 soil samples) and additional sixteen soil samples from adjacent areas (n = 25 soil samples) were collected. Total Hg was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, while As and other metals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. High mercury concentrations (> 100 mg/kg with a maximum of 951 mg/kg) were observed only in surface soils close to mine waste heaps and adits. Otherwise, Hg concentrations in the majority of surface soils were lower (0.14-19.7 mg/kg), however, higher than Hg in soils collected from sites outside the mine area (0.19-6.92 mg/kg) and even considerably higher than Hg in soils at sites not influenced by the Merník mine. Elevated Cr and Ni concentrations in soils regardless of their sampling sites (mean of 276 mg/kg and median of 132 mg/kg for Cr and 168 mg/kg and 81 mg/kg for Ni, respectively) were attributed to the lithology of the area; the soils are underlain by the sediments of the Central Carpathian Palaeogene, containing a detritus of ultrabasic rocks. As our geochemical data are compositional in nature, they were further treated by compositional data analysis (CoDA). Robust principal component analysis (RPCA) applied on centred (clr) log-ratio-transformed data and correlation analysis of compositional parts based on symmetric balances distinguished very well different sources of origin for the chemical elements. The following three element associations were identified: Hg association with the main source in mining/roasting, Cr-Ni association derived from bedrock and As-Cu-Mn-Pb-Zn-V association (natural background and minor sulphides/sulfosalts in mineralized rocks). The values of geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor suggested that concentrations of Hg in the soils were influenced by human industrial activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsiana Kulikova
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Edgar Hiller
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Ľubomír Jurkovič
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Lenka Filová
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina 1, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Peter Šottník
- Department of Geology of Mineral Deposits, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Petr Lacina
- GEOtest, a.s., Šmahova 1244/112, 627 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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Results of the first national human biomonitoring in Slovenia: Trace elements in men and lactating women, predictors of exposure and reference values. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 222:563-582. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Melero D, Lobato B, López-Antón MA, Martínez-Tarazona MR. Identification of mercury species in minerals with different matrices and impurities by thermal desorption technique. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:10867-10874. [PMID: 30778944 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04245-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Because of its low concentration, its unique physico-chemical properties and the analytical difficulties associated with its measurement, the determination of mercury species in solids is not an easy task. Thermal desorption (HgTPD) is an attractive option for the identification of mercury species in solids due to its simplicity and accessibility. However, there are still issues that need to be solved for it to reach its full potential. One such issue is the availability of reference materials that will reproduce real mercury associations. The novelty of this study is the use of six uncommon mercury minerals, taken from around the world, and a sphalerite sample to expand the data base of reference materials for mercury speciation by thermal desorption at programmed temperature. In addition, by using such materials, a number of matrix effects can be ascertained. Different mercury associations were identified depending on the temperature of desorption, thereby validating the thermal desorption as a reliable technique for mercury speciation in solid samples and as a consequence improving the knowledge of the geochemistry of mercury in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Melero
- Instituto Nacional del Carbón (CSIC), Francisco Pintado Fe, 26, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Belén Lobato
- Instituto Nacional del Carbón (CSIC), Francisco Pintado Fe, 26, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
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Bahta M, Ahmed N. A novel 1,8-naphthalimide as highly selective naked-eye and ratiometric fluorescent sensor for detection of Hg2+ ions. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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13
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Budnik LT, Casteleyn L. Mercury pollution in modern times and its socio-medical consequences. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 654:720-734. [PMID: 30448663 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Mercury plays a critical role in serious health problems due to environmental or occupational exposures. Aquatic ecosystems are an essential component of the global biogeochemical cycle of mercury, as inorganic mercury can be converted to toxic methyl mercury in these environments and reemissions of elemental mercury rival anthropogenic mercury releases on a global scale. The history of the Minamata disease, a typical example of industrial pollution, has shown how corporate secrecy and ignorance on part of the health authorities may influence the devastating spread of environmental contamination and the progress of disease. While the Minamata Convention, in place since 2017, is aiming to lower mercury exposure and to prevent adverse effects, there are still knowledge gaps in the areas of global environmental mercury exposure. Areas of uncertainty in the global biogeochemical cycle of mercury include oxidation processes in the atmosphere, land-atmosphere and ocean-atmosphere cycling, and methylation processes in the ocean. Pollution related to climate change (especially in boreal and arctic regions), bioaccumulation and biomagnification of methyl mercury in the food chain, especially in fish and marine mammals, needs to be addressed in more detail. Information is lacking on numerous hidden contaminant exposures i.e. from globally applied traditional medicine, mercury containing skin creams and soaps, dental amalgam, ethyl mercury containing vaccines and latex paint additives, as well as on mercury releases from power plants, e-waste/fluorescent lamps, wildfire emissions, and global artisanal small-scale gold mining activities. Mercury occurs in various forms with different levels of toxicity. While much is already known and documented on the health effects of mercury, present knowledge and translation into preventive actions is still incomplete. Risks for long term health effects trough prolonged low dose exposure and trough cumulative exposures of various mercury forms should be further addressed. Preventive actions should include adequate human biomonitoring programs. Research data should be translated swiftly into management tools for local policy makers and health professionals, also paying attention at the major differences in mercury contamination across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lygia Therese Budnik
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine, Translational Toxicology and Immunology Unit, Hamburg, Germany.
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Jia Q, Zhu X, Hao Y, Yang Z, Wang Q, Fu H, Yu H. Mercury in soil, vegetable and human hair in a typical mining area in China: Implication for human exposure. J Environ Sci (China) 2018; 68:73-82. [PMID: 29908747 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2017.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of total mercury (T-Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in soil, vegetables, and human hair were measured in a mercury mining area in central China. T-Hg and MeHg concentrations in soil ranged from 1.53 to 1054.97mg/kg and 0.88 to 46.52μg/kg, respectively. T-Hg concentrations was correlated with total organic carbon (TOC) content (R2=0.50, p<0.01) and pH values (R2=0.21, p<0.05). A significant linear relationship was observed between MeHg concentrations and the abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) (R2=0.39, p<0.05) in soil. Soil incubation experiments amended with specific microbial stimulants and inhibitors showed that Hg methylation was derived from SRB activity. T-Hg and MeHg concentrations in vegetables were 24.79-781.02μg/kg and 0.01-0.18μg/kg, respectively; levels in the edible parts were significantly higher than in the roots (T-Hg: p<0.05; MeHg: p<0.01). Hg species concentrations in rhizosphere soil were positively correlated to those in vegetables (p<0.01), indicating that soil was an important source of Hg in vegetables. Risk assessment indicated that the consumption of vegetables could result in higher probable daily intake (PDI) of T-Hg than the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) for both adults and children. In contrast, the PDI of MeHg was lower than the reference dose. T-Hg and MeHg concentrations in hair samples ranged from 1.57 to 12.61mg/kg and 0.04 to 0.94mg/kg, respectively, and MeHg concentration in hair positively related to PDI of MeHg via vegetable consumption (R2=0.39, p<0.05), suggesting that vegetable may pose health risk to local residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Jia
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Research Institute of Solid Waste Management, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Xuemei Zhu
- Research Institute of Solid Waste Management, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Yaqiong Hao
- Research Institute of Solid Waste Management, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Ziliang Yang
- Research Institute of Solid Waste Management, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Research Institute of Solid Waste Management, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Haihui Fu
- Research Institute of Solid Waste Management, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Hongjin Yu
- Research Institute of Solid Waste Management, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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