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Kung HC, Wu CH, Huang BW, Chang-Chien GP, Mutuku JK, Lin WC. Mercury abatement in the environment: Insights from industrial emissions and fates in the environment. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28253. [PMID: 38571637 PMCID: PMC10987932 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Mercury's neurotoxic effects have prompted the development of advanced control and remediation methods to meet stringent measures for industries with high-mercury feedstocks. Industries with significant Hg emissions, including artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM)-789.2 Mg year-1, coal combustion-564.1 Mg year-1, waste combustion-316.1 Mg year-1, cement production-224.5 Mg year-1, and non-ferrous metals smelting-204.1 Mg year-1, use oxidants and adsorbents capture Hg from waste streams. Oxidizing agents such as O3, Cl2, HCl, CaBr2, CaCl2, and NH4Cl oxidize Hg0 to Hg2+ for easier adsorption. To functionalize adsorbents, carbonaceous ones use S, SO2, and Na2S, metal-based adsorbents use dimercaprol, and polymer-based adsorbents are grafted with acrylonitrile and hydroxylamine hydrochloride. Adsorption capacities span 0.2-85.6 mg g-1 for carbonaceous, 0.5-14.8 mg g-1 for metal-based, and 168.1-1216 mg g-1 for polymer-based adsorbents. Assessing Hg contamination in soils and sediments uses bioindicators and stable isotopes. Remediation approaches include heat treatment, chemical stabilization and immobilization, and phytoremediation techniques when contamination exceeds thresholds. Achieving a substantially Hg-free ecosystem remains a formidable challenge, chiefly due to the ASGM industry, policy gaps, and Hg persistence. Nevertheless, improvements in adsorbent technologies hold potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Chieh Kung
- Institute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, 833301, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsing Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
- Center for General Education, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung 833301, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Wun Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Institute of Mechatronic Engineering, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung City, 833301, Taiwan
| | - Guo-Ping Chang-Chien
- Institute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, 833301, Taiwan
- Super micro mass research and technology center, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, 833301, Taiwan
- Center for Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, 833301, Taiwan
| | - Justus Kavita Mutuku
- Institute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, 833301, Taiwan
- Super micro mass research and technology center, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, 833301, Taiwan
- Center for Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, 833301, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ching Lin
- Department of Neuroradiology, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, 84001, Taiwan
- Department of Neurosurgery, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, 84001, Taiwan
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Arisekar U, Shalini R, Iburahim SA, Deepika S, Reddy CPK, Anantharaja K, Albeshr MF, Ramkumar S, Kalidass B, Tamilarasan K, Kumar NN. Biomonitoring of mercury and selenium in commercially important shellfish: Distribution pattern, health benefit assessment and consumption advisories. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:122. [PMID: 38483653 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-01880-0] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
This study aims to explore the concentrations of Se and Hg in shellfish along the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) coast (Southeast India) and to estimate related risks and risk-based consumption limits for children, pregnant women, and adults. Se concentrations in shrimp, crab, and cephalopods ranged from 0.256 to 0.275 mg kg-1, 0.182 to 0.553 mg kg-1, and 0.176 to 0.255 mg kg-1, respectively, whereas Hg concentrations differed from 0.009 to 0.014 mg kg-1, 0.022 to 0.042 mg kg-1 and 0.011 to 0.024 mg kg-1, respectively. Se and Hg content in bamboo shark (C. griseum) was 0.242 mg kg-1 and 0.082 mg kg-1, respectively. The lowest and highest Se concentrations were found in C. indicus (0.176 mg kg-1) and C. natator (0.553 mg kg-1), while Hg was found high in C. griseum (0.082 mg kg-1) and low in P. vannamei (0.009 mg kg-1). Se shellfishes were found in the following order: crabs > shrimp > shark > cephalopods, while that of Hg were shark > crabs > cephalopods > shrimp. Se in shellfish was negatively correlated with trophic level (TL) and size (length and weight), whereas Hg was positively correlated with TL and size. Hg concentrations in shellfish were below the maximum residual limits (MRL) of 0.5 mg kg-1 for crustaceans and cephalopods set by FSSAI, 0.5 mg kg-1 for crustaceans and 1.0 mg kg-1 for cephalopods and sharks prescribed by the European Commission (EC/1881/2006). Se risk-benefit analysis, the AI (actual intake):RDI (recommended daily intake) ratio was > 100%, and the AI:UL (upper limit) ratio was < 100%, indicating that all shellfish have sufficient level of Se to meet daily requirements without exceeding the upper limit (UL). The target hazard quotient (THQ < 1) and hazard index (HI < 1) imply that the consumption of shellfish has no non-carcinogenic health impacts for all age groups. However, despite variations among the examined shellfish, it was consistently observed that they all exhibited a Se:Hg molar ratio > 1. This finding implies that the consumption of shellfish is generally safe in terms of Hg content. The health benefit indexes, Se-HBV and HBVse, consistently showed high positive values across all shellfish, further supporting the protective influence of Se against Hg toxicity and reinforcing the overall safety of shellfish consumption. Enhancing comprehension of food safety analysis, it is crucial to recognize that the elevated Se:Hg ratio in shellfish may be attributed to regular selenoprotein synthesis and the mitigation of Hg toxicity by substituting Se bound to Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulaganathan Arisekar
- Department of Fish Quality Assurance and Management, Fisheries College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), Tuticorin, 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Rajendran Shalini
- Department of Fish Quality Assurance and Management, Fisheries College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), Tuticorin, 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | | | - S Deepika
- Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, Dr MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thalainayeru, Nagapattinam, 614 712, India
| | | | - Kanagaraja Anantharaja
- Regional Research Centre of ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560089, India
| | - Mohammed F Albeshr
- Department of Zoology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box. 2455, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sugumar Ramkumar
- ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400061, India
| | | | - K Tamilarasan
- Livestock Production and Management Division, ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Kolasib, Mizoram, 796 081, India
| | - N Nandha Kumar
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation Research Centre, Vasad, Gujarat, 388 306, India
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Arisekar U, Shalini R, Jeya Shakila R, Abuthagir Iburahim S, Anantharaja K, Bharathi Rathinam R, Sundhar S. Selenium and mercury concentration, Se/Hg molar ratio and risk-benefit assessment of marine fish consumption: Human health risks and protective role of Se against Hg toxicity. Food Res Int 2024; 180:114086. [PMID: 38395583 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the concentrations of Se and Hg in marine fish along the Gulf of Mannar (southeast coast of India) and to assess related risks and risk-based consumption limits for children, pregnant women, and adults. Se concentrations in pelagic and benthic fish ranged from 0.278 to 0.470 mg/kg and 0.203 to 0.294 mg/kg, respectively, whereas Hg concentrations ranged from 0.028 to 0.106 mg/kg and 0.026 to 0.097 mg/kg, respectively. Se and Hg contents in demersal fish (Nemipterus japonicus) were 0.282 and 0.039 mg/kg, respectively. The lowest and highest Hg concentrations in pelagic fish were found in Scomberomorus commersoni and Euthynnus affinis whereas the lowest and highest Se concentrations in benthic fish were found in Scarus ghobban and Siganus javus. Se concentrations in marine fishes were found in the following order: pelagic > demersal > benthic whereas Hg concentrations were found in the following order: pelagic > benthic > demersal. The presence of Se in fish was positively correlated with trophic level (TL) and size whereas that of Hg was weakly correlated with TL and habitat and negatively correlated with size. Se risk-benefit analysis, the AI/RDI (actual intake/recommended daily intake) ratio was > 100 % and the AI/UL (upper limit) ratio was < 100 %, indicating that all fish have sufficient levels of Se to meet daily requirements without exceeding the UL. Hg level was below the maximum residual limit (MRL) of 0.5 mg/kg for most fish but it was 1 mg/kg in E. affinis and Lethrinus lentjan. The target hazard quotient (THQ < 1) and hazard index (HI < 1) imply that the consumption of fish poses no noncarcinogenic health risks. However, all examined fish had a mean Se/Hg molar ratio > 1, indicating that human intake of fishwas rather safe relative to Hg content. Health benefit indexes (Se-HBV and HBVse) with high positive values in all fish supported the protective effect of Se against Hg toxicity, suggesting the overall safety of fish consumption. The high Se/Hg ratio in fish could be attributed to the replacement of Se bound to Hg, thereby suppressing Hg toxicity and maintaining normal selenoprotein synthesis. This insight is useful for a better understanding of food safety analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulaganathan Arisekar
- Fisheries College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), Tuticorin 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Rajendran Shalini
- Fisheries College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), Tuticorin 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Robinson Jeya Shakila
- Fisheries College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), Tuticorin 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Kanagaraja Anantharaja
- Regional Research Centre of ICAR - Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bengaluru 560 089, Karnataka, India
| | - R Bharathi Rathinam
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai 400 061, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shanmugam Sundhar
- Fisheries College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), Tuticorin 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India
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von Hellfeld R, Hastings A. An approach to assessing subsea pipeline-associated mercury release into the North Sea and its potential environmental and human health impact. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:230943. [PMID: 38481980 PMCID: PMC10935551 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal that has also been associated with anthropogenic sources such as cement production or hydrocarbon extraction. Mercury is a contaminant of concern as it can have a significant negative impact on organismal health when ingested. In aquatic environments, it bioaccumulates up the foodweb, where it then has the potential to impact human health. With the offshore hydrocarbon platforms in the North Sea nearing decommissioning, they must be assessed as a potential source for the environmental release of mercury. International treaties govern the handling of materials placed in the ocean. Studies have assessed the ecologic and economic benefits of (partial) in situ abandonment of the infrastructure as artificial reefs. This can be applied to pipelines after substantial cleaning to remove mercury accumulation from the inner surface. This work outlines the application of an approach to modelling marine mercury bioaccumulation for decommissioning scenarios in the North Sea. Here, in situ decommissioning of cleaned pipelines was unlikely to have a negative impact on the North Sea food web or human health. However, significant knowledge gaps have been determined, which must be addressed before all negative impacts on ecosystems and organismal health can be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca von Hellfeld
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, 23 St Machar Drive, AberdeenAB24 3UL, UK
- National Decommissioning Centre, Main Street, NewburghAB41 6AA, UK
| | - Astley Hastings
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, 23 St Machar Drive, AberdeenAB24 3UL, UK
- National Decommissioning Centre, Main Street, NewburghAB41 6AA, UK
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MacIntosh A, Dafforn K, Penrose B, Chariton A, Cresswell T. Assessing the ecological impacts of NORM-contaminated scale on marine infauna using sediment microcosms. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 340:139939. [PMID: 37625489 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139939] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) can be found in decommissioned oil and gas infrastructure (e.g. pipelines), including scales. The effects of NORM contaminants from offshore infrastructure on benthic macroorganisms remain poorly understood. To test the potential ecological effects of NORM-contaminated scale, we exposed a marine amphipod, a clam and a polychaete to marine sediments spiked with low level concentrations of barium sulfate scale retrieved from a decommissioned subsea pipe. Only amphipods were included in further analysis due to treatment mortalities of the clam and polychaete. Barium (Ba) and copper (Cu) were elevated in the seawater overlying the spiked sediments, although no sediment metals exceeded guidelines. 210Po was the only NORM detected in the overlying waters while both 210Po and 226Ra were significantly elevated in the scale-contaminated sediments when compared with the control sediments. The whole-body burden of Ba and 226Ra were significantly higher in the scale-exposed amphipods. Using experiment- and scale-specific parameters in biota dose assessments suggested potential dose rates may elicit individual and population level effects. Future work is needed to assess the biological impacts and effects of NORM scale at elevated levels above background concentrations and the accumulation of NORM-associated contaminants by marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy MacIntosh
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Locked Bag 2001, NSW, 2232, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Katherine Dafforn
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Beth Penrose
- Charles Darwin University (CDU), Research Institute of Northern Agriculture and Drought Resilience (RINA), Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, 0810, NT, Australia
| | - Anthony Chariton
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tom Cresswell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Locked Bag 2001, NSW, 2232, Australia
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von Hellfeld R, Gade C, Vargesson N, Hastings A. Considerations for future quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modelling for heavy metals - A case study of mercury. Toxicology 2023; 499:153661. [PMID: 37924932 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
With increasing annual chemical development and production, safety testing demands and requirements have also increased. In addition to traditional animal testing, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modelling can be used to predict the biological effect of a chemical structure, based on the analysis of quantitative characteristics of structure features. Whilst suitable for e.g., pharmaceuticals, other compounds can be more challenging to model. The naturally occurring heavy metal mercury speciates in the environment, with some toxic species accumulating in aquatic organisms. Although this is well known, only little data is available from (eco)toxicological studies, none of which account for this speciation behaviour. The present work highlights the current toxicity data for mercury in aquatic animals and gaps in our understanding and data for future QSAR modelling. All publicly available ecotoxicology data was obtained from databases and literature. Only few studies could be determined that assessed mercury toxicity in aquatic species. Of these, likely speciation products were determined using PHREEQc. This highlighted that the mercury exposure species was not always the predominant species in the medium. Finally, the descriptors for the modelled species were obtained from ChemDes, highlighting the limited availability of such details. Additional testing is required, accounting for speciation and biological interactions, to successfully determine the toxicity profile of different mercury species in aquatic environments. In the present work, insufficient mercury-species specific data was obtained, to conduct QSAR modelling successfully. This highlights a significant lack of data, for a heavy metal with potentially fatal repercussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca von Hellfeld
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom; National Decommissioning Centre, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom.
| | - Christoph Gade
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom; National Decommissioning Centre, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Vargesson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Astley Hastings
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom; National Decommissioning Centre, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
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von Hellfeld R, Gade C, Koppel DJ, Walters WJ, Kho F, Hastings A. An approach to assess potential environmental mercury release, food web bioaccumulation, and human dietary methylmercury uptake from decommissioning offshore oil and gas infrastructure. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 452:131298. [PMID: 36996541 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Subsea pipelines carrying well fluids from hydrocarbon fields accumulate mercury. If the pipelines (after cleaning and flushing) are abandoned in situ, their degradation may release residual mercury into the environment. To justify pipeline abandonment, decommissioning plans include environmental risk assessments to determine the potential risk of environmental mercury. These risks are informed by environmental quality guideline values (EQGVs) governing concentrations in sediment or water above which mercury toxicity may occur. However, these guidelines may not consider e.g., the bioaccumulation potential of methylated mercury. Therefore, EQGVs may not protect humans from exposure if applied as the sole basis for risk assessments. This paper outlines a process to assess the EQGVs' protectiveness from mercury bioaccumulation, providing preliminary insights to questions including how to (1) determine pipeline threshold concentrations, (2) model marine mercury bioaccumulation, and (3) determine exceedance of the methylmercury tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for humans. The approach is demonstrated with a generic example using simplifications to describe mercury behaviour and a model food web. In this example, release scenarios equivalent to the EQGVs resulted in increased marine organism mercury tissue concentrations by 0-33 %, with human dietary methylmercury intake increasing 0-21 %. This suggests that existing guidelines may not be protective of biomagnification in all circumstances. The outlined approach could inform environmental risk assessments for asset-specific release scenarios but must be parameterised to reflect local environmental conditions when tailored to local factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca von Hellfeld
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, Aberdeen, UK; National Decommissioning Centre, Ellon, UK.
| | - Christoph Gade
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, Aberdeen, UK; National Decommissioning Centre, Ellon, UK
| | - Darren J Koppel
- Curtin Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, Australia
| | - William J Walters
- Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
| | - Fenny Kho
- Curtin Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Curtin Corrosion Centre, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Astley Hastings
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, Aberdeen, UK; National Decommissioning Centre, Ellon, UK
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Koppel DJ, Cresswell T, MacIntosh A, von Hellfeld R, Hastings A, Higgins S. Threshold values for the protection of marine ecosystems from NORM in subsea oil and gas infrastructure. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2023; 258:107093. [PMID: 36621180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.107093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This modelling study uses the ERICA Tool and Bateman's equation to derive sediment threshold values for radiation protection of the marine environment relevant to NORM-contaminated products (radium-contaminated scales, 210Pb films and 210Po films) found in subsea oil and gas infrastructure. Threshold values are calculated as the activity concentration of the NORM-contaminated products' head of chain radionuclide (i.e., 226Ra + 228Ra, 210Pb, or 210Po) that will increase radiation dose rates in sediments by 10 μGy/h to the most exposed organism at a given release time. The minimum threshold value (corresponding to peak radiation dose rates from the ingrowth of progeny) were for radium-contaminated scales, 0.009 Bq/g of 226Ra, 0.029 Bq/g of 228Ra (in the absence of 226Ra) or 0.14 Bq/g of 228Ra (in the presence of 226Ra), followed by 0.015 Bq/g for 210Pb films, and 1.6 Bq/g for 210Po films. These may be used as default threshold values. Added activity concentrations of the NORM-contaminated products to marine sediments below these threshold values implies a low radiological risk to organisms while exceedances imply that further investigation is necessary. Using contaminated product specific parameterisations, such as Kd values derived for Ra from a BaSO4 matrix in seawater, could greatly affect threshold values. Strong consideration should be given to deriving such data as part of specific radiological risk assessments for these products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J Koppel
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, WA, Australia.
| | - Tom Cresswell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Amy MacIntosh
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca von Hellfeld
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK; National Decommissioning Centre, Ellon, Scotland, UK
| | - Astley Hastings
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK; National Decommissioning Centre, Ellon, Scotland, UK
| | - Stuart Higgins
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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Liao J, Tang L, Shao G. Multi-Scenario Simulation to Predict Ecological Risk Posed by Urban Sprawl with Spontaneous Growth: A Case Study of Quanzhou. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15358. [PMID: 36430080 PMCID: PMC9690983 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The rapid expansion of different types of urban land continues to erode natural and semi-natural ecological space and causes irreversible ecological damage to rapidly industrialized and urbanized areas. This work considers Quanzhou, a typical industrial and trade city in southeastern China as the research area and uses a Markov chain integrated into the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model to simulate the urban expansion of Quanzhou from 2005 to 2018. The PLUS model uses the random forest algorithm to determine the contribution of driving factors and simulate the organic and spontaneous growth process based on the seed generation mechanism of multi-class random patches. Next, leveraging the importance of ecosystem services and ecological sensitivity as indicators of evaluation endpoints, we explore the temporal and spatial evolution of ecological risks from 2018 to 2031 under the scenarios of business as usual (BAU), industrial priority, and urban transformation scenarios. The evaluation endpoints cover water conservation service, soil conservation service, biodiversity maintenance service, soil erosion sensitivity, riverside sensitivity, and soil fertility. The ecological risk studied in this work involves the way in which different types of construction land expansion can possibly affect the ecosystem. The ecological risk index is divided into five levels. The results show that during the calibration simulation period from 2005 to 2018 the overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient reached 91.77% and 0.878, respectively. When the percent-of-seeds (PoS) parameter of random patch seeds equals 0.0001, the figure of merit of the simulated urban construction land improves by 3.9% compared with the logistic-based cellular automata model (Logistic-CA) considering organic growth. When PoS = 0.02, the figure of merit of the simulated industrial and mining land is 6.5% higher than that of the Logistic-CA model. The spatial reconstruction of multiple types of construction land under different urban development goals shows significant spatial differentiation on the district and county scale. In the industrial-priority scenario, the area of industrial and mining land is increased by 20% compared with the BAU scenario, but the high-level risk area is 42.5% larger than in the BAU scenario. Comparing the spatial distribution of risks under the BAU scenario, the urban transition scenario is mainly manifested as the expansion of medium-level risk areas around Quanzhou Bay and the southern region. In the future, the study area should appropriately reduce the agglomeration scale of urban development and increase the policy efforts to guide the development of industrial land to the southeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangfu Liao
- Computer Engineering College, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Lina Tang
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Guofan Shao
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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