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Aslam MW, Meng B, Ali W, Abrar MM, Abdelhafiz MA, Feng X. Low mercury risks in paddy soils across the Pakistan. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 943:173879. [PMID: 38857798 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a globally distributed heavy metal. Here, we study Hg concentration and isotopic composition to understand the status of Hg pollution and its sources in Pakistan's paddy soil. The collected paddy soils (n = 500) across the country have an average THg concentration of 22.30 ± 21.74 ng/g. This low mean concentration suggests Hg pollution in Pakistan was not as severe as previously thought. Meanwhile, samples collected near brick kilns and industrial areas were significantly higher in THg than others, suggesting the influence of Hg emitted from point sources in certain areas. Soil physicochemical properties showed typical characteristic of mineral soils due to the study area's arid to semi-arid climate. Hg stable isotopes analysis, depicted mean Δ199Hg of -0.05 ± 0.12‰ and mean δ202Hg -0.45 ± 0.35‰, respectively, for contaminated sites, depicting Hg was primarily sourced from coal combustion by local anthropogenic sources. While uncontaminated sites show mean Δ199Hg of 0.15 ± 0.08‰, mean Δ200Hg of 0.06 ± 0.07‰ and mean δ202Hg of -0.32 ± 0.28‰, implying long-range transboundry Hg transport through wet Hg(II) deposition as a dominant Hg source. This study fills a significant knowledge gap regarding the Hg pollution status in Pakistan and suggests that the Hg risk in Pakistan paddies is generally low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Wajahat Aslam
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, PR China
| | - Bo Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, PR China.
| | - Waqar Ali
- Department of Ecological Sciences and Engineering, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, PR China
| | - Muhammad Mohsin Abrar
- College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, 510225 Guangzhou, China; Engineering and Technology Research Center for Agricultural Land Pollution and Integrated Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mahmoud A Abdelhafiz
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
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Poku PA, Addai-Arhin S, Nimako C, Arrazy S, Agustiani T, Jeong H, Agusa T, Ishibashi Y, Kobayashi J. Health and environmental risk assessment of mercury in outdoor and indoor dust in artisanal and small-scale gold mining area in Amansie-west district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:303. [PMID: 39001906 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02077-1] [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: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) pollution around artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) areas has been of much concern. Many studies have reported elevated Hg concentrations in environmental media, but studies on dust relating to inhalation exposure of Hg around ASGM area are limited. In this study, we investigated Hg in indoor and outdoor dust to reveal environmental and human health risk around ASGM in Amansie West district, Ghana. Indoor and outdoor dust samples were collected from Manso Abore and Manso Nkwanta in Ashanti Region. Concentration of Hg in the samples were analyzed using a direct Hg analyzer. The mean and median value of Hg concentration in the indoor dust (n = 31) were 2.2 ± 3.6 mg/kg and 0.72 mg/kg respectively while that of the outdoor dust (n = 60) were 0.19 ± 0.48 mg/kg and 0.042 mg/kg, respectively. The mean and median Hg concentration in indoor dust were about 11 and 17 times higher respectively than that in the outdoor dust. The Hg concentration in the indoor dust was statistically significantly higher than that of the non-miner in Manso Abore (p < 0.05) but was not significant in Manso Nkwanta, probably due to higher mining activity. The geo-accumulation index of the outdoor dust ranged from unpolluted to extremely polluted while that of the indoor dust ranged from moderately polluted to extremely polluted. Health risk assessments suggested that there was no potential non-carcinogenic health effect for Hg exposure relating to the dust to residents living in rooms of miners and non-miners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Adu Poku
- Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto, 862-8502, Japan
| | - Sylvester Addai-Arhin
- Pharmaceutical Science Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kumasi Technical University, P. O. Box, 854, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Collins Nimako
- Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 8, Nishi 5, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0808, Japan
| | - Syafran Arrazy
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Islamic State University of North Sumatra, Medan, 20353, Indonesia
| | - Tia Agustiani
- Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto, 862-8502, Japan
- National Research and Innovation Agency, Habibie Building M.H Thamrin Street Number 8, Central Jakarta, 10340, Indonesia
| | - Huiho Jeong
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto, 862-8502, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Agusa
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto, 862-8502, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Ishibashi
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto, 862-8502, Japan
| | - Jun Kobayashi
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto, 862-8502, Japan.
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Romero-Estévez D, Yánez-Jácome GS, Navarrete H. Non-essential metal contamination in Ecuadorian agricultural production: A critical review. J Food Compost Anal 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Ali W, Zhang H, Mao K, Shafeeque M, Aslam MW, Yang X, Zhong L, Feng X, Podgorski J. Chromium contamination in paddy soil-rice systems and associated human health risks in Pakistan. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 826:153910. [PMID: 35183642 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chromium (Cr) contamination in paddy soil-rice systems threatens human health through the food chain. This study used a new dataset of 500 paddy soil and plant tissue samples collected in the rice-growing regions of Sindh and Punjab Provinces of Pakistan. Overall, 97.4% of grain samples exceeded the Cr threshold values of 1.0 mg kg-1, determined by the China National Food Standard (CNFS). The Cr in paddy soil, 62.6% samples exceeding the China natural background threshold value (90 mg kg-1) for Cr concentration in paddy soil, and lower than the (pH-dependant > 7.5 threshold value for Cr 350 mg kg-1) as determined by China Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) for paddy soil (GB15618-2018). Geographically weighted regression (GWR) modelling showed spatially nonstationary correlations, confirming the heterogeneous relationship between dependent (rice grain Cr) and independent paddy soil (pH, SOM, and paddy soil Cr) and plant tissue variables (shoot Cr and root Cr) throughout the study area. The GWR model was then used to determine the critical threshold (CT) for the measured Cr concentrations in the paddy soil system. Overall, 38.4% of paddy soil samples exceeding CT values confirm that the paddy soil Cr risk prevails in the study area. Furthermore, the GWR model was applied to assess the loading capacity (LC), the difference between the CT, and the actual concentration of Cr in paddy soil. Loading capacity identified potential paddy soil Cr pollution risk to rice grain and assessed the risk areas. Overall LC% of samples paddy soil Cr risk areas grade: low-risk grade I (34.6%); moderate-risk grade II (15.8%); high-risk grade III (11.2%); and very high-risk grade IV (38.4%) have been assessed in the study area. The human health index, total hazard quotient (THQ ≪ 1), indicates no potential health risk originating from Cr exposure to the population. However, the excess Cr level in paddy soil and rice grain is still a concern. The current study's results are also valuable for the national decision-making process regarding Cr contamination in the paddy soil-rice system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqar Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China..
| | - Kang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Muhammad Shafeeque
- Institute of Geography, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany; International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Lahore, Pakistan; Key Lab of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modelling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Muhammad Wajahat Aslam
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xuefeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Li Zhong
- Guizhou Institute of Prataculture, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550006, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Joel Podgorski
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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Rashid S, Shah IA, Supe Tulcan RX, Rashid W, Sillanpaa M. Contamination, exposure, and health risk assessment of Hg in Pakistan: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 301:118995. [PMID: 35189298 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a highly toxic and highly mobile heavy metal. It has been regarded as more toxic than other nonessential and toxic nonradioactive heavy metals. Moreover, it has a high tendency of bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the ecosystem. This study aimed to assess the environmental and health risks related to Hg. Seventy studies related to Hg in environmental media, aquatic biota, and food stuffs across Pakistan were reviewed, and their concentrations were used for ecological and human health risk assessments. High concentrations of Hg were reported in the environment, with maximum concentrations of 72 mg L-1, 144 mg kg-1, 887 mg kg-1, and 49,807 ng m-3 in surface water, surface soil, surface sediments, and urban atmosphere, respectively. The possible non-carcinogenic health risk (hazard quotient) of Hg was assessed in soil, water, and fish. High risks were calculated for seafood and vegetable consumption, while low risks were estimated for soils and groundwater ingestion and exposure. Overall, children showed higher risks than adults. Last, the risk quotient analysis (RQ) revealed significant risks for aquatic species. RQs showed that multiple species, especially those with smaller resilience, could face long-term detrimental impacts. High, medium, and low risks were calculated from 66.66, 16.17, and 16.17% of the reported Hg concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajid Rashid
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Izaz Ali Shah
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Roberto Xavier Supe Tulcan
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Wajid Rashid
- Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, University of Swat, 19130, Pakistan.
| | - Mika Sillanpaa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, P. O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa; Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia; Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; International Research Centre of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability, Shoolini University, Solan, 173212, Himachal Pradesh, India
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Optimization of a Digestion Method to Determine Total Mercury in Fish Tissue by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometry. Methods Protoc 2020; 3:mps3020045. [PMID: 32585795 PMCID: PMC7359707 DOI: 10.3390/mps3020045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Several microwave-assisted digestion methods were tested at the Centro de Estudios Aplicados en Química laboratory in Quito, Ecuador, to determine the accuracy and performance efficiency of the mineralization process for the determination of total mercury in fish tissue by cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry. The use of MARSEasyPrep high-pressure vessels, low amounts of reagents (1 cm3 HNO3, 1 cm3 H2O2, and 1 cm3 HClO4), an irradiation temperature of 210 °C, and 35 min of mineralization time resulted in accurate performance, with recoveries of certified reference material DORM-4 between 90.1% and 105.8%. This is better than the Association of Official Analytical Chemists 2015.01 method, which has a reported accuracy of 81%. The repeatability precision and intermediate precision were established at three concentration levels (0.167, 0.500, and 0.833 mg·kg−1) and expressed as the percentage of the relative standard deviation ranging from 1.5% to 3.0% and 1.7% to 4.2%, respectively. Further, the method was satisfactorily applied to analyze fortified samples of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), with recoveries ranging from 98.3% to 104.3%. The instrumental limits of detection and quantification were 0.118 µg·dm−3 and 0.394 µg·dm−3, respectively.
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Eqani SAMAS, Khuram F, Alamdar A, Tahir A, Shah STA, Nasir A, Javed S, Bibi N, Hussain A, Rasheed H, Shen H. Environmental exposure pathway analysis of trace elements and autism risk in Pakistani children population. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 712:136471. [PMID: 31927446 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The pursuit of industrialization and urbanization in developing countries disrupt the fragile environment, resulting in biogeochemical extra-emission of the trace elements into human inhabitance causing serious health concerns. We aimed to determine the associations between Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk and exposure to trace elements (As, Zn, Ni, Pb, Hg, Cu, Cd, and Co), associations between the internal doses and environmental sources of these elements were also assessed. Genetic susceptibility to toxins was assessed through GSTT1 and GSTM1 null polymorphism analysis. Our results showed that lower BMI in children was significantly associated with ASD (p < 0.05, AOR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76, 0.98). As was significantly higher in both hair (p < 0.01, AOR = 18.29; 95% CI: 1.98, 169) and urine (p < 0.01, AOR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06) samples from children with ASD; urinary Hg (p < 0.05, AOR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.39, 6.07) and Pb (p < 0.05, AOR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.01, 3.77) were also positively associated with ASD. Regarding the genetic susceptibility, Cu was significantly associated with GSTM1 positive genotype (p < 0.05, AOR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.10). Children inhabiting the urban areas exposed to significantly higher levels of studied trace elements. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values highlighted that the different land use settings resulted in children's source specific exposure to studied trace elements. The exposure pathway analysis showed that the distal factors of land-use settings associated with children increased exposure risk for most of the investigated elements, noticeably As, Pb and Hg associated with ASD prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ambreen Alamdar
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China
| | - Ayesha Tahir
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Arshan Nasir
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sundus Javed
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Nazia Bibi
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Alamdar Hussain
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hifza Rasheed
- National Water Quality Laboratory, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Heqing Shen
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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Ali W, Aslam MW, Feng C, Junaid M, Ali K, Li S, Chen Z, Yu Z, Rasool A, Zhang H. Unraveling prevalence and public health risks of arsenic, uranium and co-occurring trace metals in groundwater along riverine ecosystem in Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2019; 41:2223-2238. [PMID: 30905039 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-019-00278-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The current study focuses on the understanding of contamination status, distribution, source apportionment and health perspectives of arsenic (As), uranium (U) and other co-occurring trace metals in the groundwater samples collected along the major rivers in Sindh and Punjab provinces, Pakistan. ICP-MS analysis revealed that the concentrations of As in the groundwater in Sindh and Punjab ranged from 0.2 to 81.1 µg/L (n = 38) and 1.1 to 501.1 µg/L (n = 110), respectively. Importantly, this study is the first evidence of U contamination in the groundwater samples in Pakistan, which revealed the concentrations of U at from 0.8 to 59.0 and 0.1 to 556.0 µg/L respectively, in Sindh and Punjab. Moreover, the concentrations of Sr and Mn exceeded the WHO limits in the current study area. Anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, direct dispose of industrial, agricultural waste into waterways and extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers might be the main sources of elevated levels of total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity, which increased the mobilization of As, U and Sr in the groundwater samples. Human health risk assessment parameters such as average daily dose, hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk indicated severe risks of As and U in the study area. The HQ values of As and U in Punjab were observed at 69.6 and 7.7, respectively, implying the severity of the health risks associated with consumption of contaminated groundwater for drinking purposes. In a nutshell, proactive control and rehabilitation measures are recommended to eradicate trace metals associated groundwater contamination in the targeted areas to avoid future worst scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqar Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Muhammad Wajahat Aslam
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Caiyan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Kamran Ali
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (IESE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shehong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Ziheng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Atta Rasool
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Ali W, Aslam MW, Junaid M, Ali K, Guo Y, Rasool A, Zhang H. Elucidating various geochemical mechanisms drive fluoride contamination in unconfined aquifers along the major rivers in Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 249:535-549. [PMID: 30928525 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The present study aims to investigate the spatial distribution and associated various geochemical mechanisms responsible for fluoride (F⁻) contamination in groundwater of unconfined aquifer system along major rivers in Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan. The concentration of F⁻ in groundwater samples ranged from 0.1 to 3.9 mg/L (mean = 1.0 mg/L) in Sindh and 0.1-10.3 mg/L (mean = 1.0 mg/L) in Punjab, respectively with 28.9% and 26.6% of samples exhibited F⁻ contamination beyond WHO permissible limit value (1.5 mg/L). The geochemical processes regulated F⁻ concentration in unconfined aquifer mainly in Sindh and Punjab were categorized as follows: 1) minerals weathering that observed as the key process to control groundwater chemistry in the study areas, 2) the strong correlation between F⁻ and alkaline pH, which provided favorable environmental conditions to promote F⁻ leaching through desperation or by ion exchange process, 3) the 72.6% of samples from Sindh and Punjab were dominated by Na⁺- Cl⁻ type of water, confirmed that the halite dissolution process was the major contributor for F⁻ enrichment in groundwater, 4) dolomite dissolution was main process frequently observed in Sindh, compared with Punjab, 5) the arid climatic conditions promote evaporation process or dissolution of evaporites or both were contributing to the formation of saline groundwater in the study area, 6) the positive correlation observed between elevated F⁻ and fluorite also suggested that the fluorite dissolution also played significant role for leaching of F⁻ in groundwater from sediments, and 7) calcite controlled Ca2⁺ level and enhanced the dissolution of F-bearing minerals and drive F⁻ concentration in groundwater. In a nut shell, this study revealed the worst scenarios of F⁻ contamination via various possible geochemical mechanisms in groundwater along major rivers in Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan, which need immediate attention of regulatory authorities to avoid future hazardous implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqar Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Muhammad Wajahat Aslam
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Kamran Ali
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (IESE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Yongkun Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; Collage of Life Science, Sichuan Normal University, China
| | - Atta Rasool
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Ali W, Junaid M, Aslam MW, Ali K, Rasool A, Zhang H. A Review on the Status of Mercury Pollution in Pakistan: Sources and Impacts. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2019; 76:519-527. [PMID: 30915486 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-019-00613-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) contamination in environmental matrices and associated human exposure has been recognized as a critical long-lasting issue worldwide. However, studies are still elusive that summarized the overall status of Hg pollution and its impacts on public health in Pakistan. Hence, this review encompasses the environmental prevalence, potential sources, and human exposure tendencies to Hg contamination in Pakistan. Reviewed literature revealed jolting levels of Hg in various environmental samples, such as dust, soil, water, and air collected from the residential and industrial areas. Inhalation of Hg via dust particle was identified as the primary pathway for human exposure, while atmospheric deposition and gold mining are identified as the two primary sources of Hg contamination in the environment. Considering human exposure, the highest bioaccumulation of Hg was ranged from 5885 to 8698 µg/kg in hair samples collected from the residents of the Kashmir Valley, Pakistan. However, in the lower Himalayan regions, including Islamabad and Swabi, the concentration of Hg in hair samples was reported at 1085 µg/kg, slightly beyond WHO devised reference dose (RfD) of Hg (1000 µg/kg). This review revealed the worst scenario of Hg contamination in human biomatrices and environmental compartments in Pakistan, which needed immediate rehabilitation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqar Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Muhammad Wajahat Aslam
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kamran Ali
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (IESE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Atta Rasool
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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High Efficiency Mercury Sorption by Dead Biomass of Lysinibacillus Sphaericus-New Insights into the Treatment of Contaminated Water. MATERIALS 2019; 12:ma12081296. [PMID: 31010243 PMCID: PMC6514844 DOI: 10.3390/ma12081296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal frequently used in illegal and artisanal extraction of gold and silver which makes it a cause of environmental poisoning. Since biosorption of other heavy metals has been reported for several Lysinibacillus sphaericus strains, this study investigates Hg removal. Three L. sphaericus strains previously reported as metal tolerant (CBAM5, Ot4b31, and III(3)7) were assessed with mercury chloride (HgCl2). Bacteria were characterized by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS-SEM). Sorption was evaluated in live and dead bacterial biomass by free and immobilized cells assays. Hg quantification was achieved through spectrophotometry at 508 nm by reaction of Hg supernatants with dithizone prepared in Triton X-114 and by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GF-AAS). Bacteria grew up to 60 ppm of HgCl2. Non-immobilized dead cell mixture of strains III(3)7 and Ot4b31 showed a maximum sorption efficiency of 28.4 µg Hg/mg bacteria during the first 5 min of contact with HgCl2, removing over 95% of Hg. This process was escalated in a semi-batch bubbling fluidized bed reactor (BFB) using rice husk as the immobilization matrix leading to a similar level of efficiency. EDS-SEM analysis showed that all strains can adsorb Hg as particles of nanometric scale that can be related to the presence of S-layer metal binding proteins as shown in previous studies. These results suggest that L. sphaericus could be used as a novel biological method of mercury removal from polluted wastewater.
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Ali W, Mushtaq N, Javed T, Zhang H, Ali K, Rasool A, Farooqi A. Vertical mixing with return irrigation water the cause of arsenic enrichment in groundwater of district Larkana Sindh, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 245:77-88. [PMID: 30415035 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Stable isotopes ratios (‰) of Hydrogen (δ2H) and Oxygen (δ1⁸O) were used to trace the groundwater recharge mechanism and geochemistry of arsenic (As) contamination in groundwater from four selected sites (Larkana, Naudero, Ghari Khuda Buksh and Dokri) of Larkana district. The stable isotope values of δ2H and δ1⁸O range from 70.78‰ to -56.01‰ and from -10.92‰ to -7.35‰, relative to Vienna Standard for Mean Ocean Water (VSMOW) respectively, in all groundwater samples, thus indicating the recharge source of groundwater from high-salinity older water. The concentrations of As in all groundwater samples were ranged from 2 μg/L to 318 μg/L, with 67% of samples exhibited As levels exceeding than that of World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit 10 μg/L and 42% of samples expressed the As level exceeding than that of the National Environmental Quality Standard (NEQS) 50 μg/L. The leaching and vertical mixing with return irrigation water are probably the main processes controlling the enrichment of As in groundwater of Larkana, Naudero, Ghari Khuda Buksh and Dokri. The weathering of minerals mostly controlled the overall groundwater chemistry; rock-water interactions and silicate weathering generated yielded solutions that were saturated in calcite and dolomite in two areas while halite dissolution is prominent with high As area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqar Ali
- Hydro Geochemistry Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, PO, 45320, Pakistan; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Nisbah Mushtaq
- Hydro Geochemistry Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, PO, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Tariq Javed
- Isotope Application Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Kamran Ali
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (IESE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Atta Rasool
- Hydro Geochemistry Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, PO, 45320, Pakistan; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Abida Farooqi
- Hydro Geochemistry Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, PO, 45320, Pakistan.
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Gutiérrez-Mosquera H, Sujitha SB, Jonathan MP, Sarkar SK, Medina-Mosquera F, Ayala-Mosquera H, Morales-Mira G, Arreola-Mendoza L. Mercury levels in human population from a mining district in Western Colombia. J Environ Sci (China) 2018; 68:83-90. [PMID: 29908748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A biomonitoring study was carried out to examine the adverse impacts of total mercury in the blood (HgB), urine (HgU) and human scalp hair (HgH) on the residents of a mining district in Colombia. Representative biological samples (scalp hair, urine and blood) were collected from volunteered participants (n=63) to estimate the exposure levels of THg using a Direct mercury analyzer. The geometric mean of THg concentrations in the hair, urine and blood of males were 15.98μg/g, 23.89μg/L and 11.29μg/L respectively, whereas the females presented values of 8.55μg/g, 5.37μg/L and 8.80μg/L. Chronic urinary Hg (HgU) levels observed in male workers (32.53μg/L) are attributed to their long termed exposures to inorganic and metallic mercury from gold panning activities. On an average, the levels of THg are increasing from blood (10.05μg/L) to hair (12.27μg/g) to urine (14.63μg/L). Significant positive correlation was found between hair and blood urinary levels in both male and female individuals. Thus the present biomonitoring investigation to evaluate the Hg levels and associated health issues would positively form a framework for further developmental plans and policies in building an ecofriendly ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Gutiérrez-Mosquera
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó, Carrera 22 No.18B-10, Quibdó, Colombia; Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Medellín, Carrera 87 No. 30-65, Medellín, Colombia
| | - S B Sujitha
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340 Ciudad de México, México
| | - M P Jonathan
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340 Ciudad de México, México.
| | - S K Sarkar
- Department of Marine Science, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Calcutta 700 019, India
| | - Fairy Medina-Mosquera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Ambientales del Pacífico (IIAP), Carrera 6 No. 37-39, Quibdó, Colombia
| | - Helcias Ayala-Mosquera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Ambientales del Pacífico (IIAP), Carrera 6 No. 37-39, Quibdó, Colombia
| | - Gladis Morales-Mira
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Medellín, Carrera 87 No. 30-65, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Laura Arreola-Mendoza
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340 Ciudad de México, México
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Cincinelli A, Katsoyiannis A. Atmospheric pollution in city centres and urban environments. The impact of scientific, regulatory and industrial progress. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 579:1057-1058. [PMID: 27916301 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Cincinelli
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia, 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
| | - Athanasios Katsoyiannis
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) - FRAM High North Research Centre on Climate and the Environment, Hjalmar Johansens gt. 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
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