Assessment and monitoring of soil and plant contamination with trace elements around Europe's largest copper ore tailings impoundment

Bioindicator responses to extreme conditions: Insights into pH and bioavailable metals under acidic metal environments

Acid mine drainage (AMD) caused environmental risks from heavy metal pollution, requiring treatment methods such as chemical precipitation and biological treatment. Monitoring and adapting treatment processes was crucial for success, but cost-effective pollution monitoring methods were lacking. Using bioindicators measured through 16S rRNA was a promising method to assess environmental pollution. This study evaluated the effects of AMD on ecological health using the ecological risk index (RI) and the Risk Assessment Code (RAC) indices. Additionally, we also examined how acidic metal stress affected the diversity of bacteria and fungi, as well as their networks. Bioindicators were identified using linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe), Partial least squares regression (PLS-R), and Spearman analyses. The study found that Cd, Cu, Pb, and As pose potential ecological risks in that order. Fungal diversity decreased by 44.88% in AMD-affected areas, more than the 33.61% decrease in bacterial diversity. Microbial diversity was positively correlated with pH (r = 0.88, p = 0.04) and negatively correlated with bioavailable metal concentrations (r = -0.59, p = 0.05). Similarly, microbial diversity was negatively correlated with bioavailable metal concentrations (bio_Cu, bio_Pb, bio_Cd) (r = 0.79, p = 0.03). Acidiferrobacter and Thermoplasmataceae were prevalent in acidic metal environments, while Puia and Chitinophagaceae were identified as biomarker species in the control area (LDA>4). Acidiferrobacter and Thermoplasmataceae were found to be pH-tolerant bioindicators with high reliability (r = 1, P < 0.05, BW > 0.1) through PLS-R and Spearman analysis. Conversely, Puia and Chitinophagaceae were pH-sensitive bioindicators, while Teratosphaeriaceae was a potential bioindicator for Cu-Zn-Cd metal pollution. This study identified bioindicator species for acid and metal pollution in AMD habitats. This study outlined the focus of biological monitoring in AMD acidic stress environments, including extreme pH, heavy metal pollutants, and indicator species. It also provided essential information for heavy metal bioremediation, such as the role of omics and the effects of organic matter on metal bioavailability.

Efficient carbamazepine degradation by modified copper tailings and PMS system: Performance evaluation and mechanism

It is a green and sustainable path to establish cheap solid waste-based catalyst to establish peroxymonosulfate (PMS) catalytic system for the degradation of carbamazepine (CBZ) in water. In this study, durable copper tailing waste residue-based catalyst (CSWR) was prepared, and efficient CSWR/PMS system was constructed for catalytic degradation of CBZ for first time. The morphology and structure of CSWR changed from clumps to porous and loose amorphous by alkali leaching and medium temperature calcination. The reconstructed surface of the CSWR exposes more active sites promotes the catalytic reaction and increases the degradation rate of CBZ by more than 39.8 times. And the CSWR/PMS achieved a CBZ removal of nearly 99.99 % in 20 min. In particular, perovskite-type iron-calcium compounds were formed, which stimulated the production of more HO• and SO4•- in the system. DFT calculation shows that CSWR has stronger adsorption energy and electron transfer ability to PMS molecules, which improved the degradation efficiency of the system. In general, this study proposed a means of high-value waste utilization, which provided a new idea for the preparation of solid waste based environmental functional materials and is expected to be widely used in practical wastewater treatment.

Soil contamination around porphyry copper mines: an example from a semi-arid climate

Extraction and processing of disseminated metalliferous ores, porphyry copper in particular, results in significant tonnages of waste and can cause severe disturbances and contamination in natural ecosystems. This is particularly important in semi-arid climates where natural soils are often deprived of organic matter and nutrients. This study was conducted on seven sites around Sungun Copper Mine, northwest Iran. Soil texture, EC, pH, and concentrations of nutrients, organic matter, along with 16 metal and metalloids were measured in 94 soil samples. Results showed a gradient of contamination from low contamination in natural hillsides to high contamination in mine waste depositories, Waste Dump and Oxide Dump, alongside Pakhir and Sungun Rivers. Nutrient deficiency occurred in disturbed sites. The main contaminant point sources were Waste Dump, mine pit drainage, and Oxide Dump. The results of Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination showed elevated Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, Pb, As, Mo, Mn, Co, S concentrations, high EC, and higher sand percentage in the sites affected by mine waste and acid mine drainage. Geo-Accumulation and Potential Ecological Risk Indices indicated that Pakhir riverside, Sungun riverside, and Oxide Dump have severe to moderate levels of environmental risks. Positive correlations between certain metal elements suggest common sources and similar reaction pathways, which may contribute to their similar geochemical behaviour in transport, deposition, and interdependence. Overall, the deficiency of organic matter and nutrients along with the soil sandy texture in contaminated sites of Sungun Copper Mine are the main limiting factors in managing metal mobility and soil remediation.

Effect of Copper Exposure on the Cholesterol Metabolism in Broiler Liver

Copper (Cu) is a kind of widely used dietary supplement in poultry production, and a common environmental pollutant at the same time. Excess Cu exposure has been reported to accumulate in the liver and induce cytotoxicity, but the effect of Cu toxicity on hepatic cholesterol metabolism is still uncertain. Herein, we aimed to reveal the effect of excess Cu on the liver and primary hepatocytes of broilers at various concentrations. We found that 110 mg/kg Cu supplement remarkably increased blood cholesterol levels by detecting serum TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C in the broilers, while there was no significant difference in 220 and 330 mg/kg Cu supplements. In addition, high Cu exposure resulted in severe hepatic steatosis and hepatic cord derangement in the broilers. Oil red O staining of primary hepatocytes showed that Cu treatment caused intracellular neutral lipid accumulation. However, the hepatic TC content indicated a downward trend in both liver tissues and hepatocytes after Cu exposure. Furthermore, the expression of cholesterol metabolism-related indicators (SREBP2, HMGCR, LDLR, and CYP7A1) was notably decreased in the Cu-treated groups. While the expression of the key enzyme of cholesterol esterification (ACAT2) did not change significantly. Taken together, our findings preliminarily revealed excess Cu-induced hepatic cholesterol metabolism dysfunction, providing a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Cu-induced hepatotoxicity.

Accumulation and Translocation of Rare Trace Elements in Plants near the Rare Metal Enterprise in the Subarctic

Mining activities create disturbed and polluted areas in which revegetation is complicated, especially in northern areas. For the first time, the state of the ecosystems in the impact zone of tailings formed during the processing of rare earth element deposits in the Subarctic have been studied. This work aimed to reveal aspects of accumulation and translocation of trace and biogenic elements in plants (Avenella flexuosa (L.) Drejer, Salix sp., and Betula pubescens Ehrh.) that are predominantly found in primary ecosystems on the tailings of loparite ores processing. The chemical composition of soil, initial and washed plant samples was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Factor analysis revealed that anthropogenic and biogenic factors affected the plants' chemical composition. A deficiency of nutrients (Ca, Mg, Mn) in plants growing on tailings was found. The absorption of REE (Ce, La, Sm, Nd) by A. flexuosa roots correlated with the soil content of these elements and was maximal in the hydromorphic, which had a high content of organic matter. The content of these elements in leaves in the same site was minimal; the coefficient of REE bioaccumulation was two orders of magnitude less than in the other two sites. The high efficiency of dust capturing and the low translocation coefficient of trace elements allow us to advise A. flexuosa for remediation of REE-contained tailings and soils.

Genetic Basis of Acinetobacter sp. K1 Adaptation Mechanisms to Extreme Environmental Conditions

Anthropogenic pollution often leads to the generation of technosols, technogenic soils with inhospitable conditions for all living organisms including microbiota. Aluminum production near Ziar nad Hronom (Slovakia) resulted in the creation of a highly alkaline and heavy-metal-rich brown mud landfill, from which a bacterial strain of a likely new species of the genus Acinetobacter, Acinetobacter sp. K1, was isolated. The whole-genome sequence analysis of this strain confirmed the presence of operon units enabling tolerance to the heavy metals copper, zinc, cobalt, cadmium, chromium, and metalloid arsenic, which are functionally active. Despite the predominance of plasmid-related sequences in the K1 genome, the results indicate that most of the resistance genes are chromosomally encoded. No significant alkali tolerance of Acinetobacter sp. K1 was observed in vitro, suggesting that community level mechanisms are responsible for the survival of this strain in the highly alkaline, brown mud bacterial community.

Spatial heterogeneity and source apportionment of soil metal(loid)s in an abandoned lead/zinc smelter

Metal smelting have brought severe metal(loid)s contamination to the soil. Spatial distribution and pollution source analysis for soil metal(loid)s in an abandoned lead/zinc smelter were studied. The results showed that soil was contaminated heavily with metal(loid)s. The mean of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and antimony (Sb) content in topsoil is 9.7, 8.2, 5.0, 2.3, and 1.2 times higher than the risk screening value for soil contamination of development land of China (GB36600-2018), respectively. Cd is mainly enriched in the 0-6 m depth of site soil while As and Pb mainly deposited in the 0-4 m layer. The spatial distribution of soil metal(loid)s is significantly correlated with the pollution source in the different functional areas of smelter. As, Hg, Sb, Pb and copper (Cu) were mainly distributed in pyrometallurgical area, while Cd, thallium (Tl) and zinc (Zn) was mainly existed in both hydrometallurgical area and raw material storage area. Soil metal(loid)s pollution sources in the abandoned smelter are mainly contributed to the anthropogenic sources, accounting for 84.5%. Specifically, Pb, Tl, As, Hg, Sb and Cu mainly from atmospheric deposition (55.9%), Cd and Zn mainly from surface runoff (28.6%), While nickel (Ni) mainly comes from parent material (15.5%). The results clarified the spatial distribution and their sources in different functional areas of the smelter, providing a new thought for the risk prevention and control of metal(loid)s in polluted site soil.

Pollution and probabilistic human health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in the soil-water-plant system in the Bolkar mining district, Niğde, south-central Turkey

Globally, potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are regarded as an important group of pollutants for the wider environment because of their intrinsic toxicity and probable accumulation in the soil-water-plant system. In this regard, this study assessed the pollution levels and probable human health risks of PTEs in the soil-water-plant system in the Bolkar mining district of the Niğde Province in south-central Turkey. Pollution assessment using contamination factor, enrichment factor, index of geoaccumulation, and soil pollution index reveals moderate to extremely high pollution of PTEs in the soil, exposing the soils to extreme toxicity levels. The areas that fall under the toxic to extremely toxic categories are in proximity to the ore slags and agricultural lands towards the central and southern domains of the study area. The water hazard index (WHI) values indicate that 100% of the samples collected in both winter and fall seasons are of extreme toxicity (WHI > 15). Arsenic is the dominant contaminant among the PTEs in the soil and water samples. The bioconcentration factor values of the PTEs in most of the fruit plants are > 1, indicating very high levels of element transfer from the soil and water to the plants. The probabilistic human health risk assessment involved exposure to arsenic in groundwater (a major pathway to humans) since it is the only carcinogenic element in this study. The estimated daily intake of arsenic-contaminated water exceeds the safe limit of 5 × 10^-8 mg/kg/day. About 33.3% and 55.6% of the groundwater samples have higher hazard quotient and carcinogenic risk values of arsenic in the winter and fall seasons, respectively. This implies that the people are more exposed to the carcinogenic effects of drinking arsenic-contaminated water.

Evaluation of soil heavy metals pollution and the phytoremediation potential of copper-nickel mine tailings ponds

Heavy metal pollution in soils caused by mining has led to major environmental problems around the globe and seriously threatens the ecological environment. The assessment of heavy metal pollution and the local phytoremediation potential of contaminated sites is an important prerequisite for phytoremediation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics of heavy metal pollution around a copper-nickel mine tailings pond and screen local plant species that could be potentially suitable for phytoremediation. The results showed that Cd, Cu, Ni, and Cr in the soil around the tailings pond were at the heavy pollution level, Mn and Pb pollution was moderate, and Zn and As pollution was light; The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model results showed that the contributions made by industrial pollution to Cu and Ni were 62.5% and 66.5%, respectively, atmospheric sedimentation and agricultural pollution contributions to Cr and Cd were 44.6% and 42.8%, respectively, the traffic pollution contribution to Pb was 41.2%, and the contributions made by natural pollution sources to Mn, Zn, and As were 54.5%, 47.9%, and 40.0% respectively. The maximum accumulation values for Cu, Ni, Cr, Cd, and As in 10 plants were 53.77, 102.67, 91.10, 1.16 and 7.23 mg/kg, respectively, which exceeded the normal content of heavy metals in plants. Ammophila breviligulata Fernald had the highest comprehensive extraction coefficient (CEI) and comprehensive stability coefficient (CSI) at 0.81 and 0.83, respectively. These results indicate that the heavy metal pollution in the soil around the copper nickel mine tailings pond investigated in this study is serious and may affect the normal growth of plants. Ammophila breviligulata Fernald has a strong comprehensive remediation capacity and can be used as a remediation plant species for multiple metal compound pollution sites.

Contamination, Source Apportionment, and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Farmland Soils Surrounding a Typical Copper Tailings Pond

Tailings resulting from mining and smelting activities may cause soil heavy-metal pollution and harm human health. To evaluate the environmental impact of heavy metals from tailings on farmland soils in the surrounding area, heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in tailings and farmland soils in the vicinity of a typical copper tailings pond were analyzed. Contamination status, potential sources, and health risks for farmland soils were investigated. The results showed that the tailings contained a high concentration of Cu (1136.23 mg/kg). The concentrations of Cd and Cu in the farmland soils exceeded the soil quality standard. The geoaccumulation index (I_geo) indicated that the soils were moderately polluted by Cu and Cd, and slightly polluted by Ni, Cr, and Zn. The absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model was applied for source apportionment. The results showed that tailings release is the main source of soil heavy-metals contamination, accounting for 35.81%, followed by agricultural activities (19.41%) and traffic emission (16.31%). The health risk assessment suggested that the children in the study region were exposed to non-carcinogenic risks caused by As, while the non-carcinogenic risk to adults and the carcinogenic risk to both adults and children were at acceptable levels. It is necessary to take effective measures to control heavy-metal contamination from tailings releases to protect humans, especially children, from adverse health risks.

The Predominant Sources of Heavy Metals in Different Types of Fugitive Dust Determined by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) Modeling in Southeast Hubei: A Typical Mining and Metallurgy Area in Central China

To develop accurate air pollution control policies, it is necessary to determine the sources of different types of fugitive dust in mining and metallurgy areas. A method integrating principal component analysis and a positive matrix factorization model was used to identify the potential sources of heavy metals (HMs) in five different types of fugitive dust. The results showed accumulation of Mn, Fe, and Cu can be caused by natural geological processes, which contributed 38.55% of HMs. The Ni and Co can be released from multiple transport pathways and accumulated through local deposition, which contributed 29.27%. Mining-related activities contributed 20.11% of the HMs and showed a relatively high accumulation of As, Sn, Zn, and Cr, while traffic-related emissions contributed the rest of the HMs and were responsible for the enrichment in Pb and Cd. The co-applied source-identification models improved the precision of the identification of sources, which revealed that the local geological background and mining-related activities were mainly responsible for the accumulation of HMs in the area. The findings can help the government develop targeted control strategies for HM dispersion efficiency.

Mitigation of the Adverse Impact of Copper, Nickel, and Zinc on Soil Microorganisms and Enzymes by Mineral Sorbents

Despite numerous studies on the influence of heavy metals on soil health, the search for effective, eco-friendly, and economically viable remediation substances is far from over. This encouraged us to carry out a study under strictly controlled conditions to test the effects of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ added to soil in amounts of 150 mg·kg⁻¹ d.m. of soil on the soil microbiome, on the activity of two oxidoreductases and five hydrolases, and on the growth and development of the sunflower Helianthus annunus L. The remediation substances were a molecular sieve, halloysite, sepiolite, expanded clay, zeolite, and biochar. It has been demonstrated that the most severe turbulences in the soil microbiome, its activity, and the growth of Helianthus annunus L. were caused by Ni²⁺, followed by Cu²⁺, and the mildest negative effect was produced by Zn²⁺. The adverse impact of heavy metals on the soil microbiome and its activity was alleviated by the applied sorbents. Their application also contributed to the increased biomass of plants, which is significant for the successful phytoextraction of these metals from soil. Irrespective of which property was analysed, sepiolite can be recommended for the remediation of soil polluted with Ni²⁺ and zeolite—for soil polluted with Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. Both sorbents mitigated to the highest degree disturbances caused by the tested metals in the soil environment.

Microscopic fabric evolution and macroscopic deformation response of gangue solid waste filler considering block shape under different confining pressures

The irregular shape of gangue blocks will affect the coordination structure between blocks in the crushed gangue accumulation body, and then affect the engineering mechanical properties of crushed gangue in the process of load-bearing compression. In this paper, through CT scanning experiment, particle flow numerical simulation experiment, and comprehensive application of image processing, 3D reconstruction, FLAC/PFC^3D continuum—discrete coupling technology, the gangue digital 3D model and the numerical model of crushed gangue particle flow under triaxial compression condition considering the real shape of the block were obtained. The microscopic fabric evolution law and macroscopic deformation response characteristics of crushed gangue considering triaxial compression condition and different confining pressures were studied. The results show that: (1) the bearing capacity of crushed gangue materials increases with the increase of confining pressure; (2) the block aggregate in the gangue sample is gradually compacted, and the lateral deformation of the sample is changed from “extruding to the axis” to “bulging to the periphery”; (3) the vertical movement of the block decreases gradually from the top to the bottom of the sample, and there is a “triangle area” of block displacement at the top and bottom of the sample; the larger the confining pressure, the smaller the vertical displacement range at the top of the sample; (4) the process of “instability and failure—optimization and reconstruction” of skeleton force chain structure occurs constantly; as confining pressure increases, the stability of skeleton force chain structure and the bearing capacity of crushed gangue sample increases; (5) under the same strain state, the greater the confining pressure, the higher the fragmentation degree of the sample. This study reveals the internal mechanism of macro deformation of crushed gangue under the triaxial compression from the perspective of the mesoscopic fabric evolution. The research results are of great significance for the selection of crushed gangue in engineering application. In addition, the research results also have a significant impact on promoting the reasonable disposal and resource utilization of gangue solid waste and protecting the ecological environment of mining areas.

Source-specific health risks apportionment of soil potential toxicity elements combining multiple receptor models with Monte Carlo simulation

Understanding the source-specific human health risk of soil potential toxicity elements (PTEs) for human is beneficial for pollution control and risk prevention. Multivariate statistics, absolute principal component score/multiple linear regression (APCS/MLR) model, positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, and GIS mapping were used to identify and apportion the sources of soil PTEs in typical mining and industrial area, southwestern China. Furthermore, source-specific health risks were apportioned by combining source apportionment with probabilistic health risk assessment based on Monte Carlo simulation which can define the probability that the risk exceed the guideline threshold value. The pollution factor and geo-accumulation index indicated that the soils were polluted by soil PTEs to different degrees. In particular, As and Cd were the primary pollutants. Mixed sources, agricultural activities, mining activities, and As-related smelting activities represented the potential sources of soil PTEs, with the contribution of 30.13%, 25.78%, 22.93%, and 21.16%, respectively. Source-specific probabilistic health risks indicated that As-related smelting activities contributed the most to non-carcinogenic risks (adults: 59.03%, children: 57.20%) and carcinogenic risks (adults: 81.82%; children 92.33%), despite the observation that it contributed the least to the accumulation of soil PTEs (21.16%). Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk showed similar trend for children and adults. Therefore, As-related smelting activities were regarded as the priority source of soil PTEs, and corresponding prevention and control strategies should be implemented to protect human health.

Analysis of Spatial Distribution of Sediment Pollutants Accumulated in the Vicinity of a Small Hydropower Plant

Hydropower plants affect the distribution and composition of sediments. The main aim of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution of sediment pollution in the vicinity of a small hydropower plant. The grain composition of the sediments, the content of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn, Pb, and Cd) and select physicochemical properties (pH, electrolytic conductivity) were tested at 14 points upstream and downstream of the hydropower plant on the Ślęza River in Poland, as well as at reference point. The interactions between the tested parameters were also verified. The results of the conducted analysis show that hydropower plants significantly affect the composition and properties of sediments. Large amounts of sediment are deposited on damming weirs, accumulating heavy metals and other substances. The differences in the concentrations of elements were significant, and Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn and Pb were 8.74, 9.53, 3.63, 8.26 and 6.33 times higher, respectively, than the median value at points upstream of the hydropower plant than downstream. It was shown that the tested parameters of the sediments interact with each other and are correlated; heavy metals showed a synergistic effect, while other parameters configurations showed an antagonistic effect. The higher content of heavy metals upstream of the hydropower plant resulted from the presence of finer sediment—classified as silt—in this section. Downstream of the hydropower plant, there were mainly sands, which showed a lower ability to absorb substances. This work contributes to improving the rational management of the worldwide issue of sediments within dams located in river valleys. Moreover, it is in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations, particularly in the fields of clean water and sanitation, clean and available energy, and responsible consumption and production.

Disorders of the Reproductive Health of Cattle as a Response to Exposure to Toxic Metals

The aim of this review is to comprehensively present disorders of the reproductive system in cattle exposed to contact with toxic metals. Toxic metals are a common environmental pollutant and can come from mines, smelters, fossil fuel combustion, or volcanic eruptions. Metals have the ability to bioaccumulate in living organisms, thus contaminating the food chain and may pose a threat to humans. They accumulate mainly in the liver and kidneys, but also in muscles and fat tissue. Toxic metals such as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) have a negative impact on the fertility of animals; they can lead to abortions, premature calving, or oocyte dysfunction. Moreover, in the male reproductive system, they disrupt spermatogenesis, and cause apoptosis of sperm and oxidative damage. The main source of exposure of livestock to toxic metals is through the consumption of feed or contaminated water. It is important to monitor the level of heavy metals in animal products to prevent human poisoning. Toxic metal biomonitoring can be performed by testing urine, blood, milk, plasma, or hair. Chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) are excreted in the urine, while lead can be detected by examining the blood of animals, while in milk, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) can be detected. Moreover, toxic metals do not biodegrade in the environment. To purify soil and waters, remediation methods, e.g., biological or chemical, should be used.

Modeling and Assessing the Spatial and Vertical Distributions of Potentially Toxic Elements in Soil and How the Concentrations Differ

A healthy soil is a healthy ecosystem because humans, animals, plants, and water highly depend upon it. Soil pollution by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a serious concern for humankind. The study is aimed at (i) assessing the concentrations of PTEs in soils under a long-term heavily industrialized region for coal and textiles, (ii) modeling and mapping the spatial and vertical distributions of PTEs using a GIS-based ordinary kriging technique, and (iii) identifying the possible sources of these PTEs in the Jizerské Mountains (Jizera Mts.) using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. Four hundred and forty-two (442) soil samples were analyzed by applying the aqua regia method. To assess the PTE contents, the level of pollution, and the distribution pattern in soil, the contamination factor (CF) and the pollution load index load (PLI) were applied. ArcGIS-based ordinary kriging interpolation was used for the spatial analysis of PTEs. The results of the analysis revealed that the variation in the coefficient (CV) of PTEs in the organic soil was highest in Cr (96.36%), followed by Cu (54.94%) and Pb (49.40%). On the other hand, the mineral soil had Cu (96.88%), Cr (66.70%), and Pb (64.48%) as the highest in CV. The PTEs in both the organic soil and the mineral soil revealed a high heterogeneous variability. Though the study area lies within the “Black Triangle”, which is a historic industrial site in Central Europe, this result did not show a substantial influence of the contamination of PTEs in the area. In spite of the rate of pollution in this area being very low based on the findings, there may be a need for intermittent assessment of the soil. This helps to curtail any excessive accumulation and escalation in future. The results may serve as baseline information for pollution assessment. It might support policy-developers in sustainable farming and forestry for the health of an ecosystem towards food security, forest safety, as well as animal and human welfare.

Distribution and Mode of Occurrence of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, Sb, Pb in the Feed Coal, Fly Ash, Slag, in the Topsoil and in the Roots of Trees and Undergrowth Downwind of Three Power Stations in Poland

It is supposed that the determination of the content and the mode of occurrence of ecotoxic elements (EE) in feed coal play the most significant role in forecasting distribution of EE in the soil and plants in the vicinity of power stations. Hence, the aim of the work was to analyze the properties of the feed coal, the combustion residues, and the topsoil which are reached by EE together with dust from power stations. The mineral and organic phases, which are the main hosts of EE, were identified by microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray methods. The highest content of elements was observed in the Oi and Oe subhorizons of the topsoil. Their hosts are various types of microspheres and char, emitted by power stations. In the areas of long-term industrial activity, there are also sharp-edged grains of magnetite emitted in the past by zinc, lead, and ironworks. The enrichment of the topsoil with these elements resulted in the increase in the content of EE, by between 0.2 times for Co; and 41.0 times for Cd in the roots of Scots pine, common oak and undergrowth, especially in the rhizodermis and the primary cortex and, more seldom, in the axle roller and cortex cells.

Role of temperature, wind, and precipitation in heavy metal contamination at copper mines: a review

The increasing demand for minerals pressurizing the mining authorities to extract low-grade ore results in more mining waste and degradation of the environment. The main aim of review was to understand the role of climatic factors (temperature, wind, and precipitation) in dispersal and mobility of heavy metals in soil, water, and vegetation in Cu mining region. The major source of contamination in the mining sector is tailings, overburden rocks, and abandoned mines. The contaminates or fine particles of sulfide-rich mining waste follow two major pathways for the dispersal: aerial and leaching. Sulfides on exposure to oxygen and water generate acid mine drainage which results in leaching of heavy metals. The pit water of abandoned mines is also a cause of concern which contaminates the groundwater resources. Climatic factors such as temperature, precipitation, and wind significantly influence the paths of contaminate dispersal. In arid/semi-arid regions, high temperature forms fine-grained efflorescence salts on tailings or exposed surficial mines which are carried away by strong winds/water and contaminates the surroundings. In wet regions, the leaching of heavy metals from both tailings and overburden rocks sulfides results in environmental contamination. The application of impermeable layers is highly recommended. The climatic factors (temperature, wind, and precipitation) significantly control the dispersal and mobility of heavy metals in Cu mining region. The implementation of waste management policies and pollution control technologies is recommended after considering the climatic factors.