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Pačes T, Krachler M, Novák M, Štěpánová M, Bohdálková L, Přechová E. Atmospheric deposition and trajectories of antimony in Central Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120518. [PMID: 36341823 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Antimony (Sb) concentrations were measured in wet atmospheric deposition at 10 high-elevation sites in the Czech Republic (Central Europe) during three winter seasons (2009-2011). Soluble and insoluble Sb forms were quantified in snow (vertical deposition) and rime (horizontal deposition) on mountain summits located equidistantly near the Czech borders with Austria, Germany and Poland. The highest Sb concentrations were found in the soluble form in rime (0.47 μg L-1), while the lowest Sb concentrations were those in the insoluble form in snow (0.017 μg L-1). The estimated average Sb deposition rate in Central Europe amounted to 1.3. 10-4 g m-2 yr-1. Most Sb was deposited in the soluble form in snow (7.9. 10-5 g m-2 yr-1), followed by the soluble form in rime (3.5. 10-5 g m-2 yr-1). The corresponding insoluble fraction contained less Sb, namely 1.2. 10-5 g m-2 yr-1 in snow and 2.3. 10-6 g m-2 yr-1 in rime. The average Sb deposition in Central Europe, measured at an altitude of 1000 m a.s.l., was by six orders of magnitude higher compared to Sb deposition in the Arctic (7. 10-10 g m-2 yr-1), and by four orders of magnitude lower compared to Sb deposition in a Sb-Hg mining district in China (7 g m-2 yr-1). Using the HYSPLIT model, backward trajectories of air masses indicated that the Sb sources were predominantly situated in Upper and Lower Silesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Pačes
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic.
| | | | - Martin Novák
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Štěpánová
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Leona Bohdálková
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic; Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Belidla 986/4a, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Přechová
- Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic
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2
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Cao W, Zhu R, Gong J, Yang T, Zeng G, Song B, Li J, Fang S, Qin M, Qin L, Chen Z, Mao X. Evaluating the metabolic functional profiles of the microbial community and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) traits affected by the presence of carbon nanotubes and antimony in drained and waterlogged sediments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 420:126593. [PMID: 34271448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Antimony (Sb) is the ubiquitous re-emerging contaminant greatly accumulated in sediments which has been revealed risky to ecological environment. However, the impacts of Sb (III/V) on microbes and plants in sediments, under different water management with presence of engineering materials are poorly understood. This study conducted sequential incubation of sediments (flooding, draining and planting) with presence of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Sb to explore the influence on microbial functional diversity, Sb accumulation and alfalfa traits. Results showed that water management and planting led to greater impacts of sediment enzyme activities and microbial community metabolic function and bioavailable Sb fractions (defined as sum of acid-soluble fraction and reducible fraction, F1 + F2). Available fractions of Sb (V) showed higher correlation to microbial metabolism (r = 0.933) than that of Sb (III) (r = -0.480) in planting stage. MWCNTs with increasing concentrations (0.011%, w/w) positively correlated to microbial community metabolic function in planting stage whereas resulted in decreasing of Sb (III/V) concentrations in alfalfa, although 0.01% MWCNT led to increase of Sb (V) and decrease of Sb (V) by 50.97% and 32.68% respectively. This study provided information for investigating combined ecological impacts of heavy metal and engineering materials under different water managing sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weicheng Cao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Rilong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China.
| | - Jilai Gong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Monitoring for Heavy Metal Pollutants, Changsha 410082, PR China.
| | - TingYu Yang
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Guangming Zeng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Biao Song
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Juan Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Siyuan Fang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Meng Qin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Lei Qin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Zengping Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Xiaoqian Mao
- Hunan Ecological and Environmental Affairs Center, Changsha 410082, PR China
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He M, Wang N, Long X, Zhang C, Ma C, Zhong Q, Wang A, Wang Y, Pervaiz A, Shan J. Antimony speciation in the environment: Recent advances in understanding the biogeochemical processes and ecological effects. J Environ Sci (China) 2019; 75:14-39. [PMID: 30473279 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2018.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Antimony (Sb) is a toxic metalloid, and its pollution has become a global environmental problem as a result of its extensive use and corresponding Sb-mining activities. The toxicity and mobility of Sb strongly depend on its chemical speciation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the biogeochemical processes (including emission, distribution, speciation, redox, metabolism and toxicity) that trigger the mobilization and transformation of Sb from pollution sources to the surrounding environment. Natural phenomena such as weathering, biological activity and volcanic activity, together with anthropogenic inputs, are responsible for the emission of Sb into the environment. Sb emitted in the environment can adsorb and undergo redox reactions on organic or inorganic environmental media, thus changing its existing form and exerting toxic effects on the ecosystem. This review is based on a careful and systematic collection of the latest papers during 2010-2017 and our research results, and it illustrates the fate and ecological effects of Sb in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengchang He
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Ningning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xiaojing Long
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Chengjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Congli Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Qianyun Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Aihua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Aneesa Pervaiz
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jun Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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Zhuang W, Lai X, Wang Q, Liu Y, Chen Q, Liu C. Distribution characteristics, sources and ecological risk of antimony in the surface sediments of Changjiang Estuary and the adjacent sea, East China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 137:474-480. [PMID: 30503458 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The distribution characteristics, sources and ecological risk of antimony (Sb) in the surface sediments of Changjiang Estuary and the adjacent sea were studied. Sb concentrations ranged from 0.320 to 0.968 μg g-1 with mean value of 0.577 μg g-1. Sb concentrations were relatively high in sediments of the south Yellow Sea, the Hangzhou Bay mouth and the inner Changjiang Estuary. The variation trend of Sb concentrations was controlled by hydrodynamics, Al/Fe/Mn oxides. Sb also showed strong chalcophile property. Correlation analysis and enrichment factor showed Sb came mainly from natural sources. Total Sb sediment flux in the study area was 446.3 t/yr. The Changjiang River, the Yellow River and atmospheric inputs accounted for 85.7%, 13.9%, and 0.4% of the total sediment Sb flux, respectively. The result of potential ecological index indicated the very low Sb concentrations could hardly threat the ecological environment of the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhuang
- College of City and Architecture Engineering, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, Shandong 277160, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China.
| | - Xiaoying Lai
- School of management, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhai, Hubei 430073, China.
| | - Qian Wang
- College of City and Architecture Engineering, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, Shandong 277160, China
| | - Yongxia Liu
- College of City and Architecture Engineering, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, Shandong 277160, China
| | - Qing Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, Shandong 277160, China
| | - Chang Liu
- National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Development & Utilization of Phosphorous Resources, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhai, Hubei 430073, China
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Shotyk W, Appleby PG, Bicalho B, Davies LJ, Froese D, Grant-Weaver I, Magnan G, Mullan-Boudreau G, Noernberg T, Pelletier R, Shannon B, van Bellen S, Zaccone C. Peat Bogs Document Decades of Declining Atmospheric Contamination by Trace Metals in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands Region. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:6237-6249. [PMID: 28485980 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Peat cores were collected from five bogs in the vicinity of open pit mines and upgraders of the Athabasca Bituminous Sands, the largest reservoir of bitumen in the world. Frozen cores were sectioned into 1 cm slices, and trace metals determined in the ultraclean SWAMP lab using ICP-QMS. The uppermost sections of the cores were age-dated with 210Pb using ultralow background gamma spectrometry, and selected plant macrofossils dated using 14C. At each site, trace metal concentrations as well as enrichment factors (calculated relative to the corresponding element/Th ratio of the Upper Continental Crust) reveal maximum values 10 to 40 cm below the surface which shows that the zenith of atmospheric contamination occurred in the past. The age-depth relationships show that atmospheric contamination by trace metals (Ag, Cd, Sb, Tl, but also V, Ni, and Mo which are enriched in bitumen) has been declining in northern Alberta for decades. In fact, the greatest contemporary enrichments of Ag, Cd, Sb, and Tl (in the top layers of the peat cores) are found at the control site (Utikuma) which is 264 km SW, suggesting that long-range atmospheric transport from other sources must be duly considered in any source assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Shotyk
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - Peter G Appleby
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz Bicalho
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - Lauren J Davies
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Duane Froese
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Iain Grant-Weaver
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - Gabriel Magnan
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1, Canada
- Département de Géographie, Université du Québec à Montréal Montréal, Québec H2V 2B8, Canada
| | - Gillian Mullan-Boudreau
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - Tommy Noernberg
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - Rick Pelletier
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - Bob Shannon
- Quality Radioanalytical Support, LLC, 123 Cougar Trail, PO Box 774 Grand Marais, Minnesota 55604, United States
| | - Simon van Bellen
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , 348B South Academic Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1, Canada
- Département de Géographie, Université du Québec à Montréal Montréal, Québec H2V 2B8, Canada
| | - Claudio Zaccone
- Department of the Sciences of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli , 71122 Foggia, Italy
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Cheng CM, Amaya M, Butalia T, Baker R, Walker HW, Massey-Norton J, Wolfe W. Short-term influence of coal mine reclamation using coal combustion residues on groundwater quality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 571:834-854. [PMID: 27453136 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Two full-scale coal mine reclamation projects using coal combustion residues (CCRs) were recently carried out at highwall pit complexes near the Conesville and Cardinal coal-fired power plants owned by American Electric Power. The environment impacts of the reclamation projects were examined by regularly monitoring the leaching characteristics of the backfilling CCRs and the water quality of the uppermost aquifers underlying the sites. With over five years of field monitoring, it shows that the water quality at both demonstration sites had changed since the reclamation began. By analyzing the change of the hydrogeochemical properties, it was concluded that the water quality impact observed at the Conesville Five Points site was unlikely due to the seepage of FGD material leachates. Reclamation activities, such as logging, grading, and dewatering changed the hydrogeological conditions and resulted in the observed water quality changes. The same hydrogeological effect on water quality was also found at the Cardinal Star Ridge site during the early stage of the reclamation (approximately the first 22months). Subsequent measurements showed the water quality to be strongly influenced by the water in the reclaimed highwall pit. Despite the changes to the water quality, the impacts are insignificant and temporary. None of the constitutes showed concentration levels higher than the regulatory leaching limits set by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Mineral Resources Management for utilizing CCRs in mined land reclamation. Compared to the local aquifers, the concentrations of eleven selected constituents remained at comparable levels throughout the study period. There are four constituents (i.e., As, Be, Sb, and Tl) that exceeded their respective MCLs after the reclamation began. These detections were found shortly (i.e., within 2years) after the reclamation began and decreased to the levels either lower than the respective detection limits or similar to the background levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Min Cheng
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, 470 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Maria Amaya
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, 470 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Tarunjit Butalia
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, 470 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
| | - Robert Baker
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, 470 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Harold W Walker
- Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, 250 Heavy Engineering, Stony Brook, NY 11794, United States
| | - John Massey-Norton
- American Electric Power Service Corp., 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, OH 43215, United States
| | - William Wolfe
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, 470 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States
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Guo J, Su L, Zhao X, Xu Z, Chen G. Relationships between urinary antimony levels and both mortalities and prevalence of cancers and heart diseases in general US population, NHANES 1999-2010. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 571:452-60. [PMID: 27396316 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The effects of antimony (Sb) exposure on mortalities, cancers and cardiovascular diseases were controversial in occupational workers, and the evidence from the general population is limited. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationships between Sb exposure and specific health events in the general population. Totally, 7781 participants aged ≥20years were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2010 and were followed for an average of 6.04years. The Cox and logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the effects of urinary Sb (U-Sb) levels on the risks of all-cause and cause-specific mortalities, and the likelihoods of self-reported cancers and heart diseases, respectively. When setting quartile 1 of U-Sb levels as reference, the hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] of the quartile 2 through 4 for all-cause mortality were 1.21 (0.84, 1.74), 1.49 (1.08, 2.04) and 1.66 (1.20, 2.28). The HR of quartile 3 of U-Sb levels for heart disease mortality was 2.18 (1.24, 3.86). Furthermore, increased odds ratios (ORs) from quartile 2 to 4 were 1.69 (1.05, 2.74), 1.42 (0.79, 2.55) and 2.11 (1.26, 3.55) for self-reported congestive heart failure, and 1.37 (0.95, 1.99), 1.96 (1.37, 2.82) and 1.81 (1.16, 2.83) for heart attack. Elevated U-Sb levels were not significantly related to mortality of malignant neoplasms, and self-reported cancers. The data demonstrated associations of increased U-Sb levels with all-cause and heart diseases mortalities, and prevalent congestive heart failure and heart attack, suggesting public concerns on the health hazards of Sb exposure in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- Institute of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liling Su
- Institute of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Institute of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengping Xu
- Institute of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guangdi Chen
- Institute of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Seklaoui M, Boutaleb A, Benali H, Alligui F, Prochaska W. Environmental assessment of mining industry solid pollution in the mercurial district of Azzaba, northeast Algeria. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2016; 188:621. [PMID: 27752915 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5619-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
To date, there have been few detailed studies regarding the impact of mining and metallogenic activities on solid fractions in the Azzaba mercurial district (northeast Algeria) despite its importance and global similarity with large Hg mines. To assess the degree, distribution, and sources of pollution, a physical inventory of apparent pollution was developed, and several samples of mining waste, process waste, sediment, and soil were collected on regional and local scales to determine the concentration of Hg and other metals according to their existing mineralogical association. Several physico-chemical parameters that are known to influence the pollution distribution are realized. The extremely high concentrations of all metals exceed all norms and predominantly characterize the metallurgic and mining areas; the metal concentrations significantly decrease at significant low distances from these sources. The geo-accumulation index, which is the most realistic assessment method, demonstrates that soils and sediments near waste dumps and abandoned Hg mines are extremely polluted by all analyzed metals. The pollution by these metals decreases significantly with distance, which indicates a limited dispersion. The results of a clustering analysis and an integrated pollution index suggest that waste dumps, which are composed of calcine and condensation wastes, are the main source of pollution. Correlations and principal component analysis reveal the important role of hosting carbonate rocks in limiting pollution and differentiating calcine wastes from condensation waste, which has an extremely high Hg concentration (˃1 %).
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Affiliation(s)
- M'hamed Seklaoui
- Geology Department, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Sciences and Technology, HouariBoumediene, Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Abdelhak Boutaleb
- Geology Department, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Sciences and Technology, HouariBoumediene, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Hanafi Benali
- Geology Department, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Sciences and Technology, HouariBoumediene, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Fadila Alligui
- Geology Department, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Sciences and Technology, HouariBoumediene, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Walter Prochaska
- Department of Applied Geosciences and Geophysics, University of Leoben, Leoben, Austria
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9
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Gałuszka A, Migaszewski ZM, Zalasiewicz J. Assessing the Anthropocene with geochemical methods. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1144/sp395.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAnthropogenic chemical contamination is one of the most evident signals of human influence on the environment. The large amounts of industrially produced pollutants that have been introduced, over decades, into air, soil and water have caused modifications to natural elemental cycling. Anthropogenic contamination usually leads to enrichment in many elements, particularly in industrial areas. Thus, certain elements and their isotopes can be used as geochemical tracers of anthropogenic impact. Some human-induced changes in the environment may be regarded as a secondary effect of pollution, such as acidification, which causes increased geochemical mobility of several trace elements in surficial deposits. Methods used by geochemists to assess the scale of anthropogenic influence on the environment include calculations of anthropogenic influence on the environment via enrichment and contamination factors, geoaccumulation index and pollution load index. The use of geochemical background levels for delineating between natural and anthropogenic pollution is important. A historical perspective of anthropogenic contamination, allied with isotopic and geochemical signatures in dated sediment cores, may be applied to help define the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Gałuszka
- Geochemistry and the Environment Division, Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, 15G Świętokrzyska St, 25-406 Kielce, Poland
| | - Zdzisław M. Migaszewski
- Geochemistry and the Environment Division, Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, 15G Świętokrzyska St, 25-406 Kielce, Poland
| | - Jan Zalasiewicz
- Department of Geology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE 1 7RH, UK
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Allan M, Le Roux G, De Vleeschouwer F, Bindler R, Blaauw M, Piotrowska N, Sikorski J, Fagel N. High-resolution reconstruction of atmospheric deposition of trace metals and metalloids since AD 1400 recorded by ombrotrophic peat cores in Hautes-Fagnes, Belgium. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2013; 178:381-394. [PMID: 23619507 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Revised: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The objective of our study was to determine the trace metal accumulation rates in the Misten bog, Hautes-Fagnes, Belgium, and assess these in relation to established histories of atmospheric emissions from anthropogenic sources. To address these aims we analyzed trace metals and metalloids (Pb, Cu, Ni, As, Sb, Cr, Co, V, Cd and Zn), as well as Pb isotopes, using XRF, Q-ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS, respectively in two 40-cm peat sections, spanning the last 600 yr. The temporal increase of metal fluxes from the inception of the Industrial Revolution to the present varies by a factor of 5-50, with peak values found between AD 1930 and 1990. A cluster analysis combined with Pb isotopic composition allows the identification of the main sources of Pb and by inference of the other metals, which indicates that coal consumption and metallurgical activities were the predominant sources of pollution during the last 600 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Allan
- AGEs, Département de Géologie, Université de Liège, Allée du 6 Août, B18 Sart Tilman B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
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11
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Guéguen F, Stille P, Lahd Geagea M, Boutin R. Atmospheric pollution in an urban environment by tree bark biomonitoring--part I: trace element analysis. CHEMOSPHERE 2012; 86:1013-1019. [PMID: 22169208 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Revised: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 11/06/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Tree bark has been shown to be a useful biomonitor of past air quality because it accumulates atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in its outermost structure. Trace element concentrations of tree bark of more than 73 trees allow to elucidate the impact of past atmospheric pollution on the urban environment of the cities of Strasbourg and Kehl in the Rhine Valley. Compared to the upper continental crust (UCC) tree barks are strongly enriched in Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb. To assess the degree of pollution of the different sites in the cities, a geoaccumulation index I(geo) was applied. Global pollution by V, Ni, Cr, Sb, Sn and Pb was observed in barks sampled close to traffic axes. Cr, Mo, Cd pollution principally occurred in the industrial area. A total geoaccumulation index I(GEO-tot) was defined; it is based on the total of the investigated elements and allows to evaluate the global pollution of the studied environment by assembling the I(geo) indices on a pollution map.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Guéguen
- Laboratoire D'Hydrologie et de Géochimie de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, EOST, UMR 7517 CNRS, 1 rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France.
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Qi C, Liu G, Kang Y, Lam PKS, Chou C. Assessment and distribution of antimony in soils around three coal mines, Anhui, China. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2011; 61:850-857. [PMID: 21874956 DOI: 10.3155/1047-3289.61.8.850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Thirty-three soil samples were collected from the Luling, Liuer, and Zhangji coal mines in the Huaibei and Huainan areas of Anhui Province, China. The samples were analyzed for antimony (Sb) by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) method. The average Sb content in the 33 samples was 4 mg kg(-1), which is lower than in coals from this region (6.2 mg kg(-1)). More than 75% of the soils sampled showed a significant degree of Sb pollution (enrichment factors [EFs] 5-20). The soils collected near the gob pile and coal preparation plant were higher in Sb content than those collected from residential areas near the mines. The gob pile and tailings from the preparation plant were high in mineral matter content and high in Sb. They are the sources of Sb pollution in surface soils in the vicinity of coal mines. The spatial dispersion of Sb in surface soil in the mine region shows that Sb pollution could reach out as far as 350 m into the local environment conditions. Crops in rice paddies may adsorb some Sb and reduce the Sb content in soils from paddyfields. Vertical distribution of Sb in two soil profiles indicates that Sb is normally relatively immobile in soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
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Biver M, Krachler M, Shotyk W. The desorption of antimony(V) from sediments, hydrous oxides, and clay minerals by carbonate, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, and chloride. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2011; 40:1143-1152. [PMID: 21712584 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2010.0503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The desorption of antimony, Sb(V), from two sediment samples by phosphate, carbonate, sulfate, chloride, and nitrate at pH 8 was examined. One highly contaminated sediment sample was taken from an Sb mine (Goesdorf, Luxembourg); the other sample was the certified reference material PACS-2 (marine sediment). Phosphate was found to have a strong mobilizing ability, whereas that of carbonate was in general weaker. For comparison, and to understand better the possible importance of individual components of the sediments, desorption experiments were performed on pure phases (i.e., hydrous oxides of Fe, Mn, and Al) and the clay minerals kaolinite and montmorillonite. In the cases of hydrous metal oxides, Sb(V) was most effectively desorbed by phosphate, followed by carbonate. Phosphate also desorbed Sb(V) from the clay minerals, whereas carbonate had no effect. The pH dependence of adsorption of Sb(V) in the absence and presence of carbonate revealed that adsorption densities were higher (except in the case of montmorillonite) in the absence of carbonate, suggesting a competition between carbonate and [Sb(OH)] for surface sites generally and a lowering of surface charge in the case of hydrous aluminum oxide. The observations are unlikely to be due to ionic strength effects because activity coefficients in the blank and spiked solutions differ by <4%. Desorption experiments on sediments with varying concentrations of phosphate and carbonate demonstrated that at environmentally relevant concentrations, desorption by phosphate is negligible, whereas the effect of carbonate is not. Sulfate, chloride, and nitrate generally had little effect. The proportion of Sb desorbed in blank experiments coincides with that mobilized in the first fraction of the Bureau Communautaire de Référence (BCR) sequential extraction (easily exchangeable and carbonate-bound fraction).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Biver
- University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Tian HZ, Zhao D, He MC, Wang Y, Cheng K. Temporal and spatial distribution of atmospheric antimony emission inventories from coal combustion in China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2011; 159:1613-9. [PMID: 21421279 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Revised: 02/16/2011] [Accepted: 02/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
A multiple-year inventory of atmospheric antimony (Sb) emissions from coal combustion in China for the period of 1980-2007 has been calculated for the first time. Specifically, the emission inventories of Sb from 30 provinces and 4 economic sectors (thermal power, industry, residential use, and others) are evaluated and analyzed in detail. It shows that the total Sb emissions released from coal combustion in China have increased from 133.19 t in 1980 to 546.67 t in 2007, at an annually average growth rate of 5.4%. The antimony emissions are largely emitted by industrial sector and thermal power generation sector, contributing 53.6% and 26.9% of the totals, respectively. At provincial level, the distribution of Sb emissions shows significant variation. Between 2005 and 2007, provinces always rank at the top five largest Sb emissions are: Guizhou, Hunan, Hebei, Shandong, and Anhui.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Z Tian
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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Xu L, Wu F, Zheng J, Xie Q, Li H, Liao H, Zhao X, Guo F. Sediment records of Sb and Pb stable isotopic ratios in Lake Qinghai. Microchem J 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2010.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Takamatsu T, Watanabe M, Koshikawa MK, Murata T, Yamamura S, Hayashi S. Pollution of montane soil with Cu, Zn, As, Sb, Pb, and nitrate in Kanto, Japan. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2010; 408:1932-1942. [PMID: 20153018 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2009] [Revised: 11/27/2009] [Accepted: 01/10/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Soil cores and rainwater were sampled under canopies of Cryptomeria japonica in four montane areas along an atmospheric depositional gradient in Kanto, Japan. Soil cores (30cm in depth) were divided into 2-cm or 4-cm segments for analysis. Vertical distributions of elemental enrichment ratios in soils were calculated as follows: (X/Al)(i)/(X/Al)(BG) (where the numerator and denominator are concentration ratios of element-X and Al in the i- and bottom segments of soil cores, respectively). The upper 14-cm soil layer showed higher levels of Cu, Zn, As, Sb, and Pb than the lower (14-30cm) soil layer. In the four areas, the average enrichment ratios in the upper 6-cm soil layer were as follows: Pb (4.93)>or=Sb (4.06)>or=As (3.04)>Zn (1.71)>or=Cu (1.56). Exogenous elements (kg/ha) accumulated in the upper 14-cm soil layer were as follows: Zn (26.0)>Pb (12.4)>Cu (4.48)>or=As (3.43)>or=Sb (0.49). These rank orders were consistent with those of elements in anthropogenic aerosols and polluted (roadside) air, respectively, indicating that air pollutants probably caused enrichment of these elements in the soil surface layer. Approximately half of the total concentrations of As, Sb, and Pb in the upper 14-cm soil layer were derived from exogenous (anthropogenic) sources. Sb showed the highest enrichment factor in anthropogenic aerosols, and shows similar deposition behavior to NO(3)(-), which is a typical acidic air pollutant. There was a strong correlation between Sb and NO(3)(-) concentrations in rainfall (e.g., in the throughfall under C. japonica: [NO(3)(-)]=21.1 [dissolved Sb], r=0.938, p<0.0001, n=182). Using this correlation, total (cumulative) inputs of NO(3)(-) were estimated from the accumulated amounts of exogenous Sb in soils, i.e., 16.7t/ha at Mt. Kinsyo (most polluted), 8.6t/ha at Mt. Tsukuba (moderately polluted), and 5.8t/ha at the Taga mountain system (least polluted). There are no visible ecological effects of these accumulated elements in the Kanto region at present. However, the concentrations of some elements are within a harmful range, according to the Ecological Soil Screening Levels determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takejiro Takamatsu
- Center for Water Environment Studies, Ibaraki University, Itako, Ibaraki, Japan
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Qi C, Liu G, Chou CL, Zheng L. Environmental geochemistry of antimony in Chinese coals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2008; 389:225-234. [PMID: 17936877 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2007] [Revised: 09/03/2007] [Accepted: 09/07/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Environmental geochemistry of antimony (Sb) has gained much attention recently because of its potential toxicity. We have reviewed the distribution, modes of occurrence, geological processes and environmental effects of Sb in Chinese coals. Data of Sb in 1058 coal samples from China were compiled and the average Sb content in Chinese coals is estimated to be 2.27 microg/g. Average Sb content in coals from provinces, cities and autonomous regions may be divided into three groups. Group 1 has a low average Sb content of lower than 1 microg/g, Group 2 has a medium average Sb content of 1-3 microg/g, and Group 3 has a high average Sb content of >3 microg/g. Coals from Guizhou and Inner Mongolia are extremely enriched in Sb. The abundance of Sb in coals differs among coal-forming periods and coal ranks. Antimony occurs in several modes in coals. It may substitute for iron or sulfur in discrete pyrite grains or occurs as tiny dispersed sulfide particles in organic matter. During coal combustion Sb is partly released to the atmosphere and partly partitioned into solid residues. Antimony in the environment brings about definite harm to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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Nirel PM, Pomian-Srzednicki I, Meyer M, Filella M. Dissolved antimony concentrations in contrasted watersheds: the importance of lithogenic origin. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 10:256-60. [DOI: 10.1039/b716296k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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He M. Distribution and phytoavailability of antimony at an antimony mining and smelting area, Hunan, China. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2007; 29:209-19. [PMID: 17351815 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-006-9066-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2006] [Accepted: 10/30/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
An investigation of the distribution, fractionation and phytoavailability of antimony (Sb) and other heavy metals in soil sampled at various locations in the vicinity of a Sb mine revealed elevated levels of Sb, most certainly due to the mining activities. The concentration of Sb in the soil samples was 100.6-5045 mg kg(-1); in comparison, the maximum permissible concentration for Sb in soil in The Netherlands is 3.5 mg kg(-1), and the maximum permissible concentration of pollutant Sb in receiving soils recommended by the World Health Organization is 36 mg kg(-1). The soil sampled near the Sb mine areas had also contained high concentrations of As and Hg. Root and leaf samples from plants growing in the Sb mine area contained high concentrations of Sb, with the concentration of Sb in the leaves of radish positively correlating with Sb concentrations in soil. The distribution of Sb in the soil showed the following order: strongly bound to the crystalline matrix > adsorbed on Fe/Mn hydrous oxides, complexed to organic/sulfides, bound to carbonates > weakly bound and soluble. Solvents showed varying levels of effectiveness in extracting Sb (based on concentration) from the soil, with SbNH4NO3 > SbEDTA > SbHAc, SbH2O > SbNH4OAc, in decreasing order. The concentration of easily phytoavailable Sb was high and varied from 2.5 to 13.2 mg kg(-1), the percentage of moderately phytoavailable Sb ranged from 1.62 to 8.26%, and the not phytoavailable fraction represented 88.2-97.9% of total Sb in soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengchang He
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P.R. China.
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