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Veeraswamy D, Subramanian A, Mohan D, Ettiyagounder P, Selvaraj PS, Ramasamy SP, Veeramani V. Exploring the origins and cleanup of mercury contamination: a comprehensive review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:53943-53972. [PMID: 37964142 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30636-z] [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: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a global pollutant that poses significant risks to human health and the environment. Natural sources of mercury include volcanic eruptions, while anthropogenic sources include industrial processes, artisanal and small-scale gold mining, and fossil fuel combustion. Contamination can arise through various pathways, such as atmospheric deposition, water and soil contamination, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification in food chains. Various remediation strategies, including phytoremediation, bioremediation, chemical oxidation/reduction, and adsorption, have been developed to address mercury pollution, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. The effectiveness of remediation techniques depends on the nature and extent of contamination and site-specific conditions. This review discusses the challenges associated with mercury pollution and remediation, including the need for effective monitoring and management strategies. Overall, this review offers a comprehensive understanding of mercury contamination and the range of remediation techniques available to mitigate its adverse impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davamani Veeraswamy
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Arulmani Subramanian
- Department of Chemistry, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, 638 401, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Deepasri Mohan
- Division of Environmental Sciences, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shalimar, 190025, Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, India
| | - Parameswari Ettiyagounder
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Paul Sebastian Selvaraj
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Sangeetha Piriya Ramasamy
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
- School of Water, Energy, and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Venkatesan Veeramani
- Department of Civil Engineering, University College of Engineering, Anna University, Ariyalur, 621 731, Tamil Nadu, India
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Espiritu EQ, Claveria RJR, Bernadas PJC. Assessment of surface water quality and mercury levels from Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) along Acupan River, Benguet, Philippines. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:3655-3676. [PMID: 34687407 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale mining activities are most evident among communities surrounding the Acupan River in Itogon Benguet. The mining activities include manual extraction of gold ores, use of improvised ball/rod mills and sluice boxes, and metallurgical processing such as cyanidation, carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and amalgamation. This study evaluates the influence of small-scale mining and the geology/mineralization of the Acupan Au-Ag-Te deposit to the water quality of the Acupan River and to the possible human exposures to Hg within the small-scale mining community. Different water quality parameters were monitored along selected sites along the Acupan River for a year and the results showed that the low average values of dissolve oxygen (DO) (2.54-4.53 mg L-1) and the relatively high average values of pH (8.84-10.10), sulfate (300.00-1133.33 mg L-1), nitrate (11.33-134.67 mg L-1), arsenic (As) (0.227-0.574 mg L-1) and mercury (Hg) (0.004-0.054 mg L-1) have exceeded the acceptable criteria limit of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for Class C waters. The exceeded values are noted to occur in areas where extensive small-scale mining activities are being done and have affected as well the downstream areas. To test possible human contamination in the use of Hg, hair samples from 56 volunteers were analyzed for total Hg (T-Hg) following standard protocols. The T-Hg concentrations in hair samples are mostly inorganic and are determined in various parameters such as sex, geographic location, occupation, age, fish consumption and localization in hair. Though not significantly different, higher Hg values are noted in males (1.280 ± 0.446 ng mg-1) than among females (0.651 ± 0.163 ng mg-1) as well as those with ages 41-50 years (3.130 ± 2.330 ng mg-1) as compared to other age groups. The higher amounts of inorganic Hg in human hairs could be attributed to the discrete yet prevalent use of amalgamation. The findings of this study emphasize the need for better regulations of the small-scale mining activities and for stricter implementation of the total ban on the use of Hg in ore processing to ensure better water quality of Acupan River as well as the health and safety of the communities surrounding the river.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilyn Q Espiritu
- Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, 1108, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Rene Juna R Claveria
- Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, 1108, Quezon City, Philippines.
| | - Philip Joshua C Bernadas
- Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, 1108, Quezon City, Philippines
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Abstract
Mercury (Hg) exists in the environment as inorganic (metallic Hg vapor, mercurous and mercuric salts) or organic (bonded to a structure containing carbon atoms) forms. Neurotoxic effect of Hg is known for years. While the organic form (methylmercury (meHg)) led to the Minamata incidence in Japan and "wonder-wheat" disaster in Iraq, the "mad hatters" and "Danbury shakes" were related to the inorganic elemental form (Hg vapor). Human exposure to toxic Hg continues in the modern world to a large extent by artisanal gold mining, biomass combustion, chloralkali production, and indigenous medicine use to name a few. Heavy industrial use of Hg contaminates air and landfills, affecting the aquatic ecosystem and marine food chain. A detailed social and occupational history with a high index of clinical suspicion is required to not miss this toxic etiology for movement disorders like ataxia, tremor, or myoclonus. In this review, we have discussed the past and present global health impact of Hg from a movement disorder perspective. The connection of Hg with neurodegeneration and autoimmunity has been highlighted. We have also discussed the role of chelating agents and the preventive strategies to combat the neurotoxic effects of Hg in the modern world.
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Photography's Underappreciated Contributions to Neuropsychiatry: The Photographs of W. Eugene Smith in Minamata, Japan. J Nerv Ment Dis 2020; 208:574-578. [PMID: 32604164 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Photographers and filmmakers have made important contributions to the international mental health community through documentation and social commentary, leveraging the power of visual imagery. To illustrate, this article uses the example of W. Eugene Smith who photographed the catastrophic effects of methylmercury poisoning from industrial pollution in the region around Minamata Bay, Japan. Although many art forms have been comfortably integrated into mainstream psychiatry and neuropsychiatry, photography has been underappreciated and underutilized.
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