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Osborne C, Gilbert-Parkes S, Spiers G, Lamit LJ, Lilleskov EA, Basiliko N, Watmough S. Global Patterns of Metal and Other Element Enrichment in Bog and Fen Peatlands. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 86:125-139. [PMID: 38340164 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-024-01051-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Peatlands are found on all continents, covering 3% of the global land area. However, the spatial extent and causes of metal enrichment in peatlands is understudied and no attempt has been made to evaluate global patterns of metal enrichment in bog and fen peatlands, despite that certain metals and rare earth elements (REE) arise from anthropogenic sources. We analyzed 368 peat cores sampled in 16 countries across five continents and measured metal and other element concentrations at three depths down to 70 cm as well as estimated cumulative atmospheric S deposition (1850-2009) for each site. Sites were assigned to one of three distinct broadly recognized peatland categories (bog, poor fen, and intermediate-to-moderately rich fen) that varied primarily along a pH gradient. Metal concentrations differed among peatland types, with intermediate-to-moderately rich fens demonstrating the highest concentrations of most metals. Median enrichment factors (EFs; a metric comparing natural and anthropogenic metal deposition) for individual metals were similar among bogs and fens (all groups), with metals likely to be influenced by anthropogenic sources (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Sb) demonstrating median enrichment factors (EFs) > 1.5. Additionally, mean EFs were substantially higher than median values, and the positive correlation (< 0.40) with estimated cumulative atmospheric S deposition, confirmed some level of anthropogenic influence of all pollutant metals except for Hg that was unrelated to S deposition. Contrary to expectations, high EFs were not restricted to pollutant metals, with Mn, K and Rb all exhibiting elevated median EFs that were in the same range as pollutant metals likely due to peatland biogeochemical processes leading to enrichment of these nutrients in surface soil horizons. The global patterns of metal enrichment in bogs and fens identified in this study underscore the importance of these peatlands as environmental archives of metal deposition, but also illustrates that biogeochemical processes can enrich metals in surface peat and EFs alone do not necessarily indicate atmospheric contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetwynd Osborne
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Spencer Gilbert-Parkes
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada
| | | | | | - Erik A Lilleskov
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Nathan Basiliko
- Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Shaun Watmough
- School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada.
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Floreani F, Barago N, Klun K, Faganeli J, Covelli S. Dissolved gaseous mercury production and sea-air gaseous exchange in impacted coastal environments of the northern Adriatic Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:121926. [PMID: 37268218 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The northern Adriatic Sea is well known for mercury (Hg) contamination mainly due to historical Hg mining which took place in Idrija (Slovenia). The formation of dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) and its subsequent volatilisation can reduce the amount of Hg available in the water column. In this work, the diurnal patterns of both DGM production and gaseous Hg fluxes at the water-air interface were seasonally evaluated in two selected environments within this area, a highly Hg-impacted, confined fish farm (VN: Val Noghera, Italy) and an open coastal zone less impacted by Hg inputs (PR: Bay of Piran, Slovenia). A floating flux chamber coupled with real-time Hg0 analyser was used for flux estimation in parallel with DGM concentrations determination through in-field incubations. Substantial DGM production was observed at VN (range = 126.0-711.3 pg L-1) driven by both strong photoreduction and possibly dark biotic reduction, resulting in higher values in spring and summer and comparable concentrations throughout both day and night. Significantly lower DGM was observed at PR (range = 21.8-183.4 pg L-1). Surprisingly, comparable Hg0 fluxes were found at the two sites (range VN = 7.43-41.17 ng m-2 h-1, PR = 0-81.49 ng m-2 h-1), likely due to enhanced gaseous exchanges at PR thanks to high water turbulence and to the strong limitation of evasion at VN by water stagnation and expected high DGM oxidation in saltwater. Slight differences between the temporal variation of DGM and fluxes indicate that Hg evasion is more controlled by factors such as water temperature and mixing conditions than DGM concentrations alone. The relative low Hg losses through volatilisation at VN (2.4-4.6% of total Hg) further confirm that static conditions in saltwater environments negatively affect the ability of this process in reducing the amount of Hg retained in the water column, therefore potentially leading to a greater availability for methylation and trophic transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Floreani
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 5, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Nicolò Barago
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy
| | - Katja Klun
- Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace 41, 6330, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Jadran Faganeli
- Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace 41, 6330, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Stefano Covelli
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy
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Barago N, Mastroianni C, Pavoni E, Floreani F, Parisi F, Lenaz D, Covelli S. Environmental impact of potentially toxic elements on soils, sediments, waters, and air nearby an abandoned Hg-rich fahlore mine (Mt. Avanza, Carnic Alps, NE Italy). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:63754-63775. [PMID: 37059945 PMCID: PMC10172279 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26629-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
The decommissioned fahlore Cu-Sb(-Ag) mine at Mt. Avanza (Carnic Alps, Italy) is a rare example of exploited ore deposits, as the tetrahedrite (Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13) is the main ore mineral found. This multi-compartmental geochemical characterisation approach provides one of the first case studies regarding the geochemical behaviour and fate of Hg, Sb, As, Cu, and other elements in solid and water matrices and of Hg in the atmosphere in an environment affected by the mining activity of a fahlore ore deposit. Elevated concentrations of the elements (Cu, Sb, As, Pb, Zn, Hg) associated with both (Zn-Hg)-tetrahedrite and to other minor ore minerals in mine wastes, soils, and stream sediments were observed. Concentrations in waters and stream sediments greatly decreased with increasing distance from the mining area and the Igeo index values testify the highest levels of sediment contamination inside the mine area. Thallium and Ge were associated with the "lithogenic component" and not to sulfosalt/sulphide minerals. Although mine drainage water often slightly exceeded the national regulatory limits for Sb and As, with Sb being more mobile than As, the relatively low dissolved concentrations indicate a moderate stability of the tetrahedrite. The fate of Hg at the investigated fahlore mining district appeared similar to cinnabar mining sites around the world. Weak solubility but the potential evasion of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) into the atmosphere also appear to be characteristics of Hg in fahlore ores. Although GEM concentrations are such that they do not present a pressing concern, real-time field surveys allowed for the easy identification of Hg sources, proving to be an effective, suitable high-resolution indirect approach for optimising soil sampling surveys and detecting mine wastes and mine adits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Barago
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Cristiano Mastroianni
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elena Pavoni
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Floreani
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy
| | - Filippo Parisi
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy
| | - Davide Lenaz
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Covelli
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy
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Kováčik J, Husáková L, Piroutková M, Babula P. Mercury Content and Amelioration of Its Toxicity by Nitric Oxide in Lichens. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:727. [PMID: 36840082 PMCID: PMC9967695 DOI: 10.3390/plants12040727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) content measured in five epiphytic lichen species collected in Slovakia mountain forests ranged from 30 to 100 ng/g DW and was species-specific, decreasing in the order Hypogymnia > Pseudevernia > Usnea > Xanthoria > Evernia prunastri (but polluted sites had no impact on Hg amount in Xanthoria). Evernia was therefore used to study the impact of short-term exogenous Hg (100 µM, 24 h) and possible amelioration of Hg toxicity by nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP). NO was efficiently released from SNP as detected by two staining reagents and fluorescence microscopy and reduced Hg-induced ROS signal and absorption of Hg by thalli of Evernia prunastri. At the same time, NO ameliorated Hg-induced depletion of metabolites such as ascorbic acid and non-protein thiols, but not of free amino acids. The amount of metabolites, including soluble phenols, was reduced by excess Hg per se. On the contrary, NO was unable to restore Hg-stimulated depletion of chlorophyll autofluorescence but mitigated the decline of some macronutrients (K and Ca). Data confirm that accumulation of Hg in the epiphytic lichens is species-specific and that NO is a vital molecule in Evernia prunastri that provides protection against Hg-induced toxicity with considerable positive impact on metabolic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Kováčik
- Department of Biology, University of Trnava, Priemyselná 4, 918 43 Trnava, Slovak Republic
| | - Lenka Husáková
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentská 573 HB/D, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Piroutková
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentská 573 HB/D, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Babula
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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Floreani F, Zappella V, Faganeli J, Covelli S. Gaseous mercury evasion from bare and grass-covered soils contaminated by mining and ore roasting (Isonzo River alluvial plain, Northeastern Italy). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120921. [PMID: 36565908 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120921] [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: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
High amounts of mercury (Hg) can be released into the atmosphere from soil surfaces of legacy contaminated areas as gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0). The alluvial plain of the Isonzo River (NE Italy) suffered widespread Hg contamination due to the re-distribution of Hg-enriched material discharged by historical cinnabar mining at the Idrija mine (Slovenia), but an assessment of Hg0 releases from the soils of this area is still lacking. In this work, Hg0 fluxes at the soil-air interface were evaluated using a non-steady state flux chamber coupled with a real-time Hg0 analyser at 6 sites within the Isonzo River plain. Measurements were performed in summer, autumn, and winter both on bare and grass-covered soil plots at regular time intervals during the diurnal period. Moreover, topsoils were analysed for organic matter content and Hg total concentration and speciation. Overall, Hg0 fluxes tracked the incident UV radiation during the sampling periods with daily averages significantly higher in summer (62.4 ± 14.5-800.2 ± 178.8 ng m-2 h-1) than autumn (15.2 ± 4.7-280.8 ± 75.6 ng m-2 h-1) and winter (16.9 ± 7.9-187.8 ± 62.7 ng m-2 h-1) due to higher irradiation and temperature, which favoured Hg reduction reactions. In summer and autumn significant correlations were observed between Hg0 fluxes and soil Hg content (78-95% cinnabar), whereas this relationship was not observed in winter likely due to relatively low emissions found in morning measurements in all sites coupled with low temperatures. Finally, vegetation cover effectively reduced Hg0 releases in summer (∼9-68%) and autumn (∼41-78%), whereas the difference between fluxes from vegetated and bare soils was not evident during winter dormancy due to scarce soil shading. These results suggest the opportunity of more extended spatial monitoring of Hg0 fluxes particularly in the croplands covering most of the Isonzo River alluvial plain and where bare soils are frequently disturbed by agricultural practices and directly exposed to radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Floreani
- Department of Mathematics and Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, Trieste, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 5, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Valeria Zappella
- Department of Mathematics and Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jadran Faganeli
- Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace 41, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Stefano Covelli
- Department of Mathematics and Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, Trieste, Italy
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Floreani F, Acquavita A, Barago N, Klun K, Faganeli J, Covelli S. Gaseous Mercury Exchange from Water–Air Interface in Differently Impacted Freshwater Environments. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19138149. [PMID: 35805807 PMCID: PMC9266016 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Gaseous exchanges of mercury (Hg) at the water–air interface in contaminated sites strongly influence its fate in the environment. In this study, diurnal gaseous Hg exchanges were seasonally evaluated by means of a floating flux chamber in two freshwater environments impacted by anthropogenic sources of Hg, specifically historical mining activity (Solkan Reservoir, Slovenia) and the chlor-alkali industry (Torviscosa dockyard, Italy), and in a pristine site, Cavazzo Lake (Italy). The highest fluxes (21.88 ± 11.55 ng m−2 h−1) were observed at Solkan, coupled with high dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) and dissolved Hg (THgD) concentrations. Conversely, low vertical mixing and saltwater intrusion at Torviscosa limited Hg mobility through the water column, with higher Hg concentrations in the deep layer near the contaminated sediments. Consequently, both DGM and THgD in surface water were generally lower at Torviscosa than at Solkan, resulting in lower fluxes (19.01 ± 12.65 ng m−2 h−1). However, at this site, evasion may also be limited by high atmospheric Hg levels related to dispersion of emissions from the nearby chlor-alkali plant. Surprisingly, comparable fluxes (15.56 ± 12.78 ng m−2 h−1) and Hg levels in water were observed at Cavazzo, suggesting a previously unidentified Hg input (atmospheric depositions or local geology). Overall, at all sites the fluxes were higher in the summer and correlated to incident UV radiation and water temperature due to enhanced photo production and diffusivity of DGM, the concentrations of which roughly followed the same seasonal trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Floreani
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128 Trieste, Italy; (N.B.); (S.C.)
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandro Acquavita
- ARPA FVG Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Via Cairoli 14, 33057 Palmanova, Italy;
| | - Nicolò Barago
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128 Trieste, Italy; (N.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Katja Klun
- Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia; (K.K.); (J.F.)
| | - Jadran Faganeli
- Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia; (K.K.); (J.F.)
| | - Stefano Covelli
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128 Trieste, Italy; (N.B.); (S.C.)
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Świsłowski P, Nowak A, Wacławek S, Ziembik Z, Rajfur M. Is Active Moss Biomonitoring Comparable to Air Filter Standard Sampling? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084706. [PMID: 35457569 PMCID: PMC9024558 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recently, significant attention has been paid to air quality awareness and its impact on human health, especially in urban agglomerations. Many types of dust samplers for air quality monitoring are used by governmental environmental monitoring agencies. However, these techniques are associated with high costs; as a consequence, biological methods such as active moss biomonitoring are being developed. The main disadvantages of such techniques are the lack of standardization of the preparation procedures and the lack of reliable comparisons of results with data from instrumental analyses. Our study aimed to compare the results obtained from active biomonitoring with the use of three moss species: Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum fallax and Dicranum polysetum. Samples were exposed via the moss-bag technique to measure the concentrations of analytes (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb) which had accumulated among the total suspended particulates (TSP) collected from the filters of a dust collector in the city of Opole (Opole voivodeship, Poland). With regard to the physicochemical and biological traits of the mosses, their assessed lifetime and actual photochemical efficiency (yield) following exposure were meagre, which may have been related to the change of environment and their exposure to pollutants. When comparing the results obtained by the two methods used to monitor air pollution, the biomonitoring method was found to be incompletely consistent with the reference method. Biological monitoring using mosses must be carefully considered depending on the monitoring objectives, the required level of sensitivity and quality of measurement and the type of pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Świsłowski
- Institute of Biology, University of Opole, Oleska St. 48, 45-022 Opole, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Arkadiusz Nowak
- Institute of Biology, University of Opole, Oleska St. 48, 45-022 Opole, Poland;
- Botanical Garden—Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Prawdziwka St. 2, 02-973 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stanisław Wacławek
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská St. 1402/2, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic;
| | - Zbigniew Ziembik
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Opole, B. Kominka St. 6a, 45-032 Opole, Poland; (Z.Z.); (M.R.)
| | - Małgorzata Rajfur
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Opole, B. Kominka St. 6a, 45-032 Opole, Poland; (Z.Z.); (M.R.)
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Cabassi J, Lazzaroni M, Giannini L, Mariottini D, Nisi B, Rappuoli D, Vaselli O. Continuous and near real-time measurements of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: A new approach to investigate the 3D distribution of GEM in the lower atmosphere. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 288:132547. [PMID: 34653490 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We present the first real attempt to directly and continuously measure GEM through a Lumex RA-915 M, designed for real-time detection of mercury vapor, mounted on an UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, namely a heavy-lift octocopter), inside and outside the former Hg-mining area of Abbadia San Salvatore (Mt. Amiata, Italy), known as a GEM source. We tested the effectiveness of the UAV-Lumex combination at different heights in selected sites pertaining to both mining facilities and surrounding urban zones, shedding light on the GEM spatial distribution and concentration variability. The Lumex great sensitivity and the octocopter optimal versatility and maneuverability, both horizontally and vertically, allowed to depict the GEM distribution in the atmosphere up to 60 m above the ground. The acquisition system was further optimized by: i) synchronizing Lumex and UAV GPS data by means of a stand-alone GPS that was previously synchronized with Lumex; ii) using a vertical sampling tube (1.20 m high) connected to the Lumex inlet to overcome the rotors strong airflows and turbulence that would have affected GEM measurements; iii) supplying the octocopter with batteries for power supply to avoid the release of exhaust gases; iv) taking the advantage of the UAV ability to land in small spaces and stop at selected altitudes. The resulting dot-map graphical representations, providing a realistic 3D picture of GEM vertical profiling during the flights in near real-time, were useful to verify whether the guideline concentrations indicated by competent authorities were exceeded. The results showed that the GEM concentrations in the urban area, located a few hundred meters from the mining structures, and close to already reclaimed areas remained at relatively low values. Contrarily, GEM contents showed significant variations and the highest concentrations above the facilities containing the old furnaces, where increasing GEM concentrations were recorded at decreasing heights or downwind.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Cabassi
- CNR-IGG Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy.
| | - M Lazzaroni
- CNR-IGG Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - L Giannini
- CNR-IGG Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - D Mariottini
- Drone Arezzo S.r.l., Via Fratelli Lumiere 19, 52100, Arezzo, Italy
| | - B Nisi
- CNR-IGG Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - D Rappuoli
- Unione dei Comuni Amiata Val d'Orcia, Unità di Bonifica, Via Grossetana 209, 53025, Piancastagnaio, Siena, Italy; Parco Museo Minerario di Abbadia San Salvatore, Via Suor Gemma 1, 53021, Abbadia San Salvatore, Siena, Italy
| | - O Vaselli
- CNR-IGG Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
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Mapping Atmospheric Mercury in Lampung Province, Indonesia Using Bark of Multipurpose Tree Species. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of mercury in gold refining causes air pollution and results in the contamination of multipurpose tree species (MPTS). Tree bark has properties that cause it to store mercury for quite a long time. The purpose of this study was to determine mercury contamination of MPTS and map the mercury contamination distribution in the atmosphere using tree barks as bioindicators. Sampling was performed using purposive sampling. The mercury concentration was obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the highest THg contents were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The analysis was carried out by gauging total mercury (THg), distance, elevation to THg, and interpolation of THg at the research site. The results showed that there were 10 types of MPTS trees whose bark could accumulate mercury. The bark of the Tamarindus indica tree stored the greatest amount of THg (74.4 µg dry weight (DW)), followed by Persea americana (58.7 µg DW), and Annona muricata (44.2 µg DW), respectively. This result was influenced by the roughness of the bark and the location of the plants. No correlation was found between distance and elevation to THg on tree bark. The mercury interpolation in the atmosphere showed that mercury moves from the purification point to the southeast of the purification location.
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