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Li Vigni L, Daskalopoulou K, Calabrese S, Kyriakopoulos K, Bellomo S, Brusca L, Brugnone F, D'Alessandro W. Characterization of trace elements in thermal and mineral waters of Greece. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27829-x. [PMID: 37268809 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27829-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Natural thermal and mineral waters are widely distributed along the Hellenic region and are related to the geodynamic regime of the country. The diverse lithological and tectonic settings they are found in reflect the great variability in their chemical and isotopic composition. The current study presents 276 (published and unpublished) trace element water data and discusses the sources and processes affecting the water by taking into consideration the framework of their geographic distribution. The dataset is divided in groups using temperature- and pH-related criteria. Results yield a wide range of concentrations, often related to the solubility properties of the individual elements and the factors impacting them (i.e. temperature, acidity, redox conditions and salinity). Many elements (e.g. alkalis, Ti, Sr, As and Tl) present a good correlation with temperature, which is in cases impacted by water rock interactions, while others (e.g. Be, Al, Cu, Se, Cd) exhibit either no relation or an inverse correlation with T possibly because they become oversaturated at higher temperatures in solid phases. A moderately constant inverse correlation is noticed for the vast majority of trace elements and pH, whereas no relationship between trace element concentrations and Eh was found. Seawater contamination and water-rock interaction seem to be the main natural processes that influence both salinity and elemental content. All in all, Greek thermomineral waters exceed occasionally the accepted limits representing in such cases serious harm to the environment and probably indirectly (through the water cycle) to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kyriaki Daskalopoulou
- Institute of Geosciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Physics of Earthquakes and Volcanoes, GeoForschungs Zentrum, Helmholtzstraße 6/7, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sergio Calabrese
- DiSTeM, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 36, Palermo, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, Palermo, Italy
| | - Konstantinos Kyriakopoulos
- Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Ano Ilissia, Panestimioupolis, Greece
| | - Sergio Bellomo
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Brusca
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Walter D'Alessandro
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, Palermo, Italy.
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Periferakis A, Caruntu A, Periferakis AT, Scheau AE, Badarau IA, Caruntu C, Scheau C. Availability, Toxicology and Medical Significance of Antimony. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084669. [PMID: 35457536 PMCID: PMC9030621 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Antimony has been known and used since ancient times, but its applications have increased significantly during the last two centuries. Aside from its few medical applications, it also has industrial applications, acting as a flame retardant and a catalyst. Geologically, native antimony is rare, and it is mostly found in sulfide ores. The main ore minerals of antimony are antimonite and jamesonite. The extensive mining and use of antimony have led to its introduction into the biosphere, where it can be hazardous, depending on its bioavailability and absorption. Detailed studies exist both from active and abandoned mining sites, and from urban settings, which document the environmental impact of antimony pollution and its impact on human physiology. Despite its evident and pronounced toxicity, it has also been used in some drugs, initially tartar emetics and subsequently antimonials. The latter are used to treat tropical diseases and their therapeutic potential for leishmaniasis means that they will not be soon phased out, despite the fact the antimonial resistance is beginning to be documented. The mechanisms by which antimony is introduced into human cells and subsequently excreted are still the subject of research; their elucidation will enable us to better understand antimony toxicity and, hopefully, to improve the nature and delivery method of antimonial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argyrios Periferakis
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (A.-T.P.); (I.A.B.); (C.C.)
- Akadimia of Ancient Greek and Traditional Chinese Medicine, 16675 Athens, Greece
| | - Ana Caruntu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The “Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Aristodemos-Theodoros Periferakis
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (A.-T.P.); (I.A.B.); (C.C.)
| | - Andreea-Elena Scheau
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Ioana Anca Badarau
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (A.-T.P.); (I.A.B.); (C.C.)
| | - Constantin Caruntu
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (A.-T.P.); (I.A.B.); (C.C.)
- Department of Dermatology, Prof. N.C. Paulescu National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 011233 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Scheau
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (A.-T.P.); (I.A.B.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (C.S.)
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