1
|
Deng P, Lin K, Yuan W, Gomez MA, She J, Yu S, Sun M, Liu Y, Wang J, Chen D, Liu J. Risk assessment and strontium isotopic tracing of potentially toxic metals in creek sediments around a uranium mine, China. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 353:141597. [PMID: 38432466 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141597] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The contamination of creek sediments near industrially nuclear dominated site presents significant environmental challenges, particularly in identifying and quantifying potentially toxic metal (loid)s (PTMs). This study aims to measure the extent of contamination and apportion related sources for nine PTMs in alpine creek sediments near a typical uranium tailing dam from China, including strontium (Sr), rubidium (Rb), manganese (Mn), lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), vanadium (V), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), using multivariate statistical approach and Sr isotopic compositions. The results show varying degrees of contamination in the sediments for some PTMs, i.e., Sr (16.1-39.6 mg/kg), Rb (171-675 mg/kg), Mn (224-2520 mg/kg), Li (11.6-78.8 mg/kg), Cd (0.31-1.38 mg/kg), and Zn (37.1-176 mg/kg). Multivariate statistical analyses indicate that Sr, Rb, Li, and Mn originated from the uranium tailing dam, while Cd and Zn were associated with abandoned agricultural activities, and Ni, Cu, and V were primarily linked to natural bedrock weathering. The Sr isotope fingerprint technique further suggests that 48.22-73.84% of Sr and associated PTMs in the sediments potentially derived from the uranium tailing dam. The combined use of multivariate statistical analysis and Sr isotopic fingerprint technique in alpine creek sediments enables more reliable insights into PTMs-induced pollution scenarios. The findings also offer unique perspectives for understanding and managing aqueous environments impacted by nuclear activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengyuan Deng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke Lin
- Earth Observatory of Singapore and Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Wenhuan Yuan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mario Alberto Gomez
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingye She
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shan Yu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengqing Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanyi Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Diyun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Juan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the PRD, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|