Impact of mining activities on soils in a semi-arid environment: Sierra Almagrera district, SE Spain

Field and laboratory-column studies were undertaken in order to investigate soil contamination derived from past mining activity in the Sierra Almagrera (SA) district in southeast Spain. The tailings, soil and sediment samples that were collected showed high concentrations of Ag, As, Ba, Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn when analyzed. The mean concentrations of these elements in the tailings were 29.8, 285.4, 54000, 57.7, 2687.5, 179.0 and 2269.0 ppm, respectively. In the soil samples these decreased to 14.3, 96.9, 24700, 37.5, 1859.1, 168.5 and 815.7 ppm, respectively. Geochemical analyses demonstrated high levels of As, Pb and Zn which were above the intervention values set forth in the Andalusian Regulations for Contaminated Soils for As (>50 ppm), Pb (>500 ppm) and Zn (>2000 ppm). Column experiments and mineralogical studies suggest that the dissolution of sulfates and other secondary phases, accumulated in soils and waste-sites during the dry season, acts to control the mobility of metals. The elution curves obtained from column experiments showed a mobilization of Ba, Cu, Pb and Zn, while a low mobility was seen for Ag, As and Sb.     

Impact of nickel mining and metallurgical activities on the distribution of heavy metals in sediments of Levisa, Cabonico and Nipe Bays, Cuba

At MayarÕ zone, northeast Cuba, important lateritic deposits have been exploited since 1943. The mineral is used as raw material in a nickel-processing plant which discharges its untreated solid and liquid wastes into Levisa Bay. Similarly to the adjacent Nipe and Cabonico bays, fluvial currents from the mining areas convey a significant mineral load into this bay. To assess the environmental impact caused by the mining and the metallurgical activities, the distribution of Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb and Zn was investigated in surface and core sediment samples. Uni- and multivariate statistical methods as well as different indices and pollutant factors were used to interpret results. These revealed significant environmental impacts in some areas of the three bays with high concentrations of Ni, Co, Fe and Mn, whose values are up to two orders of magnitude greater than the zone baseline levels. The metal concentrations decreased with increasing distance from discharges. A comparison with other Cuban bays and coastal zones, confirmed that the main source of metal pollution in these three bays was not urban and industrial activities, but lateritic mining and metallurgy.     

Electro-remediation of tailings from a multi-metal sulphide mine: comparing removal efficiencies of Pb,Zn, Cu and Cd

Sulphidic mine tailings characterised by high concentrations of heavy metals (Pb 3532?±?97?mg/kg, Zn 8450?±?154?mg/kg, Cu 239?±?18?mg/kg and Cd 14.1?±?0.3?mg/kg) and abundant carbonate (17%) were subjected to eight lab-scale electrodialytic remediation (EDR) experiments to investigate the influence of current density, treatment time and particle size on removal efficiency. Pb and Cu removal improved when increasing current density, while Zn and Cd removal did not. In contrast Zn and Cd removal improved by grinding the tailings, while Pb and Cu removal did not. At the highest current density (1.2?mA/cm²), 94%, 75%, 71% and 67% removal of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd could be achieved, respectively, on grinded tailings in 28 days. Sequential chemical extraction made before and after EDR revealed larger oxidisable fractions of Zn, Cu and Cd, representing large fractions of sulphides, which was likely to be the main barrier to be removed as efficiently as Pb. This was in accordance with acid/base extraction tests in which Pb showed high solubility at both high and low pH (up to 65% and 86% of extraction, respectively), while considerable extraction of Zn (55%) happened only at low pH; and very limited extraction (<20%) of Cu and Cd occurred at any pH.     

神木煤矿区土壤重金属污染特征研究

通过对神府煤田开采区3个煤矿区周围土壤Cu、Cd、Cr、Mn、Ni质量分数进行测定及分析,评价了煤田开采对周围土壤的污染程度。结果表明,长期的煤炭资源开发、运输等活动,已导致周围土壤受到重金属不同程度的累积性污染,土壤中Cd、Ni质量分数高于陕西省土壤背景值,且Cd污染程度较高,Ni污染程度较低,而Cu、Cr、Mn基本不受污染。3个煤矿表层土壤各重金属元素质量分数均表现出污染区大于对照区,但这种变化幅度存在一定差异;Cu、Cr、Mn 3种重金属元素虽没有超出背景值,但已表现出一定程度的累积;煤矿周围土壤重金属污染受到开采年限、土壤质地、风向等因素的影响。3个煤矿污染区土壤剖面样品中,5种重金属元素质量分数基本上随着土壤深度的增加呈现降低的趋势,且这种趋势具有波动性。     

Impact of Gold mining on the Environment and Human Health: A Case Study in the Migori Gold Belt, Kenya

The study of gold sites in the Migori Gold Belt, Kenya, revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals, mainly Hg, Pb and As are above acceptable levels. Tailings at the panning sites recorded values of 6.5–510 mg kg^–1 Pb, 0.06–76.0 mg kg^–1 As and 0.46–1920 mg kg^–1 Hg. Stream sediments had values of 3.0–11075 mg kg^–1 Pb, 0.014–1.87 mg kg^–1 As and 0.28–348 mg kg^–1 Hg. The highest metal contamination was recorded in sediments from the Macalder stream (11075 mg kg^–1 Pb), Nairobi mine tailings (76.0 mg kg^–1 As) and Mickey tailings (1920 mg kg^–1 Hg). Mercury has a long residence time in the environment and this makes its emissions from artisan mining a threat to health. Inhaling large amounts of siliceous dust, careless handling of mercury during gold panning and Au/Hg amalgam processing, existence of water logged pits and trenches; and large number of miners sharing poor quality air in the mines are the major causes of health hazards among miners. The amount of mercury used by miners for gold amalgamation during peak mining periods varies from 150 to 200 kg per month. Out of this, about 40% are lost during panning and 60% lost during heating Au/Hg amalgam. The use of pressure burners to weaken the reef is a deadly mining procedure as hot particles of Pb, As and other sulphide minerals burn the body. Burns become septic. This, apparently, leads to death within 2–3 years. On-site training of miners on safe mining practices met with enthusiasm and acceptance. The use of dust masks, air filters and heavy chemical gloves during mining and mineral processing were readily accepted. Miners were thus advised to purchase such protective gear, and to continue using them for the sake of their health. The miners' workshop, which was held at the end of the project is likely to bear fruit. The Migori District Commissioner and other Government officials, including medical officers attended this workshop. As a result of this, the Government is seriously considering setting up a clinic at Masara, which is one of the mining centres in the district. This would improve the health of the mining community.     

典型矿冶周边地区土壤重金属污染及有效性含量

对湖南长沙、株洲、衡阳、郴州等地区的典型矿冶污染土壤进行了采样分析与有效性含量提取,结果表明,土壤中重金属污染严重,矿区土壤主要污染元素为Pb、Zn、As、Cr、Cu,而冶炼业周边污染土壤中主要是Zn、Pb、Cr、As、Cu、Cd,其污染程度均远远高于国家环境质量二级标准;Pb、Cd和Zn污染主要来源于采矿、冶炼活动而As污染可能还与农业生产有关。不同浸提液对土壤中Pb、Zn、Cd、As、Cu有效性质量分数的提取能力(设其符号为u)依次为u(NH4NO3)>u(HCl)>u(CaCl2);而对有效性Cr,HCl提取量为最高;盐基离子,尤其是NH4、NO3效应和酸效应(H+)大大促+-进了土壤中重金属离子的环境危害行为。     

Heavy metal distribution in soils near Palapye, Botswana: an evaluation of the environmental impact of coal mining and combustion on soils in a semi-arid region

Morupule Colliery near Palapye in eastern Botswana is the only coalmine in production in Botswana at present. Its coal is mainly used in the nearby coal-fired Morupule Power Station, which generates approximately 1,000 GWh of electricity per annum. After more than 30 years mining and more than 20 years of combustion, the sedimentation of outlet fly ash from the Morupule Power Station has increased concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn and As by 13, 2.5, 16 and 5 ppm, respectively, in the fine portion (<53 μm) of surface soils for approximately 9 km downwind. Elements that have higher concentrations in coal have stronger small-particle association during coal combustion and are less mobile in surface soils, thus showing stronger contaminations in surface soils around the coal-fired plant. Although the degree of contamination of Cr, Ni, Zn and As from coal combustion in the Palapye area at present is low, it is necessary to monitor concentrations of these elements in surface soils routinely in the future. This study also reveals moderate Pb and Zn contaminations in the Palapye area. The former is due to the use of leaded petroleum in motor vehicle traffic and the latter is mainly due to the use of galvanized iron sheets in construction.     

外源铅铜镉在长三角和珠三角农业土壤中的转化

选择了我国经济发达地区的长江三角洲和珠江三角洲10个代表性农业土壤，采用室内培养和化学分级方法研究了加入外源铅、铜、镉在土壤中的动态变化及转化趋势，探讨了碳酸钙、粉煤灰、猪粪和钢渣等土壤改良剂对土壤重金属形态的影响。结果表明，随着土壤重金属负荷的提高，土壤中交换态重金属的比例增大，残余态比例下降，有效性提高，对环境威胁增大。当重金属加入最较低时，重金属优先向氧化物结合态、有机质结合态转化；而当加入最较高时，向交换态和碳酸盐结合态转化的比例明皿增加。pH和土壤组分对重金属在土壤中的转化有显著的影响，土壤pH下降可使交换态Cd、Cu、Pb的比例递增。加入碳酸钙、粉煤灰、猪粪和钢渣等改良剂可显著地降低土壤中交换态重金属比例，增加其它形态的重金属比例。     

广州市菜园土主要蔬菜重金属背景含量的研究

研究了广州市几个主要的蔬菜生产基地种植的白菜、芥蓝、芥菜、菜薹、萝卜、大白菜、豆瓣菜、结球甘蓝、芹菜、菜豆、豌豆、结球莴苣、尖叶莴苣、菠菜、番茄等15种蔬菜中Pb、Hg、Cd、Cr和As等5种重金属的背景质量分数。其背景质量分数为：Pb 0．002～0．148mg/kg；Hg ND-0．006mg/kg；Cd 0．001～0．034mg/kg；Cr 0．002～0．150mg/kg；As 0.001～0．070mg／kg。由于不同种类蔬菜的吸收特性和遗传特性有所不同，其重金属背景质量分数也有很大差异。蔬菜中元素水平还与土壤条件等因素有关。     

Distribution and mobility of metals in agricultural soils near a copper smelter in South China

The distribution and mobility of heavy metals in the paddy soils surrounding a copper smelting plant in south China was investigated. We assessed the degree of metal contamination using an index of geoaccumulation. The metals were divided into two groups: (1) Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, whose concentrations were heavily affected by anthropogenic inputs, and (2) Ni, Co and Cr, which were mainly of geochemical origin. Concentrations of Cu, Cd, Zn, and Pb in the polluted soils were higher than the Chinese soil quality criteria. The chemical partitioning patterns of Pb, Zn and Cu indicated that Pb was largely associated with the residual and NH₂OH HCl extractable fractions. In contrast, Cd was predominantly associated with the MgCl₂ extractable fraction. A large proportion of Cu was bound to the acidic H₂O₂ extractable fractions, while Zn was predominantly found in the residual phase. The fraction of mobile species, which potentially is the most harmful to the environment, was found to be elevated compared to unpolluted soils in which heavy metals are more strongly bound to the matrix. The mobility of the metals was studied by water extraction using a modification of Tessier’s procedure, and the order of mobility was Zn > Cd > Cu  > Pb.     

土壤重金属污染的植物修复中转基因技术的应用

重金属污染的植物修复技术以其费用低廉、不污染环境等优点一度成为环境科学界研究的热点。为了克服植物修复技术中超积累植物生长缓慢和地上部生物量小等带来的限制，近年来研究者通过大量试验研究发展，外源基因在植物体内的高效表达可以提高植物吸收、运输、降解污染物的能力和修复的效率。本文首先对目前国内外重金属污染土壤植物修复的研究动态进行综述，重点论述了PCs、MTs、MerA、MerB、ArsC、γ-ECS等转基因在土壤重金属污染植物修复中的应用，最后指出在充分考虑到转基因植物给生态环境带来潜在威胁的前提下，转基因技术的研究与开发不仅可以促进多学科的交叉研究和丰富环境科学的研究领域，更重要的是在很大程度上有效地克服了目前土壤重金属污染植物修复中存在并急需解决的棘手问题，为土壤重金属污染的植物修复提供了更加广阔的应用和发展前景。     

Assessment of heavy metals in water,sediment, Anabas testudineus and Eichhornia crassipes in a former mining pond in Perak,Malaysia

The concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn were analysed in water, sediment, muscle of climbing perch fish (Anabas testudineus), and tissue of water hyacinth plants (Eichhornia crassipes) collected from a former tin-mining pond in Perak, Malaysia. The monitoring was performed during the minimum and maximum rainfall periods. The concentrations of As, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in water exceeded the permissible limits set by the Interim National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (INWQS). The risk index (RI) values determined for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn in sediment presented a low degree of ecological risk. The order of the top three heavy metals measured in fish muscle was Zn?>?Fe?>?Al. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of As and Cr exceeded the allowable limits in both rainfall periods. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) values of Zn in water hyacinth were 24.865 and 3.214, respectively. The concentrations of Cu and Zn in the plant tissue were significantly correlated (p?<?.05) with the concentrations of heavy metals in water. Overall, climbing perch and water hyacinth are excellent bioindicators of environmental impacts on water bodies.     

Trace metal pollution in a Le'an River tributary affected by non-ferrous metal mining activities in Jiangxi Province,China

Sediment and water samples from the Jishui River were tested to determine the concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn. The concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn in the surface water close to the Fujiawu copper mine greatly exceeded the criteria maximum concentrations (CMC) of the Environmental Protection Agency. The concentration of Zn at a site near the small smelters also exceeded the CMC. Cd concentrations in surface water samples from 69% of the sampling sites were significantly higher than the CMC. Heavy Cd pollution of surface water resulted from the Shuanghua Smelter, the lead smelter, the lead–zinc mine and the small smelters downstream. The total metal concentrations in the majority of the sediment samples substantially exceeded the probable effect levels (PEL). Levels of As, Cd, Cu and Zn in surface sediment of the site close to the Shuanghua Smelter were 20 times higher than the PELs. The levels of Pb in sediment of the downstream sites near the small smelters and the lead–zinc mine were also elevated. Based on the results of the BCR sequential extract procedures and the risk assessment code, the levels of Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn in the sediment posed high risk.     

大冶矿区土壤重金属积累对土壤酶活性的影响

大冶矿区位于湖北省的东南部,是我国的青铜之乡,长期的采矿和冶炼活动已使该矿区土地生产力和农产品品质严重下降。为了探明相关重金属的污染状况,应用野外调查与采样分析相结合的方法,研究了大冶矿区土壤酶活性和土壤中重金属的累积特性。结果表明:矿区土壤Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、As全量的平均值分别是该区土壤背景值的35.1倍、16.0倍、3.0倍、29.8倍、1.1倍。不同样点土壤酶活性存在一定程度的差异。土壤重金属胁迫对土壤酶活性主要表现为抑制作用,其中对土壤重金属响应较敏感的酶为脲酶和过氧化氢酶,这两种酶与重金属Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、As的全量分别呈显著或极显著的负相关。这些研究结果对于大冶矿区土壤环境质量评价及生态修复有一定的指导意义。     

Assessment of heavy metals contamination in soils surrounding a gold mine: comparison of two digestion methods

This study investigated two digestion methods (USEPA 3051: microwave, HNO₃ or Hossner: hot plate, HF–H₂SO₄–HClO₄) for heavy metals analysis in contaminated soil surrounding Mahad AD'Dahab mine, Saudi Arabia. Moreover, contamination metal levels were estimated. The Hossner and USEPA 3051 methods showed, respectively, average total contents of 17.2 and 18.1 mg kg^?1 for Cd, 11.6 and 10.6 mg kg^?1 for Co, 45.7 and 34.7 mg kg^?1 for Cr, 1030 and 1100 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 33,300 and 27,400 mg kg^?1 for Fe, 963 and 872 mg kg^?1 for Mn, 33.2 and 22.8 mg kg^?1 for Ni, 791 and 782 mg kg^?1for Pb, and 6320 and 2870 mg kg^?1 for Zn. A lack of significant differences and a high correlation coefficient (>90%) for Cd, Pb and Cu between the two digestion methods suggest that the total-recoverable method (USEPA 3051) may be equivalent to the total-total digestion method (Hossner) for determining these metals in the studied soil. However, significantly higher concentrations of Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn were found by the Hossner method comapred with the USEPA 3051 method. The soil samples have very or extremely high levels of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb contamination, indicating very high potential ecological risk.     

Distribution of anthropogenic cadmium and arsenic in arable land soils of Hainan,China

It is important to determine the distribution of anthropogenic heavy metals in arable land soils. Using Hainan Island as a study area, the background concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in arable land soils from different types of parent materials were estimated and then anthropogenic input distribution was determined by subtracting background concentrations from existing spatial distributions of Cd and As using ArcGIS spatial analysis tools. There were areas where the content of soil Cd and As did not show a change due to anthropogenic inputs, 8.4% As and 24.3% Cd content were below background concentrations, respectively. Soils with higher anthropogenic inputs were found around urban areas and the western part of Hainan Island. Data indicated that inputs were primarily produced by rapid urbanization and uncontrolled mining exploration. Anthropogenic Cd and As increases were also caused by excessive application of fertilizers.     

重金属对药物和个人护理品在土壤/沉积物中吸附的影响机制:现状与展望

药物和个人护理品简称(PPCPs)是一类具有潜在累积效果的环境污染物,其广泛分布于水体与土壤环境中.在土壤/沉积物中,PPCPs将发生一系列的物理、化学和生物作用,其中吸附是PPCPs在土壤/沉积物中极为关键的环境行为,将影响PPCPs在环境中的迁移转化及其对生物体的危害程度.重金属作为一类常见的无机污染物,它们的存在...     

Effect of acid rain on the fractionation of heavy metals and major elements in contaminated soils

Acid rain is a serious environmental problem worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acid rain (1:1 equivalent basis H₂SO₄:HNO₃) at pH values of 2.0, 4.0 and 7.0 on the fractionation of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and major elements (K, Na, Ca, and Mg) in contaminated calcareous soils over a 2084 h period. Heavy metals and major elements in soil samples were fractionated before and after 2084 h kinetic release using a sequential extraction procedure. Before kinetic studies the predominant fractions of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cd and Ni were mainly associated with carbonate fraction (CARB), whereas Fe, Mn and Zn were associated with the Fe–Mn oxide fraction (Fe–Mn oxide). The highest percentage of Pb and Cu were found in the exchangeable (EXC) and organic matter (OM) fractions, respectively. After kinetic study using different simulated acid rain solutions, the major fractions of heavy metals (expect of Cu) and Na was the same as before release. Upon the application of different acid rain solutions, K and Mg were found dominantly in Fe–Mn oxide fraction, whereas Ca was in the EXC fraction. The results provide valuable information regarding metal mobility and indicated that speciation of metals (Cu and Zn) and major elements in contaminated calcareous soils can be affected by acid rain.     

Seasonal distribution and speciation of mercury in a gold mining area,north-west province,South Africa

The seasonal speciation of mercury (Hg) was determined in water, soil, and sediments from watersheds located in the North-West province of South Africa. The study area is known to have a long history of mining activities which also include the recovery of gold from old tailings. Both inorganic (IHg) and methyl mercury (MHg) were detected at high concentrations (up to 8480 μg IHg kg^?1 and 13 μg MHg kg^?1) in surface sediments during dry season. A considerable remobilization of Hg from bottom sediments was observed in water from dry to wet season as well as the migration of Hg away from pollution sources due to seasonal influences. Hg in sediments mostly has been speciated as Hg⁰. Enhancement of Hg methylation occurred mainly in deeper sediments at regions corresponding to the lowest redox potential, higher pH, and enrichment of IHg. Hg values in borehole waters were very high (up to 3310 ng L^?1) suggesting a serious contamination of the site groundwater which needs to be addressed urgently in order to minimize further impact that affects the Vaal River and other water systems located nearby.