Partitioning of metals in sediments from the Odiel River (Spain)

The Odiel River runs through an area known as the Iberian pyrite belt in the province of Huelva in the southwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula. Its waters are acidic and contain large amounts of heavy metals from erosion and mining activity. In addition, the Odiel River estuary is one of the most industrialized areas in southern Spain and, consequently, receives the discharge of industrial and urban waste. Seventeen sediment samples from the Odiel and its main tributaries were analyzed for this study. The chemical partitioning of metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cr and Co) in each sample was determined in four fractions (acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable and residual). The total content of each of the metals was also determined. The results showed high concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, undoubtedly as a result of contamination from the mining and industrial activity mentioned above. However, the concentrations of the other metals analyzed were low since there are no sources of pollution by them in the Odiel River. Based on the chemical distribution of metals, we found that Cd, Zn and Cu are the most mobile metals (i.e., metals that can pass easily into the water under changing environmental conditions). Cd is the metal that showed the highest percentages in the acid-soluble fraction (the most labile) and the lowest in the residual fraction. However, Pb, Fe, Cr and Ni are present in the greatest percentages in the residual fraction, which implies that these metals are strongly linked to the sediments.     

Spatial variations of heavy metals contamination in sediments from Odiel river (Southwest Spain)

The presence of heavy metal concentrations was examined in surface sediments from 27 sites within the Odiel river in the southwest Spain suffering inputs from industrial and mining activities. The interest is specially focused on the final delta located in the Odiel Natural Park, which constitutes a feeding ground of international importance for migrating birds. The behavior of 10 heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Fe, Hg) is conditioned by chemical properties of sediments such as acidity and carbonate or the presence of sulfate Very acidic sediments in the medium course of river contribute to the lower presence of metal as a consequence of leaching process. However, tidal action raises the pH in the marshes of the delta with correlative metal accumulation. In accordance with the Müller [Umschan 79 (1979) 133-149] scale for geoaccumulation index, the entire watercourse could be considered polluted by Zn and Pb, while Cu exhibits a high presence in the delta marshes of the river.     

金沙江流域（云南段）典型露天矿区开采条件生态适宜性评价

露天采矿产生的水土流失、次生地质灾害等生态负效应强度受矿山所处的地理环境控制。金沙江流域露天矿区众多,地形复杂,采矿后产生的生态负效应易受脆弱的地理环境放大,因此对流域内露天矿区进行开采条件的生态适宜性评价,对保护环境具有重要意义。采用RS、GIS等空间技术,在ArcGIS环境下建立了金沙江流域（云南段）露天矿区的空间数据库,以其中的10个典型露天矿区为研究对象,在对比分析了这些露天矿区的地理环境后,选取了地貌、海拔、坡度、植被覆盖度、植被类型及流域位置等作为评价指标,对典型露天矿区进行开采条件的生态适宜性评价。评价方法涉及专家打分、灰色关联法等。研究得出流域内10个典型露天矿的空间分布特征及开采条件的生态适宜性。研究成果为流域内露天矿区资源的合理开发利用及生态保护提供一定的科学依据     

Characterisation of heavy metal discharge into the Ria of Huelva

The Ria of Huelva estuary, in SW Spain, is known to be one of the most heavy metal contaminated estuaries in the world. River contribution to the estuary of dissolved Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cd, and As were analysed for the period 1988-2001. The obtained mean values show that this contribution, both because of the magnitude of total metals (895.1 kg/h), composition, toxicity (8.7 kg/h of As+Cd+Pb) and persistence, is an incomparable case in heavy metal contamination of estuaries. The amount and typology of heavy metal discharge to the Ria of Huelva are related to freshwater flow (and, consequently, to rainfall); as a result, two different types of heavy metal discharge can be distinguished in the estuary: during low water (50% of the days), with only 19.3 kg/h of heavy metals, and during high water or flood (17% of the days), where daily maximum discharge of 72,475 kg of heavy metals were recorded, from which 1481 kg were of As, 470 kg of Pb, and 170 kg of Cd. In the most frequent situation (77% of the days), the Odiel River discharges from 90% to 100% of the freshwater received by the estuary. Despite this, the high concentration of heavy metals in the Tinto River water causes this river to discharge into the Ria of Huelva 12.5% of fluvial total dissolved metal load received by the estuary.     

Acid mine drainage pollution in the Tinto and Odiel rivers (Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain) and bioavailability of the transported metals to the Huelva Estuary

The Tinto and Odiel rivers are seriously affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) from the long-term mining activities in Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). As a consequence, the Huelva estuary is heavily contaminated by metals and metalloids. This study presents an estimation of the seasonal variation, and the dissolved contaminant load transported by both rivers from February 2002 to September 2004. Besides, toxicity and bioaccumulation tests with the sediments of the estuary have been conducted in order to measure the mobility of the toxic metals. Results show that the Tinto and Odiel rivers transport enormous quantities of dissolved metals to the estuary: 7900 t yr(-1) of Iron (Fe), 5800 t yr(-1) Aluminium (Al), 3500 t yr(-1) Zinc (Zn), 1700 t yr(-1) Copper (Cu), 1600 t yr(-1) Manganese (Mn) and minor quantities of other metals and metalloids. These values represent 37% of the global gross flux of dissolved Zn transported by rivers in to the ocean, and 15% of the global gross flux of dissolved Cu. These metals and metalloids usually sink in the estuarine sediments due to pH and salinity changes. The increase of salinity in the estuary favours the adsorption and trapping of metals. For this reason, the mobility and bioavailability of metals such as Zn, Cd and Cu is higher in sediments located in the area of fresh water influence that in sediments located in the marine influenced area of the estuary, showing a higher percentage of fractionation and bioaccumulation of these metals in the station influenced by the fresh water environment.     

Radium removal from mine waters in underground treatment installations

The underground mining of hard coal is widespread in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (southern Poland). In deep mines, inflows of highly mineralised waters containing radium isotopes are numerous. These waters cause severe damage to the natural environment due to the salinity, but additionally radioactive pollution occurs. The region is densely populated, therefore mitigation methods are very important. The method of radium removal has been applied in full technical scale in two coal mines with very good results - in one of the mines radium-bearing waters are treated at the rate of approximately 0.1m(3)s(-1), while in another mine salty waters are purified at the rate of 0.1m(3)s(-1). The purification takes place in special underground galleries without any contact of the mining crew with the radioactive deposits produced during the process. As a result, release of radium is significantly lower, more than 200MBq of (226)Ra and (228)Ra remains underground each day.     

Evaluation of non-carcinogenic health risks of thallium in grapevine exposed to mine waters of an abandoned mining region in Turkey

Environment, Development and Sustainability - In this study, non-carcinogenic health risks of thallium in grapevine exposed to mine waters of an abandoned mining region in Turkey were evaluated....     

Effect of heavy metal pollution on plant communities of the Tanalyk River,the Bashkir Transural region

Geobotanical analysis of aquatic and wetland plant communities of the Tanalyk River has been performed in the zone of impact from the abandoned Kul-Yurt-Tau pyrite mine. The results show that pollution of the river with highly mineralized runoff leads to a decrease in the β-diversity and synthetic characteristics of plant communities (α-diversity, total coverage, and herb layer height) and in the aboveground phytomass of dominant species.     

Mercury pollution in Wuchuan mercury mining area,Guizhou, Southwestern China: The impacts from large scale and artisanal mercury mining

To evaluate the environmental impacts from large scale mercury mining (LSMM) and artisanal mercury mining (AMM), total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) were determined in mine waste, ambient air, stream water and soil samples collected from Wuchuan mercury (Hg) mining area, Guizhou, Southwestern China. Mine wastes from both LSMM and AMM contained high THg concentrations, which are important Hg contamination sources to the local environment. Total gaseous mercury (TGM) concentrations in the ambient air near AMM furnaces were highly elevated, which indicated that AMM retorting is a major source of Hg emission. THg concentrations in the stream water varied from 43 to 2100 ng/L, where the elevated values were mainly found in the vicinity of AMM and mine waste heaps of LSMM. Surface soils were seriously contaminated with Hg, and land using types and organic matter played an important role in accumulation and transportation of Hg in soil. The results indicated heavy Hg contaminations in the study area, which were resulted from both LSMM and AMM. The areas impacted by LSMM were concentrated in the historical mining and smelting facilities, while Hg pollution resulted from AMM can be distributed anywhere in the Hg mining area.     

长江流域不同类型降水量的非均匀性分布特征

基于长江流域1963~2016年131个气象站点逐日降水资料,计算了年降水、强降水（极端降水和暴雨）的集中度（PCD）、集中期（PCP）,并结合M-K非参数性趋势检验分析以及相关分析等方法对长江流域降水非均匀性分布特征及其趋势进行了分析,目的在于揭示不同类型降水量在流域内非均匀性分布的特征,加强对强降水在时空分布上的理解。结果表明：流域多年平均年内日降水量集中度（PCDDP）、集中期（PCPDP）均由下游向上游递增,PCDDP变化趋势不显著而PCPDP变化趋势在空间上差异明显,在流域中下游呈增长趋势、上游呈减小趋势;年降水量与PCDDP呈显著正相关的地区主要分布在四川盆地;流域年极端降水量PCDEP、PCPEP的多年平均分布及变化趋势与PCDDP、PCPDP相似。流域多年平均暴雨量（日降水≥50 mm）从下游向上游递减,在四川盆地较四周高,暴雨在流域东部呈增长趋势,在四川盆地呈减小趋势;年暴雨量集中度（PCDRP）、集中期（PCPRP）从流域东南向西北递减,在湖北、贵州以及四川东部PCDRP呈增加趋势,在流域东南部呈减小趋势;PCPRP在江浙、安徽、湖南及贵州地区呈不明显的增加趋势,在四川、云南等地呈减少趋势。     

Aerial measurements on uranium ore mining, milling and processing areas in Germany

The paper describes aerial measurements at several sites containing residues from uranium mines, waste rock dumps and tailings ponds of the Wismut company in Saxony and Thuringia. For the measurements, a computerized gamma-ray spectrometer equipped with a HPGe-detector and a NaI(Tl)-detector array with a volume of 121 was used. Radioactive anomalies from natural radionuclides have been detected and mapped. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 228Th and 40K in areas with elevated radioactivity from natural radionuclides were determined from aerial measurements. Ground-based measurements--as far as available--confirmed these results. The mean 226Ra activity concentrations in the different waste rock dumps were found to be in the range 370 to 1600 Bq kg-1. The highest mean 226Ra activity concentrations were measured for the tailings ponds with values up to 1300 Bq kg-1. For 40K and 208Tl, activity concentrations of 860 and 40 Bq kg-1, respectively, were obtained as averages of all measurements. These values are commonly found in the environment. In general, there is reasonable agreement between the results measured with different detectors and measuring methods.     

铜绿山矿冶废弃地优势植物重金属的积累与迁移

通过野外调查和取样分析,研究了大冶铜绿山矿冶废弃地鸭跖草等5种优势植物对重金属的吸收累积与迁移特性,以期为矿区退化生态系统的植被恢复、重金属污染土壤的治理等提供依据。结果表明,鸭跖草等5种植物对重金属Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr都有程度不等的高量积累,尤其是铜元素,其最高积累量出现在海洲香薷根部,达到844.65 mg/kg,是一般植物Cu含量（5~25 mg/kg）的33.8~1689倍;而在同样条件下,As在5种植物体内的含量为018~098 mg/kg,远远低于As在一般植物中的含量（＜10 mg/kg）,这说明这些植物对As可能具有某种规避机制。从植物对重金属的吸收、富集和转运能力综合考虑,鸭跖草等5种植物都不太可能是重金属Cu等6种重金属的超累积植物。但是,它们对重金属所表现出的耐性无疑对矿冶废弃地的植被恢复过程有重要意义。     

江西德兴矿集区水系沉积物重金属污染分析

对矿山及其周边地区的环境进行现状调查和评价,可以为环境监测和环境保护提供客观依据,具有重要意义。以江西德兴铜多金属矿山及矿集区为研究区,开展区域水系沉积物的重金属污染研究。在德兴地区4 800 km2的范围内,系统采集水系沉积物样品330个。同时,采用X荧光光谱法、等离子原子发射光谱法等现代测试技术,分析了土壤和水系沉积物中重金属（As、Hg、Cd、Cr、Zn、Cu、Pb）的含量。样品中重金属As、Hg、Cd、Cr、Zn、Cu和Pb的含量变化范围分别为3070~1 109、0015~5430、 0035~135、7~236、22~1 770、5~4 390和15~1 685 mg/kg。通过对样品的重金属元素含量统计分析和绘制等值线图,发现该区域水系沉积物中存在不同程度的As、Hg、Cd、Zn、Cu和Pb重金属污染。污染区域主要分布在德兴铅锌和铜钼矿区德兴河下游至与乐安河交汇处、德兴河与大坞河周边地区、西北部分煤矿区.     

南方重金属矿区重金属的污染特征及评价

 采用全面踏查和典型调查相结合的方法,对福建主要重金属矿区的尤溪铅锌矿、连城铅锌矿和连城锰矿不同片区重金属污染状况进行调查。结果表明：福建重金属矿区重金属污染极其严重,矿区中Mn、Zn、Pb、Cd最高含量分别达92 546、27 454、23 792和248 mg/kg,是对照区的几倍至上百倍。根据国家土壤环境质量三级标准,按照重金属单项污染指数标准进行的污染评价表明：南方重金属矿区Zn、Pb、Cd均达到重度污染标准,污染程度表现为尤溪铅锌矿区>连城铅锌矿区>连城锰矿区。按照综合污染指数评价标准,福建连城铅锌矿、连城锰矿和尤溪铅锌矿的综合污染指数也达到重度污染标准,分别是重度污染临界标准的16.5、10.6和53.6倍,不同矿区的重金属污染程度大小排序为尤溪铅锌矿区>连城铅锌矿区>连城锰矿矿区。     

Exposure of workers in mineral processing industries in Brazil

The mining, milling and processing of uranium and thorium bearing minerals may result in radiation doses to workers. A preliminary survey pilot program, that included six mines in Brazil (two coal mines, one niobium mine, one nickel mine, one gold mine and one phosphate mine), was launched in order to determine the need to control the radioactive exposure of the mine-workers. Our survey consisted of the collection and analysis of urine samples, complemented by feces and air samples. The concentrations of uranium, thorium and polonium were measured in these samples and compared to background data from family members of the workers living in the same dwelling and from residents from the general population of Rio de Janeiro. The results from the coal mines indicated that the inhalation of radon progeny may be a source of occupational exposure. The workers from the nickel, gold and phosphate mines that were visited do not require a program to control internal radiological doses. The niobium mine results showed that in some areas of the industry exposure to thorium and uranium might occur.     

全球升温1.5℃与2.0℃情景下长江中下游地区极端降水的变化特征

基于长江中下游地区1961~2100年区域气候模式COSMO-CLM(CCLM)模拟与1961~2005年气象站观测的逐日降水数据,通过统计计算年降水量、强降水量、暴雨日数和极端降水贡献率4个极端降水指数,研究全球升温1.5℃与2.0℃情景下,长江中下游地区极端降水的时空变化特征。结果表明:(1)全球升温1.5℃情景下,年降水量相对于1986~2005年减少5%,强降水量、暴雨日数和极端降水贡献率分别增加7%、33%和4%;概率密度曲线表明,年降水量均值下降,强降水量、暴雨日数和极端降水贡献率均值上升,极端降水方差增大;年降水量、强降水量和暴雨日数在空间上表现为南部增加北部减少,极端降水贡献率则相反。(2)全球升温2.0℃情景下,年降水量下降3%,强降水量、暴雨日数和极端降水贡献率分别上升15%、46%和15%;年降水量均值稍有减少且方差稍有上升,强降水量、暴雨日数和极端降水贡献率均值和方差明显增加;年降水量减少区域位于长江主干以北,强降水量、暴雨日数和极端降水贡献率表现为绝大部分地区增加的空间变化特征。(3)全球升温由1.5℃至2.0℃时,年降水量、强降水量、暴雨日数和极端降水贡献率分别增加3%、7%、10%和11%;随升温幅度的增加极端降水均值和方差上升;极端降水呈增加态势的范围扩大。因此,努力将升温控制在1.5℃对降低极端降水的影响具有重要意义。     

淮河流域暴雨灾害时空分布及趋势规律研究

选用1958~2007年淮河流域16个地面测站50 a逐日降水观测资料,利用降水距平百分率和线性趋势法以及Morlet小波分析法,对淮河流域暴雨分布的时空规律和波动演化规律进行了研究。结果显示：（1）淮河流域暴雨日数呈现3个阶段,1958~1964年和1994~2007年为暴雨日数增长期,1965~1993年为暴雨日数减少期,且大多数年份正负距平约1~2 a交替出现,淮河流域暴雨日数在进入21世纪以来明显增加;（2）淮河流域6~8月份暴雨量偏多的年份有13次,从20世纪80年代开始洪涝也较为频繁,尤其2000年以后雨量明显增加;（3）Morlet小波的时频变化规律研究显示,淮河流域显示出一定的周期性时间序列,2、5、15、27 a是重要的周期性时序,淮河南北两部分表现出不同的暴雨发展趋势,淮河南部地区是暴雨中心地带,南强北弱的趋势日趋明显     

Assessment of radiation exposure in the uranium mining and milling area of Mailuu Suu, Kyrgyzstan

The area of the town of Mailuu Suu, Kyrgyzstan, is polluted by radionuclides and heavy metals from tailing dumps and heaps resulting from the historic exploitation of uranium mines. In the frame of a European Commission-TACIS funded project, radiological assessment was performed for critical group members living in the city of Mailuu Suu, located downstream the tailings, or in the village of Kara Agach, partially located on a uranium mine waste dump. The actual external exposure is around 1.2 mSv a(-1) at both locations and exposure from radon is around 3 mSv a(-1) at Mailuu Suu and around 10 mSv a(-1) at Kara Agach. Ingestion dose was negligible for a critical group member living at Mailuu Suu. At Kara Agach, however, under the hypothesis that all food and fodder is cultivated locally, exposure from ingestion is much higher ( approximately 10-30 mSv a(-1)). In case of an accidental scenario [(part of) Tailing 3 content thrust to river], estimated additional maximum doses result in 45 and 77 mSv for an adult and a child, respectively.     

Contribution of small-scale mining to employment,development and sustainability – an Indian scenario

Small-scale mining is more prevalent in India. The maximum production capacity of 50,000 tonnes/year has been accepted as a criterion to Indian small-scale mine. Such mines constitute about 90% of total number of mines, 42% of the total non-fuel minerals and metals, 5% of the fuel minerals. Some 3000 small scale mines account for a work force of about 0.5 million people. Yet this sector is a neglected sector in Indian economy and still considered as an unorganized sector. This paper examines the contribution of small-scale mines to employment and national mineral production, practices, and Indian policy on small-scale mining. It identifies the drawbacks in the existing Government policy and discusses the role of Government for up gradation in this sector. It focuses the need for technical up gradation and to ensure the economic and social infrastructure. It also discusses how the pursuit of sustainable livelihoods, poverty alleviation and indigenous peoples right in artisanal and small-scale mining be more effective when these communities are disadvantaged or neglected by Government policies. This paper concludes that this sector can make significant contribution to Indian economy and employment generation. It recommends that by establishing mining centre consist of shared mining and processing facilities, educating and training related initiatives it can be achieved.     

黄浦江表层沉积物中重金属污染的潜在生态风险评价

采用潜在生态风险指数法对黄浦江表层沉积物中重金属污染的潜在生态风险进行了评价。评价结果表明,黄浦江表层沉积物中重金属的潜在生态风险水平较低,其中杨浦大桥和南市水厂断面达到中等生态风险,其它断面均为轻微生态风险;重金属的潜在生态风险依次为Cd>Hg>Cu>As>Pb>Cr>Zn,除Cd达到中等生态风险外,其余元素均为轻微生态风险。沉积物中重金属的污染水平从上游到下游呈上升趋势,工业排放是水环境中重金属的主要来源,苏州河对黄浦江下游重金属存在一定的输入贡献。相关性分析表明,黄浦江表层沉积物中大多数重金属元素呈现相近的来源特征,有机质是影响沉积物中重金属分布的重要因素。