Distribution,geochemistry, and mineralogy of aerosols in the Angouran Mine area,northwest Iran

The Angouran Mine, located in northwest Iran, is the largest Zn–Pb producer in the Middle East. This study was designed to investigate the distribution, geochemistry, and mineralogy of the aerosols in the mining area and to assess their likely health impacts on the local residents. For this purpose, 36 aerosol samples were collected from 2014 to 2015 at nine sites located in mine district and upwind and downwind directions. The concentration of potentially toxic elements in the aerosols was determined using AAS instrument. Size, morphology, and mineralogy of the particles were studied using SEM and EDX spectra. The results indicate that the amount of total suspended particles in upwind, mine district, and downwind sites is 95.5, 463.4 and 287.5 µg/m³, respectively. The concentrations of PM_2.5 in the three locations are 8.9, 134.7, and 51.8 µg/m³, whereas the PM₁₀ contents are 2.9, 74.4, and 15.5 µg/m³, respectively. These observations point to the impact of mining activities on the concentration of aerosols in the local atmosphere. The values of air quality index also show the probable effects of the mining activities on the health of the local populations, especially for allergic peoples. The average concentration of Zn in the samples collected from the mining district (290 µg/kg) is much higher than its value in the upwind sites (27 µg/kg). The highest concentration of As (70 µg/kg), Cd (10 µg/kg), and Pb (3 µg/kg) is in downwind sites, which shows the negative impact of mining activities on the local air quality. Temporally, the highest concentration of the studied elements is recorded in spring season, especially for PM_2.5 collected in downwind stations. Based on the results of SEM and EDX spectra, three groups of minerals, i.e., carbonates, silicates, and sulfides, are present in the aerosol particles, confirming the local source for the aerosols. SEM analyses showed that the aerosol particles with dissimilar chemical composition have different morphologies such as irregular, rounded, elongated, and angular. On the basis of the results, the mining activities in the Angouran Zn–Pb Mine may have various short- and long-term consequences on the public health, especially due to high amount of the finer particles (PM_2.5) and the higher concentration of the potentially toxic elements in PM_2.5 which can penetrate into the lungs.

     

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.     

煤矿区生态累积效应评价研究进展

煤炭开采活动的特点决定了其对矿区生态环境的影响具有明显的累积效应。在梳理生态累积效应概念和特征的基础上,结合煤矿区各类活动的特点综述了煤矿区生态累积效应的影响源、途径、效应及类型,并评述了目前国内外有关煤矿区生态累积效应的相关研究。目前针对煤矿区生态累积效应的研究仍十分有限,评价方法也尚不成熟。关于煤矿区的生态累积效应研究主要集中在效应评价方面,有关生态累积效应的发生机理、指标体系构建、评价方法学、管理规划及应对机制,是未来应加强的重点研究领域。     

Contrasted tolerance of Agrostis capillaris metallicolous and non-metallicolous ecotypes in the context of a mining technosol amended by biochar,compost and iron sulfate

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Metal(loid) contamination of soil, resulting from the mining activities, is a major issue worldwide, due to its negative effects on the environment and...     

Metals and metalloids in PM10 in Nandan County,Guangxi, China,and the health risks posed

Intense mining, smelting, and tailing activities of polymetallic ore deposits have affected the environment in Nandan County, Guangxi, China. Samples of particulates with aerodynamic diameters low or equal 10 μm (PM₁₀) were collected in Nandan County to investigate the concentrations of and health risks posed by 17 metals and metalloids in the PM₁₀. The metal and metalloid concentrations were lower than those found in other industrial cities. The mean Cr concentration was 7.48 ng/m³. Significant higher metal and metalloid concentrations were found in PM₁₀ from mining areas (Dachang and Chehe) than from the control area (Liuzhai) (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis indicated that the main sources of Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mo, Na, and Sr were resuspension of the soil produced through mineral erosion, the main sources of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn were smelting and mining activities, and the main source of Ni was fossil fuel combustion. Higher non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were posed in Dachang and Chehe than in Liuzhai. The non-carcinogenic risks posed to adults and children by individual metals and metalloids in PM₁₀ at all the sites were low, but the non-carcinogenic risks posed to children by all the metals and metalloids together exceeded the safe level (i.e., risk value > 1). The carcinogenic risks posed by Cd, Ni, and Pb were negligible at all sites, while As, Co, and Cr posed potential carcinogenic risks to the residents.

     

Heavy metal contamination of soils at old mining sites on Thasos Island,Greece

Thasos Island has a long history of metalliferous mining, the first mining activities having been initiated by the Phoenicians during the seventh century. The mineralogy of the mineralisation includes primary minerals (galena, sphalerite) and secondary oxidised minerals (smithsonite, cerussite). In the soils studied only secondary minerals were found. Clay minerals (kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite, mixed layer clays), plagioclase, calcite and dolomite are also present in the soils. Contamination derived from the old mining sites results in extremely high levels of Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, As, Sb, Ag, Cd in soils in the vicinity of the old workings. Since many of the Thasos mining sites are in, or adjacent to, areas of agricultural land, plants growing on the polluted sous have increased concentrations of heavy metals. This may well have a possible effect on livestock.     

矿冶区周边水稻对不同来源重金属污染的指示作用

有色金属开采与冶炼可对周边环境造成严重的重金属污染,查明重金属污染来源对于矿冶周边重金属污染管理与控制具有重要意义.为探索利用矿冶周边水稻对As、Cd、Pb、Zn和Cu的富集与水稻体内元素的含量平衡特征指示重金属污染来源的可行性,选择了我国著名的水口山Pb-Zn矿山开采与冶炼周边区,根据重金属污染排放和迁移扩散特征,结合当地气象和地貌条件,确定了3个典型采样区,其中两个采样区分别邻近冶炼厂和尾砂库,另一处为位于两者之间的过渡区.采用蛇形采样法在稻田内采集33个成熟水稻及土壤样品,分析水稻不同部位(包括根、茎叶、籽粒)及土壤中As、Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu5种重金属和其他16种元素的含量.结果表明,3个采样区之间土壤中的As、Cd、Pb、Zn和Cu含量均存在显著性差异;各采样区水稻中除根际和籽粒中Cd含量外,各部位重金属含量也均有显著差异.靠近冶炼厂的水稻茎叶中As、Pb含量高于离冶炼厂较远的采样区水稻茎叶.尽管As、Pb在靠近尾砂库采样区土壤中含量最高,但在该区水稻茎叶中的含量却最低;在除As、Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu5种重金属以外的其他16种元素中,水稻根部仅有5种元素含量在各采样区之间存在差异,指示相同的土地利用类型及土壤母质条件;而在茎叶和籽粒中则分别有多达11和10种元素含量出现采样区差异,指示重金属污染来源影响水稻茎叶及籽粒中元素的含量平衡.多元统计分析结果显示,3个采样区水稻茎叶中元素含量平衡存在显著的分异,显示出明显的采样区属性.结合采样区域空间位置、污染物来源、水稻对重金属的富集与转运特征分析,3个采样区重金属主要污染特征可分别确定为水-气混合来源型、大气来源型和尾砂来源型.论文结果证明利用水稻茎叶指示矿冶周边重金属污染来源是可行的.     

美国露天采矿环境保护标准及其对我国的借鉴意义

概述了美国露天采矿环境保护标准并总结其特点:(1)一般性和特殊性相结合;(2)采矿破坏地生态恢复涵义广,涉及矿区内所有受扰地区;(3)管理当局可针对具体矿山更改某些要求;(4)有完善的配套法规保障标准的执行。基于美国在采矿环境保护方面的经验,提出了我国矿产开发生态保护与恢复标准制定的4点设想:(1)涵盖矿产开发造成生态影响的每一个环节和所有的受扰地区;(2)尽量考虑各种具体情况;(3)体现生态恢复的全面性;(4)完善相关法规,保障标准实施。     

Pb/Zn矿冶区植被恢复地土壤酶的活性特征

对广东韶关铅锌矿冶区植被恢复地的土壤酶活性进行了测定.结果表明,自然植被恢复地(ZR)的脲酶、蛋白酶、过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶活性高于人工植被恢复地(RG)和无植被覆盖地(GB),其中脲酶、蛋白酶在ZR的活性极显著高于其在RG和GB的活性(P<0.01).脲酶、蛋白酶、过氧化氢酶活性与植被盖度、生物量等特征呈较高相关性.建议用土壤脲酶、蛋白酶活性作为Pb/Zn矿冶区植被自然恢复的指示指标,过氧化氢酶作为参考指标.图1表1参18     

Studies on the water extracts of medicinal plants grown in copper mining areas and their antioxidant effects

High copper (Cu) accumulation in medicinal plants might favor lipid peroxidation and hence affect antioxidant responses. This effect was studied by determining antioxidant activities in the water extracts of medicinal plants from Cu mining impact site and compared with control samples. Antioxidant activities of the extracted medicinal plants were assayed by measuring (1) total phenolic and flavonoid contents, (2) diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)^? free radical scavenging activity, and (3) inhibition capacities of lipid peroxidation. The total phenolic as well as total flavonoid contents of the mining impact samples and control samples are not significantly different. However, inhibition of lipid peroxidation capacities was significantly less (12–60%) for mining impact samples as reflected by the IC₅₀ values. These anomalies were attributed to high concentrations of Cu (2–4-fold higher) in mining impact samples as measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A positive correlation was observed between Cu levels and IC₅₀ values for the inhibition of lipid peroxidation for mining impact samples.     

Some effects of century old abandoned lead mining operations on streams in Missouri,USA

Lead has been mined in the Old Lead Belt region of southeastern Missouri, USA since the early 1700s. Mining operations ceased totally in 1972. Since no other major industries were associated with the region, an investigation was initiated to study the long-term environmental effects of lead mining activities on the water quality sediments and biota otarea receiving streams. The principal study area was Flat River Creek,. which drained the major mining operations of the region. The findings of this study indicated the water of the lower Flat River Creek below the mining elevation contained elevated levels of lead, zinc, calcium and magnesium. The sediments and biota of the same stream area were also found to contain significantly higher levels of lead and zinc as well as copper and cadmium. Algae, crayfish and minnows were all found to have concentrated these metals. The studies indicated that some type of abandonment plan must be developed for the control and treatment of heavy metal pollution for mining operations on a continuing basis.     

Environmentally safe release of plant available potassium and micronutrients from organically amended rock mineral powder

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The staggering production of rock dusts and quarry by-products of mining activities poses an immense environmental burden that warrants research for...     

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。     

Cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) accumulation by Thai rice varieties and health risk assessment in a Cd–Zn co-contaminated paddy field: Effect of soil amendments

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Zinc mining and smelting activities result in cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) contamination in rice grains, causing deleterious impacts on human health and local...     

Changes in surface water quality from small-scale gold mining operations in the Surinamean rainforest

Abstract

Small-scale miners often engage in environmentally damaging activities, are subject to poor safety conditions, and utilize inefficient mineral extraction technologies. Here, we explore environmental impacts to surface waters from regional artisanal small-scale gold placer mining operations conducted in iron and aluminum-rich saprolites found within the lateritic, interior Amazon rainforest of Suriname. Heavy equipment was utilized to release gold from its host material followed by amalgamation and gravity separation. In contrast with background tributary recordings, streams adjacent to these gold mining operations consistently contained turbidity measurements that exceeded United States’ EPA guidelines for aquatic species of 50 nephelometric turbidity units and were typically in the hundreds to thousands of units. Turbidity was further heightened in association with precipitation events. Mercury played a prominent role in whole ore amalgam concentration practices. Freshwater fish from the region were found to harbor mercury that encroached upon public health criteria. Dissolved phase metals present further ecotoxicological challenges to the region, but their association with mining activities was less clear. These findings collectively reveal that small-scale placer gold mining practices in the Surinamese rainforest result in an increase of suspended sediments and release of mercury into waterways that could impact communities that depend upon local fisheries.     

蜈蚣草生长对其根际铜尾矿土壤酶活性的影响

通过盆栽模拟试验,研究了蜈蚣草(Pteris vittata)生长对其根际铜尾矿土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,蜈蚣草根际土壤中过氧化氢酶、脲酶、多酚氧化酶和蔗糖酶活性均随着植物的生长而呈现不同程度的升高,其中过氧化氢酶和脲酶活性均与植物生长时间之间呈显著正相关,多酚氧化酶和蔗糖酶活性在植物生长旺盛期达到峰值,分别为对照组的3.59和2.58倍,随后逐渐下降;而磷酸酶活性却随着植物的生长而显著降低。过氧化氢酶、脲酶和磷酸酶活性与蜈蚣草地下部分干质量的相关性大于其地上部分,且5种土壤酶活性与土壤有机质含量之间相关显著。蜈蚣草生长可有效改善根际铜尾矿的基质环境和根际土壤肥力水平,因此,在铜尾矿废弃地恢复实践中具有较大的应用潜力。     

Environment,mining and the Lesser Developed Countries

Mineral activities are a potential source of environmental damage, but the traditional role of minerals and metals in material well-being of man is too easily forgotten in the rigmarole of environmental protective response especially among the inhabitants of the Industrially Developed Nations (IDN). It is imperative that the needs and interests of both the mining industry and the environmentalists converge to a common point of understanding for the continued economic development of the world.People of the Lesser Developed Countries (LDC) on the other hand, are caught in a vicious struggle of basic existence and any talk of environmental damage/protection is, therefore, extraneous to their way of life. But the modern tools of progress so eagerly sought by the LDC for the development of their resources including minerals could destroy their environment, very likely beyond repair, if their public policy objectives do not include any timely preventive measures for the protection of their environment.     

Coastal zone management challenges in Ghana: issues associated with coastal sediment mining

Coastal erosion is a serious environmental problem that has caused the loss of private infrastructure and national assets along Ghana’s coast. Several hard engineering measures have thus been used to protect some communities and vital state assets when they became threatened. Regardless of this problem, sediment mining activities are increasingly practiced along most of Ghana’s coast, further exacerbating coastal erosion intensity and degrading coastal ecosystems. This paper provides an overview of the activities of coastal sediment miners along four administrative Districts in the Central Region of Ghana and identifies how issues arising from the practice are managed at the local community level as well as by state environmental regulators. The study uses a mixed-method approach, involving individual and group interviews, administration of a set of structured questionnaire and field observations, to identify coastal sediment mining and emerging management issues. Overall, three main categories of coastal sediment mining activities were identified in the area. Results indicate that coastal sediment mining is widely practiced by both commercial contractors and community members, giving rise to the high perception among residents that it is the reason for the degradation of the coastline in the studied areas. The study also established that state environmental regulators have weak inter-agency cooperation leading to poor enforcement of environmental laws and non-prosecution of offending individuals. The paper suggests that since each identified sediment mining activity has its own peculiar issues and mode of operation, coastal managers should address each category independently in order to derive lasting impacts in curtailing the practice.     

Geochemistry,mining and the environment

This paper reviews literature on the sources of lead-zinc mining pollution, and specifically deals with the water and air pollution aspects of these operations. Problems associated with mining and the environment are also discussed. The problems are geochemical in nature but also economic, social, political and legal. Individuals doing research in these boundary conditions are poorly publicised and rarely recognised outside of their own narrow industry.The paper notes that it is possible to have both an economical mining operation and a clean environment. The New Lead Belt region of Southern Missouri, the world's largest lead-mining region lies underneath a national forest with a pure, pristine, undisturbed ecosystem having high recreational value to the nearby cities. By early cooperation between governmental scientists, mining industry, environmental scientists and engineers of the University of Missouri and other universities it was possible to develop this deposit and at the same time keep the pristine nature of the surrounding forest without spending a single day in court or litigation. Problems did arise, but problem-solving sessions dealt with them, not lawyers.     

Mercury pollution in a mining area of Guizhou,China: Fluxes over contaminated surfaces and concentrations in air,biological and geological samples

A dynamic flux chamber has been used to estimate fluxes of mercury over different types of surfaces in an abandoned open‐cut mine of Tongren prefecture, Guizhou province, China during spring and summer of 1996. The highest fluxes were obtained over cinnabar slag and contaminated soils, whereas the emissions above cinnabar ore were substantially lower. These fluxes was scaled up to estimate the contribution of mercury emissions to air from mercury wastes, compared to anthropogenic activities in the province of Guizhou, China. Atmospheric mercury concentrations measured were enhanced in the mining area (<1.3 μg m^‐3) compared to regional background sites (1.8–5.1 ng m^‐3). The spreading of mercury was estimated by using biological and geological samples. Moss bags have been employed to estimate long‐time dry‐ and wet‐deposition to this area.