Trace elements biomonitoring in a historical mining district (les Malines, France)

The aim of this study is to investigate the trace elements (TE) contents of potential biomonitors in a historical Zn–Pb mining district: apiary products (honey, royal-jelly and beeswax) lichen and moss were sampled and analysed. In spite of high TE concentrations in mining waste and soil, apiary products are free of TE contamination originating from historical mining. Lichen/moss show high TE levels, which suggest atmospheric input of local dust. Pb isotopes analysis proved the origin of TE found in lichen/moss to be mainly mining waste. These results help discuss the choice of relevant organisms for monitoring TE in the environment and bring additional data on the potential impacts of brownfields left after mining, especially on food products from apiaries.     

Atmospheric mercury emission from artisanal mercury mining in Guizhou Province,Southwestern China

Mercury (Hg) mining is an important anthropogenic source of atmospheric Hg emissions. The Guizhou Province in Southwestern China is a region with extensive artisanal mercury mining (AMM), but little Hg emission data from this area is available. Using a mass balance method, we estimated emission factors from artisanal mercury mining in Wuchuan mercury mining area (WMMA) and Gouxi area (GX). Average emission factors were 18.2% in WMMA (ranging from 6.9% to 32.1%) and 9.8% in GX (ranging from 6.6% to 14.5%), respectively, which were 2.2–36.4 times higher than the literature values used to estimate Hg emission from Hg mining. Furthermore, the average Hg emission factor of AMM in WMMA was much higher than that in GX, indicating that double condensation processes practiced in GX resulted in higher recoveries and lower emission factors compared to single condensation process applied in WMMA. Atmospheric Hg emission was estimated to be 3.7–9.6 metric tons in 2004 for WMMA and 1.3–2.7 metric tons in 2006 for GX, indicating artisanal Hg mining was an important atmospheric Hg emission source in the study area.     

Emission of respirable dust from stone quarrying,potential health effects,and its management

Mining of minerals exerts adverse pressure on different compartments of environment directly or indirectly. Air is the worst affected environmental matrix, and it can carry the harmful effect of pollutants generated from mining activity even to distant places. The present study was undertaken to estimate the emission of particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) from different activities undertaken in stone quarrying in Mahendragarh, Haryana. The results obtained from the present study indicated that drilling, blasting, crushing, and transport of mined material are chiefly responsible for the generation of dust. Whereas drilling, blasting, and loading were responsible for emission of higher fraction of PM₁₀, crushing and re-suspension of roadside dust from movement of vehicles resulted in generation of relatively higher fraction of finer dust (PM_2.5). Modelling the transport of dust over the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model revealed that the emitted particle may move up to the distance of about 40 km within 4 h of emission under average meteorological conditions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis of dust confirmed the presence of calcite and gypsum, thus confirming the source as mining. The study concluded that generation of PM_2.5-sized particles may impose serious respiratory health effects over the workers engaged in mining, crushing, and transportation of sandstone. Apart from it, population residing downwind of the mining area is particularly vulnerable to the pulmonary effects due to inhalation of dust.

     

Integrated approach of environmental impact and risk assessment of Rosia Montana Mining Area, Romania

The environmental impact assessment of mining sites represents nowadays a large interest topic in Romania. Historical pollution in the Rosia Montana mining area of Romania caused extensive damage to environmental media. This paper has two goals: to investigate the environmental pollution induced by mining activities in the Rosia Montana area and to quantify the environmental impacts and associated risks by means of an integrated approach. Thus, a new method was developed and applied for quantifying the impact of mining activities, taking account of the quality of environmental media in the mining area, and used as case study in the present paper. The associated risks are a function of the environmental impacts and the probability of their occurrence. The results show that the environmental impacts and quantified risks, based on quality indicators to characterize the environmental quality, are of a higher order, and thus measures for pollution remediation and control need to be considered in the investigated area. The conclusion drawn is that an integrated approach for the assessment of environmental impact and associated risks is a valuable and more objective method, and is an important tool that can be applied in the decision-making process for national authorities in the prioritization of emergency action.     

Mining, the environment and the treatment of mine effluents

The environmental impact of mining on the ecosystem, including land, water and air, has become an unavoidable reality. Guidelines and regulations have been promulgated to protect the environment throughout mining activities from start-up to site decommissioning, in particular, the occurrence of acid mine drainage (AMD), due to oxidation of sulfide mineral wastes, has become the major area of concern to many mining industries during operations and after site decommissioning. AMD is characterised by high acidity and a high concentration of sulfates and dissolved metals. If it cannot be prevented or controlled, it must be treated to eliminate acidity, and reduce heavy metals and suspended solids before release to the environment. This paper discusses conventional and new methods used for the treatment of mine effluents, in particular the treatment of AMD.     

Geochemical contamination in the Densu Estuary,Gulf of Guinea,Ghana

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Chemical contaminants are released from mining, domestic and industrial effluents into an aquatic environment. Sediments (n?=?10) were...     

Mycoremediation of heavy metals: processes,mechanisms, and affecting factors

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Industrial processes and mining of coal and metal ores are generating a number of threats by polluting natural water bodies. Contamination of heavy...     

Discriminating between Copper and Silver Mill Tailings in Silver Bow Creek Overbank Deposits,Butte, Montana,U.S.A.

Mining of the Butte deposit evolved over 100 years from placer mining starting in 1864 through silver mining to copper mining in the 1900s. Tailings resulting from milling during the period 1876-1924 were typically sluiced into the adjacent Silver Bow Creek (SBC) where they were washed downstream. The most significant flood event in 1908, among others, resulted in emplacement of approximately 2.9 m tons of sediment intermixed with tailings as overbank deposits along SBC between Butte and the Warm Springs Ponds. Apportioning the associated costs was contingent in part on discriminating between ownership of liability for the silver and copper tailings, which together formed the most significant portion of the overbank deposits. Samples were collected of tailings end-members and SBC deposits and their characteristic mineralogy (e.g. galena for silver tailings, and enargite for copper tailings) used to ascertain mixing of the tailings along SBC. This analysis identified Pb as a signature element for silver tailings and Cu for copper tailings. Two-hundred and twenty-four Cu and Pb chemical analyses representing 43 transects through the overbank deposits along SBC allowed calculation of the proportional contribution of the end members for each integrated transect. Accumulating the volumes from each transect resulted in an apportionment of 53% copper and 47% silver tailings in the overbank deposits.     

Impact of gold mining associated with mercury contamination in soil,biota sediments and tailings in Kenya

This work considered the environmental impact of artisanal mining gold activity in the Migori–Transmara area (Kenya). From artisanal gold mining, mercury is released to the environment, thus contributing to degradation of soil and water bodies. High mercury contents have been quantified in soil (140 μg kg^?1), sediment (430 μg kg^?1) and tailings (8,900 μg kg^?1), as expected. The results reveal that the mechanism for transporting mercury to the terrestrial ecosystem is associated with wet and dry depositions. Lichens and mosses, used as bioindicators of pollution, are related to the proximity to mining areas. The further the distance from mining areas, the lower the mercury levels. This study also provides risk maps to evaluate potential negative repercussions. We conclude that the Migori–Transmara region can be considered a strongly polluted area with high mercury contents. The technology used to extract gold throughout amalgamation processes causes a high degree of mercury pollution around this gold mining area. Thus, alternative gold extraction methods should be considered to reduce mercury levels that can be released to the environment.     

Distribution,sources, and ecological risk assessment of HCHs and DDTs in water from a typical coal mining subsidence area in Huainan,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Coal mining subsidence areas are a special and widespread ecosystem in China and many developing countries in the world. However, limited research has...     

Discriminating between Copper and Silver Mill Tailings in Silver Bow Creek Overbank Deposits,Butte, Montana,U.S.A.

Mining of the Butte deposit evolved over 100 years from placer mining starting in 1864 through silver mining to copper mining in the 1900s. Tailings resulting from milling during the period 1876–1924 were typically sluiced into the adjacent Silver Bow Creek (SBC) where they were washed downstream. The most significant flood event in 1908, among others, resulted in emplacement of approximately 2.9 m tons of sediment intermixed with tailings as overbank deposits along SBC between Butte and the Warm Springs Ponds. Apportioning the associated costs was contingent in part on discriminating between ownership of liability for the silver and copper tailings, which together formed the most significant portion of the overbank deposits. Samples were collected of tailings end-members and SBC deposits and their characteristic mineralogy (e.g. galena for silver tailings, and enargite for copper tailings) used to ascertain mixing of the tailings along SBC. This analysis identified Pb as a signature element for silver tailings and Cu for copper tailings. Two-hundred and twenty-four Cu and Pb chemical analyses representing 43 transects through the overbank deposits along SBC allowed calculation of the proportional contribution of the end members for each integrated transect. Accumulating the volumes from each transect resulted in an apportionment of 53% copper and 47% silver tailings in the overbank deposits.     

Estimation of mercury content in tailings of the gold mine area of Poconé, Mato Grosso,Brazil

As in many other parts of the world, gold is produced in the surface mining region of Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil, using mercury. The goal of this investigation was to estimate the amount of mercury in certain tailings and to determine the area of the land that has been contaminated by the gold mining operations. Mercury concentrations from 2 to 495 ng/g (dw) were determined in the tailing materials. It was observed that only isolated sites were acting as central points of contamination. Using digital Landsat satellite data (The-matic Mapper) and aerial photos, the sites degraded by the mining were classified, and their total area was estimated to be 12.3 km² in the region of Poconé. It was estimated, that 4.9 km² were occupied by the contaminated tailings. The mean height of the pile slags was determined to be 4.5 m. From the experimentally calculated average density of the material in the tailings, 2.01 g/cm³, the total mercury content in the piles of tailings was estimated to be 1600 ± 350 kg.     

Distribution of copper, lead, cadmium and zinc concentrations in soils around Kabwe town in Zambia

The extent of pollution of the environment as a result of mining activities in Kabwe, the provincial capital of Central province in Zambia has not yet been evaluated. Mining of lead and zinc were the core activities of Kabwe mine while cadmium and silver were produced as by-products. The smelting processes produced a significant amount of copper. The spatial distribution of four heavy metals in soils in the northern, eastern, southern and western directions of the mine was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Samples were collected up to 20 km in each direction from the mine. Results were consistent with the wind flow patterns in the town. Results ranged between 0.08 and 28 mg kg(-1) (Cd); 0.20 and 0.61 mg kg(-1) (Cu); 0.10 and 758 mg kg(-1) (Pb) and 0.40 and 234 mg kg(-1) (Zn) suggesting high precipitation of metals from the core mining activities. These concentrations were for only the fractions of metals extractable by 0.5M nitric acid and that could be available for plant uptake in the environment. The distribution of metals indicated a decrease of metal concentrations with distance from the mine, which confirmed that precipitation due to mining activities was the main cause of soil contamination.     

The dynamics of mercury around an artisanal and small-scale gold mining area,Camarines Norte,Philippines

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - To elucidate the dynamics of mercury emitted and released by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activity and to estimate its impact on the...     

Ecotoxicity assessment of a molybdenum mining effluent using acute lethal,oxidative stress,and osmoregulatory endpoints in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The present study investigated the ecotoxicity of raw mining effluent from the largest molybdenum (Mo) open-pit mine in the Qinling mountains, China,...     

Distribution characteristics and potential pollution assessment of heavy metals (Cd,Pb, Zn) in reservoir sediments from a historical artisanal zinc smelting area in Southwest China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Reservoir sediment contamination with heavy metals produced by mining activities has aroused widespread global concern owing to its potential threat...     

Trace metals in the hair of habitants of the Ok Tedi region, Papua New Guinea

It has long been known that mining activity can markedly change the level and distribution of certain heavy metals in the adjacent environment. This pollution can be quite widespread and long lasting and often has deleterious effects on the health of local populations. In the present study scalp hair was used as the biopsy material because of its ease of collection and long history of use in this connection. Hair was collected from all the local villages in the vicinity of the mine site, as well as from Papua New Guinean nationals from other provinces, and European expatriates who were employed by the mining company and who were resident in the area. Hair from local people showed a remarkably high iron content by comparison with previously studied populations. The extreme variations in hair iron levels were reflected in the differential distribution of levels according to location, age and sex. Hair cadmium was also high in the population studied. Hair copper, lead, zinc and mercury all appeared to be within 'normal' limits by comparison with other general populations. These results are discussed in the context of the environmental and social impact of the mining operations on the local people.     

Lead, cadmium and arsenic bioavailability in the abandoned mine site of Cabezo Rajao (Murcia, SE Spain)

An in vitro method that simulated the physiological conditions of the digestive process was applied to samples taken from an old mining site, providing information on the levels of metals (Cd, Pb and As) that can be ingested and assimilated by humans. Samples were first characterized by determining pH, texture, mineralogical composition and total metal contents. The mean pH value was 5.4, ranging from 3.1 to 8.4. The mean total metal content for Pb was 2,632+/-59 mg kg(-1), 65+/-1.5 mg kg(-1) for Cd and 279.9+/-9.9 mg kg(-1) for As. Cadmium was the most bioavailable metal both in the stomach and intestinal phases (mean value of 47% and 27.8%, respectively), followed by lead (25.3% and 11.5%) and arsenic (4.9% and 0.5%). A Pearson correlation matrix suggested that pH and mineralogical composition were important factors controlling metal bioavailability from materials in abandoned mining sites.     

Acid mine drainage arising from gold mining activity in Johannesburg,South Africa and environs

The Witwatersrand region of South Africa is famous for its gold production and a major conurbation, centred on Johannesburg, has developed as a result of mining activity. A study was undertaken of surface and ground water in a drainage system in this area. Soils were also analysed from a site within the mining district. This study revealed that the ground water within the mining district is heavily contaminated and acidified as a result of oxidation of pyrite (FeS2) contained within mine tailings dumps, and has elevated concentrations of heavy metals. Where the water table is close to surface, the upper 20 cm of soil profiles are severely contaminated by heavy metals due to capillary rise and evaporation of the ground water. The polluted ground water is discharging into streams in the area and contributes up to 20% of stream discharge, causing a lowering of pH of the stream water. Much of the metal load is precipitated in the stream: Fe and Mn precipitate as a consequence of oxidation, while other heavy metals are being removed by co-precipitation. The oxidation of iron has created a redox buffer which controls the pH of the stream water. The rate of oxidation and of dilution is slow and the deleterious effect of the addition of contaminated water persists for more than 10 km beyond the source.     

Contamination status of arsenic and other trace elements in drinking water and residents from Tarkwa, a historic mining township in Ghana

This study was conducted to assess the contamination status of 22 trace elements, especially As in water and residents in Tarkwa, a historic mining town in Ghana. Drinking water and human urine samples were collected from Tarkwa in addition to control samples taken from Accra, the capital of Ghana in March, 2004. Concentrations of As and Mn in some drinking water samples from Tarkwa were found above the WHO drinking water guidelines posing a potential health risk for the people. A potential health risk of As and Mn is a concern for the people consuming the contaminated water in this area. No significant difference of As concentrations in human urine between mining town (Tarkwa) and control site (Accra) was observed. Although As concentrations in drinking water in Tarkwa were low, urinary As levels were comparable to those reported in highly As-affected areas in the world. These results suggest the presence of other sources of As contamination in Ghana. This is the first study on multi-elemental contamination in drinking water and human from a mining town in Ghana.