Haematology, genotoxicity, enzymatic activity and histopathology as biomarkers of metal pollution in the shrew Crocidura russula

Haematological (WBC, RBC, Hgb and Hct) and genotoxicity (MNT) parameters, hepatic enzymatic activities (GST, GPx and GR), and a histopathological evaluation of liver, kidneys and gonads were assessed as general biomarkers of metal pollution in the shrew Crocidura russula inhabiting a pyrite mining area. Specimens exposed to metals presented a few significant alterations when compared with reference animals: GST activity decreased; micronuclei increased; and evident liver alterations related to metal exposure were observed. On the basis of all the parameters studied, age was an important factor that partly explained the observed variation, whereas sex was the least important factor. Significant correlations were also found between heavy metal concentrations and biomarkers evaluated, demonstrating the great influence of these metals in the metabolic alterations. To the best of our knowledge, these data constitute the first measurements of a battery of biomarkers in shrews from a mine site and are among the few available for insectivorous mammals.     

Immobilization of mercury by pyrite (FeS2)

Elemental mercury (Hg⁰) is a metal with a number of atypical properties, which has resulted in its use in myriad anthropogenic processes. However, these same properties have also led to severe local subsurface contamination at many places where it has been used. As such, we studied the influence of various parameters on Hg(II) sorption onto pyrite (pH, time, Hg(II) concentration), a potential subsurface reactive barrier. Batch sorption studies revealed that total Hg(II) removal increases with both pH and time. X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis showed that a transformation in the coordination environment at low pH occurred during aging over 2 weeks, to form an ordered monolayer of monodentate Hg-Cl complexes on pyrite. In column studies packed with pure quartz sand, the transport of Hg(II) was significantly retarded by the presence of a thin pyrite-sand reactive barrier, although dissolved oxygen inhibited Hg(II) sorption onto pyrite in the column.     

Phytoremediation trials on metal- and arsenic-contaminated pyrite wastes (Torviscosa, Italy)

At a site in Udine, Italy, a 0.7 m layer of As, Co, Cu, Pb and Zn contaminated wastes derived from mineral roasting for sulphur extraction had been covered with an unpolluted 0.15 m layer of gravelly soil. This study investigates whether woody biomass phytoremediation is a realistic management option. Comparing ploughing and subsoiling (0.35 m depth), the growth of Populus and Salix and trace element uptake were investigated in both pot and field trials. Species differences were marginal and species selection was not critical. Impaired above-ground productivity and low translocation of trace elements showed that bioavailable contaminant stripping was not feasible. The most significant finding was of coarse and fine roots proliferation in surface layers that provided a significant sink for trace elements. We conclude that phytostabilisation and effective immobilisation of metals and As could be achieved at the site by soil amelioration combined with woody species establishment. Confidence to achieve a long-term and sustainable remediation requires a more complete quantification of root dynamics and a better understanding of rhizosphere processes.     

Influence factors for the oxidation of pyrite by oxygen and birnessite in aqueous systems

The oxidation of exposed pyrite causes acid mine drainage, soil acidification, and the release of toxic metal ions. As the important abiotic oxidants in supergene environments, oxygen and manganese oxides participate in the oxidation of pyrite. In this work, the oxidation processes of natural pyrite by oxygen and birnessite were studied in simulated systems, and the influence of pH, Fe(II) and Cr(III) on the intermediates and redox rate was investigated. SO₄^2 − and elemental S were formed as the major and minor products, respectively, during the oxidation processes. Ferric (hydr) oxides including Fe(OH)₃ and goethite were formed with low degree of crystallinity. Low pH and long-term reaction facilitated the formation of goethite and ferric hydroxide, respectively. The rate of pyrite oxidation by birnessite was enhanced in the presence of air (oxygen), and Fe(II) ions played a key role in the redox process. The addition of Fe(II) ions to the reaction system significantly enhanced the oxidation rate of pyrite; however, the presence of Cr(III) ions remarkably decreased the pyrite oxidation rate in aqueous systems. The introduction of Fe(II) ions to form a Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple facilitated the electron transfer and accelerated the oxidation rate of pyrite. The present work suggests that isolation from air and decreasing the concentration of Fe(II) ions in aqueous solutions might be effective strategies to reduce the oxidation rate of pyrite in mining soils.     

长江下游典型硫铁矿集采区矿山地质环境现状分析

文章在对长江下游铜陵硫铁矿集中开采区矿山地质环境系统调查的基础上,分析阐述了主要矿山地质环境问题及其成因、分布特征,其中地面塌陷、含水层破坏和水土污染较为严重;结合矿山地质环境现状、保护治理政策及成效,分析预测了矿山地质环境问题的发展趋势,为矿山地质环境恢复治理提供了基础支撑作用。     

我国硫铁矿烧渣综合利用的研究与实践概况

叙述了我国硫酸工业硫铁矿烧渣在水泥助剂、脱硫剂、净水剂、炼铁、剂造铁系化工产品，回收有色金属及贵金属、制砖等多方面综合利用的研究与实践，并结合我国实际情况提出了加强科研成果的推广应用等建设。     

Potential sensitivity of mires to drought,acidification and mobilisation of heavy metals: the sediment s/(Ca + Mg) ratio as diagnostic tool

In recent decades sulphate concentrations in the ground water in many parts of The Netherlands have increased dramatically resulting in increased production of iron-(di)sulphides in sediments of ecosystems fed by this water. A sediment survey was carried out to study the potential sensitivity of wetlands to drought and subsequent acidification as a consequence of iron-(di)sulphide oxidation. Dessication led to severe acidification and mobilisation of heavy metals when the sediment S/(Ca + Mg) ratio exceeded 2/ 3. A total of 47% of the investigated locations contained S/(Ca + Mg) ratios higher than 2/3 and in 100, 75 and 50% of the locations mobilisation of Zn, Cd and Ni exceeded the Dutch signal value for ground water. Consistent with the sediment survey, lime addition experiments confirmed that increasing the buffer capacity, down to a S/(Ca + Mg) ratio 2/3, led to a drastic inhibition of the acidification and heavy metal percolation from dredged sediments. The performance of the same processes under drained field conditions demonstrates the relevance of these processes during dry summers.     

Long term remediation of highly polluted acid mine drainage: a sustainable approach to restore the environmental quality of the Odiel river basin

During 20 months of proper operation the full scale passive treatment in Mina Esperanza (SW Spain) produced around 100 mg/L of ferric iron in the aeration cascades, removing an average net acidity up to 1500 mg/L as CaCO₃ and not having any significant clogging problem. Complete Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ti and V removal from the water was accomplished through almost the entire operation time while Fe removal ranged between 170 and 620 mg/L. The system operated at a mean inflow rate of 43 m³/day achieving an acid load reduction of 597 g·(m² day)⁻¹, more than 10 times higher than the generally accepted 40 g·(m² day)⁻¹ value commonly used as a passive treatment system designing criteria. The high performance achieved by the passive treatment system at Mina Esperanza demonstrates that this innovative treatment design is a simple, efficient and long lasting remediation option to treat highly polluted acid mine drainage.     

Removal of cyanide adsorbed on pyrite by H2O2 oxidation under alkaline conditions

Large amounts of cyanide tailings are produced during the cyanidation process in gold extraction,which are hazardous solid wastes due to the toxic cyanide.Pyrite is one of the main minerals in cyanide tailings.The removal of cyanide adsorbed on pyrite by H_2O_2 oxidation under alkaline conditions was investigated in this study.It was found that the removal efficiency was positively correlated with pH from 5 to 12,but remained almost constant when pH was higher than 12.The highest cyanide removal efficiency of 91.10% was achieved by adding no less than 0.6 wt.% of H_2O_2.Cyanide removal was positively correlated with the CN~-adsorption amount between 1.06 and 8.5 mg/g,and temperature between 25 and 85°C.The removal of cyanide adsorbed on pyrite by H_2O_2 oxidation under alkaline conditions was due to the oxidation of pyrite.Hexacyanoferrate,thiocyanate and sulfate were generated with mole ratios of about 2.03:1.12:3.17 during the cyanide removal.?2018 The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences,Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

黄铁矿晶体形态模拟实验研究

采用实验方法模拟金矿床成矿作用条件,研究水热体系黄铁矿各种晶体形态生成的物理化学条件,着重阐述黄铁矿的五角十二面体、八面体、立方体等晶形形成环境因素。实验成果有助于找矿矿物学、成因矿物学的发展和金矿的找矿和勘探。