Effects of cadmium on forearm bone density after reduction of exposure for 10 years in a Chinese population

The main focus of this study was to evaluate long term effects of cadmium on forearm bone mineral density after stopping ingestion of cadmium-polluted rice for 10 years in a Chinese population. A total of 532 persons (338 women and 194 men), living in control, moderately and heavily polluted areas, were included in this study. The residents living in the polluted area ceased ingesting cadmium-polluted rice in 1996. All participants were require to answer a questionnaire and the bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the proximal radius and ulna. Samples of urine and blood were collected for determination of cadmium in urine (UCd) and blood (BCd).The BMD of subjects living in the heavily polluted area was significantly lower than that of those living in control area in both men and women (p < 0.01). For the people living in the moderately polluted area, only the women's BMD was greatly lower compared to that in the control area (p < 0.05). The BMD declined with the increasing BCd and UCd in both sexes, especially in the highest level (BCd > 5 µg/L, UCd > 10 µg/g crea) groups (p < 0.01). It was found that there were significant differences in the prevalence of osteoporosis among the different areas (χ² = 13.046, p = 0.0003) and different UCd groups (χ² = 4.511, p = 0.0337) in women, but not in men (χ² = 0.962, p = 0.3268; χ² = 1.906, p = 0.1675). But a significant difference exists in the prevalence of osteoporosis among different BCd groups in both genders (χ² = 9.304, p = 0.00229, in women; χ² = 4603, p = 0.0319, in men). This study suggested that cadmium could play a long-term role on bone and more attention should be paid to cadmium effects on bone metabolism after reduction of exposure.     

Geochemical Characteristics of the Acid Mine Drainage in the Water System in the Vicinity of the Dogye Coal Mine in Korea

This study investigated geochemical characteristics of the acid mine drainage (AMD) discharged from the abandoned mine adits in the vicinity of the Dogye coal mine in Korea. Acid mine drainage discharged from Jeoncha pit adit of the Dogye coal mine, which is the main source of the AMD in the study area, had a pH value of 3.0 and concentrations of 2148mg SO₄ ^2– L^–1, 229mg Fe L^–1, 71mg A1 L^–1 and 11mg Mn L^–1. The reduction of some metal concentrations downstream from the discharge point could be explained on the basis of dilution and precipitation. The order of removal of metal ions downstream from the discharge point was Fe>A1, Cu>Zn, Mn. Acidity could be used as a good determining factor offering comprehensive and quantitative values for the polluting extent of acid mine drainage. The acidities existing in all acidic water samples in the Gunahan district originated primarily from mineral acidity, especially in the upper Nahan Creek from dissolved Fe and Al and in the middle and down Nahan Creek from dissolved Al. From the application of the WATEQ4F program, it was determined that predominant species of dissolved Fe in all water samples was Fe²⁺, and those of dissolved Al were AlSO₄ ⁺ and Al³⁺ except for IW2 sample which was associated with white precipitates. The species of dissolved Al in IW2 sample include also AlOH²⁺ and Al(OH)₂ ⁺. The saturation indices of goethite and haematite were positive in the water samples associated with ochrous precipitates (usually called Yellow Boy), therefore these solids might be precipitated. For the IW2 sample, the saturation indices of amorphous Al(OH)₃ and gibbsite were positive, so theoretically these solids might also be precipitated. By XRD analysis, it was found that goethite occurs in ochrous precipitates, and gibbsite in white precipitates.     

寿山石的成矿地质条件和矿物组成

长期研究表明,寿山石的成矿地质条件主要受地层、构造、火山机构和火山成矿等综合作用控制。寿山石的矿物成分主要为地开石、高岭石和叶蜡石。因寿山石的成矿地质条件、矿物组成和产出部位的不同,形成色彩绚丽、命名异样、品种繁多、分类殊异。但通常以其成因、产状和历史传统分为田坑石、山坑石和水坑石三类。为便于识别、研究和讨论,将寿山石的主要品种及其特征一并简介。     

Stabilization effects of surplus soft clay with cement and GBF slag

Utilization of industrial waste and surplus construction soft clay as construction material was recommended, and many attempts at geotechnical waste utilization were undertaken. This study aimed at the application of cement and a kind of industrial wastes, i.e. granulated blast furnace slag, on stabilization of surplus soft clay. The results showed that the cement and slag can successfully stabilize Ariake clays even though this high organic clay fails to be stabilized by lime and cement. Addition of slag in cement for stabilization induces higher strength than cement alone for longer curing time. The application of the cement with slag is more suitable than cement alone for stabilization because of economical consideration.     

How does eliminating mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold mining lead to achieving sustainable development goals?

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the principal anthropogenic activity that globally contributes to overloading our environment with mercury. Although the Minamata Convention, led by the United Nations, is a crucial instrument to eliminate its use progressively, novel approaches to accelerate this difficult transition are welcome. This article proposes a framework for policy-making or improvement, fostering the enforcement of mercury elimination through the lens of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on the excluded artisanal and small-scale gold miners and their dependents. We move forward with a literature review of the Artisanal and Small Mining topic, taking each SDG as a unit of analysis. Understanding the problem as a puzzle of four sets of pieces, namely: (1) social, (2) environmental, (3) economic, and (4) institutional, the paper offers potential opportunities for the decision-makers and practitioners to accelerate the substitution of this heavy metal and develop sustainable futures for the ASGM communities. We conclude by proposing a pragmatic framework that synthesizes the means, actions, and ends to accelerate a sustainable transition.     

高喷灌浆加固抛石填海软基

高压旋喷灌浆法是本世纪７０ 年代发展起来的地基处理新技术,在砂性土和粘性土等软弱地层加固工程中已得到广泛应用,但在含有碎石的淤泥质土及穿过它对其下淤泥的加固尚少见,笔者简要介绍了采用钻灌分开两大工序的新双管法及其成功完成加固任务的事例。     

矿产资源规划环境影响评估方法及实例研究

矿产资源规划环境影响评价有利于矿产资源的可持续利用和矿区的环境保护,随着全国性矿产资源规划、地区性矿产资源规划的制定和实施,探讨适合于矿产资源规划环境影响评价的方法体系显得相当重要.本文从矿产资源的特点出发,结合实例研究,构建了由可持续目标和环境目标设立法、专家评判法、矩阵法、强度分析法和GIS技术方法等组成的矿产资源规划环境影响评价方法体系,定量地评价了矿区环境的现状和规划引起的环境变化,为我国矿产资源规划环境影响评估提供借鉴.     

利用矿物材料治理重金属污染

通过矿物的结构特点说明了,矿物材料的净化作用,阐述了粘土矿物、盐类矿物及氧化物矿物对重金属污染物的净化机理。     

不同粘土矿物材料对Pb2+的吸附特征

探讨了在不同矿物投加量、不同振荡时间、不同Pb2 浓度、不同矿物颗粒细度和不同pH条件下,钠基膨润土、膨胀蛭石和沸石3种粘土矿物对Pb2 的吸附效果.结果表明:对于具有可膨胀层间的粘土矿物而言,其对溶液中Pb2 的吸附量不仅仅由单一的阳离子交换量所决定;Pb2 在矿物表面的吸附过程是个迅速的过程,矿物对Pb2 的吸附在10 min内即可完成;粘土矿物不同颗粒细度对Pb2 的去除率有所不同,但考虑到实际应用中的成本问题,并非颗粒越细越好;就试验所采用的3种粘土矿物而言,其对Pb2 的吸附效果是,钠基膨润土和沸石明显优于膨胀蛭石;较高的pH有助于粘土矿物对溶液中Pb2 的吸附,但考虑到实际操作的其他因素,不能把pH调得过高.