Barefoot sampling in San Juan de Limay, Nicaragua: remediation of mercury pollution from small scale gold mining
tailings

Artisanal small-scale gold mining tailings frequently used hazardous toxic materials that could contaminate land, rivers, and lakes which harmful to the environment and health. Phytoremediation is one way to overcome the mining waste. Mangium (Acacia mangium Willd.) is one of plant that often used for mining land phytoremediation. However, it was difficult for mangium to be able to survive on land with such extreme conditions, therefore additional input is needed. Using ectomycorrhiza fungi could be an alternative. This study aimed to measure the adaptation of mangium in gold mining tailings and analyze the function of ectomycorrhiza (Scleroderma sp.) in the growth of mangium. The experimental design used a completely randomized design with six growth media as treatments with five replications. The growth media used were: (1) topsoil with mycorrhiza, (2) topsoil without mycorrhiza, (3) topsoil + tailings with mycorrhiza, (4) soil + tailings without mycorrhiza,(5) tailings with mycorrhiza, and (6) tailings without mycorrhiza. Data were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance followed with a Least Significant Difference test. The results showed that the survival rate of mangium life in tailing media with mycorrhizae was fairly high with a percentage of life reaching 60% even though the growth was less when compared to topsoil media with mycorrhiza that reached 100%. The highest growth rate was achieved by mangium in topsoil media without tailings and mycorrhiza (control). This research showed that ectomycorrhiza did not have any significant effects on mangium growth in gold tailing.Keywords: Acacia mangium, ectomycoriza, gold tailings, phytoremediation, Scleroderma sp.

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Managing Mercury Pollution Emanating From Philippine Small-Scale Gold mining Activities: An Economic Analysis

The Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries ◽

10.1201/9780203971284-43 ◽

2003 ◽

pp. 541-565

Keyword(s):

Economic Analysis ◽

Gold Mining ◽

Mercury Pollution ◽

Small Scale ◽

Mining Activities

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Mercury Contamination from Dental Amalgam

Journal of Health and Pollution ◽

10.5696/2156-9614-9.22.190612 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (22) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anita Vazquez Tibau ◽

Blanche D. Grube

Keyword(s):

Sewage Sludge ◽

Gold Mining ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Developed Countries ◽

The United States ◽

Dental Amalgam ◽

Mercury Pollution ◽

Mercury Contamination ◽

Small Scale ◽

The European Union

Background. Mercury in dental amalgam is a hidden source of global mercury pollution, resulting from the illegal diversion of dental mercury into the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector, to crematoria emissions from the deceased and sewage sludge that is sold to farmers. These significant mercury sources result in air, water, and food contamination that consequently have a negative impact on human health. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate and report on all of the various pathways mercury in dental amalgam can enter the environment. Methods. The present study searched the electronic data bases of PubMed and Google Scholar. Peer reviewed journals and references of studies included for full-text review were examined for potentially relevant studies. Articles published between 2000 to 2018 were searched and specifically screened for articles that referenced “Dental Amalgam,” and the following key words in various combinations: “Minamata Convention on Mercury Treaty,” “Sewage Sludge,” “Cremation,” and “Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining.” Data were included on the most populous countries of China, India, the United States, Brazil, and the European Union collectively. We also included data on cremation statistics and current global trends, looking at populations where cremation is a common practice, such as Japan and India. Discussion. Dental amalgam represents a significant, but understudied area of global mercury pollution that includes cremation, sewage sludge, burial, and small-scale gold mining. Conclusions. Mercury used in products and processes, including dental amalgams, is a global pollutant. Even after the last mercury dental amalgam is placed, its toxic legacy will continue for decades, because of its pervasive bioaccumulation in the environment. Government regulatory agencies should make it mandatory to utilize available technologies, not only in developing countries, but also in developed countries, to reduce mercury contamination. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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