scholarly journals MERCURY AND ARSENIC CONTAMINATION FROM SMALL SCALE GOLD MINING ACTIVITIES AT SELOGIRI AREA, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agung Harijoko ◽  
Tin May Htun ◽  
Rodhie Saputra ◽  
I Wayan Warmada ◽  
Lucas Donny Setijadji ◽  
...  

Small scale gold mines discussed here are located at Selogiri area, Central Java, Indonesia which was mined by local community mainly during gold rush in 1990s. This Selogiri gold deposit genetically is characterized by porphyry mineralization overprinted by epithermal system. The ore minerals assemblage consists of pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, chalcocite and rare arsenopyrite. Chemical analysis of soil and stream sediment sampled over 1.5 km across at the Selogiri gold extraction site indicates that the site has been contaminated with mercury due to mining activities. The mercury concentrations in soil and stream sediments collected during dry season range from 0.01 to 481 ppm and 0.01 to 139 ppm, respectively, higher than background value of 0.05 ppm. In contrast, mercury concentration in stream sediments collected during rainy season from the same location as dry season sampling ranges from 0.01 to 13.42 ppm, and one sample has anomalous value of 331 ppm. This result show that rain water may disperse and decrease mercury concentration in stream sediments. In case of arsenic, although the ore contains rare arsenic minerals, arsenic concentration in bulk rock and ore is high ranging from 8 to 59 ppm, while the arsenic concentration in tailing is much higher ranging from 5.8 to 385 ppm. Chemical analyses on pyrite reveal that the pyrite grains contain arsenic and might be the source of arsenic in Selogiri mine site. However, analysis of dug-well water demonstrates that the mercury and arsenic content is still lower than the maximum allowable concentration. Keywords: Mercury, arsenic, contamination, Selogiri, gold mine

2013 ◽  
Vol 777 ◽  
pp. 386-389
Author(s):  
Jun Ying Zhao ◽  
Hua Ming Guo

Arsenic concentration changes in small-scale simulating constructed wetland composed with shale ceramic, zeolite, quartz sand andPteris vittatawere examined. During arsenic removal by the constructed wetlands, arsenic interception by the natural media played the main role in the early stage andPteris vittatauptake played the key role for arsenic removal in the later stable stage. When As (III) concentration in inflow was about 1 mg/L, the arsenic removal ratio by the two was between 22.2% and 66.6% and kept about 33% in the end. Arsenic average content in fronds and roots ofPteris vittataafter experiments were respectively 17610 and 2491 mg/kg. Transfer factor was 7.08. Compared with batch tests, arsenic content accumulated in plants increased significantly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 425-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliva Atiaga-Franco ◽  
Xose Luis Otero ◽  
Alejandrina Gallego-Picó ◽  
Luis Escobar-Castañeda ◽  
Juan Bravo-Yagüe ◽  
...  

Natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to arsenic contamination in water and human food chain in Andean countries. Human exposure to arsenic via rice consumption is of great concern in countries where this crop is the dominant staple food, and limited information is available on the arsenic contamination on rice in Ecuador. This work was to contribute to the lack of knowledge analysing total arsenic by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry in the samples of white, brown and parboiled rice purchased in Ecuadorian markets and produced in the two main rice wetlands in Ecuador, Guayas and Los Ríos, were carried out. For the samples from Guayas, arsenic concentration in white, brown and parboiled rice were 0.174 ± 0.014, 0.232 ± 0.021, and 0.186 ± 0.017 mg/kg respectively, whereas samples of white rice from Los Ríos showed a total arsenic level of 0.258 ± 0.037 mg/kg. This last arsenic concentration exceeds recommended maximum permissible limit by the FAO/WHO. Obtained data have available to estimate the Ecuadorian dietary exposure revealing serious health risk for population.


2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 94-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suarau Odutola Oshunsanya ◽  
Tolafe Olayinka Adeniran

Abstract The quality of untreated water used by dry season vegetable growers determines the safety of the vegetables produced for human consumption. Traditionally, small scale vegetable farmers site their farms along banks of streams which gradually dry up during the dry season resulting in isolated pockets of ponds at different intervals along the path of the streams which are used by farmers to irrigate. A field experiment was initiated at Ibadan to ascertain the quality of irrigation water used to produce vegetables along Ona-stream during the dry season. Five isolated ponds and one locally dug well were sampled and analysed to ascertain the heavy metals status. Results of soil analysis from five farms (A - E) sited very close to the stream revealed high concentrations of heavy metals ranging from 0.96 to 2.34 mg kg-1 for Pb, 0.72 to 2.16 mg kg-1 for Cr and 0.30 to 0.92 mg kg-1 for Co while farmland F sited about 90m away from the stream was free of Pb, Cr and Co contaminants. Locally dug well F water was free of Cr, Co and Pb while isolated ponds had Cr, Co and Pb in the range of 0.01 to 0.23 mg kg-1 which is beyond safe consumption thresholds. There were strong correlations between heavy metals in water and vegetable for Cr (0.992**), Cd (0.599**), Ni (0.614*) and Pb (0.552**) indicating that the hygienic status of dry season vegetables is largely determined by the quality of irrigation water. In addition, all vegetables irrigated with untreated isolated ponds contained Cd, Pb and Ni concentrations above maximum permissible standard which could pose risk to human health. Therefore, farmers should be enlightened on the need to use hygienic water for irrigation. Construction of shallow wells on the farms instead of using contaminated stream water directly could be a better option for healthy and sustainable agriculture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Alice S. Kiplangat ◽  
Henry Mwangi ◽  
Sauda Swaleh ◽  
Wilson M. Njue

Arsenic is a metalloid, which may be found in surface water, ground water, plants and rocks. In high concentrations, its compounds are considered to be genotoxic and carcinogenic. Its levels in drinking water must be regularly monitored and controlled. The objective of study was to determine the concentration of arsenic in water with reference to WHO limits from selected boreholes in Nairobi County, Kenya. Water was randomly sampled from a total of 63 boreholes in five zones (Central, Eastern, Northern, Western and Southern) during dry and wet season. The arsenic was analyzed by Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (HG-AAS). The results showed that the arsenic content in borehole water during dry season ranged between 0.00455±0.0022 and 0.01007±0.006 and in the range of 0.002057±0.0008 - 0.00744±0.0051 mg/L during the wet season. There was significant difference (P˂0.05) in arsenic content in borehole water samples in Central zone compared to the other zones. During the dry season, arsenic content in water from ten boreholes (16%) and four boreholes (6%) during wet season was found to be above the WHO recommended limit of 0.01 mg/L. The calculated contamination factor for the borehole water ranged from slightly arsenic contaminated in Central zone to very slightly contaminated in the other zones during dry season. During the wet season, the borehole water in all the five zones were very slightly contaminated with arsenic. The pollution index showed that the boreholes in all the five zones during both wet and dry seasons were not polluted with arsenic. Steps should be taken to monitor and treat borehole water for domestic purposes in order to mitigate the effect on human health due to arsenic contamination.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 472
Author(s):  
Anh T. P. Hoang ◽  
Nouvarat Prinpreecha ◽  
Kyoung-Woong Kim

Crop and livestock farming on contaminated soil has been found to induce the accumulation of trace elements in edible parts of plants, with subsequent risk to human and animal health. Since rice crop is a major source of energy in worldwide diets and is consumed by more than 3 billion people, the soil–rice pathway is regarded as a prominent route of human exposure to potentially toxic elements. This study provides an overview of arsenic contamination in paddy rice from mining-impacted areas in several Asian countries that are primary rice consumers. From this review, it may be concluded that mining activities, along with the associated residual waste, significantly contribute to arsenic contamination of this food crop as rice samples from these regions were highly contaminated, with the highest total arsenic concentrations recorded being 3–4 times higher than the maximum levels proposed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. While the contamination in China, Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand appeared to be slightly affected by mining activities, the elevated levels of arsenic in rice from mining areas in India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam could be derived from arsenic-contaminated groundwater.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Lina Eltaib ◽  
Salah Eldeen Taj Elser Ali ◽  
Hind Rikabi

Background: Mercury is used by artisanal — small-scale (ASM) gold miners throughout the World. In 2014, the Sudanese government produced over 60 tons of gold, which make Sudan ranked Africa's third-largest gold miner. Also, Sudan is ranked the 15th global producer. In 2015, over 1 million miners participated in gold mining and extraction. Objective: This study aimed to determine mercury health risk in Sudanese traditional gold mining activities area. Method: This is an analytical cross-sectional observational stud. The studied population was from ALTWAHEN near ABUHAMED. Urine analysis was supported by epidemiological questionnaires designed by (EPI INFO software) following WHO guidelines. Eighty-six respondents completed the questionnaire. The mercury level was determined in 58 urine sample by Petroleum Laboratories Using Direct Mercury Analyzer DMA- 80 instrument. The epidemiological data were analyzed by (EPI INFO). Result: 98% exceed concentration of 100 ug/L which contaminated concentration for occasionally exposed, mean urinary mercury concentration 2785 ug/L, the highest mercury concentration worldwide reported by our study 10250 ug/L, Symptoms in 58 patient showed as Problem finding correct word 46.6%, memory problem 27.6%, problem with thinking clearly 29.3%, nervousness 31%, sadness 46.5%, sexual problem 36.2%, headache 51.7%, excessive salivation 43%, drowsy 48.3%. Conclusion: In this study, the highest urinary mercury concentration was reported (10250 ug/L) compared to other studies. Mercury concentration with no significant difference between the miner groups and others. Also, this study found high incidents of neurological symptoms associated with neurotoxicity. The problem with thinking significantly correlated to the age weighted by mercury concentration. Only tremor significantly related to the time living in the mining area. Otherwise, no significant relationship between mercury concentration ,symptoms and time living in the area. Recommendation: conducting Interventional study by using chelation therapy, Gold miners should use safety tools, Activation of laws and conventions (MINAMATA convention).  


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasirudeen Abdul Fatawu

Recent floods in Ghana are largely blamed on mining activities. Not only are lives lost through these floods, farms andproperties are destroyed as a result. Water resources are diverted, polluted and impounded upon by both large-scale minersand small-scale miners. Although these activities are largely blamed on behavioural attitudes that need to be changed, thereare legal dimensions that should be addressed as well. Coincidentally, a great proportion of the water resources of Ghana arewithin these mining areas thus the continual pollution of these surface water sources is a serious threat to the environmentand the development of the country as a whole. The environmental laws need to be oriented properly with adequate sanctionsto tackle the impacts mining has on water resources. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure needs to bestreamlined and undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and not the company itself.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 2330-2334
Author(s):  
Mihaela Ciopec ◽  
Adina Negrea ◽  
Narcis Duteanu ◽  
Corneliu Mircea Davidescu ◽  
Iosif Hulka ◽  
...  

Arsenic content in groundwater�s present a wide range of concentration, ranging from hundreds of micrograms to thousands of micrograms of arsenic per litter, while the maximum permitted arsenic concentration established by World Health Organization (WHO) is 10 mg L-1. According to the WHO all people, regardless of their stage of development and their social economic condition, have the right to have access to adequate drinking water. The most efficient and economic technique used for arsenic removal is represented by adsorption. In order to make this remediation technique more affordable and environmentally friendly is important to new materials with advance adsorbent properties. Novelty of present paper is represented by the usage of a new adsorbent material obtained by physical - chemical modification of Amberlite XAD polymers using crown ethers followed by iron doping, due to well-known affinity of arsenic for iron ions. Present paper aims to test the obtained modified Amberlite polymer for arsenic removal from real groundwater by using adsorption in a fixed bed column, establishing in this way a mechanism for the adsorption process. During experimental work was studied the influence of competing ions from real water into the arsenic adsorption process.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khet R Dahal ◽  
Chandra P Poudyal ◽  
Prajwal Adhikari ◽  
Subodh Sharma ◽  
Jitendra Ghimire

CORRECTION: The correct PDF for this article was loaded on 22/04/2013.The study was carried out in the vicinity of the Tinau river, Rupandehi, Nepal from July 2011 to June 2012. Ten number of shallow tube wells (STWs) of depths 5.18 m to 7.62 m, four shallow tube wells (STWs) of depths 28.96 m to 36.58 m. from Amawa and Farsatikar Village Development Committees and one dug well (DW) from Butwal Municipality were selected for the purpose of this study. The depth of the STWs was different but many STWs were of 6.09 m deep. The DW was of 18.29 m. The information was collected from the owners during field visit of the sites. A standard questionnaire was prepared and asked to the affected persons. The site observation was done in the dry season as well as in the rainy seasons. It was found that the extraction of riverbed materials from the river channel and the flood plain area has adversely affected the aquatic environment of the Tinau river. Massive extraction of the riverbed materials from this river started after the enforcement of local governance act, and regulation 1999. The income generated from the riverbed materials is quite enough. This is one of the major sources of income generation of DDC Rupandehi and the VDCs attached to this river (from Butwal to Bethari). The depth of the river increased due to extraction activities as a result groundwater table lowered. The STWs having depth of 5.18 to 7.62 m stopped discharging water from the aquifer in the dry season. Similarly DW of Butwal municipality having depth of 18.29 m stopped discharging water at dry season. But the STWs of depths from 28.96 m to 36.58 m. located at the same area/site were not affected by the extraction in the Tinau river. The people, who are residing on the bank of the river Tinau, suffered from drinking water problem because they are using the water from STWs. The effect is directly facing the people of low and medium level having low income generation. The extraction activity is going on and the deficit of water availability in STWs and DW is common in the vicinity of the Tinau river especially in the upstream (from Butwal to Paschim Amawa), whereas there is less effects of riverbed extraction for STWs of depths more than 27.43 m in the same sites. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 13, No. 2 (2012) 133-140 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v13i2.7726


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Habibur Rahman ◽  
Md. Mohashin Farazi ◽  
Kohinoor Begum ◽  
Md. Serazul Islam

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the major food crops in many countries. As the cultivation of rice requires huge volume of water, long term use of Arsenic contaminated groundwater for irrigation may result in the increase of arsenic concentration in the agricultural soil and eventually accumulation in rice grains. A micro level study was conducted to investigate the transfer of arsenic from irrigation water and soil to rice plants in the arsenic affected 8 unions of Chandina upazilla, Comilla district. The level of arsenic in irrigation water (0.12±0.08 and 0.67±0.07 mg l-1) was much above the WHO permissible limit of 0.01 mg l-1 for drinking water and FAO permissible limit of 0.10 mg l-1 for irrigation water. The total soil arsenic concentrations ranged from 3.21±0.80 to 8.74±2.83 mg kg-1 dry weight of soil, which was below the maximum acceptable limit for agricultural soil of 20.0 mg kg-1 as recommended by the European Community. The accumulation of arsenic in the grain ranged from 0.12±0.04 to 0.58±0.06 mg kg-1 in Boro and 0.16±0.04 to 1.06±0.20 mg kg-1 in T. Aman. Except grain sample (T. Aman) of one union, the grains in both Boro and T. Aman of all unions did not exceed 1.0 mg kg-1 dry weight of arsenic (the permissible limit of arsenic in rice according to WHO recommendation). Thus, till now rice has remained harmless for consumption in the study area. The results clearly showed that the arsenic content in the grains of Boro rice is correlated to the intensity of arsenic contamination of irrigation water and soil. The Agriculturists 2014; 12(2) 74-82


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