scholarly journals Case Report: Gold Miner’s Lung: A Case of Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonia in Amazonian Forest

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Houari Aissaoui ◽  
Milene Chaptal ◽  
Vincent Thomas ◽  
Dominique Louvel ◽  
Antoine Adenis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Illnesses ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Amazonian Forest ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Environmental Threat ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
High Mercury ◽  
Mercury In Blood ◽  
Hypersensitivity Pneumonia ◽  
Chest Ct Scan

The hostile conditions at informal and illegal mining sites in the Amazonian forest erode the miner’s health, exposing workers to a broad range of diseases because most of the gold is extracted using mercury (Hg). The Hg vapor used daily at gold panning sites presents an environmental threat to the ecosystems and human health. We report the case of a 58-year-old man who has worked in gold panning for over 30 years, presented with diffuse interstitial pneumonia characterized by bilateral images of ground glass and mosaic opacities on the chest CT scan. Based on the negative differential diagnosis (cardiovascular, infectious, autoimmune or cancer), the context of chronic exposure to Hg in a patient who has been working for decades on illegal gold panning sites, we concluded to a chronic form of heavy metal hypersensitivity pneumonia. This hypothesis was supported by high levels of mercury in blood and urine. Mercury hypersensitivity pneumonia might be more frequent than presently thought with thousands of workers chronically exposed to high mercury concentrations among others pollutants. Medical practitioners should systematically seek for chronic respiratory illnesses associated with pollutants exposure in these vulnerable workers with poor health.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Feasibility of Illegal Open-Pit Mining Identification Using Insar Coherence

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunyao Wang ◽  
Xiaoping Lu ◽  
Zhenwei Chen ◽  
Guo Zhang ◽  
Taofeng Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Open Pit Mining ◽  
Environmental Harm ◽  
Optical Remote Sensing ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
Adverse Weather

Illegal open-pit mining causes environmental harm and undermines sustainable development. Conventional monitoring approaches such as field research and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery are time-consuming and labor-intensive, making large-scale monitoring difficult. In comparison, optical remote sensing imagery can cover large areas but is vulnerable to adverse weather conditions and is not sensitive to vertical ground changes. As open-pit excavation causes sudden changes in the scattering properties of ground objects along with dramatic vertical deformation, we evaluated the feasibility of using interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) coherence to identify illegal mining activities. Our method extracts the coherence coefficient from two SAR images taken on different dates, applies thresholding and filtering to extract a decorrelation map, and then overlays this with legal mining boundaries and optical satellite images to identify illegal mining activities. For three test cases in southwestern Inner Mongolia, China, 49 legal mining sites were correctly detected (with an accuracy of 90.74%) as well as six illegal mining sites. Ground truthing confirmed the presence of ongoing activity at one of these sites. Our study shows that InSAR coherence is suitable for the identification of mining activities, and our method provides a new approach for the detection and monitoring of illegal open-pit mining.

scholarly journals Color-ornamental Plants Cultivation for Metal Waste Reduction on Mining Sites and Their Biorecovery of Metals

2020 ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Rizky Arief Shobirin ◽  
Ahsin Daroini ◽  
Edy Suwasono
Keyword(s):  
Social Development ◽  
Metal Ions ◽  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Waste Reduction ◽  
Form Complex ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
The Government ◽  
Selection Of

Metals, Minerals and Rock as minerals, are important aspects in the economic and social development of a country. However, due to the lack of communication between the private sector as a miner and the government as a supervisory party, there has been a lot of illegal mining occurring and no effort to revise the environment so that it has an impact on people's welfare and environmental pollution that is increasingly high. So as to reduce the level of environmental pollution that is currently needed there is the processing of mining waste. The metal will form complex bonds of coordination with ligands and form compounds of a certain color. By knowing the nature of these plants, the selection of plants that have a tendency to bind metal ions can be complexly coordinated to reduce the waste of metal ions generated from mining processing activities or on mining sites.

scholarly journals Assessment of Heavy Metal Levels in Soil and Vegetables in Some Farms Around Mining Sites in Mangu Local Government Area Plateau State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Nanven D Nimyel ◽  
Elizabeth S. Chundusu
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Mining Site ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Human Food Chain ◽  
Plateau State ◽  
Slight Contamination

When the mining process is not properly controlled, it can be a source of heavy metals pollution in the environment. The uptake of these heavy metals in edible parts of vegetables can be a direct source of the metals into the human food chain. This study assessed the concentrations of lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) in soil and vegetables obtained from nine (9) farms around mining sites in Mangu LGA. Concentrations of heavy metals in soil and vegetables were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results revealed the concentrations of the heavy metals at the farms to be within the recommended maximum levels of world soils but were higher than their respective controls. This implies that the artisanal mining contributed to the increased values of these heavy metals in the environment. Also, the mean concentrations of the heavy metals at Mangu Halle mining site decreased in the order Mn > Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd whereas at Alogwom it decreased in the order Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Cd. The enrichment factor (EF) of the elements showed deficiency to minimum enrichment for all the heavy metals whereas the pollution index (PI) of the metals indicated very slight contamination to moderate pollution. The results of the heavy metals in the vegetables showed that the bioaccumulation of the metals followed a pattern: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd > Ni. Levels of Cd, Pb and Ni in the vegetables were observed to be higher than the recommended limit for vegetables whereas Cu, Cr and Zn exhibited lower values than recommended standards. Thus, their consumption might pose health risk to consumers and therefore there is the need for proper monitoring of the illegal mining activities to reduce health risk and the extent of heavy metals contamination.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of an Operating Tailings Storage Facility on Catchment Surface and Groundwater Quality in the Ellembele District of the Western Region of Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvis Akwasi Acheampong ◽  
Daniel Nukpezah
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Weak Acid ◽  
Storage Facility ◽  
Free Cyanide ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Surface And Groundwater

<p>The study assessed the impact of an operating Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) of Adamus Resources Limited (Nzema Gold Mine) in the Ellembele District of the Western of Ghana on catchment surface and groundwater quality. Water samples were collected between June and December 2014 from seventeen (17) sampling sites including the TSF decant water (TSF-DW), three (3) streams, a water storage dam, a pond and eleven (11) groundwater monitoring boreholes within 500 m radius of the mine’s Tailings Storage Facility. Samples were analyzed for pH, true colour, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved metals (arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury) and cyanide (weak acid dissociable cyanide (WAD), free cyanide and total cyanide) using standard procedures. The TSF-DW reported elevated arsenic, free cyanide and TSS concentrations above GHEPA guideline for effluent discharge. Elevated TSS and arsenic concentrations above GHEPA limits were reported in PWSD which is a pond uphill of the TSF and a receptor to effluents from illegal mining sites on the mine’s concession. All other parameters recorded in surface and groundwater bodies studied were within WHO guideline limit for potable water. Results of the study suggest that the quality of surface and groundwater around the TSF has not been adversely affected even though the TSF is contaminated. Study findings suggest that well-engineered tailings dam ofARLwith its effective liner and management systems may have provided a safe structure and prevented contamination of water resources within its catchment.</p>

Direct determination of mercury in blood by use of sodium borohydride reduction and atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

1979 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 769-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
D C Sharma ◽  
P S Davis
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Borohydride ◽  
Matrix Effects ◽  
Rapid Determination ◽  
Direct Determination ◽  
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽  
High Mercury ◽  
Sodium Borohydride Reduction ◽  
Mercury In Blood ◽  
Digestion Methods

Abstract A method is presented for the rapid determination of total mercury in blood. The reagent used is alkaline sodium borohydride, and no digestion of the sample is needed. The detection limit and sensitivity are 1.15 and 1.59 ng of Hg, respectively. The method gives reproducible results (the CV ranged from 5.3 to 6.7% for low and high mercury blood samples, respectively), comparable to those obtained by the digestion method. The mean analytical recoveries of added mercuric chloride and methylmercuric chloride were 106.65 and 99.02%, respectively. Other advantages of the method are freedom from contamination encountered with digestion methods and elimination of matrix effects.

scholarly journals An Integrative Approach to Assess the Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining Contamination in the Amazon

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana V. Capparelli ◽  
Marcela Cabrera ◽  
Andreu Rico ◽  
Oscar Lucas-Solis ◽  
Danieal Alvear-S ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Metal Exposure ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Impact Monitoring ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
Significant Toxicity

As the number of legal and illegal mining sites increase, integrative methods to evaluate the effects of mining pollution on Andes-Amazonia freshwater ecosystems are paramount. Here, we sampled water and sediments in 11 sites potentially affected by mining activities in the Napo province (Ecuador). The environmental impacts were evaluated using four lines of evidence (LOEs): water physico-chemical parameters; metal exposure concentrations; macroinvertebrate community response (AAMBI); and toxicity by conducting bioassays with Lactuca sativa and Daphnia magna. Overall, dissolved oxygen and total suspended solids were, under (&amp;lt;80%) and above (&amp;gt;130 mg/Ls) quality standards. Ag, Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn in water and V, B and Cr in sediments were detected above quality standards. Nine out of eleven sites were classified as having bad environmental quality based on the AAMBI. Ranges of L. sativa seed germination in both water (37% to 70%) and sediment (0% to 65%), indicate significant toxicity. In 5 sites, neonates of D. magna showed a 25% reduction in survival compared to the control. Our integrated LOEs index ranked sites regarding their environmental degradation. Given the importance of the Andes-Amazon region, we recommend environmental impact monitoring of the mining expansion using multiple LOEs.

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals Concentration in Some Selected Cereals Grown Near Illegal Mine Sites at Poyentanga in Wa of the Upper West Region, Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Godfred Etsey Sebiawu ◽  
Mensah Jackson Napolean ◽  
Emmanuel Amankwah
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Health Effect ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Permissible Limits ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Mine Sites ◽  
Health Organization

 The contamination of cereals by heavy metals due to illegal mining activities in most farming communities has been a major challenge to food production in Ghana. The research is thus to examine bio-accumulation of heavy metals (Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pd) and Zinc (Zn)) concentration in Maize and Millet grown near illegal mining sites at Poyentanga. The study area was divided into five farming zones (farm 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) and soil and crop samples were taken from each of the zones to the laboratory for analysis using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer and the results compared to World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits. The results indicated presence of the selected heavy metals in the cereals and soils sampled from the community. Cd, Pb and Fe concentrations in the cereals were found to be above the WHO permissible limits whereas As and Zn concentrations were below. The soil concentrations of all the five heavy metals were extremely below the WHO permissible limits. It was also observed that farms near the mining sites have higher concentrations with the concentration in the maize being lower than that of Millet. The contamination levels in both cereals are as follows: Zn < As < Fe < Pb < Cd. The bioaccumulation ratio indicated that Cd, As and Pb levels were higher in Millet whereas Fe and Zn were highest in the Maize. These results therefore show that the consumption of these cereals for a very long time could have adverse health effect on the community and an indication that activities of illegal mining could thus affect the quality and safety of food produced in many farming communities. The research was concluded with recommendations to improve agricultural activities in such communities.

scholarly journals Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Are Not Associated with Nighttime Light Emissions

J ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher C. M. Kyba ◽  
Grégory Giuliani ◽  
Florian Franziskakis ◽  
Klement Tockner ◽  
Pierre Lacroix
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Nighttime Light ◽  
Earth Observation Data ◽  
Night Lights

Maintaining records of artisanal and small-scale mining sites in developing countries requires considerable effort, so it would be beneficial if Earth observation data from space could assist in the identifying and monitoring of such sites. Artificial light emissions are common at industrial-scale mining sites and have been associated with small-scale illegal mining in some contexts. Here, we examine whether known artisanal and small-scale mining sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are associated with observations of night light emissions by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day/Night Band (DNB). Light emissions from the mining sites were not observed: the radiance observed from the sites was near zero and nearly identical to that observed for a set of randomly-chosen locations in the same region. While it is the case that DNB night lights’ products provide useful data in other resource extraction contexts, they do not appear to be useful for identifying artisanal mining sites in the DRC.

scholarly journals A case of humidifier lung with a difficult differential diagnosis from COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariko Ono ◽  
Yoko Nagatomo ◽  
Hayato Kinoshita ◽  
Yukihisa Takeda ◽  
Hiroyuki Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Ct Scan ◽  
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis ◽  
Challenge Test ◽  
Respiratory Illnesses ◽  
Rare Phenotype ◽  
Inhalation Challenge ◽  
Ultrasonic Humidifier ◽  
Humidifier Lung ◽  
Chest Ct Scan

ABSTRACT Acute respiratory illnesses that presented with diffuse ground-glass opacities (GGOs) on chest computed tomography (CT) scan suggest the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, many other diseases show similar CT findings, which often offer a difficult differential diagnosis. Here, we report a case of humidifier lung, a rare phenotype of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), which mimicked COVID-19. A 71-year-old man was admitted because of dyspnea and diffuse GGOs found on chest CT scan. Although COVID-19 was initially suspected, his symptoms rapidly improved by the next day. A medical interview revealed that he had started using an ultrasonic humidifier 1 month ago. A high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan showed ill-defined centrilobular nodules and mosaic attenuation, which are typical of HP but atypical of COVID-19. The inhalation challenge test confirmed the diagnosis of humidifier lung. History-taking of humidifier use and a precise HRCT interpretation are helpful to differentiate it from COVID-19.

Artisanal gold mining’s impact on local livelihoods and the mining industry in Ivory Coast

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kouame Joseph Arthur Kouame ◽  
Fuxing Jiang ◽  
Zhu Sitao
Keyword(s):  
Ivory Coast ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Barriers To Entry ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Artisanal Mining ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Local Livelihoods ◽  
Illegal Mining

Purpose In rural regions, mining is an activity that employs many people due to the fact that the barriers to entry are sometimes trivial, with very low technology, capital fund, and no specialized skills required. Many people including children are engaged in artisanal mining in Ivory Coast because they can earn higher incomes in mining than through other traditional activities such as agriculture, which is the main activity in the country. Artisanal mining contributes to reduce abject poverty prevalent in the country and it offers many others opportunities. However, this activity has many negative social impacts. Local people including miners are risking their lives everyday as they are exposed to unsanitary conditions, prostitution, chemical contaminants, and alcoholism, and also due to the large degradation of lands. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach All the data collected during this study were analyzed before some of it was corrected. For data analysis and interpretation, the authors used Word and Excel and other software, and other statistical tools for maps, graphs, and tables. Findings The main objective of this paper is to understand how artisanal gold mining in the Ivory Coast affects local livelihoods and the environment. Research limitations/implications This study was carried out during the author’s study in China. The data collection between the two countries was too difficult due to the long distance. Many times the network was not reliable for any call and discuss with miners when we are not in the country. The hesitation of miners to give real information to the authors was also a main problem because most of them are illegal miners. Some of the guided questionnaires stayed without feedback for almost three months. The production was sold on a day-to-day basis by the miners in the illegal mining sites, so the authors could not obtain with precision the monthly and annual production to calculate income of the miners. Originality/value Some key recommendations for addressing artisanal mining activities in order to have a good option for sustainable management of mineral resources in the country are proposed.

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