scholarly journals Potentially Toxic Elements’ Contamination of Soils Affected by Mining Activities in the Portuguese Sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt and Optional Remediation Actions: A Review

Environments ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Clarisse Mourinha ◽  
Patrícia Palma ◽  
Carlos Alexandre ◽  
Nuno Cruz ◽  
Sónia Morais Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Both sectors of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portuguese and Spanish, have been exploited since ancient times, but more intensively during and after the second half of the 19th century. Large volumes of polymetallic sulfide ore were extracted in open pits or in underground works, processed without environmental concerns, and the generated waste rocks and tailings were simply deposited in the area. Many of these mining sites were abandoned for years under the action of erosive agents, leading to the spread of trace elements and the contamination of soils, waters and sediments. Some of these mine sites have been submitted to rehabilitation actions, mostly using constructive techniques to dig and contain the contaminated tailings and other waste materials, but the remaining soil still needs to be treated with the best available techniques to recover its ecosystem functions. Besides the degraded physical structure and poor nutritional status of these soils, they have common characteristics, as a consequence of the pyrite oxidation and acid drainage produced, such as a high concentration of trace elements and low pH, which must be considered in the remediation plans. This manuscript aims to review the results from studies which have already covered these topics in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, especially in its Portuguese sector, considering: (i) soils’ physicochemical characteristics; (ii) potentially toxic trace elements’ concentration; and (iii) sustainable remediation technologies to cope with this type of soil contamination. Phytostabilization, after the amelioration of the soil’s properties with organic and inorganic amendments, was investigated at the lab and field scale by several authors, and their results were also considered.

Author(s):  
E. A. Kotelyanets ◽  
K. I. Gurov ◽  
◽  

The paper presents the results of studies of the Kalamitsky Bay bottom sediments pollution level with microelements and heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, V, As, Sr, Ti, Fe, Mn) in comparison with the content of these microelements and heavy metals in the Balaklava Bay sediments. The paper analyzes data obtained during expeditions on the R/V Professor Vodyanitsky in the Kalamitsky Gulf in August 2011 (seaward part) and on the R/V Rioni in September 2012 (coastal area) as well as in the Balaklava Bay in October 2018. Content of microelements and heavy metals in bottom sediments of the studied water areas was determined by the X-ray fluorescence method using Spectroscan MAX-G device. For the water area of the Kalamitsky Gulf, the features of the studied trace element spatial distribution are considered, groups of trace elements with different spatial distribution patterns are identified. The correlation analysis determined influence of physicochemical characteristics of the sediments on distribution and accumulation of trace elements. In the water area of the Kalamitsky Gulf, a statistically significant correlation was observed of nickel, iron and zinc content with the clay fraction; dependance of increased concentrations of zinc, nickel and chrome on the content of organic carbon and predominance of lead in highcarbonate sediments. For the Balaklava Bay, the maximum positive values of correlations with the pelitic-silty fraction were noted for iron, manganese, vanadium and chrome; organic carbon correlates with chrome, iron, nickel and copper, whereas carbonates correlate with strontium. Similar patterns were observed earlier in the Sevastopol region bays, Feodosiya Gulf and Kerch Strait.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsoon Ashraf ◽  
Muhammad Zeshan ◽  
Sadia Hafeez ◽  
Rahib Hussain ◽  
Abdul Qadir ◽  
...  

Abstract The present study was aimed to explore the seasonal and temporal variation in the extent and sources of physiochemical and trace elements in the Lakhodair solid waste Landfill site in Lahore, Pakistan. For the seasonal and temporal study of leachates, systematic composite samples were collected monthly (for one year) and analyzed for physiochemical and trace elements. The concentration of TDS, TSS, COD, NH3-N, BOD5, sulfate, sulfides, phenolic compounds, oil and grease were higher than the National Environmental Quality standard (NEQs). The trace elements, namely Mn (1.7 mg/L), and Cd (0.05 mg/L), while in a few samples Fe (14 mg/L), Ni (1.6 mg/L), and Zn (6.7 mg/L) were higher than the NEQs. In Lakhodair leachates, TDS, COD, NH3-N, BOD5, sulfides, and Cl have a high concentration coefficient (i.e., CC 3 to > 6), which may cause considerable to high contamination, while remaining parameters may cause low to moderate contamination (CC 1 to ≤ 3). The lower BOD5/COD ratio (< 0.1) in the Spring and Autumn seasons, represents the active methanogenesis and anaerobic activities in the Lakhodair landfill site. The anaerobic and methanogenesis enhance the redox reaction as a result CO2 is emitted and alternatively increases pH, TDS, COD, Cl, BOD5, NH3-N, sulfides, phenolic compounds in leachates. However, the lower concentration of some trace elements may be because of an anaerobic process that may immobilize the trace elements. It is presumed that the trace elements in the Lakhodair landfill may be in a metastable state, which is not easy to leach out. It’s hereby recommended that Leachate produced in the Lakhodair landfill site need to handle carefully so as to limit the environmental and health implication.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. S50
Author(s):  
M.L. Forchielli ◽  
A. Bonoli ◽  
A. Stancari ◽  
L.L. Bruno ◽  
F. Piro ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 726-731 ◽  
pp. 239-244
Author(s):  
Juan Wang ◽  
Zheng Hai Wang

This study aims to obtain an overview of trace elements concentrations in rocks, soils and plants from Puxiong lead-zinc mining area in Yunnan, China, and analyze the connection as well. Concentrations of Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, As, Sb, Hg, Sn, Ni and Sr among soils, rocks and three dominant plants in mining area, transition area and background were measured. Ratio parameter, bioconcentration factors (BF) and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to analyze the relationship between these elements in different feature. The results indicate that rocks, soils and plants samples are all characterized by high concentrations of Pb, Zn and other associated elements in Puxiong lead-zinc mining area. Geochemistry of trace elements concentrations from rocks to soils, then to plants presents obvious characters of inheritance and variability. Whats more, three dominant plants are same in high concentration of Mn and low concentration of Cd, Hg, Co, but are huge different in bio-concentration factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 9735-9744
Author(s):  
Carlos Julio Márquez Cardozo ◽  
Daniela Molina Hernández ◽  
Birina Luz Caballero ◽  
Hector Jose Ciro Velásquez ◽  
Diego Alonso Restrepo Molina ◽  
...  

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), also called squash is a mass consumption fruit used in agroindustrial transformations to obtain new food products. This study aimed to evaluate the physical, physiological and physicochemical properties during a storage period of 42 days and the nutritional compounds of the freshly harvested fruit fractions. According to the CIEL*a*b* space, both the pulp and peel did not present significant changes in L* and a* values during the evaluated storage time; however, in the peel, a change in the b* values was evidenced. In addition, there was a decrease in the firmness of 10.8% in the fruit with peel and in the pulp, it was of 19.8% was observed, with a whole fruit weight loss of 2.33% and an average respiration rate of 6.9 mg CO2 kg-1h-1. According to physicochemical characteristics evaluated in the pulp, the values of pH, percentage of humidity, acidity, water activity and total soluble solids had no statistically significant changes occurred during the storage time. At the nutritional level, pumpkin is a good source of minerals, with a high concentration of potassium in all its fractions, and also has in total carotenoids (4.11±1.6 mg of β-carotene g-1 oven dry (o.d) in pulp and 6.24±2.7 mg of β-carotene g-1 (o.d) in peel). It was possible to conclude that the pumpkin has a low respiration rate, maintaining its physicochemical characteristics suitable for consumption throughout the evaluation period, presenting suitable conditions.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. e66746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Santofimia ◽  
Elena González-Toril ◽  
Enrique López-Pamo ◽  
María Gomariz ◽  
Ricardo Amils ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Anzalone ◽  

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are commonly used to enhance image acquisition via magnetic resonance imaging, but they differ in their physicochemical characteristics and therefore their function. The stability, concentration and relaxivity of a GBCA can have a major impact on clinical efficacy. Stability is related to safety. GBCAs can be categorised into three stability classes: non-ionic linear agents, ionic linear agents and macrocyclic agents, in order of increasing stability. Relaxivity and concentration are contributing factors to the level of enhancement that can be achieved with any given GBCA. Gadobutrol, gadobenate and gadoxetic acid have relatively high relaxivities. Among these compounds, only gadobutrol is commercially available at a higher concentration of 1.0M, whereas the others are used at a standard concentration of 0.5M. With high stability, relaxivity and concentration, gadobutrol has been shown in a number of clinical studies to be safe while improving image enhancement with increased conspicuity and sensitivity over other commonly used GBCAs.


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