Potentially Toxic Element Contaminations and Lead Isotopic Fingerprinting in Soils and Sediments from a Historical Gold Mining Site

Lead (Pb) isotopes have been widely used to identify and quantify Pb contamination in the environment. Here, the Pb isotopes, as well as the current contamination levels of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, As, and Hg, were investigated in soil and sediment from the historical gold mining area upstream of Miyun Reservoir, Beijing, China. The sediment had higher 206Pb/207Pb ratios (1.137 ± 0.0111) than unpolluted soil did (1.167 ± 0.0029), while the soil samples inside the mining area were much more variable (1.121 ± 0.0175). The mean concentrations (soil/sediment in mg·kg−1) of Pb (2470/42.5), Zn (181/113), Cu (199/36.7), Cr (117/68.8), Ni (40.4/28.9), Cd (0.791/0.336), As (8.52/5.10), and Hg (0.168/0.000343) characterized the soil/sediment of the studied area with mean Igeo values of the potentially toxic element (PTE) ranging from −4.71 to 9.59 for soil and from −3.39 to 2.43 for sediment. Meanwhile, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) coupled with Pearson’s correlation coefficient among PTEs indicated that the major source of the Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd contamination was likely the mining activities. Evidence from Pb isotopic fingerprinting and a binary mixing model further confirmed that Pb contamination in soil and sediment came from mixed sources that are dominated by mining activity. These results highlight the persistence of PTE contamination in the historical mining site and the usefulness of Pb isotopes combined with multivariate statistical analysis to quantify contamination from mining activities.

Download Full-text

Deformation Monitoring in an Alpine Mining Area in the Tianshan Mountains Based on SBAS-InSAR Technology

Advances in Materials Science and Engineering ◽

10.1155/2021/9988017 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Qingsong Du ◽

Guoyu Li ◽

Yu Zhou ◽

Mingtang Chai ◽

Dun Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mining Area ◽

Deformation Monitoring ◽

Tianshan Mountains ◽

Surface Subsidence ◽

Mining Activities ◽

Study Region ◽

Mining Site ◽

Maximum Settlement ◽

Mining Areas ◽

Sbas Insar

The fragile habitat of alpine mining areas can be greatly affected by surface disturbances caused by mining activities, particularly open-pit mining activities, which greatly affect the periglacial environment. SBAS-InSAR technology enables the processing of SAR images to obtain highly accurate surface deformation information. This paper applied SBAS-InSAR technology to obtain three years of surface subsidence information based on the 89-scene Sentinel-1A SLC products, covering a mining area (tailings and active areas) in the Tianshan Mountains and its surroundings from 25th December 2017 to 2nd January 2021. The data were adopted to analyze the characteristics of deformation in the study region and the mining areas, and the subsidence accumulation was compared with field GNSS observation results to verify its accuracy. The results showed that the study area settled significantly, with a maximum settlement rate of −44.80 mm/a and a maximum uplift rate of 28.04 mm/a. The maximum settlement and accumulation of the whole study area over the three-year period were −129.39 mm and 60.49 mm, respectively. The mining area had a settlement value of over 80 mm over the three years. Significantly, the settlement rates of the tailings and active areas were −35 mm/a and −40 mm/a, respectively. Debris accumulation in the eastern portion of the tailings and active areas near the mountain was serious, with accumulation rates of 25 mm/a and 20 mm/a, respectively, and both had accumulation amounts of around 70 mm. For mine tailing pile areas with river flows, the pile locations and environmental restoration should be appropriately adjusted at a later stage. For gravel pile areas, regular cleaning should be carried out, especially around the mining site and at the tunnel entrances and exits, and long-term deformation monitoring of these areas should be carried out to ensure safe operation of the mining site. The SBAS-InSAR measurements were able to yield deformations with high accuracies over a wide area and cost less human and financial resources than the GNSS measurement method. Furthermore, the measurement results were more macroscopic, with great application value for surface subsidence monitoring in alpine areas.

Download Full-text

RADIATION SITUATION IN THE TERRITORIES AFFECTED BY MINING ACTIVITIES IN STEPNOGORSK AREAS, REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN: PILOT STUDY

Radiation Protection Dosimetry ◽

10.1093/rpd/ncaa068 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 189 (4) ◽

pp. 517-526 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Danara Ibrayeva ◽

Meirat Bakhtin ◽

Yerlan Kashkinbayev ◽

Polat Kazymbet ◽

Kassym Zhumadilov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gold Mining ◽

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Mining Activities ◽

Radiation Background ◽

Mining Site ◽

Dose Rates ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Naturally Occurring Radionuclides ◽

History Of ◽

The Republic

Abstract The Republic of Kazakhstan has a long history of mining activities, viz., gold and uranium. Mining activities represent sources of potential naturally occurring radionuclides contamination of the environment and human health of population. The aim of this study was to investigate the radiation situation of industrially modified environment in Stepnogorsk areas of Kazakhstan to understand the sources of contamination. Quite high values of ambient equivalent dose rates in air ~2.87 μSv h−1 were found in the Aqsu gold-mining site. The radon equivalent equilibrium volume activity (indoor) were in the range of 313–858 Bq m−3 in the study area buildings. The high values of activity concentration of natural radionuclides found in Aqsu soil samples were 226Ra-4060, 232Th-1170 and 40K-4080 Bq kg−1, respectively. However, our comprehensive surveys implied that the increased natural radiation background caused by the radionuclide transport from the tailing area did not have an impact, while evaluation of its potential radiation risks and remediation of the territories of the former gold mining should be needed.

Download Full-text

Soil from an Abandoned Manganese Mining Area (Hunan, China): Significance of Health Risk from Potentially Toxic Element Pollution and Its Spatial Context

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17186554 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (18) ◽

pp. 6554 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xin Luo ◽

Bozhi Ren ◽

Andrew S. Hursthouse ◽

Jonathan R. M. Thacker ◽

Zhenghua Wang

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Health Risk ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Risk Index ◽

Mining Area ◽

Carcinogenic Risk ◽

Toxic Element ◽

Hunan Province ◽

Potentially Toxic Element

This study assessed the significance and potential impact of potentially toxic element (PTE) (i.e., Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, and Ni) pollution in the surface soil from an abandoned manganese mining area in Xiangtan City, Hunan Province, China, on the health of residents. The risks were sequentially evaluated using a series of protocols including: the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (RI), and implications for human health from external exposures using the hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR). The results revealed that Mn and Cd were the major pollutants in the soil samples. The ecological risk assessment identified moderate risks, which were mainly derived from Cd (82.91%). The results of the health risk assessment revealed that generally across the area, the non-carcinogenic risk was insignificant, and the carcinogenic risk was at an acceptable level. However, due to local spatial fluctuation, some of the sites presented a non-carcinogenic risk to children. The soil ingestion pathway is the main route of exposure through both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, with Mn being the major contributor to non-carcinogenic risk, with Cr and Cd the major contributors to carcinogenic risk. In addition, three pollution sources were identified through the Pearson correlation coefficient and principal component analysis (PCA), which included: a. mining activities and emissions from related transportation; b. natural background; c. agricultural management practices and municipal sewage discharge. The study provides information on the effects of spatial variation for the development of the abandoned mining areas and a useful approach to the prioritization of locations for the development and utilization of soil in these areas in China.

Download Full-text

Hg Concentrations and Stable Isotopes Variations in Tropical Fish Species of a Gold-mining Impacted Watershed in French Guiana

10.21203/rs.3.rs-200881/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Laure Laffont ◽

Johanna Menges ◽

Sylvaine Goix ◽

Sophie Gentes ◽

Régine Maury-Brachet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotopes ◽

Gold Mining ◽

French Guiana ◽

Mining Area ◽

Tropical Fish ◽

Mining Activities ◽

Isotopic Signatures ◽

Fish Muscles ◽

Pristine Area ◽

Total Hg

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine if gold mining activities could impact the mercury (Hg) concentrations and isotopic signatures in freshwater fish consumed by riparian people in French Guiana. Total Hg, MeHg concentrations and Hg stable isotopes ratios were analyzed in fish muscles from different species belonging to three feeding patterns (herbivorous, periphytophagous and piscivorous). We compared tributaries impacted by gold-mining activities (Camopi, CR) with a pristine area upstream (Trois-Sauts, TS), along the Oyapock River. We measured δ15N and δ13C to examine whether Hg patterns are due to differences in trophic level. Differences in δ15N and δ13C values between both studied sites were only observed for periphytophageous fish, with enriched values at TS. Total Hg concentrations and Hg stable isotopes fractionations showed that Hg accumulated in fish from both areas have undergone different biogeochemical processes. Δ199Hg variation in fish (-0.5 to 0.2‰) was higher than the ecosystem baseline defined by a Δ199Hg of -0.66‰ in sediments, and suggested limited aqueous photochemical MeHg degradation. Photochemistry-corrected δ202Hg in fish were 0.7‰ higher than the baseline, consistent with biophysical and chemical isotope fractionations in aquatic environment. While THg concentrations in periphytophagous fish were higher in the gold-mining area than in TS, in contrast to the sediments results, the ensemble of Hg isotope shifts did not allow to trace and quantify the gold-mining related liquid Hg(0) sources in the fish muscles.

Download Full-text

Heavy metal contamination of Hg and Pb in water, sediment and Violet Batissa (Batissa violacea Lamark, 1818) meat in Teunom River, Aceh Jaya Regency, Indonesia

DEPIK ◽

10.13170/depik.10.3.23432 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 238-242

Author(s):

Fauziah Fauziah ◽

Abdullah Abdullah ◽

Supriatno Supriatno ◽

Firdus Firdus ◽

Muhammad Nasir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metal Contamination ◽

Gold Mining ◽

Sampling Method ◽

Heavy Metal Contamination ◽

Quality Standards ◽

Mining Activities ◽

The West ◽

Pb Contamination ◽

Water And Sediment ◽

Aas Method

Violet Batissa (Batissa violacea) is an important economic organism on the west-south coast of Aceh, because it is relatively high consumed by the community. However, gold mining activities carried out around the watershed are estimated to pollute the river and cause B. violacea to also be affected. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of mercury (Hg) and Lead (Pb) contamination in clam meat in Teunom, Aceh Jaya Regency. The research was conducted from June to September 2021. Sampling of clam was done by purposive sampling method. Hg and Pb were analyzed in clam meat using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) method. The results of the analysis showed that the Hg content in clam meat was between 0.12-0.63 mg/kg (mean 0.35±0.26 mg/kg), water 0.0026-0.0103 mg/kg (mean 0.0052±0.004 mg/kg), and sediment 1.3224-3.8767 mg/kg (mean 2.2324±1.427 mg/kg). Furthermore, the results of the analysis showed that the Pb content in clam meat, water and sediment had the same value at 3 stations with values 0.0002±0 mg/kg, 0.0003±0 mg/kg, and 0.0002±0 mg/kg, respectively. The conclusion of this study is that the Hg content in water and sediment has exceeded the threshold, while the clam meat is still in good quality standards. The Pb content in clam meat, water and sediment were also in good quality standards. Based on our study, B. violacea is still safe for consumption, while the water has been polluted and is recommended not to be utilized for human consumption.Keywords:Heavy metalRiverWaterSedimentBatissa violacea

Download Full-text

SIFAT KIMIA TANAH AREA PASCA TAMBANG EMAS: (STUDI KASUS PERTAMBANGAN EMAS TANPA IZIN DI KENEGERIAN KARI KECAMATAN KUANTAN TENGAH, KABUPATEN KUANTAN SINGINGI)

JURNAL AGROTEKNOLOGI ◽

10.24014/ja.v9i2.5681 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 21

Author(s):

Ervina Aryanti ◽

Novita Hera

Keyword(s):

Research Method ◽

Gold Mining ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Mining Area ◽

Soil Chemical Properties ◽

Forest Site ◽

Mining Activities ◽

Natural Forests ◽

Organic C ◽

Quantitative Descriptive

Gold mining activities cause damage the soil. This study aims to know soil chemical properties in post gold mining area (natural forest site, Cyperus kinglia site, open sedoment site and tailing site) after seven years. This research has been conducted from July to December 2017 in Kenegerian Kari gold mining area and central plantation laboratory. The research method used was quantitative descriptive with parameter of observation: pH, kation exchange, N, P, K, C-Organic and C/N ratio. The result showed that N, P, Phosphorus K, KTK content in the low and very low category. KTK, N, P, Phosphorus and K are categorized as low and very low. As well, the organic C content is low except in natural forests. While the C / N ratio category is high for all areas.

Download Full-text

REKLAMASI LAHAN KRITIS BEKAS PENAMBANGAN EMAS MENGGUNAKAN METODE BIOREMEDIASI DAN FITOREMEDIASI

EnviroScienteae ◽

10.20527/es.v15i2.6955 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 216

Author(s):

Liswara Neneng ◽

Dewi Saraswati

Keyword(s):

Soil Nutrients ◽

Gold Mining ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Mining Area ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Degraded Land ◽

Mining Site ◽

Central Kalimantan ◽

Soil Mercury

Degraded land caused by gold mining activities in Central Kalimantan requires reclamation efforts, in order to restore of soil conditions, due to the damage of topsoil layer, lack of soil nutrients, and reduced of soil fertility. This research aim was to find an appropriate method of biological reclamation in ex gold mining area, by utilizing a combination of several types of microorganisms and mercury phytoremediator plants. The research is an experiment on a pilot scale at an ex gold mining site in Central Kalimantan. Bioremediation method has used a consortium of local isolates Klebsiella sp. and Pseudomonas sp., and the phytoremediation method was used Melastoma sp. and Cyperus sp. Dependent variables were soil mercury concentration and soil nutrients. The results showed the application of consortium microorganisms and mercury phytoremediator, were able to reduce soil mercury concentrations in averages 2.5 ppm, soil nutrient levels increased in averages 33%. These increased soil nutrients consist of potassium in averaged 73%, Mg in average 21%, Na in average 19.5%, and Fe in averaged 71%, when compared to controls. The application of consortium of microorganisms combined with mercury plant phytoremediator type Melastoma sp., able more to improve soil conditions in ex gold mining area compared to Cyperus sp.

Download Full-text

The Quality of Grouper Cultivation Waters Around Bauxite Mining Site

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202132403016 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 324 ◽

pp. 03016

Author(s):

Sayyidah Nur Habibah ◽

Khodijah ◽

Endang Purnamasari

Keyword(s):

Fish Farming ◽

Mining Area ◽

Main Question ◽

Mining Activities ◽

Metal Analysis ◽

Mining Site ◽

Bauxite Mining ◽

Aas Method ◽

Fish And Shellfish

The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of the aquatic environment and the content of heavy metals, sediment, fish, and shellfish around the bauxite mining area. The main question is whether bauxite mining activities affect the quality of the surrounding waters. Further research needs to be carried out at the exact location during non-active mining activities as a comparison. Using the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) method, a field survey and heavy metal analysis are conducted. The results showed that the physicochemical properties of the water were categorized as polluted and unfit for fish farming. Five parameters, Cadmium (Cd), Timbal (Pb), Aluminum (Al), Nickel (Ni), and DO (dissolved oxygen), do not meet the quality standards of fish culture water and metal content in fish and shellfish bodies

Download Full-text

Surface Water Quality Assessment from a Mining Area. Case study, Groapa Burlacu lake, Targu Ocna, Romania

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.19.10.7622 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (10) ◽

pp. 3678-3680

Author(s):

Alina Cochiorca ◽

Narcis Barsan ◽

Florin Marian Nedeff ◽

Ion Sandu ◽

Emilian Florin Mosnegutu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Surface Water ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Water Quality Assessment ◽

Mining Area ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Mining Activities ◽

Quality Of Water ◽

Nacl Concentration ◽

Water Ph

This paper presents a study on assessment of water quality. According to a study, mining activities have a significant impact on water quality (lakes, surface water and groundwater), which has become a major problem globally. Due to mining and exploitation processes, lakes can be formed around these mines. Also, these lakes have been formed around the world and are steadily increasing. The purpose of this study is to watch the quality of water from the area around mining activities. This study refers to the, Groapa Burlacu lake around the mining exploitation Targu Ocna, Romania. This lake was formed on the northern bottle of the massive salt, strongly affected by the underground activities. Sampling for the determination the concentrations of Cl- and NaCl from the studied area was made at different depths (0 m, -5 m, -10 m, -15 m, -20 m, -25 m, -30 m, -35 m -40 m). Besides these concentrations, physical parameters of the water (pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen and temperature) were also measured. To determine the physical parameters in the monitored area, sampling was done from four different points of the area and then put together for analysis. These parameters were measured on site using portable equipment. The data on the analyzed concentrations indicate that at depths of less than 5.0 m, the NaCl concentration values are more than 250 g/L.

Download Full-text