scholarly journals Ecological risk by potentially toxic elements in surface sediments of the Lake Maracaibo (Venezuela)

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 210232-0
Author(s):  
Julio Marín ◽  
Marinela Colina ◽  
Hilda Ledo ◽  
P.H.E. Gardiner
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Sediment Quality ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Lake Area ◽  
Risk Assessment Code ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Lake Maracaibo ◽  
Superficial Sediments

The evaluation of potential ecological risk of aquatic sediments associated with the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTE) determines its degree of danger on native biota. In this work, the potential ecological risk of V, Ti, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Hg and Pb in superficial sediments is explained in three different areas of Lake Maracaibo: El Tablazo Bay, Strait of Maracaibo and the lake itself, through a multi-guideline approach (elemental enrichment (enrichment factor, contamination degree, pollutant load index and geo-accumulation index), sediment quality guidelines and risk assessment code). The PTE levels ranged from < 0.025 to 176.722 mg·kg−1 DW, with an overall proportion of V > Ti > Pb > Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > As > Cd > Se > Hg > Sn. The PTE concurrent effect on biota was El Tablazo Bay > lake > Strait of Maracaibo. The superficial sediments of Lake Maracaibo constitute a medium with a high potential ecological risk on estuarine biota. This is mainly due to the levels of As in El Tablazo Bay, Cd in the Strait of Maracaibo and Pb in the lake area. This represents a latent toxicity hazard for native biological communities and other associated organisms.

scholarly journals Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements Pollution from Mineral Processing Steps at Xikuangshan Antimony Plant, Hunan, China

Processes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Saijun Zhou ◽  
Renjian Deng ◽  
Andrew Hursthouse
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Hunan Province ◽  
Ecological Risk Index ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk Index ◽  
Dust Generation

We evaluated the direct release to the environment of a number of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from various processing nodes at Xikuangshan Antimony Mine in Hunan Province, China. Sampling wastewater, processing dust, and solid waste and characterizing PTE content (major elements Sb, As, Zn, and associated Hg, Pb, and Cd) from processing activities, we extrapolated findings to assess wider environmental significance using the pollution index and the potential ecological risk index. The Sb, As, and Zn in wastewater from the antimony benefication industry and a wider group of PTEs in the fine ore bin were significantly higher than their reference values. The content of Sb, As, and Zn in tailings were relatively high, with the average value being 2674, 1040, and 590 mg·kg−1, respectively. The content of PTEs in the surface soils surrounding the tailings was similar to that in tailings, and much higher than the background values. The results of the pollution index evaluation of the degree of pollution by PTEs showed that while dominated by Sb, some variation in order of significance was seen namely for: (1) The ore processing wastewater Sb > Pb > As > Zn > Hg > Cd, (2) in dust Sb > As > Cd > Pb > Hg > Zn, and (3) surface soil (near tailings) Sb > Hg > Cd > As > Zn > Pb. From the assessment of the potential ecological risk index, the levels were most significant at the three dust generation nodes and in the soil surrounding the tailings reservoir.

scholarly journals Deterministic Assessment of the Risk of Phthalate Esters in Sediments of U-Tapao Canal, Southern Thailand

Toxics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Okpara Kingsley ◽  
Banchong Witthayawirasak
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Total Concentration ◽  
Phthalate Esters ◽  
Sediment Quality ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Concentration Addition ◽  
Sediment Samples ◽  
Mixture Effects ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Southern Thailand

This baseline study evaluated the ecological risk associated with the concentration of six common Phthalate esters (PAEs) in sediment samples collected from the U-Tapao canal in Southern Thailand. Deterministic approaches consisting of standard sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and Risk quotient (RQ) were used to evaluate the potential ecological risk of individuals and a mixture of Phthalate esters (PAEs) detected in sediment samples. Of the 6 PAEs measured, only three, including di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP), were identified and quantified. The total concentration of the 3 PAEs congeners found in the sediment samples ranged from 190 to 2010 ng/g dw. The results from the SQGs and RQ were not consistent with each other. The SQGs results for individual PAEs showed that DEHP and DBP found in sediment was estimated to cause moderate risk on benthic organisms, DiNP was not estimated due to lack of SQGs data. However, the RQ method indicated a low risk of DEHP and DBP on algae, crustacean and fish, whereas DiNP poses no risk on crustacean. Furthermore, based on the result obtained in this study, the consensus SQGs for mixture effects prove to be a more protective tool than the RQ concentration addition approach in predicting mixture effects. Despite inevitable uncertainties, the integration of several screening approaches of ecological risk assessment (ERA) can help get a more inclusive and credible result of the first tier of individuals and a mixture of these pollutants.

scholarly journals Implications of Soil Potentially Toxic Elements Contamination, Distribution and Health Risk at Hunan’s Xikuangshan Mine

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1532
Author(s):  
Jing Bai ◽  
Wen Zhang ◽  
Weiyin Liu ◽  
Guohong Xiang ◽  
Yu Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Hunan Province

A field survey was conducted to determine the pollution grade, sources, potential ecological risk, and health risk of soil potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Xikuangshan Mine (XKS), the largest antimony (Sb) deposit in the world. A total of 106 topsoil samples were collected from 6 sites in XKS to measure the concentrations of PTEs Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Hg, and Sb. The results show that the average concentrations of these elements at all six sites were generally greater than their corresponding background values in Hunan province, especially Sb, Hg, and As. Correlation and principal component analyses suggested that Cd, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Sb were primarily released from mining and other industrial and human activities, while Cr and As were mainly impacted by the parent material from pedogenesis. A risk index analysis showed that, overall, sites were at very high ecological risk, and Sb is the highest ecological risk factor, followed by Cd and Hg. According to health risk assessment, oral ingestion is the main non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk exposure route. The higher potentially non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks happen to the local children who live in the vicinity of mining area. It revealed that the mining and smelting processes of XKS have negatively influenced the local people, therefore, we should pay increasing attention to this practical issue and take effective measures to protect the ecology of XKS.

scholarly journals Hydrocarbon Pollution and Potential Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals in the Sediments of the Oturuba Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Clinton Ifeanyichukwu Ezekwe ◽  
Israel Clinton Utong
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Sediment Quality ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Oil Refineries ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Risk Indices ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study aimed at examining the impact of oil pollution from artisanal oil refineries on the Oturuba river ecosystem using active river bottom sediment. Specific objectives included to determine the level of hydrocarbons and trace metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, V and Mg) in the sediments and to relate this with general ecosystem health. The study found elevated concentrations of both hydrocarbons and heavy metals in the range above most sediment quality guidelines exceeding the respective Threshold Effects Level and Probable Effects. Level guideline values and occurring at levels where impairment to biological communities is certain an d where toxicity levels can lead to negative impacts on benthic animals or infaunal communities. Heavy metal geochemical accumulation index and potential ecological risk analysis also returned anomalously high concentrations in the range of very highly polluted sediment environments with very high ecological risk indices, thereby ranking the Oturuba Creek as one of the most polluted coastal river systems in the world.

scholarly journals Accumulation of Potentially Toxic Elements in Mosses Collected in the Republic of Moldova

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 471
Author(s):  
Inga Zinicovscaia ◽  
Constantin Hramco ◽  
Omari Chaligava ◽  
Nikita Yushin ◽  
Dmitrii Grozdov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Contamination Factor ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Republic Of Moldova ◽  
Mass Fractions ◽  
The Republic

For the second time, the moss biomonitoring technique was applied to evaluate the deposition of potentially toxic elements in the Republic of Moldova. The study was performed in the framework of the International Cooperative Program on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops. Moss Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. samples were collected in May 2020 from 41 sampling sites distributed over the entire territory of the country. The mass fractions of 35 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Se, Rb, Sr, Sb, Cs, Ba, Cd, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Hf, Ta, Th, Pb, and U) were determined using neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry. Comparing with 2015/2016 moss survey data, significant differences in the mass fractions of Cr, As, Se, Br, Sr, Sb, Cd, Pb, and Cu were found. Main air pollution sources (natural processes, transport, industry, agriculture, mining) were identified and characterized using factor and correlation analyses. GIS maps were built to point out the zones with the highest element mass fractions and to relate this to the known sources of contamination. Contamination factor, geo-accumulation index, pollution load index, and potential ecological risk index were calculated to assess the air pollution levels in the country. According to the calculated values, Moldova can be characterized as unpolluted to moderately polluted, with low potential ecological risk related to the degree of atmospheric deposition of potentially toxic elements. The cities of Chisinau and Balti were determined to experience particular environmental stress and are considered moderately polluted.

scholarly journals Ecological Risk and Economic Loss Estimation of Heavy Metals Pollution in The Beijiang River

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajun He ◽  
Huimin Zhang ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Xuan Guo ◽  
Mingwei Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Sediment Quality ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Heavy Metal Accumulation ◽  
Ecological Risk Index ◽  
Beijiang River ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
The Pearl River

Abstract The distribution and extent of heavy metal accumulation in the fluvial sediment of the Beijiang River are described. The potential toxicity of this pollution was quantified using a consensus based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) method and the Hakanson potential ecological risk index. The concentrations of Hg, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cr were high enough to damage the sediment biota on a frequent basis. The potential ecological risk was much higher in the downstream, urbanized reaches of the river than in the upstream reaches which are still rural, but all sections of the river posed at least a moderate level of ecological risk. Estimates of the economic loss associated with these pollutions were appreciable, and were mainly due to Hg and Cu. The Beijiang River basin is heavily polluted, posing environmental risks for the downstream reaches of the Pearl River, and economic loss to the whole watershed.

scholarly journals Contamination and Potential Ecological Risk Factors of Potentially Toxic Elements Present in the Soil of Shooting Range: Comparison with the Global Soils

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Saba Shoukat ◽  
Shahla Nazneen ◽  
Sardar Khan ◽  
Urooj Zafar
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Contamination Factor ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Shooting Range ◽  
Shooting Range Soil ◽  
Ecological Risk Factors ◽  
Very High

This study was carried out to determine potentially toxic element (PTE) contamination and their potential ecological risk factors in shooting range soil. For this purpose soil samples were collected from different locations (left side, right side, shooting point, middle, and stop-butt) from the shooting range of Frontier Corps Training Centre (FCTC) present in Warsak, Peshawar. The soil samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and potentially toxic elements including Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The strong acids digested extracts were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine the concentrations of selected PTEs. The concentration of Pb was found to be maximum at stop-butt i.e. 2049 mg/kg and exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) critical value of 400 mg/kg, while its concentrations at left, right, shooting point and middle were 14.0 mg/kg, 18.8 mg/kg, 47.4 mg/kg, and 18.2 mg/kg, respectively and exceeded the background level of normal soils which is 10 mg/kg for Pb. This study revealed that the shooting range soil was highly contaminated with Pb, and very high contamination factor and potential ecological risk for Pb was observed at stop-butt, very high contamination factor and potential ecological risk for Cd, while moderate contamination factor for Zn was observed at all locations of the shooting range. In Pakistan, the environmental perspective of shooting range soils is overlooked and there is a need to take steps to avoid such contamination of soils with Pb and other PTEs that can enter into food chains and can also leach to contaminate the aquifer. Replacement of vegetation of shooting range with PTE tolerant species, addition of soil conditioners and uncontaminated soil would reduce the mobility of these contaminants into aerial portions of plants and protect the groundwater contamination.

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