Antimony and arsenic distribution and impacts at a derelict antimony mine in Scotland 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Mbadugha ◽  
Duncan Cowper ◽  
Sapar Dossanov ◽  
Graeme Paton
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Environmental Standards ◽  
Arsenic Distribution ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Ore Processing ◽  
Regulatory Limits ◽  
Derelict Mine ◽  
Historic Mining ◽  
The Uk

<p>Mining activities are acknowledged to introduce contaminants into localised environments and cause wider spread diffuse pollution. The concentration, distribution and fate of arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) were studied at the former metalliferous Louisa Mine at Glendinning, Scotland. The associated deposit is one of very few able to produce Sb in the UK and was mined for three brief periods between 1793 and 1922.  </p><p>The remnants of the mine consist of the ore processing area and two spoils. Soils withing these zones as well as around the mine were sampled and complemented by water samples from the adjacent stream, the Glennshanna Burn. All samples were subsequently analysed to map the distribution of contamination and identify pollution sources. The maximum concentrations of As and Sb, 15490 and 1504.2 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> respectively, were determined in soils associated with the ore processing area and spoil heaps. Anthropogenic activities also redistributed As and Sb within these mine zones and altered their relative ratios. The fractions of dissolved As and Sb in soils were < 1 and < 5% of total soil content, respectively, confirming findings of previous studies that As and Sb are relatively immobile. Yet, the concentrations of As and Sb released by soils exceeded regulatory limits.</p><p>Concentrations of As and Sb in surface water in the immediate vicinity of the mine were impacted by a gully discharge, but rapidly diluted. While the concentrations affected by the run-off waters did not exceed EU environmental standards for freshwater, the concentrations of As and Sb sharply increased to 11.43 ± 3.43 and 9.28 ± 0.59 μg l<sup>−1</sup>, respectively, approximately 100 m downstream of the mine site. The unaltered As to Sb ratios in water samples suggested a geogenic source of contamination.</p><p>While there is a justifiable concern about the soil pollution caused by the historic mining in the studied area, the Glenshanna Burn is affected more by indigenous geochemical processes than the derelict mine.</p>

scholarly journals Geogenic and anthropogenic interactions at a former Sb mine: environmental impacts of As and Sb

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 3911-3924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Mbadugha ◽  
Duncan Cowper ◽  
Sapar Dossanov ◽  
Graeme I. Paton
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Concentration Distribution ◽  
Geochemical Processes ◽  
Environmental Standards ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Ore Processing ◽  
Regulatory Limits ◽  
Derelict Mine ◽  
Historic Mining ◽  
Spoil Heaps

Abstract Mining activities are acknowledged to introduce contaminants into localised environments and cause wider spread diffuse pollution. The concentration, distribution and fate of arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) were studied at the former metalliferous Louisa Mine at Glendinning, Scotland. Soils and surface water were sampled and subsequently analysed to map the distribution of contamination and identify pollution sources. The maximum concentrations of As and Sb of 15,490 and 1504.2 mg kg−1, respectively, were determined in soils associated with the ore processing area and spoil heaps. The fractions of dissolved As and Sb in soils were < 1 and < 5% of total soil content, respectively, confirming findings of previous studies that As and Sb are relatively immobile. Yet, the concentrations of As and Sb released by soils exceeded regulatory limits. Concentrations of As and Sb in surface water in the immediate vicinity of the mine were impacted by a gully discharge, but rapidly diluted. While the concentrations affected by the run-off waters did not exceed EU environmental standards for freshwater, the concentrations of both, As and Sb, sharply increased above the said environmental standards approximately 100 m downstream of the mine site. The unaltered As-to-Sb ratio in water samples suggests a geogenic source. While there is a justifiable concern about the soil pollution caused by the historic mining in the area, the Glenshanna Burn is affected more by indigenous geochemical processes than the derelict mine.

scholarly journals The Role of Aquatic Ecosystems (River Tua, Portugal) as Reservoirs of Multidrug-Resistant Aeromonas spp.

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 698
Author(s):  
Sónia Gomes ◽  
Conceição Fernandes ◽  
Sandra Monteiro ◽  
Edna Cabecinha ◽  
Amílcar Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Nalidixic Acid ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Resistance Rates

The inappropriate use of antibiotics, one of the causes of the high incidence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria isolated from aquatic ecosystems, represents a risk for aquatic organisms and the welfare of humans. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance rates among riverine Aeromonas spp., taken as representative of the autochthonous microbiota, to evaluate the level of antibacterial resistance in the Tua River (Douro basin). The prevalence and degree of antibiotic resistance was examined using motile aeromonads as a potential indicator of antimicrobial susceptibility for the aquatic environment. Water samples were collected from the middle sector of the river, which is most impacted area by several anthropogenic pressures. Water samples were plated on an Aeromonas-selective agar, with and without antibiotics. The activity of 19 antibiotics was studied against 30 isolates of Aeromonas spp. using the standard agar dilution susceptibility test. Antibiotic resistance rates were fosfomycin (FOS) 83.33%, nalidixic acid (NA) 60%, cefotaxime (CTX) 40%, gentamicin (CN) 26.67%, tobramycin (TOB) 26.67%, cotrimoxazole (SXT) 26.67%, chloramphenicol (C) 16.67%, and tetracycline (TE) 13.33%. Some of the nalidixic acid-resistant strains were susceptible to fluoroquinolones. Multiple resistance was also observed (83.33%). The environmental ubiquity, the natural susceptibility to antimicrobials and the zoonotic potential of Aeromonas spp. make them optimal candidates for studying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic environments may provide an ideal setting for the acquisition and dissemination of antibiotic resistance because anthropogenic activities frequently impact them. The potential risk of multi- and pan-resistant bacteria transmission between animals and humans should be considered in a “One Health—One World” concept.

scholarly journals Behavioral Parameters of Planarians (Girardia tigrina) as Fast Screening, Integrative and Cumulative Biomarkers of Environmental Contamination: Preliminary Results

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1077
Author(s):  
Ana M. Córdova López ◽  
Althiéris de Souza Saraiva ◽  
Carlos Gravato ◽  
Amadeu M. V. M. Soares ◽  
Renato Almeida Sarmento
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Sampling Point ◽  
Total Chloride ◽  
Fast Screening ◽  
Sampling Points ◽  
The Impact

The present study aims to use behavioral responses of the freshwater planarian Girardia tigrina to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on the aquatic ecosystem of the watershed Araguaia-Tocantins (Tocantins, Brazil). Behavioral responses are integrative and cumulative tools that reflect changes in energy allocation in organisms. Thus, feeding rate and locomotion velocity (pLMV) were determined to assess the effects induced by the laboratory exposure of adult planarians to water samples collected in the region of Tocantins-Araguaia, identifying the sampling points affected by contaminants. Furthermore, physicochemical and microbiological parameters, as well as the presence of inorganic compounds (dissolved aluminum, total barium, total chloride, dissolved iron, total fluoride, total manganese, nitrates, nitric nitrogen, total sulfate, total zinc) and surfactants, were determined on each specific sampling point. The behavioral biomarkers (feeding rate and pLMV) of the freshwater planarians were significantly decreased when organisms were exposed to water samples from four municipalities (Formoso do Araguaia, Lagoa da Confusão, Gurupi and Porto Nacional), sites of the Tocantins-Araguaia hydrographic region—TAHR. Both behavioral biomarkers decreased up to ~37–39% compared to organisms in ASTM medium only. Our results showed that these behavioral biomarkers can be used for fast screening monitoring of environmental samples of freshwater ecosystems, since a decrease in feeding rate and locomotor activity was observed in sites impacted by anthropogenic activities. However, the absence of effects observed in some sampling points does not represent the absence of contamination, since several other classes of contaminants were not determined. In these negative results, the absence of deleterious effects on behavioral biomarkers might only be indicative that the potential presence of contaminants on such sites does not significantly affect the performance of planarians. This fast screening approach seems to be useful to determine contaminated sites in freshwater ecosystems for biomonitoring purposes. This knowledge will help to develop biomonitoring programs and to decide appropriate sampling sites and analysis.

To bee or not to beet with neonicotinoids

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-109
Author(s):  
Lynda M. Warren
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Environmental Standards ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Precautionary Approach ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Commercial Sugar ◽  
The Uk ◽  
First Time

In January 2021 the UK government granted an application for authorisation to use thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid pesticide, to protect commercial sugar beet crops from attack by viruses transmitted by aphids. This was the first time such an authorisation had been granted in the United Kingdom (UK) and there were concerns that it signalled a weakening of environmental standards now that the UK was no longer part of the European Union. In fact, similar authorisations had been granted by several European Member States in the last 2 years, despite the ban on the use of neonicotinoids introduced in 2018. Nevertheless, the reasons for granting the authorisation do suggest that the balance between adopting a precautionary approach to environmental protection and taking emergency action to protect economic interests may have shifted. It was acknowledged that the proposed mitigation to safeguard bees and other wildlife was not entirely satisfactory. In the end, due to unforeseen weather conditions it meant that the pesticide is not necessary, which in itself demonstrates that short-term emergency measures are unsuitable for dealing with the problem. If the sugar beet industry is to continue to prosper in the UK, it will need to be managed in a way that provides resistance to virus infection without the use of controversial chemicals.

scholarly journals TOXICOLOGICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL ESTIMATION LEVEL OF POLLUTION ECOSYSTEMS IN THE INDUSTRIAL REGION OF UKRAINE – KRIVOY ROG CITY

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 1962-1967
Author(s):  
Luibov V. Hryhorenko ◽  
Svitlana Yu. Yehorova
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Iron Ore ◽  
Wild Plants ◽  
Aquatic Biota ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
Drinking Purposes ◽  
Ore Processing ◽  
Permissible Levels ◽  
Scientific Substantiation

The aim: Scientific substantiation necessary of PMWW application for the ecologically safe formation of the secondary ecosystems in the mining and iron ore processing areas. Materials and methods: Sanitary-chemical investigation of water samples (n=132); biological objects – plants and aquatic biota was conducted on the content of Pb, Cd, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Fe (n=112); wild plants samples (n=135); sanitary-microbiological and parasitological indicators 1 – 3 years old waste water sludge (WWS) (n = 68). Results: Overnormal concentrations of salt had been found in water samples, taken from the river Inhulets (2.1 MPL), sulfates and carbonates (2.7 MPL), iron (2.1 MPL), chloride (1.7 MPL), magnesium (3.1 MPL). In wells from nearest villages water is not suitable for drinking purposes and contains total sum of salts – 4.97 MPL, sulfates and carbonates – 5.16 MPL, cadmium – 3.7 MPL, lead – 1.53 MPL. Thus, the toxic heavy metals concentrations (Pb, Cd, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Fe) in the fish and amphibians did not exceed the permissible levels. Conclusions: Total pollution of the soil within six months after application of sludge correspond to the “permissible” level (Zc=1.61). Use of clearing facilities sludge aged from 1.5 years old and of longer in the amount 15 kg/m2 did not lead to increased concentration of heavy metals in the top layer of dumps.

Impact of Climate Change on the Retreat of Himalayan Glaciers and Its Impact on Major River Hydrology

2018 ◽  
pp. 681-694
Author(s):  
Ram Karan Singh
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Climatic Changes ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Himalayan Glaciers ◽  
Freshwater Resource ◽  
River Hydrology ◽  
Major River ◽  
Cyclic Phenomenon

Himalayan Glaciers are the largest freshwater resource on earth and the rivers originating from them are an important source of water. They significantly modify stream flow both in quantity and timing as annual basin run-off is enhanced or decreased in years of negative or positive glacier mass balance respectively. Although glacial advances and retreats are a part of its natural cyclic phenomenon, the rate of de-glaciations has accelerated in recent times due to climatic changes and global warming caused by anthropogenic activities. Some of the important glaciers of Himalayas are receding at an alarming rate, which could have dire consequences on river hydrology of the main rivers of this region namely, Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra, initially causing floods and the paradoxically, scarcity of water later. This chapter is an attempt to summarize some of the studies on Himalayan glacier retreats and also to assess its impact on the availability of freshwater in the sub-continent.

scholarly journals Hydrogeochemical Analysis and Spatial Distribution of Groundwater Quality in Roundhill Landfill Vicinity of South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 117862211987277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Nyika ◽  
Ednah Onyari
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Landfill Leachate ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Magnesium Carbonate

Groundwater is the most reliable resource for consumptive uses worldwide, but it is vulnerable to anthropogenic pollution in this post-industrialization era. Pollution of the resource may result from anthropogenic activities; hence, analysing the effects of leachate on groundwater is imperative. This study assessed the spatial distribution of physicochemical parameters of groundwater in Roundhill landfill vicinity of South Africa and conducted their hydrogeochemical analysis. Water samples were collected from 3 boreholes in the landfill surroundings and analysed for selected physicochemical characteristics. Spatial distribution of these parameters showed dominant pollution by Mn2+, Fe2+, and [Formula: see text], which surpassed prescribed allowable limits of the country in most of the study area. Possibilities of simple dissolution and ion mixing were deduced from the Durov diagram. Magnesium carbonate, sodium chloride, and mixed faces of groundwater were dominant in boreholes 1 to 3, respectively. The dominance of Ca2+, Cl−, Mg2+, and [Formula: see text] ions in some boreholes suggested anthropogenic pollution. Landfill leachate was associated with groundwater pollution in the study area.

scholarly journals Maintaining standing stones benefits biodiversity in lowland heathland

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Shepheard-Walwyn ◽  
Shonil A. Bhagwat
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Cultural Landscapes ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Landscape Matrix ◽  
Sacred Sites ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
The Uk

AbstractThe exploitation of natural resources by people generally has detrimental effects on nature but in some cases anthropogenic activities can result in changes to the natural environment that produce new habitats and increase biodiversity. Understanding and supporting such cultural aspects of land use is an important part of effective conservation strategies. The UK has a range of cultural landscapes that contribute to the landscape matrix and are often important for biodiversity. However, little research has been conducted on the relationship between various types of cultural landscapes or their effects on biodiversity. We examined the interaction between semi-natural sacred sites and lowland heathland in Cornwall, and the contribution these sites make to the overall biodiversity within the habitat. We found that semi-natural sacred sites had significantly higher levels of biodiversity compared to surrounding heathland; the existence and use of the sites created new and important habitats for rare and threatened heathland species; and the spiritual and cultural use of the sites aids the management of heathland. Promoting the use of semi-natural sacred sites could therefore contribute to biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, the cultural and spiritual importance of such sites potentially increases the availability of volunteer resources for their management. We highlight the importance of an integrated management approach for achieving effective biodiversity conservation in areas containing multiple types of cultural landscapes.

Accelerated erosion of arable soils in the United Kingdom by rainfall and run-off

1979 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Harrison Reed
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Arable Soils ◽  
Contributory Factors ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Run Off ◽  
West Midlands ◽  
The Uk

On more than six hundred sites in the UK West Midlands, where water erosion was recorded by the writer during the years 1967–76, soil compaction and down-slope cultivation lines were identified as major contributory factors in over 95% of cases. Such cultivations should be avoided where possible, susceptible soils should not be left fallow longer than necessary, and field operations should be kept to the minimum when the upper layers of the soil are too moist.

Environmental Assessment of Botitom Ash and Fly Ash Used in Road Stabilization

1989 ◽  
Vol 178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asmare Atalay ◽  
Joakim G. Laguros
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Fly Ash ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Heavy Traffic ◽  
Bottom Ash ◽  
Soil Core ◽  
Priority Pollutants ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Visual Damage

AbstractFly ash and bottom ash are being used extensively for stabilization of roads. Unpaved county roads in rural areas are often being resurfaced with bottom ash to improve their stability. A preliminary, uncontrolled examination was conducted to assess the environmental problems that may result from the use of fly ash and bottom ash on highways. To do this, soil, plant and run–off water samples were collected from county roads and highways in Oklahoma that were constructed using either of the two ash forms. These samples were analyzed for fourteen elements of which eight are under the USEPA regulation list of priority pollutants for solid waste and drinking water. The results indicated that the allowable limits for six out of the eight elements were exceeded in the run-off water samples. Compared with the control, fly ash, bottom ash, coal and soil-core samples all contained significantly higher levels of all elements; however, except for barium all were below the regulatory levels. The concentrations of As, Sb, Pb, Ni, Se, and TI in the run-off water samples are high enough to be of concern, although they are below the allowable limits for drinking water. These six elements are found at much higher levels in the fly ash and bottom ash than in the input coal. More Ba is released into the run–off water when the roads were under heavy traffic. Although there was no visual damage observed on the collected plant samples, much higher than normal levels of most metals, were obtained in the tissues.

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