Review: Risiko Stunting pada Anak yang Tinggal di Area Pertambangan Emas Skala Kecil

Small Scale Gold Mining uses mercury to extract gold. Mercury exposure to children is associated with the risk of various health problems that can lead to stunting. This review was prepared with the aim of knowing the impact of mercury exposure on children living in the Small Scale Gold Mining area. The method used in the preparation of this narrative review is searching for information via the internet using google. Tracing results from various studies and electronic books stated that children living in ASGM areas are very vulnerable to mercury exposure either by inhalation by inhaling mercury vapor or ingestion by consuming food or drinks containing mercury. In addition, they are also very at risk of health problems such as malnutrition and infectious diseases, which are risk factors for stunting. Various risk factors that threaten the health of children living in ASGM areas can lead to stunting. However, there is still little research linking mercury exposure to stunting.

Biomonitoring of Mercury in Hair among a Group of Eritreans (Africa)

Small-scale or artisanal mining, using gold-mercury amalgamation to extract gold from ore, is a significant source of exposure for the workers and nearby populations. Few studies on hair mercury (Hg) have been conducted in Africa despite the fact that Africa has several gold deposits. No studies have been conducted in Eritrea that is one of the emerging gold producing countries in Africa. The aim of the study was to assess the Hg concentration in hair samples (n = 120) of a population living in Asmara, capital of Eritrea, and to evaluate the influence of some factors on the Hg levels in hair. Information on age, height, weight, occupation, smoking and fish consumption of participants were collected via questionnaire. Hair Hg concentration was significantly higher among women compared to men (p < 0.001) and among women preparing spicy products in Medeber market compared to those who did other jobs (p = 0.010). These results highlight the need for routine biomonitoring surveys and for health promotion campaigns devoted to local decision makers and workers.

GOLD AND MERCURY IN THE PROCESSES OF ORE FORMATION IN KAMCHATKA

The main features of the difference and similarity of the physical and chemical properties of gold and mercury have been given, which determine their behavior in the natural processes of formation of deposits of both metals in Kamchatka. It has been shown that the difference in the properties of gold and mercury led to the emergence of independent monometallic deposits, differing in connection with intrusive formations, in depth and temperature of ore formation. The similarity of the properties of these elements determined the appearance of mercury minerals on gold ore deposits and gold in mercury deposits, as well as the formation of complex gold-mercury deposits. Four geological-industrial types of gold- mercury deposits have been distinguished: the Knoxville, the Carlin, the Kyuchus and the Chemlian ones, which include deposits with large gold reserves both abroad and in Russia. The identification of gold deposits, including through the revision of mercury ore occurrences and deposits of Kamchatka for gold presence, will strengthen the mineral resources base of gold in this region.

X-Ray flourescence (XRF) elemental composition of Euphorbia hirta Linn (Asthma weed) as a medicinal plant

Euphobia hirta (Eh) was subjected to elemental analysis using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and the results revealed the following concentrations of the elements : sulphur (4.128 mg/kg), potassium (58.755 mg/ kg), calcium (34.102mg/kg), scandium (0.256mg/kg), titanium (0.348 mg/kg), iron (2.124 mg/mg), zinc (0.108 mg/kg), rubidium (0.040 mg/kg), strontium (0.089mg/kg), zireonium (0.026mg/kg), molybdenum (0.006 mg/kg) and thorium (0.120 mg/kg) respectively. All elements analysed above were within the permissible limit set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).Vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, arsenic, selenium, palladium, silver, cadmium, tin, antimony, tellurium, caesium, barium, tungsten, gold, mercury and lead were not detected in the sample.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2018, 4(1): 49-54

The application of XANES for the examination of silver, gold, mercury, and sulfur on the daguerreotype surface

X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was used to study a freshly prepared reference daguerreotype surface as the first step in devising improved methods for the conservation of these important historic artifacts. The results are consistent with the formation of alloy image particles. Interdiffusion of gold and silver has led to the development of a silver–gold alloy; the composition varies with depth. The amount of gold appeared to be elevated in the highlighted regions of the image, whereas shadow regions have lower levels of gold on the surface. The apparent increase in gold within the highlighted region may be due to the larger surface area presented by an array of small image particles. The mercury used to develop the daguerreian image showed no evidence of oxidation while a mercury–silver alloy was detected. Sulfur-based contaminants are also detected. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Synthesis of the molecular amalgam [{AuHg2(o-C6F4)3}{Hg3(o-C6F4)3}]−: a rare example of a heterometallic homoleptic metallacycle

The formation of [Au(PMe3)2][{AuHg2(o-C6F4)3}{Hg3(o-C6F4)3}] by a gold mercury transmetalation mechanism is reported. The complex shows very short Au(i)–Hg(ii) contacts. Theoretical calculations indicate an extremely strong metallophilic interaction.