Article
Environmental Sciences
Lily Lisa Yevugah, Godfred Darko, Jesper Bak
Summary: The mining activity in Ghana is causing more widespread soil mercury pollution outside active mining sites, with concentrations in intensive mining areas three times higher than in the rest of the country. The elevated concentrations are likely due to decades of atmospheric deposition rather than natural variation, indicating a significant impact of mining on soil mercury levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Prafulla Kumar Sahoo, Roberto Dall'Agnol, Simonny do C. Simoes Rolo de Deus, Gabriel Negreiros Saloma, Jose Tasso Felix Guimaraes, Romulo Simoes Angelica, Silvio Junio Ramos, Marlene Furtado da Costa, Jose Oswaldo de Siqueira
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive investigation on the level of total Hg (THg) in different environmental media in Itacaiunas River Watershed (IRW), Brazil, aiming to understand the source and distribution of Hg and its potential risks to ecological and human health. The results showed that most of the soils and sediments had higher Hg content compared to the average values, but only a few samples exceeded the legal limits. The water samples were not significantly contaminated by Hg. The distribution of Hg in soils and sediments was closely related to geological factors, indicating limited anthropogenic influence. The main factor controlling the distribution of Hg was organic matter. The ecological and health risk assessments revealed low pollution and non-carcinogenic health risks. This study provides important information for Hg risk assessment and future research in the Amazonia region.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Annika Parviainen, Anton Vazquez-Arias, Francisco Jose Martin-Peinado
Summary: Polluted urban soils in playgrounds and garden areas contain high levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), posing risks to human health. The mineralogical source of PTEs in urban soils and the presence of inhalable small particles rich in PTEs highlight the importance of addressing soil pollution in urban areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Salomon Kroonenberg, Theo Wong, Ginny Bijnaar, Ramon Finkie, Kenneth Goenopawiro, Samjhawan Asneel, Morgan Lin-Tsung, Rivano Nanan, Kishan Ramdas, Prisan Sitaram
Summary: This study establishes background mercury values in the greenstone belt of Suriname by analyzing 62 natural soil and saprolite profiles. It finds that mercury values in pristine topsoils are often 100 times higher than those in common parent rocks. The study also shows a strong correlation between mercury values and iron, chromium, and vanadium values, indicating that mercury, like these elements, is enriched in topsoils through laterization processes. The study further reveals that mercury is often leached along with iron in the deeper zones of the profiles. The study concludes that the natural soil and saprolite mercury values are in the same order of magnitude as many published mine tailings and stream sediments and therefore cannot be used to separate polluted from unpolluted materials.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Anton Vazquez-Arias, Francisco Jose Martin-Peinado, Annika Parviainen
Summary: The aim of this study is to analyze the concentration and sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in urban soils influenced by mining activities. Topsoil samples were collected in Minas de Riotinto and Aracena, and the concentrations of elements of interest were compared in terms of soil location and origin. The results showed higher concentrations of Cu, As, and Pb in the in-situ soils of Minas de Riotinto compared to Aracena. The atmospheric deposition of dust from mines was identified as a primary source of PTEs in Minas de Riotinto.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manuel Gabriel Velasquez Ramirez, Claudia Maribel Vega Ruiz, Ronald Corvera Gomringer, Martin Pillaca, Evert Thomas, Paul Michael Stewart, Luis Alfredo Gamarra Miranda, Francisco Roman Danobeytia, Juan Antonio Guerrero Barrantes, Midori Chinen Gushiken, Joel Vasquez Bardales, Miles Silman, Luis Fernandez, Cesar Ascorra, Dennis del Castillo Torres
Summary: Gold mining is the largest source of mercury pollution globally, particularly in the Peruvian Amazon region. Despite higher mercury concentrations in untouched old-growth forests bordering mine spoils, efforts to restore soil conditions and develop sustainable land uses can proceed. It is crucial to stop using mercury in mining operations to reduce human and environmental risks.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Federico Floreani, Elena Pavoni, Mateja Gosar, Stefano Covelli
Summary: Hg-0 fluxes at the soil-air interface were measured in the Idrija Hg mining area and its surroundings. The highest Hg-0 fluxes were observed in urban soils in naturally enriched areas, while lower emissions were found at the historical roasting site, despite high total Hg content in soils. Shading by trees or litter effectively limits Hg-0 released into the atmosphere even from highly enriched soils, acting as a natural mitigation.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Alejandra S. Vega, Guillermo Arce, Javier Rivera, Sara E. Acevedo, Sonia Reyes-Paecke, Carlos A. Bonilla, Pablo Pasten
Summary: Mining activities, both active and legacy, contribute significantly to toxic metal pollution in urban soils in Chile. This study measured metal concentrations in urban parks and found that copper levels exceeded international guidelines in a large proportion of parks, with urban mine waste disposal sites having higher median metal values.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taoran Shi, Pei Zhan, Yaqin Shen, Hongyan Wang, Chunfa Wu, Jining Li
Summary: The Xunyang Hg-Sb mine in China is a major source of Hg contamination. The study used various techniques to investigate the spatial distribution and pollution sources of Hg in the environment. It found that Hg in soil was mainly associated with quartz minerals, and Hg in sediment showed different distributions of Sb. The study provides important scientific information for assessing the environmental quality in the area and minimizing further impacts.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Opoku Gyamfi, Peter Borgen Sorensen, Godfred Darko, Eugene Ansah, Katrin Vorkamp, Jesper Leth Bak
Summary: This study evaluated the potential risk of mercury pollution in soils in Gbani, a artisanal gold mining community in Ghana, and found that the soils in this area were moderately to extremely severely contaminated with mercury, especially near active mining sites. Residents may face the largest risk of non-cancer effects through air-borne exposure pathways.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Rosario Calabro, Gonzalo Roqueiro, Raul Tapia, Diana Cristina Crespo, Martha Fidela Bargiela, Brian Jonathan Young
Summary: Abandoned mines with untreated waste can cause environmental pollution, particularly in soil and plants. This study assessed the chronic toxicity of a contaminated soil from an abandoned gold mine on lettuce, and investigated the relationship between toxicity endpoints, bioavailability, and bioaccumulation of Zn, Cu, and Pb. The findings contribute valuable information to future ecotoxicological risk assessments and remediation plans.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Georgios Charvalas, Alexandra D. Solomou, Kyriakos D. Giannoulis, Elpiniki Skoufogianni, Dimitrios Bartzialis, Christina Emmanouil, Nicholaos G. Danalatos
Summary: This article provides an overview of alternative methods for restoring contaminated soils (phytoremediation), focusing on areas of excessive metallurgical activities in Greece. Two case studies in Northern Greece were selected, one characterized by metal mining and a hot summer Mediterranean climate, and the other involving lignite mining and pollution under subtropical climate.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Ana Valdes Duran, Guillermo Aliaga, Katja Deckart, Cyrus Karas, Dante Caceres, Adriana Nario
Summary: By analyzing the concentrations of elements in soils, this study found that the distribution of most elements is controlled by the geological substrate, and identified areas with high concentrations of metals and metalloids posing risks to the environment and health. This information is crucial for implementing environmental management strategies to control exposure to toxic compounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Priscila Bassi Penteado, Danilo Covaes Nogarotto, Julia Perilo Baltazar, Simone Andrea Pozza, Felippe Benavente Canteras
Summary: This article reviewed the contamination by trace elements in urban topsoils in 31 cities in Latin America and analyzed the factors influencing the contamination levels. The study found variations in methodology, with vehicular traffic and industrial emissions being major sources of contamination. It also identified gaps in the literature and made suggestions for future studies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Zhao, David O'Connor, Hao Zhang, Yuanliang Jin, Yidong Wang, Xiaodong Yang, Renjie Hou, Deyi Hou
Summary: This study evaluates the mercury pollution at a long-exploited primary mercury production site and assesses the effectiveness of recent control measures. The findings indicate widespread and serious soil and water pollution due to mercury mining, but risk control measures can reduce human health and ecological risks.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Anela Kaurin, Rok Mihelic, Damijana Kastelec, Michael Schloter, Marjetka Suhadolc, Helena Grcman
BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS
(2015)
Article
Forestry
Milan Kobal, Helena Grcman, Marko Zupan, Tom Levanic, Primoz Simoncic, Ales Kadunc, David Hladnik
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2015)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vesna Zupanc, Gerhard Kammerer, Helena Grcman, Igor Santavec, Rozalija Cvejic, Marina Pintar
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2016)
Article
Geography, Physical
Stanka Sebela, Nina Zupancic, Milos Miler, Helena Grcman, Simona Jarc
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Soil Science
A. Kaurin, R. Mihelic, D. Kastelec, H. Grcman, D. Bru, L. Philippot, M. Suhadolc
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2018)
Article
Environmental Sciences
F. Ajmone-Marsan, M. Biasioli, T. Kralj, H. Grcman, C. M. Davidson, A. S. Hursthouse, L. Madrid, S. Rodrigues
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2008)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Cachada, L. V. Lopes, A. S. Hursthouse, M. Biasioli, H. Grcman, E. Otabbong, C. M. Davidson, A. C. Duarte
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2009)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Masa Jelusic, Helena Grcman, Dominik Vodnik, Metka Suhadolc, Domen Lestan
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2013)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vesna Zupanc, Damijana Kastelec, Domen Lestan, Helena Grcman
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2014)
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. Vodnik, H. Grcman, I. Macek, J. T. van Elteren, M. Kovacevic
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2008)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Stanislava Kirincic, Agnes Somen Joksic, Marko Zupan, Jerica Ivanos, Pija Rep, Ester Rotter, Matej Ivartnik, Helena Grcman
FOOD ADDITIVES AND CONTAMINANTS PART A-CHEMISTRY ANALYSIS CONTROL EXPOSURE & RISK ASSESSMENT
(2019)
Article
Soil Science
Rok Turnis Turniski, Helena Grcman, Marko Zupan
Summary: The aim of this study was to clarify the use of the term acric in Slovenian soil classification and its relation to the Acrisols in the World reference base. The study found that acric properties in Slovenian soils are often associated with soils with argic horizons. However, the latest soil classification does not classify soils with argic horizons as Acrisols or Lixisols.
Article
Geography
Helena Grcman, Vesna Zupanc
Article
Geography
Helena Grcman, Simon Vozel, Vesna Zupanc
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Om Prakash Kumar, Amiya S. Naik, P. Gopinathan, T. Subramani, Vishvajeet Singh, Prakash K. Singh, Uma K. Shukla, Arun Prabhu
Summary: This study characterizes lignite samples from Kapurdi, Giral, and Sonari mines in Rajasthan's Barmer Basin using petrographic and geochemical techniques. The results provide insights into the geochemical properties, hydrocarbon potential, depositional environment, and paleo-climatic conditions of these lignite deposits. The study finds high volatile matter and sulfur concentrations in the Barmer lignite deposits, as well as indications of a wet environment during organic material decomposition. The findings have implications for understanding the coalification profile and hydrocarbon source rock potential in the region.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2024)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Ashkan Jahandari, Behnam Abbasnejad
Summary: The assessment of heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soil is important for crop safety and quality, as well as potential risks to human health. This review analyzed published data on seven heavy metals in Iranian farmland soils and found that nickel and cadmium exceeded permissible levels. Arsenic showed significant contamination in multiple provinces, while lead and cadmium were highly contaminated in Fars province. Overall, the contamination levels of heavy metals in Iranian agricultural soils were relatively low.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2024)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Imran Ud Din, Said Muhammad, Shah Faisal, Inayat ur Rehman, Wajid Ali
Summary: The presence of heavy metal contamination in coal mines and surrounding environments in the Hangu and Kurram districts poses potential risks to the environment and human health.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2024)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Douglas Almeida Silveira, Paola Ferreira Barbosa, Cassiano Costa e Castro, Guilherme Ferreira da Silva, Joseneusa Brilhante Rodrigues
Summary: This study analyzed apatite grains from the Angico dos Dias Carbonatite Complex region in Brazil using an electron probe microanalyzer. The results showed that the apatite grains had characteristics of metacarbonatitic lithotypes and some had undergone substitution processes. Statistical analysis helped identify the sources of the apatite grains and confirmed the presence of carbonatitic bodies in the area.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2024)