Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinxiong Zhou, Qixin Wu, Shilin Gao, Xingyong Zhang, Zhuhong Wang, Pan Wu, Jie Zeng
Summary: The study investigated the content, spatial variations, sources, and controlling factors of seven trace elements (TEs) in river water and groundwater in Guiyang, China. The results showed higher TE contents in river water compared to groundwater, and the TE content in groundwater was related to river infiltration. Additionally, the weathering of carbonates played an important role in the hydrogeochemistry of TEs in Guiyang waters.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xinyu Li, Guangyi Sun, Yunjie Wu, Mengying Zhou, Zhonggen Li, Xiangyang Bi, Jen -How Huang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: A systematic analysis was conducted on 159 coal samples from different regions, periods, and ranks across China, including antimony (Sb) isotopic composition, trace element contents, and total sulfur content (TS). The study discusses the origin of Sb in coal from different regions in China, highlighting the influence of hydrothermal fluid, leachate, terrigenous materials, and inorganic minerals on Sb enrichment. The establishment of the Sb isotopic fingerprint for coal is essential for researching Sb isotope fractionation and tracing Sb release and transport in the supergene eco-environment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COAL GEOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ariane Andreola, Daniely Neckel Rosini, Mari Lucia Campos, Josieli Pietro Biasi, Vanilde Citadini-Zanette, Roseli Lopes da Costa Bortoluzzi, Davi Jose Miquelutti, Edilane Rocha Nicoleite
Summary: Mineral coal extraction in Santa Catarina State in Brazil has caused degradation to the local ecosystem, limiting its use. The uncontrolled disposal of waste and sterile mining with high concentrations of pyrite has led to the formation of acid mine drainage, which poses a threat to water resources, soil, and biodiversity. This study characterizes the heavy metal content in the mining waste and tailings, as well as the presence of fern and lycophyte species in the area. The results show that some fern species demonstrate resistance to degraded and contaminated environments, making them potential candidates for monitoring and environmental recovery.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juliana Souza-Kasprzyk, Lidia Kozak, Przemyslaw Niedzielski
Summary: This study investigated the spatial distribution of 31 chemical elements in the Billefjord region of Svalbard, Arctic, and found that glacial processes have a significant influence on the elemental composition of soils in the area.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Chen, Jinrong Liu, Weixiong Zhang, Qifeng Li, Yunlong Hu, Lei Wang, Guangde Hu, Jingzhe Wang
Summary: The study evaluated the pollution degree of toxic trace elements (TTEs) in soils of a typical gold mining area, showing that arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) posed the highest pollution risk, especially with extremely high ecological and health risks. While other toxic elements had hazard index values below safe levels, arsenic presented unacceptable carcinogenic risks for local residents, calling for more efficient policies to control contamination in the soils.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maciej Durkalec, Monica Martinez-Haro, Agnieszka Nawrocka, Jennifer Pareja-Carrera, Judit E. G. Smits, Rafael Mateo
Summary: Non-ferrous metal mining is a significant source of toxic metal release to the environment, posing a threat to ecosystems and biota. This study analyzed bird feathers to assess the exposure of birds inhabiting non-ferrous metal mining sites to mercury, lead, and other trace elements. The results indicated contamination by mercury and lead in the feathers of birds in the mining areas, even after mining activities had ceased. Measures are needed to protect biota from overexposure to these toxic metals.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julio Cesar Martinez-Ayala, Felipe Galvan-Magana, Arturo Tripp-Valdez, Ana Judith Marmolejo-Rodriguez, Alejandra Pinon-Gimate, Miguel Angel Huerta-Diaz, Alberto Sanchez-Gonzalez
Summary: This study investigated the levels of heavy metals in the muscle of Rhizoprionodon longurio fish captured in the Gulf of California and found that the levels were below the limits allowed for human consumption. Therefore, it is safe to consume the meat from this shark species.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mwemezi J. Rwiza, Erasto Focus, Jonas Bayuo, Joseph Modest Kimaro, Matthias Kleinke, Theresia J. Lyasenga, Jerry T. Mosses, Janeth Marwa
Summary: Tanzania ranks 4th in Africa in terms of mineral deposits and small-scale mining activities, but faces challenges in terms of sustainability and environmental impact. This article evaluates the policy environment of the small-scale mining subsector in Tanzania and proposes actions for future mineral resource policymaking.
Article
Engineering, Civil
S. Brighenti, M. Engel, R. Dinale, W. Tirler, G. Voto, F. Comiti
Summary: Glaciers and rock glaciers play important roles in mountain hydrological systems, but their effects on the chemical and isotopic conditions of streams have been overlooked. This study examined stream sections in two catchments in the Italian Alps and found that different water sources contribute to stream runoff. Snowmelt and rainwater were the largest and smallest components, respectively, while ice melt was significant in streams fed by glaciers and rock glaciers. The presence of rock glaciers can complicate the isotopic and chemical signatures of glaciers, making hydrograph separation challenging.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jose Manuel Veiga-del-Bano, Salvadora Martinez-Lopez, Carmen Perez-Sirvent, Maria Jose Martinez-Sanchez, Pedro Andreo-Martinez
Summary: This study investigated the amendment of five contaminated soils with different mineralogical and physico-chemical properties using limestone filler. After a 1000-hour cycle in a climatic chamber, the immobilization rate of Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn in the soils with added filler exceeded 99%, while As showed a lower immobilization rate.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Geology
Lihua Zhao, Xuefei Liu, Shujuan Yang, Xinli Ma, Lei Liu, Xuefei Sun
Summary: The study on the provenance of karstic bauxite deposits in the North China Craton using geological, mineralogical, geochemical, and detrital heavy mineral analyses revealed a combination of both autochthonous and para-allochthonous sources, with distinct source materials in the northern and southern parts. This highlights the importance of multiproxy provenance studies in understanding the complex source issues of karst bauxites in the region.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Spectroscopy
Davide Spanu, Stefano Fantinuoli, Gilberto Binda, Laura Rampazzi, Damiano Monticelli, Sandro Recchia
Summary: This study reports the development and validation of a sensitive, fast, high throughput and cost-effective method for the selective determination of Sb(III) and Sb(V) in water samples. The method separates the two species using a homemade cation exchange column and detects them using ICP-MS. The method offers very low detection limits, fast analysis time, and favorable instrumental configuration.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART B-ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claudia Araceli Vasquez Ugaz, Noemi Leon-Roque, Juan L. Nunez-Leon, Davy W. Hidalgo-Chavez, Jimy Oblitas
Summary: This study analyzed the geochemical and environmental changes in the La Sierre mine area and determined the persistent contamination over time. Concentrations of ten trace elements were measured in soil, water, and sediment samples. High amounts of trace elements were found in soil and water samples, while some sediment samples partially complied with the regulations.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Bilal Boumaza, Rabah Kechiched, Tatiana Vladimirovna Chekushina
Summary: Algeria, a phosphate-rich country, processes phosphate run-off-mine to increase P2O5 grades, resulting in the production of wastes containing hazardous trace metal elements (TMe). The study found that the sludge and fine fractions from the wet processing method have higher concentrations of TMe, including V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, Nb, and Cd. Additionally, the wastes are P-enriched and exhibit similar mineralogy to natural phosphorites but with enhanced matrix phases.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose M. Fuentes-Lopez, Manuel Olias, Rafael Leon, Maria Dolores Basallote, Francisco Macias, Raul Moreno-Gonzalez, Carlos R. Canovas
Summary: This study characterized the interactions between surface and groundwater in an acidic pit lake and found that the main inputs come from surface waters, with minor groundwater inputs rich in As, Cr, Cu, Fe and Pb. Results showed that the contaminant load released from the mining area is very high, mainly coming from waste dumps located at the W of the mining zone, causing degradation of the fluvial network downstream.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)