Article
Environmental Sciences
Pavlina Pelcova, Andrea Ridoskova, Jana Hrachovinova, Jan Grmela
Summary: The study highlights the importance of understanding the bioavailability of mercury in soils near abandoned cinnabar mines, particularly in relation to mercury accumulation in different vegetable species. It suggests that soils from these areas may be suitable for planting pod vegetables like peas. Additionally, a strong positive correlation was observed between mercury concentration in various parts of the vegetables and the flux of mercury from soil to the DGT units.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pavlina Pelcova, Radovan Kopp, Andrea Ridoskova, Jan Grmela, Dagmar Sterbova
Summary: The study demonstrated that submerged aquatic plants have a higher ability to accumulate mercury compared to natant aquatic plants. Additionally, it was found that chlorides did not have a significant impact on mercury accumulation, while the presence of humic acid in the water environment resulted in a significant decrease in mercury accumulation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Junyao Yan, Ruolan Li, Muhammad Ubaid Ali, Chuan Wang, Bo Wang, Xingang Jin, Mingyu Shao, Ping Li, Leiming Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Mine waste in historical mercury mining areas continuously emits mercury into the local environment, including aquatic ecosystems. This study used data on mercury concentration, speciation, and isotopes to trace mercury migration from the mine waste and determine its contribution to mercury pollution. The findings revealed that rainfall can increase mercury concentrations in river water and influence the partitioning and transport of mercury in karst fissure zones. Despite remediation efforts, the treated mine waste remains a significant source of mercury pollution in local aquatic ecosystems.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jun-Lin Wang, Hai-Zhen Wei, A. E. Williams-Jones, Ge Dong, Yuan-Feng Zhu, Shao-Yong Jiang, Jing Ma, Simon Hohl, Xi Liu, Yin-Chuan Li, Jian-Jun Lu
Summary: The behavior of silver in hydrothermal ore-forming systems has been studied in terms of equilibrium and Rayleigh-type isotope fractionation. Experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that silver follows a second-order kinetic reaction model during transport and deposition processes, and its isotope fractionation follows a Rayleigh-type fractionation model. A new silver isotope geothermometer is proposed for determining temperature in silver-bearing hydrothermal systems.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lorenz Schwab, Niklas Gallati, Sofie M. Reiter, Richard L. Kimber, Naresh Kumar, David S. McLagan, Harald Biester, Stephan M. Kraemer, Jan G. Wiederhold
Summary: This study contributes significantly to the database of Hg isotope enrichment factors for specific processes. The findings show that Hg(II) reduction by dissolved Fe(II) in open systems results in a kinetic mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) with a larger epsilon compared to other abiotic reduction pathways, and combining MDF with the observed mass-independent fractionation (MIF) allows the distinction from photochemical or microbial Hg(II) reduction pathways.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Junnan Chen, Feng Xie, Wei Wang, Yan Fu, Jian Wang
Summary: This study investigates the leaching of gold from oxide gold ore using copper-tartrate-thiosulfate solutions. The experimental parameters, such as temperature, initial pH, and concentrations of copper tartrate and thiosulfate, were systematically studied. The results show that the gold leaching capability of copper-tartrate-thiosulfate solutions is comparable to cyanidation and traditional copper-ammonia-thiosulfate leaching at elevated temperatures. The kinetics are faster than gold cyanidation, and thiosulfate consumption is reduced in the presence of tartrate. Optimization conditions lead to a gold extraction of 90.42%. The dissolution process in copper-tartrate-thiosulfate solutions may be controlled by product layer diffusion with an apparent activation energy of 35.474 kJ/mol.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jerome Viers, Remi Freydier, Jose Antonio Grande, Cyril Zouiten, Aurelie Marquet, Sophie Delpoux, Maria Santisteban, Oleg S. Pokrovsky, Juan Carlos Fortes, Jose Miguel Davila, Aguasante Sarmiento, Stephane Audry, Ana Luis, Merlin Meheut, Philippe Behra, Jose Darrozes, Christophe Monnin
Summary: Mining areas in the Iberian Pyrite Belt have caused severe contamination of soils and water with metals and metalloids. Our study reveals that the spatial distribution of copper isotopes in pit lakes is controlled by water-rock interaction processes, while attenuation processes in the river result in the precipitation of secondary minerals and preferential retention of heavy isotopes. The constant isotopic signature in the terminal lake suggests the involvement of both biotic and abiotic processes in copper fractionation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Zhendong Tian, Bernd Lehmann, Changzhou Deng, Anbo Luo, Xingchun Zhang, Frederic Moynier, Runsheng Yin
Summary: This study reports the Hg isotopic compositions of granitic rocks and metasedimentary enclaves from the South China Craton. The results show different isotopic compositions for different types of granites, suggesting significant isotopic fractionation during magmatic processes. By combining with previously published data, the Hg abundance and isotopic composition of the upper continental crust are estimated to be higher than that of the primitive mantle.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinyu Li, Zhonggen Li, Ji Chen, Leiming Zhang, Runsheng Yin, Guangyi Sun, Bo Meng, Zikang Cui, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study investigated the isotope signatures of mercury in flue gas emitted from residential coal combustion in two coal-producing areas of Guizhou Province, China. The results showed that there are both mass-dependent fractionation and mass-independent fractionation occurring during the process of residential coal combustion. The negative shifts observed in the isotope signatures of mercury suggest that without air pollution control devices, residential coal combustion can potentially increase atmospheric mercury levels.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jin-Sheng Zhou, Qiang Wang, Yi-Gang Xu, Jan Cempirek, He Wang, Jin-Long Ma, Gang-Jian Wei, Tong-Yu Huang, Guan-Hong Zhu, Le Zhang
Summary: Identification of factors affecting Li-mineralizing potential is crucial for understanding Li pegmatites genesis. This study on the Bailongshan Li pegmatite district reveals that cooling rate plays a significant role in controlling Li isotopic compositions, with high cooling rate favoring the formation of Li pegmatites.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xingang Jin, Junyao Yan, Muhammad Ubaid Ali, Qiuhua Li, Ping Li
Summary: Although mercury mining in the Wanshan area has ceased, mine wastes continue to be the primary source of mercury pollution. This study aimed to investigate mercury pollution in various environments and quantify the pollution sources using the mercury isotopes approach. The study found severe mercury contamination in the mine wastes, river water, air, and paddy fields. The findings suggest that mercury isotopes can be used effectively to trace environmental mercury contamination in polluted areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jingjing Yuan, Ruoyu Sun, Ruwei Wang, Biao Fu, Mei Meng, Wang Zheng, Jiubin Chen
Summary: The study reveals that modern coal-fired boilers with denitrification devices exhibit different Hg isotope fractionation effects compared to traditional boilers without denitrification devices. Significant enrichment of heavy Hg isotopes in combustion products was observed, which increased with sequential removal of combustion products.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pavlina Pelcova, Jan Grmela, Andrea Ridoskova, Radovan Kopp, Marie Hruzova, Ondrej Maly
Summary: The distribution of mercury species was studied in the Zaskalska water reservoir near an abandoned cinnabar mine in Czech Republic. The results showed that the mercury from the mine is the major source of mercury in the reservoir. The legal maximum limit for mercury concentration was exceeded during rainy periods, and the dominant form of mercury in sediments was mercury sulphide. The mercury content in fish muscle exceeded the legal limit, posing a health risk. The study highlights the need for legal restrictions on the consumption of piscivorous fish caught downstream of abandoned cinnabar mines.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuwei Wang, Gideon Bartov, Thomas Wang, John R. Reinfelder, Thomas M. Johnson, Nathan Yee
Summary: Experimental results showed that Hg stable isotope fractionation can be facilitated by rapid Hg isotopic exchange in Hg(II)-Hg(0) redox systems, and the fractionation is influenced by nuclear volume effects.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Geological
C. Harper, C. Walsh, C. Fong, P. R. Gammon, R. T. Amos
Summary: Analysis of the Ore Chimney property in Canada reveals that natural attenuation mechanisms may effectively immobilize metal contaminants over long periods of time.
CANADIAN GEOTECHNICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pablo Leon Higueras, Raimundo Jimenez-Ballesta, Jose Maria Esbri, Rosario Garcia-Gimenez, Eva Maria Garcia-Noguero, Rodrigo Alvarez, Jesus Daniel Peco, Carolina Garcia-Noguero, Juan Antonio Campos
Summary: Monazite is a rare and strategic mineral that is not frequently found in mineable ore deposits. This study assessed the occurrence and risks associated with concentrations of monazite in Mediterranean red soil and found that it is poor in radioactive elements, concentrated in the top soil layers, and potentially immobilized in other minerals. Further research is needed to better understand the speciation of Rare Earth Elements in soils.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jesus D. Peco, Luisa M. Sandalio, Pablo Higueras, Adela Olmedilla, Juan A. Campos
Summary: Biscutella auriculata is able to tolerate high metal levels through activating specific mechanisms to neutralize oxidative stress and sequestering metals through phytochelatins.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana C. Gonzalez-Valoys, Miguel Vargas-Lombardo, Pablo Higueras, Francisco J. Garcia-Navarro, Efren Garcia-Ordiales, Raimundo Jimenez-Ballesta
Summary: The paper presents an exploratory investigation on the quality of groundwater in the southeastern part of the Province of Panama. Most parameters in the analyzed groundwater meet the Panamanian drinking water standard, indicating it is suitable for purification. However, caution should be taken for other uses due to medium risk of soil salinization for irrigation water and moderate hardness for industrial uses.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sara Gallego, Jose Maria Esbri, Juan Antonio Campos, Jesus Daniel Peco, Fabrice Martin-Laurent, Pablo Higueras
Summary: Mining activities can cause long-lasting residue pollution in the surrounding environment. A study on a 100 year-old mine showed that potentially toxic elements have ecotoxicological impacts on microbial activity and diversity. Furthermore, assessing the relationship between physicochemical properties and microbial diversity and activity can help stakeholders define appropriate management strategies.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sandra Viso, Sofia Rivera, Alba Martinez-Coronado, Jose Maria Esbri, Marta M. Moreno, Pablo Higueras
Summary: The study evaluated the different uptake patterns of biological tissues in terms of atmospheric Hg compounds, finding that plant leaves only accumulated gaseous Hg, while tree barks accumulated a combination of TGM and particulate bound Hg during the day and at night. By merging the atmospheric Hg speciation data obtained from leaves and barks, indicative maps of the main sources of TGM and PBM emissions were obtained, effectively delineating the main TGM and PBM sources in the urban area around Almaden.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Cristina Gonzalez-Valoys, Jose Maria Esbri, Juan Antonio Campos, Jonatha Arrocha, Eva Maria Garcia-Noguero, Tisla Monteza-Destro, Ernesto Martinez, Raimundo Jimenez-Ballesta, Eric Gutierrez, Miguel Vargas-Lombardo, Efren Garcia-Ordiales, Rosario Garcia-Gimenez, Francisco Jesus Garcia-Navarro, Pablo Higueras
Summary: The abandoned Remance gold mine poses a potential pollution risk with toxic elements for soil, plants, water bodies, and the health of local inhabitants. The study focused on characterizing geochemical distribution of PTEs, assessing ecological and health risk, evaluating soil health, and establishing risks for local inhabitants. Soil health depends on PTE concentrations and organic matter, while both pollution load index (PLI) and potential risk index (RI) were found to be high to extreme near mining areas.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jesus D. Peco, Pablo Higueras, Juan A. Campos, Jose M. Esbri, Marta M. Moreno, Fabienne Battaglia-Brunet, Luisa M. Sandalio
Summary: Abandoned mine lands (AMLs) are considered one of the most dangerous anthropogenic activities in the world, and plant-based techniques have been widely accepted as an environmentally friendly alternative. Plants can be used for phytoextraction, phytostabilization, and phytovolatilization of potentially toxic elements, with on-site studies showing positive impacts on soil quality and biodiversity. Further characterization of potential plant candidates is needed to improve PTE extraction and reduce negative impacts on AMLs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ana Cristina Gonzalez-Valoys, Jose Ulises Jimenez Salgado, Rita Rodriguez, Tisla Monteza-Destro, Miguel Vargas-Lombardo, Eva Maria Garcia-Noguero, Jose Maria Esbri, Raimundo Jimenez-Ballesta, Francisco Jesus Garcia-Navarro, Pablo Higueras
Summary: Mining activities have potential risks to the environment and human health, especially under tropical climatic conditions. Studies found that concentrations of PTEs in local edible plants exceed safe standards, indicating the need for urgent measures to mitigate these effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose Maria Esbri, Sofia Rivera, Jose Tejero, Pablo Leon Higueras
Summary: The proposed ban on fluorescent lamps at the end of 2020 is expected to generate a large amount of discarded bulbs. Effective recycling options include thermal mercury recovery and aqueous solution leaching for rare earth elements. This study assessed a fast, cost-effective thermal characterization method and found that a major drawback of heat treatments is the absorption of Hg by glass matrices.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Cristina Gonzalez-Valoys, Jonatha Arrocha, Tisla Monteza-Destro, Miguel Vargas-Lombardo, Jose Maria Esbri, Efren Garcia-Ordiales, Raimundo Jimenez-Ballesta, Francisco Jesus Garcia-Navarro, Pablo Higueras
Summary: Mine tailings from the decommissioned Remance gold mine in Panama contain high concentrations of potentially toxic elements and cyanide, posing serious ecological risks for soils and biota in the surrounding areas. Remediation efforts are necessary to address the pollution and environmental risks posed by the mine waste.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Leah M. Santangelo, Craig J. Brown, James B. Shanley, Michael J. Pribil, Danny L. Rutherford
Summary: The study compared lead concentrations in private wellhead and tap water in south-central Massachusetts, finding that most samples had lead concentrations below the monitoring standard, but some samples had higher concentrations; Lead concentrations varied significantly under different environmental conditions, influenced by factors such as water acidity and dissolved oxygen levels.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Cristina Gonzalez-Valoys, Miguel Vargas-Lombardo, Raimundo Jimenez-Ballesta, Jonatha Arrocha, Eric Gutierrez, Efren Garcia-Ordiales, Pablo Cienfuegos, Francisco Jesus Garcia-Navarro, Pablo Higueras
Summary: The supply of water to populations has become increasingly threatened due to climate change, making the search for alternative water sources essential. This study characterizes the soil and rock hosting the aquifer in order to gather more information for possible exploitation as a drinking water source. The results show a correlation between the properties of the soil and rock and the quality of the aquifer water.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jose Ignacio Barquero, Saturnino Lorenzo, Jose M. Esbri, Sofia Rivera, Ana C. Gonzalez-Valoys, Efren Garcia-Ordiales, Pablo Higueras
Summary: Geochemical data from surface soils are often neglected or questioned due to anthropogenic pollution derived from mining activity. However, large datasets on a national and international scale offer interesting possibilities to discover prospective zones. In this study, data from the Geochemical Atlas of Castilla-La Mancha were analyzed using cluster analysis and factor analysis to establish relationships between variables and distinguish between geogenic and metallogenic factors.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Paola Romero-Crespo, Samantha Jimenez-Oyola, Bryan Salgado-Almeida, Johanna Zambrano-Anchundia, Cindy Goyburo-Chavez, Ana Gonzalez-Valoys, Pablo Higueras
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the pollution level of trace elements in farmland soil and crops collected in one of Ecuador's most important gold mining areas. The results showed that the concentration of certain elements in the soil exceeded the quality guidelines for agricultural soils, while the concentration in crops exceeded the maximum permissible levels set by FAO. The health risk assessment revealed that inhabitants of the study area are exposed to developing carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects due to long-term consumption of food with high trace elements.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Ramon Sanchez-Donoso, Mari Luz Garcia Lorenzo, Jose Maria Esbri, Eva Maria Garcia-Noguero, Pablo Higueras, Elena Crespo
Summary: The geochemical characterization of mine deposits and soils in metal mining areas is crucial for effective mine reclamation strategies. Determining total PTE content and applying chemical extraction procedures can provide insight into contaminant behavior and areas needing urgent action. This study assessed PTE behavior through extractions under different environmental conditions and identified spatial distribution of contaminants, offering valuable insights for developing appropriate mine reclamation solutions.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Zhen-Min Ge, Xiao-Long Huang, Wei Xie, Tobias W. Hofig, Fan Yang, Yang Yu, S. Khogenkumar Singh
Summary: The mantle source composition of the nascent oceanic crust in the central part of the Gulf of California has been investigated using basaltic glass samples. These samples show trace element patterns similar to enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts, suggesting that the nascent oceanic crust in the Guaymas Basin might be generated through partial melting of a depleted mantle source metasomatized by subducted slab materials.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jean-Michel Brazier, Katja E. Goetschl, Martin Dietzel, Vasileios Mavromatis
Summary: This study estimated the distribution coefficient of Zn2+ between calcite/aragonite and reactive fluids and found that the growth rate strongly influences D-Zn(2+) in both minerals. Additionally, a linear correlation was found between D-Zn(2+) and the saturation degree of the reactive fluid.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Ming Lei, Michele Lustrino, Jifeng Xu, Zhiqiang Kang, Zhengfu Guo, Jianlin Chen
Summary: This study presents a comprehensive geochronological, mineralogical, and geochemical analysis of olivine leucitites in the Maiga area of southern Tibet, suggesting that these rocks originate from a carbonated peridotite mantle source and highlighting the possibility of carbonates being recycled deep into the mantle during continental subduction.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yuntao Ye, Xiaomei Wang, Huajian Wang, Haifeng Fan, Zhigang Chen, Qingjun Guo, Ziteng Wang, Chaodong Wu, Donald E. Canfield, Shuichang Zhang
Summary: Phosphorus is an essential element for life and its cycle in the ocean is closely connected with the carbon and oxygen cycles. The study of phosphate oxygen isotopes can provide insights into various reactions related to phosphorus. By analyzing carbonate fluorapatite samples from the Mesoproterozoic Era in North China, it was found that the oxygen isotope values were lower compared to modern samples, indicating a warmer climate during that time period and a potential reason for the scarcity of phosphorite.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Vincent Busigny, Oanez Lebeau, Didier Jezeduel, Carine Chaduteau, Sean Crowe, Magali Ader
Summary: This study conducted high-precision Mo isotope research on hydrothermal metal sulfides from a porphyry copper deposit in Southwest China and found that different stages of mineralization have distinct Mo isotope compositions, providing valuable insights into the behavior of Mo isotopes in magmatic-hydrothermal systems.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Min Ji, Xiao-Ying Gao, Yong-Fei Zheng, Bing Gong
Summary: The study examines the anatectic mechanisms in the Himalayan orogen, finding that pressure and temperature control the reaction, while water content mainly affects the solid-phase composition. Dehydration and hydration melting likely occur at different depths in the crust. This research provides important insights into the melting processes in collisional orogens.
