Search

Abstract: Environmental studies performed in Panasqueira mine area (central Portugal) identified high concentrations of several metal(loid)s in environmental media, and individuals environmentally and occupationally exposed showed higher levels of As, Cr, Mg, Mn, Mo, Pb and Zn in blood, urine, hair and nails when compared to unexposed controls. To evaluate the presence of immunological alterations attributable to environmental contamination, we quantified neopterin, kynurenine, tryptophan, and nitrite concentrations in plasma, and analysed the percentage of several lymphocytes subsets, namely CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, CD19+ B-cells, and CD16+56+ natural killer (NK) cells in a group of individuals previously tested for metal(loid) levels in different biological matrices. The environmentally exposed group had significantly lower levels of %CD8+ and higher CD4+/CD8+ ratios, whereas the occupationally exposed individuals showed significant decreases in %CD3+ and %CD4+, and significant increases in %CD16+56+, when compared to controls. Analysed biomarkers were found to be influenced by age, particularly neopterin, kynurenine and kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (Kyn/Trp) with significantly higher levels in older individuals, and %CD3+, %CD8+ and %CD19+ with significantly lower values in older individuals. Males environmentally exposed showed significantly lower values of %CD19+ when compared to control females. The concentration of Pb in toenails was associated to the level of neopterin, kynurenine and Kyn/Trp ratio (all direct), and the concentration of Mn in blood to the level of %CD8+, %CD19+ (both inverse) and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (direct). Overall our results show that the metal(loid) contamination in Panasqueira mine area induced immunotoxic effects in exposed populations, possibly increasing susceptibility to diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To evaluate the accumulation of trace elements (TE) by vegetables produced in the vicinity of abandoned pyrite mines, eighteen different small farms were selected near three mines from the Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (São Domingos, Aljustrel and Lousal). Total and bioavailable As, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations were analyzed in the soils, and the same TE were analyzed in three different vegetables, lettuce (Lactuca sativa), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea), collected at the same locations. The soils were contaminated with As, Cu, Pb, and Zn, since their total concentrations exceeded the considered soil quality guideline values for plant production in the majority of the sampling sites. The maximum total concentrations for those TE were extremely high in some of the sampling sites (e.g. 1851mgAskg−1 in São Domingos, 1126mgCukg−1 in Aljustrel, 4946mgPbkg−1 in São Domingos, and 1224mgZnkg−1 in Aljustrel). However, the soils were mainly circumneutral, a factor that contributes to their low bioavailable fractions. As a result, generally, the plants contained levels of these elements characteristic of uncontaminated plants, and accumulation factors for all elements <1, typical of excluder plants. Furthermore, the estimated daily intake (EDI) for Cu and Zn, through the consumption of these vegetables, falls below the recommended upper limit for daily intake of these elements. The sampling site that stood out from the others was located at São João de Negrilhos (Aljustrel), where bioavailable Zn levels were higher, a consequence of the slight acidity of the soil. Therefore, the Zn content in vegetables was also higher, characteristic of contaminated plants, emphasizing the risk of Zn entering the human food chain via the consumption of crops produced on those soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Bolivian Altiplano (Highlands) region is subject to intense mining, tailing and smelting activities since centuries because of the presence of large and unique polymetallic ore deposits (Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, Sn, Sb, Zn). A large scale PM10, PM2.5 aerosol monitoring survey was conducted during the dry season in one of the largest mining cities of this region (Oruro, 200,000 inhabitants). Aerosol fractions, source distribution and transport were investigated for 23 elements at approximately 1km2 scale resolution, and compared to children exposure data obtained within the same geographical space. As, Cd, Pb, Sb, W and Zn in aerosols are present at relatively high concentrations when compared to studies from other mining regions. Arsenic exceeds the European council PM10 guide value (6ng/m3) for 90% of the samples, topping 200ng/m3. Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Sb are present at significantly higher levels in the district located in the vicinity of the smelter zone. At the city level, principal component analysis combined with the mapping of factor scores allowed the identification and deconvolution of four individual sources: i) a natural magmatic source (Co, Cs, Fe, K, Mn, Na, Rb and U) originating from soil dust, resuspended by the traffic activity; ii) a natural sedimentary source (Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Th) resulting from the suspension of evaporative salt deposits located South; iii) an anthropogenic source specifically enriched in mined elements (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn) mainly in the smelting district of the city; and iv) a Ni–Cr source homogenously distributed between the different city districts. Enrichment factors for As, Cd and Sb clearly show the impact of smelting activities, particularly in the finest PM2.5 fraction. Comparison to children''s hair metal contents collected in five schools from different districts shows a direct exposure to smelting activity fingerprinted by a unique trace elements pattern (Ag, As, Cu, Pb, Sb). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mining activities at Duparquet in Western Quebec (Canada) have significantly affected the local environment and left behind significant amounts of metals. Monitoring this contamination is essential to infer its past and present impacts on environmental quality and to evaluate the resulting human exposure. In that context, we measured long time series of Pb concentrations and their corresponding stable isotope ratios in long-lived white cedars (Thuja occidentalis L.) growing at Duparquet Lake in order to evaluate potential time variations of the Pb environmental contamination as well as to identify the responsible source(s). Results show that before 1950, Pb at Duparquet is mostly terrigenous. Lead concentrations rapidly increase afterwards. A simultaneous shift to lower 206Pb/207Pb ratios identifies the smelting of Abitibi ores as the source of contamination. An isotope mass balance model evaluates at roughly 7.5–20%, 5–40%, 5–9% and <3% the Pb contributions from local smelters at distances of 3.6, 3.9, 7 and 9 km, respectively. The dispersion of the Pb contamination plume is possibly driven by the distance from the Beattie smelter. We finally estimated a delay of at least 13 years between atmospheric emissions from the Beattie smelting activities and the time they are recorded by tree rings. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that white cedar tree rings series provide reliable archives of past and present Pb atmospheric contamination. Unlabelled Image • Thuja occidentalis can isotopically track environmental changes over time. • ~13 years delay between atmospheric emissions and their recording by tree rings. • Before 1950, Pb at Duparquet is mostly terrigenous. • After 1950, Pb is controlled by atmospheric emissions from local smelting activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quantification of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pt, Pb in water, sediment and macroinvertebrates. • Metal contamination increased in water and sediment downstream of mining activities. • Metal bioaccumulation was significant in macroinvertebrate families. • Macroinvertebrate families showed different grades of bioaccumulation. • Urban and informal settlements also contributed to metal pollution. South Africa is the world's main supplier of Pt. The Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa contains 75% of the world's Pt resources. Mining of this precious metal requires large volumes of water for production and removal of waste products. Most of this wastewater is discharged into river systems. Although the source of contamination with Pt in aquatic systems due to mining activities is known, little to no information is available about the impact of Pt on aquatic organisms. Additionally, other metals are released as byproducts of Pt mining, which might also be discharged into the environment. Therefore, concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pt and Pb were determined in water, sediment and macroinvertebrate samples from a reference site (Site 1), a highly impacted site (Site 2) and a moderately impacted site (Site 3) along the Hex River, South Africa. Aquatic invertebrate families representing different functional feeding groups i.e. scraper-grazers (Lymnaeidae), collector-gatherers (Potamonautidae, Hydropsychidae, Tubificidae and Chironomidae), shredders (Baetidae) and predators (Coenagrionidae and Libellulidae) were studied. In the sediments, the concentrations of Cr and Pt were significantly higher at Site 2 than at Sites 1 and 3, respectively, whereas concentrations of Ni, Cu, Cd, and Pb showed no significant differences between the sites. Depending on the metal, the aquatic invertebrate families showed different grades of bioaccumulation. The results from especially Lymnaeidae, Baetidae, Tubificidae and Chironomidae showed great promise for the use of these taxa for biomonitoring of metal contaminations. The macroinvertebrates accumulated metals associated with Pt mining, with epi-benthic dwelling taxa (Tubificidae) accumulating higher concentrations of Pt and Cr than other families (e.g. Potamonautidae, Coenagrionidae and Lymnaeidae). These results provide valuable information on the behavior of metals related to Pt mining in aquatic ecosystems and therefore can contribute to the risk assessment of these intensive mining activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, air pollution has a major impact on the environment and human health. Owen gauges allow the sampling of atmospheric depositions in polluted sites for further characterisation. This paper shows the study of the air particles of an old mining zone in Cartagena-La Unión (South-east of Spain) in order to quantify their potential risk on human health. There were 4 strategic sites monitored: the main mining tailing (Avenque), the urban area (La Unión), an agricultural zone (formerly mining) and a site in the Mediterranean coast. Physico-chemical and mineralogical characterisation was applied to atmospheric fallouts. The granulometry revealed a dust particle size around 15 μm, with the coarsest particles in the urban area and the thinnest at the tailing site. XRD analyses showed the presence of quartz, carbonates, sulphides and sulphates. Observations with SEM-EDX confirmed chemical spectra and allowed us to classify the particles into well-crystallised minerals and heterogeneous dusts. Total metal content determination was carried out by ICP-MS analyses and results showed Zn, Pb, As and Cd fluxes (respectively 2549, 1275, 68 and 7 μg·m -2 ·d -1 ) exceeding the limit values set by European legislations in the mining area. The fluxes of Zn, Pb and As also exceed these standards in the urban area whereas the coastal zone only exceeds the thresholds in the case of As. Inhalation health risk (defined by US EPA, 2009) was quantified in the sites using total and bioaccessible metal contents of the dusts. Risk calculations using total metal content considering a residential scenario showed acceptable risk for all sites except for the mining tailing which presented non-acceptable cancer and hazard risk mainly due to the total As and Pb contents. When considering the bioaccessible fraction of As and Pb, the risk diminished to acceptable values, demonstrating the overestimation produced when using total metal contents., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)