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This paper focuses on forest health risk (FHR) assessment and prediction in the mining-affected forest region using AHP model based on multi-criteria analysis in a GIS platform. We considered a total twenty-eight (twenty two present and six predicted) causative parameters including climate, natural or geomorphological, forestry, topographical, environmental, and anthropogenic. The assessment results of FHR show that of the total existing forest area, 2.85% area under very high, 13.63% high, 31.98% moderate, 32.68% low, and 18.87% are under very low categories. According to the assessment and prediction FHR results, the very high-risk classes were found at mines surrounding forest compartments. The sensitivity analysis showed that some factors were more sensitive to FHR. The correlation results showed a negative relationship between FHR and distance from mines and foliar dust concentration. This work will provide a basic guideline for effective planning and management in forestry studies for the mining-affected region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollutants in aquatic environment tends to alter the community composition and activities of biofilm cells. The stress induced by these pollutants leads to the production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) which play a key role in the degradation of pollutants in aquatic environment. This mini-review is aimed at forecasting the efficiency of the use of natural freshwater microalgae biofilm in the treatment of water resulting from mining activities. Moreover, it summarises the concept of mining by concisely stating the stages involved in mining and how the pollutants produced during mining can cause deleterious effects to aquatic flora and fauna. Environmental issues resulting from mining activities and how they hindered the progress of biodiversity were concisely discussed. Freshwater microalgae play an important role in the mitigation of the impact of pollution resulting from mining activities. The process of pollutants removal in freshwater by microalgae biofilm is by degradation and biosorption. However, it is an unestablished fact that the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were responsible for the biosorption of heavy metals from mining wastewater. It is also important to know the kinetic model that best explains the chemical and physical reactions of heavy metal absorption by the surface of microalgae biofilm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental and health impacts of trace elements are of great concern because of their toxicity, persistence, and bioavailability. Twenty-six groundwater samples were collected from the coal mining areas to evaluate water quality and potential environmental impact caused by mining activities. The physical/chemical properties and trace element concentrations (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) were determined. The physical/chemical parameters and the concentrations of trace elements varied among the shallow and confined groundwater, which may indicate the absence of hydraulic interactions between the aquifers. The concentrations of trace elements in the mining areas are higher than at background monitoring sites, which suggests that the mining activities may lead to environmental and health impacts. Based on a health risk assessment, the low hazard quotients and cancer risk values in confined groundwater samples indicate that the chronic and cancer adverse effects due to trace elements are negligible. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of groundwater trace element impacts from coal mining in China and is useful for environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental and health hazards posed by heavy metals are significant due to their toxicity and bioavailability. Thirty-two soil samples were collected from residential areas around three coal mines and a power plant to assess the environmental and health implications caused by mining activities. The concentrations of heavy metals in soil were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To evaluate the risk levels, the geo-accumulation index and health risk assessment were determined. The concentrations of metals in power plant soil were generally higher than those in coal mine soil, suggesting a higher release during coal combustion. The results demonstrate that the soils in the vicinity of Xinzhuangzi Mine and Luohe Power Plant are moderately contaminated by arsenic and cadmium. The analysis of the health risk of the metals indicated that the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic adverse effects to residents due to heavy metal exposure are negligible. However, more attention should be paid around the power plant for the unacceptable level of carcinogenic risk. Based on the results of the environmental and health risk assessment, priority control components in Huaian have been identified. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of soil heavy metal implications derived from mining activity in this region in China and is helpful for pollution control and environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Turkey has almost 70% of the total boron (B) in the world, and B-reserve areas form a special habitat in terms of plant–environment relationships. In this study, these relationships were used to investigate phytoremediation possibilities for B-contaminated environments. Field studies were carried out in seven different open B mine sites and their environments in four different provinces of Turkey. At the end of chemical analyses of soil and plant samples, 11 wild and potential phytoremediator plant species were determined; two of them were aquatic whereas nine were terrestrial. Some of the species were halophytes.Puccinella distanssubsp. distans (Poaceae) andGypsophila perfoliatasubsp. perfoliata (Caryophyllaceae) showed both the greatest tolerance and greatest B accumulation ratios. The results of the present study could be used as a tool to improve effective and environmentally friendly management strategies for both aquatic and terrestrial environments contaminated with high B concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the interdisciplinary projects carried out during the last 25 years in eastern Liguria (NW Italy). These have brought together archaeologists, geographers, palaeobotanists and historians in a series of research exercises based upon many different types of evidence: archaeological excavation and survey, ecological analysis of existing landscapes, geoarchaeological, anthracological and palynological analyses. Taken together, the results of this research provide a rich source of material for developing an understanding of how humans in eastern Liguria have interacted with the landscape through time. The influence of human activity on the vegetation of Liguria, in the Late Neolithic, Copper Age (Chalcolithic) and Bronze Age, is part of a complex system of agricultural activity mainly involving transhumant pastoralism. Several peat sites and buried soils have supplied the palaeoecological data that indicate the considerable effect of this economic activity on the landscape: a reduction in fir woodland, a decrease in arboreal species and an increase in the diversity of light demanding herbaceous and fern taxa. The environmental and economic changes during the 4th and 3rd millennia BC in eastern Liguria are also testified to by the starting of quarrying and mining activities to obtain both red jasper and copper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]