Mercury pollution from artisanal mercury mining in Tongren, Guizhou, China

Concentrations of total Hg (T-Hg) were measured in mine waste, stream water, soil and moss samples collected from the Tongren area, Guizhou, China to identify potential Hg contamination to local environments, which has resulted from artisanal Hg mining. Mine waste contained high T-Hg concentrations, ranging from 1.8 to 900 mg/kg. High concentrations of Hg were also found in the leachates of mine waste, confirming that mine waste contains significant water-soluble Hg compounds. Total Hg distribution patterns in soil profiles showed that top soil is contaminated with Hg, which has been derived from atmospheric deposition. Data suggest that organic matter plays an important role in the binding and transport of Hg in soil. Elevated T-Hg concentrations (5.9–44 mg/kg) in moss samples suggest that atmospheric deposition is the dominant source of Hg to local terrestrial ecosystems. Concentrations of T-Hg were highly elevated in stream water samples, varying from 92 to 2300 ng/L. Particulate Hg in water constituted a large proportion of the T-Hg and played a major role in Hg transport. Methyl–Hg (Me–Hg) concentrations in the water samples was as high as 7.9 ng/L. Data indicate that Hg contamination is dominantly from artisanal Hg mining in the study area, but the extent of Hg contamination is dependent on the mining history and the scale of artisanal Hg mining.     

重庆秀山西北部农田土壤重金属生态健康风险评价

为了解矿业活动较多的重庆秀山县西北部农田土壤重金属污染状况,采集了表层土壤样品386件,分析测定As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn、Mn等9种重金属元素,采用地累积指数法、潜在生态危害指数法和健康风险评估模型,对该区土壤重金属污染程度、生态风险和健康风险进行评估。结果表明,该区农田土壤9种重金属平均值都高于重庆市土壤背景值,呈现不同程度的积累;Cd、Hg明显超出国家农用地土壤污染风险筛选值,超标率分别为75.2%和44.6%。土壤中Hg污染较严重,处于中污染或重污染状态,Mn、As、Cd总体呈轻污染,其余重金属基本无污染。生态风险评价显示,Hg、Cd为主要生态危害元素,Hg以强、很强和极强风险为主,Cd以中等风险为主。人体健康风险评价显示,儿童更易受到重金属污染威胁,重金属对成人不具有非致癌风险,对儿童具有非致癌风险,As、Cr是主要非致癌因子;成人致癌风险在可接受范围内,个别土壤样对儿童具有致癌风险,As致癌风险最大。     

Concentration,distribution and bioaccumulation of mercury in the Xunyang mercury mining area,Shaanxi Province,China

Samples of surface water, soil, sediment and plants from the Xunyang Hg mining area in Shaanxi Province, China, were analyzed to assess the effects of the Hg mining activities on the environment. The results show that: (1) the mining activities are sources of Hg to the environment surrounding the mine; (2) the environment, especially riverbeds in the Xunyang area, is contaminated with Hg and (3) Hg accumulation in cabbage leaves, the main vegetable for the local residents, is high, reaching concentrations that are 6–540 times higher than the maximum Hg concentration recommended for edible plants in China. Action should be taken to remediate contaminated sites, manage waste discharges and reduce the exposure of Hg to local residents by issuing advisories against consuming agricultural products grown in the area, which are contaminated with Hg.     

青海木里煤田聚乎更矿区土壤肥力及重金属风险评价

木里煤田聚乎更矿区在开采煤炭资源的同时,破坏了矿区生态环境.通过对矿区土壤肥力指标及重金属指标的测定,采用主成分分析法、潜在生态危害指数法对土壤肥力和重金属风险进行评价.结果表明:木里煤田聚乎更矿区土壤整体呈碱性,有机质、全氮、速效钾含量较丰富而速效磷含量较缺乏,呈富氮富钾贫磷的特点,三号井田土壤中各肥力指标含量最好;...     

小秦岭金矿区小麦和玉米重金属的健康风险评价

重金属污染引发的农产品质量安全问题已成为全社会关注的焦点。为了解小秦岭金矿开发引起的重金属污染风险,采集了同点位的农田土壤、小麦和玉米籽粒样品,测定了其中Hg、Pb、Cd、Cr、As、Cu和Zn的含量及其在土壤中的形态;采用指数法和RAC风险评价法分析了土壤重金属的污染风险,采用转移因子和目标风险指数法评价了小麦、玉米籽粒中重金属的健康风险。结果表明:小秦岭金矿区土壤中Hg、Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn含量受矿业活动影响强度大,在土壤中累积明显;土壤中Hg、Cd、Pb、Cu总量超过了国家限值,呈现污染;Cd、Hg、Cu具有潜在生态风险。小麦和玉米籽粒中Pb以及玉米籽粒中的Cd的平均含量高于国家标准,呈现一定程度的污染;部分小麦样品中的Hg、Cd和部分玉米样品中的Cd超过WHO/FAO安全限值,小麦和玉米籽粒中度Pb平均含量超过欧盟安全标准,说明具有潜在的健康风险。重金属的转移因子表明Cd、Zn及Cu比其他重金属更容易从土壤转移到小麦和玉米籽粒中;通过小麦对重金属的摄入量略高于玉米,远低于WHO/FAO推荐剂量;目标风险指数评价表明,只消费小麦或玉米基本不产生健康风险,但同时消费矿区生长的小麦和玉米具有较高的Pb健康风险。     

辽宁省柴河铅锌矿开采与重金属污染历史重建

通过对辽宁铁岭柴河铅锌矿及周边地区的土壤测量及柴河水库河漫滩沉积剖面的同位素测年研究,发现柴河铅锌矿开采导致的土壤重金属污染主要集中在柴河铅锌矿区周边3~5 km的范围内,土壤pH值表明土壤明显酸化。污染历史重建显示,1820年以来,随着沉积物中S含量的不断升高,其pH值累计下降2个单位;1900年以来河漫滩沉积物中的Cd、Pb、Zn累积明显;铅锌矿停止开采后,沉积剖面中Pb、Hg含量逐年降低;汇水域内的土壤酸化仍可导致土壤中累积的Cd和Zn对水库水体和库底沉积物造成二次污染,对水库鱼类的安全具有潜在风险。     

武水河上游区域土壤重金属污染风险及来源分析

生态功能区在涵养水源、保持水土、维系生物多样性等方面具有重要的作用。本文以位于南岭生态功能区的流域——武水流域为研究对象,采集流域上游交通运输用地、采矿用地、工业用地、耕地及林地5种土地利用类型土壤样品,分析7种重金属Cd、As、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn的含量特征,采用内梅罗综合污染指数评价重金属污染的程度,Hakanson潜在生态风险指数法评价土壤重金属潜在生态风险,并应用主成分分析法探究重金属污染的来源。研究结果显示,武水河上游地区土壤重金属Cd、As、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn平均含量分别为1.28、72.44、54.62、0.27、68.32、72.29和158.42mg/kg,均高于土壤背景值,其中采矿用地土壤重金含量除Hg外均高于其他类型土壤。均值状态下土壤中Cd和As单因子污染指数分别为5.07、3.25,其中采矿用地中Cd单因子污染指数可达13.59;土壤重金属综合污染指数表明,采矿用地污染最为严重,其次是工业用地,林地呈安全状态。潜在生态危害指数评价结果显示,采矿用地和工业用地达到了强生态危害,其他类型土壤为轻微生态危害,而采矿用地土壤中Cd达到极强生态危害,As为强生态危害。土壤重金属来源研究结果表明,As、Cd、Cu和Zn来源于矿山开采及工业活动,Ni和Hg主要来源于成土母质,Pb则来源于交通运输。研究认为:武水流域上游区土壤重金属污染情况较为严重,Cd和As是区内主要的风险因子,主要来源于矿山开采以及工业活动。     

Using regression model to identify and evaluate heavy metal pollution sources in an open pit coal mine area,Eastern Junggar,China

This study aims at identifying multi-source heavy metal pollution from natural and anthropogenic sources using a regression model, principal component analysis, and five different indices (geo-accumulation index (I _geo), the modified degree of contamination, pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor, and ecological risk factor. Results revealed that: (1) although the average concentrations of soil heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, Hg, As, Zn) were generally low, Hg, As, and Cr concentrations exceeded national standard values by approximately 0.91, 1.84, and 0.91 times with maximum concentrations up to 0.41, 78.6, and 175.2 μg/g, respectively; (2) PLI results showed that the industrial park and Wucaiwan open coal mining area were the most polluted (PLI of 1.98, 1.71). The potential ecological hazards index indicated that the E _i ^r of three heavy metals (Cu, Hg, As) in the soil were relatively high, presenting potential ecological risk factors of 74.89, 16.71, 4.15%, respectively; (3) stepwise regression model and principal component analysis suggest that Cu and Zn were primarily effected by the natural geological condition and atmospheric dust fall. Cr, Hg, Pb are mainly derived from anthropogenic sources, particularly coal mining activities and industrial sources. Results of this research have some significant implications for heavy metal pollution prevention and the sustainable development of the economy and ecology of arid regions in China.     

云南个旧锡矿区矿业活动对土壤重金属的累积贡献

矿业活动是土壤重金属累积的重要原因之一。分析云南个旧锡矿区矿业活动区、与矿业活动区地质条件相同的矿业活动影响区和未受矿业活动影响的参照区表层土壤7种重金属元素之间的相关性,以参照区表层土壤重金属总量、参照区土壤重金属似背景值分别评价矿业活动对矿业活动区和矿业活动影响区土壤重金属的累积贡献量和贡献率。结果表明,矿业活动区重金属累积贡献率排序为PbZnAsCuCdCrHg,影响区重金属累积贡献率排序为PbZnAsCuCdCrHg,Pb、Cd、As、Zn、Cu与矿业活动关系密切,矿业活动区Pb、Cd、As均表现为极高累积和极高风险,应作为矿业活动治理的重点元素。     

Mercury contamination and its potential health effects in a lead-zinc mining area in the karst region of Guangxi, China

Mercury contamination of the environment is of worldwide concern because of its global presence and its potent neurotoxicity. Mining, smelting and the electronics industry are the main sources of Hg pollution. However, few studies have been performed to investigate systemic Hg contamination in metal mining regions. In this study, concentrations of Hg in air, farmland soil, and crops were measured in a Pb-Zn mining area in the karst region of Guangxi, China. Key factors that could affect Hg distribution, such as the fate of waste ore and waste residue, were analyzed. Geo-statistical methods were adopted to analyze the characteristics of spatial structure and distribution of Hg. The results show that Hg contamination in this region is serious. The total mercury (T-Hg) content is far higher than the Level II Limit Value of Chinese Soil Standards of 0.30 mg kg⁻¹, showing obvious directional characteristics from WNW to ESE. Highest Hg concentrations were found in the WNW portion of the study area. The contamination of paddy soil is higher than that in dry farmland soil. The vertical distribution of T-Hg and its decrease with depth suggest that the important sources are waste water irrigation and the improper disposal of the waste ore and waste rock. The T-Hg concentrations in the agricultural products examined exceed the Chinese tolerance value (0.02 mg kg⁻¹ for rice and 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ for vegetables), indicating the seriousness of the problem. The ecological environment and the safety of food grown in this mining area are being affected, with the result that human health is possibly being affected.     

Metals and metalloids in primary gold mining districts of Western Bolivia: anthropogenic and natural sources

Topsoil and subsoil samples located adjacent and distant from the mining operations sites were collected. Most total metals showed no significant differences between topsoil and subsoil or proximity, suggesting that they derive from endogenous parent material. There was an increment in Hg in topsoils adjacent to the mining operation sites, indicating a deposition of Hg from the amalgamation areas. Higher values of total, extractable and soluble As were observed adjacent to the mining operation sites, probably related to the presence of residues, rich in arsenopyrite. Organic matter and clay contents control the concentrations of EDTA-extractable Cd and Zn, while soil acidity was associated with the behaviour of As, Hg and Cu. In contrast the concentration of EDTA-extractable Pb was directly affected by its total concentration. In general, soluble metals were highly independent, without significant correlations with any soil physical and chemical properties.     

富集铊汞砷的生物是滥木厂铊矿床找矿和铊矿区污染的标志

滥木厂铊矿区植物和动物中Ｔｌ、Ｈｇ、Ａｓ含量变化总的趋势是以Ｈｇ最高,Ｔｌ次之,Ａｓ最低为特点。它们明显受生物赖以生存的地质地球化学和生物地球化学环境制约,尤其是矿区水、土壤和岩、矿石中高背景Ｔｌ、Ｈｇ、Ａｓ含量制约。矿区生物中Ｔ１、Ｈｇ、Ａｓ含量异常高,不难看出,矿区生物中Ｔ１、Ｈｇ、Ａｓ含量的高低,不仅是判别矿区污染程度的标志,也是找矿,特别是找盲矿体的标志。     

不同耕作类型下土壤-农作物系统中汞、砷含量与生态健康风险评价

针对废弃矿山遗留生态环境问题,选择贵州丹寨废弃金汞矿为研究区,基于野外系统样品采集,通过原子荧光法和电感耦合等离子体质谱法分析了区内土壤和农作物中的汞(Hg)、砷(As)浓度,采用单指标污染标准指数法、单因子污染指数法、潜在生态危害指数法和目标危险系数法评价了区内Hg、As污染程度及生态健康风险。结果显示:旱地土壤Hg、As平均浓度均超农用地土壤重金属风险筛选值,超标率分别为75.47%和67.92%;土壤Hg污染严重,总体呈极重污染级别,土壤As则以中—极重污染级别为主;玉米地上部分(以下简称玉米)Hg、As超标率分别为36.36%和4.55%,玉米Hg处于轻污染水平,玉米As总体未受污染。相比于旱地-玉米系统,水田土壤Hg的超标率和污染程度均更高,超标率高达89.19%,呈极重污染级别,而水田土壤As超标率仅为22.22%,As污染水平低于旱地土壤;水稻地上部分(以下简称水稻)Hg、As平均浓度均略超食品安全标准,超标率分别为54.55%和18.18%,水稻Hg、As污染均高于玉米,污染等级处于轻-中污染水平。生态健康风险评价表明,土壤Hg以极强生态风险为主、As以轻微生态风险为主;虽然土壤富集Hg,但其向农作物籽实的迁移量小,因此食用玉米和大米对人体健康尚不构成Hg非致癌风险。然而,水稻As富集导致食用大米对人群产生明显的As非致癌和致癌健康风险。该研究对保障矿区居民生活健康具有重要意义,研究结果可为矿区生态环境影响评估及生态恢复提供科学依据。     

Assessment of Hg-contamination in soils and stream sediments in the mineral district of Nambija,Ecuadorian Amazon (example of an impacted area affected by artisanal gold mining)

The Nambija Mineral District (NMD) is located in the southeastern part of Ecuador, east of Zamora (Zamora Chinchípe's country), Ecuadorian Amazon. In this district, Au occurrences have been know since colonial and pre-colonial times, but only after the early 1980s has intensive artisanal Au mining activity been developed. Currently, the different NMD Au occurrences continue to be exploited by artisanal operations and are difficult to control in the study area. The environmental impacts due to Au mining are a consequence of the illegal situation and deficiency in controlling the techniques of ore exploitation. The Au extraction is carried out by outdoor amalgamation, so the indiscriminate use of Hg by artisanal miners, associated with careless methods of tailings disposal, has caused occupational exposure and environmental degradation. The present study evaluated the geochemical dispersion and concentrations of local contamination of metallic Hg in soils, stream sediments and mine tailings in the NMD area. This article aims to contribute to the discussion of environmental changes caused by the artisanal Au mining in the Nambija district. A total of 82 samples (32 soil, 40 stream sediment and 10 mine tailings) were analyzed. The results were compared with the Hg levels in soil and stream sediments considered not to be contaminated in the Nambija mining area and in other areas where Hg is mined in the Amazon basin. In this work, mean total Hg (T-Hg) concentrations of 1.7 μg g⁻¹ in soils and 2.7 μg g⁻¹ in stream sediments have been found. Mercury values in the mine tailing samples revealed values ranging from 89 to 1555 μg g⁻¹. The results found for Hg in the different analyzed materials pointed to contamination of the studied area by this metal, while soil erosion is responsible for an increase in stream sediment's T-Hg concentrations in the different aquatic ecosystems of the Nambija Creek and Nambija River.     

Environmental impact of ancient small-scale mercury ore processing at Pšenk on soil (Idrija area, Slovenia)

The Idrija mine was the second largest Hg mine in the world surpassed only by the Almaden mine in Spain. It has been estimated that almost 145,000 tons of Hg was produced during operation (1490-1995) of the mine. In the first decade of Hg mining in Idrija the ore was roasted in piles; after that it was roasted for 150 years, until 1652, in earthen vessels at various sites in the woods around Idrija. Pšenk is one out of 21 localities of ancient roasting sites established on the hills surrounding Idrija and one of the largest localities of roasting vessel fragments. The unique way of roasting very rich Hg ore at this site has resulted in soil contamination and considerable amounts of waste material that potentially leach Hg into the surrounding environment. The main aim of this study was to determine the distribution and the forms of Hg in contaminated soils in order to evaluate potential environmental risk. Detailed soil sampling was performed on 37,800 m² area to establish the extent of Hg pollution and to investigate Hg transformations and transport characteristics through the 400 a-long period. A total of 156 soil (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm) and SOM (soil organic matter) samples were collected from 73 sampling points. Three soil profiles were sampled to determine vertical distribution of Hg. The main Hg phases were determined by the Hg-thermo-desorption technique. The measured Hg contents in soil samples in the study area vary from 5.5 to almost 9000 mg/kg with a median of 200 mg/kg. In SOM, Hg contents range from 1.4 to 4200 mg/kg with a median of 20 mg/kg. Extremely high Hg contents were found in soil profiles where the metal reaches 37,020 mg/kg. In general, Hg concentrations in all three profiles show a gradual decrease with depth with the minimum values between 140 mg/kg and 1080 mg/kg. The Hg-thermo-desorption curves indicate the presence of Hg in the form of cinnabar and that of Hg bound to organic or mineral soil matter. The distribution of Hg species in soil and SOM samples show almost equal distribution of cinnabar and non-cinnabar Hg compounds. The non-cinnabar fraction shows a little increase with depth, but cinnabar represents a high portion of total Hg (about 40%). Large amounts of potentially mobile and transformable non-cinnabar Hg compounds exist at the roasting site, which are potentially bioavailable.     

铜陵矿区土壤重金属元素的空间变异及污染分析

运用地统计学分析手段对铜陵矿区土壤中的As、Cd、Hg、Pb和Zn5种重金属元素进行空间变异分析及空间插值,并进行污染分析,以期为铜陵矿区土壤环境评价、土壤污染修复及环境决策提供科学依据。数据来源于"安徽省江淮流域多目标区域地球化学调查"结果,采用Johnson变换进行正态转换,地统计拟合变异函数中,As、Cd元素为球状模型,Pb、Zn元素为五球形模型,Hg元素为指数模型。结果表明,As、Cd、Pb、Zn元素的变异函数表现为各向异性,其方向性可能主要受矿床分布控制;Hg元素块金效应较大,表明其受小     

山东省沂南县东部土壤重金属地球化学特征及源解析

为查明山东省沂南县东部地区土壤重金属污染现状和污染源,系统采集了4 779件表层土壤样品,测试分析Cd、Hg、Pb、As、Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn元素含量及pH值,用地统计学、多元统计、空间分析等方法,探讨土壤重金属元素地球化学特征及其可能来源。结果表明,研究区土壤Hg含量均值略高于临沂市表层土壤背景值,另外7种元素含量均值与临沂市土壤背景值相当。与GB 15618—2018土壤环境质量农用地土壤污染风险管控标准筛选值相比,研究区土壤8种重金属元素浓度超标率低,但极大值的超标倍数较大,反映局部点式和小片污染较重。研究区8种元素含量水平总体表现出由西到东三级台阶下降的特征。研究区土壤中Cd、Pb、Zn、As高含量主要受控于自然源母岩,叠加了程度不同的工矿交通和农业活动因素;Cr、Ni几乎完全受控于成土母岩;Hg、Cu主要受控于沂南金场、铜井金矿采冶活动,其次受工业和交通排放以及农业粪肥、农药施用影响。     

Geomorphic controls on mercury accumulation in soils from a historically mined watershed, Central California Coast Range, USA

Historic Hg mining in the Cache Creek watershed in the Central California Coast Range has contributed to the downstream transport of Hg to the San Francisco Bay-Delta. Different aspects of Hg mobilization in soils, including pedogenesis, fluvial redistribution of sediment, volatilization and eolian transport were considered. The greatest soil concentrations (>30 mg Hg kg⁻¹) in Cache Creek are associated with mineralized serpentinite, the host rock for Hg deposits. Upland soils with non-mineralized serpentine and sedimentary parent material also had elevated concentrations (0.9–3.7 mg Hg kg⁻¹) relative to the average concentration in the region and throughout the conterminous United States (0.06 mg kg⁻¹). Erosion of soil and destabilized rock and mobilization of tailings and calcines into surrounding streams have contributed to Hg-rich alluvial soil forming in wetlands and floodplains. The concentration of Hg in floodplain sediment shows sediment dispersion from low-order catchments (5.6–9.6 mg Hg kg⁻¹ in Sulphur Creek; 0.5–61 mg Hg kg⁻¹ in Davis Creek) to Cache Creek (0.1–0.4 mg Hg kg⁻¹). These sediments, deposited onto the floodplain during high-flow storm events, yield elevated Hg concentrations (0.2–55 mg Hg kg⁻¹) in alluvial soils in upland watersheds. Alluvial soils within the Cache Creek watershed accumulate Hg from upstream mining areas, with concentrations between 0.06 and 0.22 mg Hg kg⁻¹ measured in soils 90 km downstream from Hg mining areas. Alluvial soils have accumulated Hg released through historic mining activities, remobilizing this Hg to streams as the soils erode.     

Environmental geochemistry: 40 years research at Imperial College,London, UK

This paper reviews the development of multi-purpose geochemical mapping and the progress of research in applied environmental geochemistry and health at Imperial College over the past 40 years. With funding from the research councils, UK government, EU, industry and NGOs, research has provided the basis for postgraduate training in areas ranging from the applications of geochemistry to plant, agricultural livestock and wildlife nutrition, to evaluating contamination from metalliferous mining and smelting, understanding the chemical nature of the urban environment and relationships between geochemistry and human health and disease. Examples include (1) the influence of Mo in marine black shales on the Cu nutrition of grazing cattle and sheep, (2) the importance of soil ingestion on trace element intake and metabolism and metal exposure in farm livestock, (3) the impacts of soil contamination from historical metalliferous mining and smelting on agriculture and human exposure to metals, including potential health problems from Cd at Shipham and from As in SW England, (4) the growth of urban geochemistry and the importance of Pb in the urban environment, (5) the health impacts due to Hg losses from the informal sector Au mining in Brazil, and (6) health issues relating to F^- excess and Se deficiency in China.