Contamination of the environmental ecosystems by trace elements from mining activities of Badao bone coal mine in China

Bone coal, as a main mining object, can be used by local inhabitants as daily fuel and by local industrial enterprises as industrial fuel in Pinglin County, Shaanxi Province, China. This study reports how the environmental ecosystems have been polluted around the Badao bone coal mine. Geochemical samples (e.g. rock, water, soil, edible plant and animal) were collected. Bone coal from the Badao mine contains Se up to 75 µg/g Se and 28 µg/g Se in ashes after its combustion, with higher contents of other trace elements. Bone coal and its ash seem to be the main geochemical source of trace elements in soils and plants, which may cause contamination of the local environmental ecosystems. Three ways by which soils have been contaminated by these trace elements derived from bone coal are proposed in this paper. Radishes and beans have the ability to accumulate Mo and Se from soils. There is no obvious difference in concentrations of Cu, Cr and F in each plant from the two areas.     

Trace-element patterns at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary—Consequences of a large impact

The earlier discovery of high concentrations of iridium and osmium at the very base of the Tertiary in marine pelagic sequences, has led to the hypothesis that the impact of a large projectile on Earth terminated the Mesozoic era.This paper describes the distribution of other trace elements in samples closely spaced around the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. We found an enrichment of Co, Cr, Ni, As, Sb and Se, and a depletion of the rare earth elements (REE), coupled with the anomalously high concentration of Ir and Os. Also, in the enrichment layer, problematic sanidine spherules occur which may be spheres, ablated from the impacting projectile or microtektites.The REE depletion could not only be demonstrated in the basal millimetres of the relatively thick (～ 10 cm) boundary marl bed of the Barranco del Gredero section, Caravaca, Spain, but also in the boundary clay of the Stevns Klint section—the “Fiskeler”—Denmark. In these boundary clay beds are also the highest concentrations of Ir recorded [44 and 86.7 ppb (1 ppb = 10^?9 g/g), respectively].This REE depletion is tentatively connected with the low REE concentration in common meteorites. In that case the basal millimetres are dominated by a meteoritic component and represent a “fall-out” layer of the impact event. This in turn would imply low terrestrial dilution at impact on Earth, suggesting that the projectile might have fallen into the ocean.Identification of the projectile remains speculative; especially the high As, Sb and Se anomalies are problematic. These latter may point to a projectile of uncommon composition, possibly a comet.An integrated scenario of a possible sequence of events is presented, chiefly based on the interpretation of micropaleontological, lithological, geochemical and stable isotope data of the studied sections.The direct and indirect effects of an impact leading to mass extinction constitute a complicated problem and may comprise a sudden temperature rise, a poisoning by cyanide or arsenic, and a few years suppression of sunlight, or preferably, a combination of these effects.     

Cycles of nutrient trace elements in the Phanerozoic ocean

Availability of nutrients in the ocean can be a major factor affecting bioproductivity, burial of carbon and release of oxygen. However, the nutrient trace element (TE) composition of the palaeo-ocean cannot be measured directly. Here we present a comprehensive global dataset on the TE content of marine sedimentary pyrite in black shales, dating back 700 million years, and demonstrate a systematic cyclic evolution of pyrite TE composition with time. The nutrient TE, molybdenum, selenium, cadmium and thallium measured in pyrite, and phosphorus measured on whole rock, rise sharply at 560 to 550 Ma followed by several cycles of TE variation through the Palaeozoic and into the Mesozoic. A number of factors could explain the trends. We suggest that variations in continental uplift, erosion and nutrient flux rates were possible drivers of the oceanic nutrient cycles. The cyclic patterns through the Phanerozoic suggest periods of nutrient-rich oceans that fostered key evolutionary events, followed by nutrient-poor oceans that encompass several major mass extinction events.     

中国东部主要入海河流河口区地球化学特征：理化指标与水溶态元素浓度

河水理化性质和元素组成特征直接影响到水体利用功能,入海河流元素输送量对近岸海洋生态环境具有重要影响。在中国东部33条入海河流下游河段或河口区布设了水地球化学调查点,分别在2007年夏季(丰水期)、2007年底—2008年初(枯水期)采样并测定了河水酸碱度、电导率值以及溶解态常量和微量元素浓度。研究表明,多数北方河流水体酸碱度、电导率值以及常量元素浓度高于南方河流,与中国土壤及其常量元素组成的南北分带相吻合,反映了我国南北气候分带对河水地球化学特征的控制作用,推断少数河流酸碱度、电导率和常量元素浓度的异常分布与海水混合作用、人为污染等作用有关;部分河流水体中微量元素浓度背离于区域正常浓度,其原因一是与区域地球化学背景有关,二是与城市污染影响有关,通过对比部分城市上、下游水体元素浓度证实城市污染的影响;研究认为丰水期易溶元素Na、Ca、K、Zn、Se浓度较低反映了大量降水的稀释效应,而丰水期河水Al、REE、Fe、Pb、Tl等元素浓度明显高于枯水期,主要与丰水期暴雨形成的地面径流携带大量胶体颗粒进入地表水有关。     

分散元素(Ge,Cd, Tl)稳定同位素研究

近年来,非传统稳定同位素地球化学得到了飞跃性的发展,其主要研究对象为海洋体系的演化。特别是氧化还原敏感元素(Se,Mo,Fe等)稳定同位素已经在古海洋环境的示踪研究中发挥重要的作用。相比分散元素(Ge,Cd,Tl)稳定同位素研究比较薄弱,但这些元素在海洋体系中有特殊的循环模式,这使得它们的同位素研究将可能存在很大地质潜力。海洋体系中它们的源汇简单,而且有机无机吸附过程都可能导致同位素分馏。Ge,Cd,Tl均属于挥发性元素,原始星云的形成过程可能存在较大的同位素分馏。我国南方大面积的低温成矿域,将为Ge,Cd,Tl稳定同位素的发展提供天然的平台。另外,Cd,Tl是环境污染的主要潜在元素,因此采用稳定同位素示踪还可能示踪表生环境中的污染来源。     

梵净山西麓古茶树立地岩-土系统地球化学特征分析

以梵净山西麓印江县紫薇镇古茶树立地剖面上的岩石和土壤为研究对象,使用ICP-MS和ICP-AES测定21种元素的含量,分析古茶树立地岩石-土壤系统的地球化学特征,以期为印江县古茶树保护及开发提供科学依据。结果表明：古茶树生长地岩石-土壤系统的主量、微量和重金属元素富集程度低（EF <3）,受人为因素影响程度小,可为古茶树提供安全的生长环境。其中主量元素K和Al在岩石-土壤系统中含量丰富,Ca、Mg、Na元素含量较少,符合茶树喜钾嫌钙的生理特征;微量元素在岩石-土壤系统中含量变化均匀,但与地球化学丰度值和中国土壤背景值相比,其含量较少;重金属元素含量均低于无公害农产品种植业产地环境条件限定值。同时研究发现该岩土系统中Se元素含量丰富,可为当地发展富硒茶提供参考。     

Concentration and distribution of trace elements in some coals from Northern China

The concentration, distribution and modes of occurrence of trace elements in thirty coals, four floors and two roofs from Northern China were studied. The samples were collected from the major coalfields of Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The concentrations of seventeen potential hazardous trace elements, including Hg, As, Se, Pb, Cd, Br, Ni, Cr, Co, Mo, Mn, Be, Sb, Th, V, U, Zn, and five major elements P, Na, Fe, Al, and Ca in coals were determined.Compared with average concentration of trace elements in Chinese coal, the coals from Northern China contain a higher concentration of Hg, Se, Cd, Mn, and Zn. They may be harmful to the environment in the process of combustion and utilization. Vertical variations of trace elements in three coal seams indicated the distributions of most elements in coal seam are heterogeneous. Based on statistical analyses, trace elements including Mo, Cr, Se, Th, Pb, Sb, V, Be and major elements including Al, P shows an affinity to ash content. In contrast, Br is generally associated with organic matter. Elements As, Ni, Be, Mo, and Fe appear to be associated with pyrite. The concentrations of trace elements weakly correlate either to coal rank or to maceral compositions.     

Trace elements and their behaviour during the combustion of marine oil shale from Changliang Mountain, northern Tibet, China

The Shengli River–Changshe Mountain oil shale zone represents a potentially large marine oil shale resource in China. With the aim of better understanding the geochemistry of trace elements in marine oil shale and its combustion residues, 40 raw samples, 27 oil shale combustion residues and 29 selected minerals from Changliang Mountain oil shale are studied for geochemical analyses. The contents of Se, Cd, Mo, As, Cs, Pb, Sr and U in the oil shale samples are enriched from 1.47 to 33.91 times as compared with the Clarke values, whereas the concentrations of other elements are slightly higher/lower than the respective worldwide means. The most enriched elements in oil shale combustion residues are Se, Cd, Mo, As and U with enrichment values from 4.78 to 50.92. Trace elements with high volatile behaviour such as As, Co, Ni, Sc, Sn and V occur predominantly in organic matter and/or sulphides. Other non-volatile or slightly volatile trace elements (e.g., Be, Bi, Cs, Cu, Ga, Hf, Li, Nb, Rb, Ta, Th, W, Zr and REEs) may occur mainly in original and relatively refractory minerals in raw oil shale. The potentially hazardous trace elements in Changliang Mountain oil shale include As, Cd, Mo and Se. Arsenic and Se are controlled mainly by Fe-bearing minerals (probably pyrite) in Changliang Mountain oil shale. Cadmium is present mainly in dolomite, while Mo occurs mainly in organic matter.     

环境微量元素对甘肃河西地区胃癌发病的影响

环境物质中的微量元素水平与胃癌之间存在相关联系,甘肃省是胃癌高发区,对甘肃省河西地区胃癌患者生活饮用水及土壤微量元素进行了相关性研究.结果表明:河西地区水土的Fe含量高于对照组,高浓度游离Fe有利于癌细胞的快速繁殖,摄入高浓度的离子Fe对机体有毒害作用,是导致胃癌发生的一个重要因素.环境中Zn水平低可能是胃癌发生的癌前因素,Se水平与癌症生病率呈负相关,河西地区环境中镓含量较低,可能导致机体内微量元素的不平衡,促使胃癌的发生.     

Environmental conditions as the cause of the great mass extinction of marine organisms in the Late Devonian

During the Late Devonian extinction, 70–82% of all marine species disappeared. The main causes of this mass extinction include tectonic activity, climate and sea-level fluctuations, volcanism, and the collision of the Earth with cosmic bodies (impact events). The major causes are considered to be volcanism accompanying formation of the Viluy traps and, probably, basaltic magmatism in the Southern Urals, alkaline magmatism within the East European platform, and volcanism in northern Iran and northern and southern China. Several large impact craters of Late Devonian age have been documented in different parts of the world. The available data indicate that this time period on the Earth was marked by two major sequences of events: terrestrial events that resulted in extensive volcanism and cosmic (or impact) events. They produced similar effects such as emissions of harmful chemical compounds and aerosols to cause greenhouse warming and the darkening of the atmosphere, which prevented photosynthesis and cause ocean stagnation and anoxia. This disrupted the food chain and reduced ecosystem productivity. As a result, all vital processes were disturbed and a large part of the marine biota became extinct.     

Stratigraphic evidence for the extinction of the ichthyosaurs

The extinction of ichthyosaurs is not well understood both in terns of time and of causation although it is supposed to have happened at some point of the Late Cretaceous. Four species of ichthyosaurs attributed to the single cosmopolitan genus Platypteygius Huene, 1922 are currently recognized from the Albian and Cenomanian, but after that time only fragmentary remains have been described. A review of these available post-Cenomanian ichthyosaur remains reveals that all are doubtful either from a stratigraphic or a systematic point of view. Ichthyosaur extinction may be tentatively correlated with the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary events. During this interval, biological factors such as a break in the food chain attested by severe extinction in marine invertebrates, especially belemnites, may have led to the extinction of ichthyosaurs.     

Determination of elemental affinities by density fractionation of bulk coal samples from the Chongqing coal district, Southwestern China

The occurrence and distribution of major and trace elements have been investigated in two coal-bearing units in the Chonqing mining district (South China): the Late Permian and Late Triassic coals.The Late Permian coals have higher S contents than the Late Triassic coals due to the fixation of pyrite in marine-influenced coal-forming environments. The occurrence of pyrite accounts for the association of a large number of elements (Fe, S, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, and Zn) with sulphides, as deduced from the analysis of the density fractions. The marine influence is probably also responsible for the organic association of B. The REEs, Zr, Nb, and Hf, are enriched by a factor of 2–3 with respect to the highest levels fixed for the usual worldwide concentration ranges in coal for these elements. The content of these elements in the Late Permian coal is higher by a factor of 5–10 with respect to the Late Triassic coal. Furthermore, other elements, such as Cu, P, Th, U, V, and Y, are relatively enriched with respect to the common range values, with maximum values higher than the usual range or close to the maximum levels in coal. The content of these elements in the Late Permian coal is higher than the Late Triassic coal. These geochemical enrichments are the consequence of the occurrence, in relatively high levels, of phosphate minerals, such as apatite, xenotime, and monazite, as deduced from the study of the density fractions obtained from the bulk coal.The Late Triassic coal has a low sulphur content with a major organic affinity. The trace element contents are low when compared with worldwide ranges for coal. In this coal, the trace element distribution is governed by clay minerals, carbonate minerals, and to a lesser extent, by organic matter and sulphide minerals.Major differences found between late Permian and Triassic coals are probably related to the source rocks, given that the main source rock of the late Permian epicontinental marine basin is the Emeishan basalt formation, characterised by a high phosphate content.     

海相遗迹化石对显生宙生物大辐射事件的响应*

通过系统梳理前寒武纪和显生宙海相遗迹化石记录及笔者自己的研究,发现在寒武纪生命大爆发、奥陶纪生物大辐射、中生代海洋革命共3次里程碑式的生物大辐射过程中,海相遗迹化石的属级多样性变化和歧异度增减均与生物多样性呈正相关,生物扰动强度和深度明显增加,造迹生物的觅食策略和行为习性多样化明显增多。寒武纪生命大爆发时期,最有代表性的生物行为变化是出现了具有垂向分量的潜穴; 奥陶纪生物大辐射期间,海相遗迹化石的分布逐渐从滨、浅海扩展至半深海和深海,表现为造迹生物群落栖息地的扩张; 中生代海洋革命时期,海相和陆相遗迹化石同步增加,生物对生态空间利用的深度、广度和集约性同步增强,遗迹化石面貌表现为深海雕画迹的多样性和歧异度大幅增加、形态类型多样、多种觅食策略共存。地史时期的海相遗迹化石面貌受环境外因和生物内因控制,表现出形态由简到繁、分布范围由小到大的变化趋势,对生态空间的利用表现为由沉积物表层至浅层再到深层、由二维到三维、由局域(浅水)到广域(浅水和深水以及陆地)的发展,印证了生物获取生态机会的过程。     

中国几个主要煤产地煤中微量元素特征

采用原煤直接溶样和使用ＩＣＰ－ＭＳ方法对我国平朔,大同,六盘水和唐山几个主要煤产地煤的微是元素进行了检测,报道了这几个主要煤产地煤中５１种微量元素含量,并对基含量特征进行了讨论,研究表明,与海水有关的过渡相沉积环境中的煤的Ｌｉ,Ｂｅ,Ｓｃ,Ｔｉ,Ｖ,Ｚｎ,Ｃｕ,Ｇａ,Ａｓ,Ｓｅ,Ｙ,Ｚｒ,Ｓｎ,Ｐｂ,Ｔｈ,Ｕ和稀土元素含量相对较高,内陆湖泊沉积环境中的煤的微量元素含量相对较低。     

Unabated acid mine drainage from Cerro Rico de Potosí, Bolivia: uncommon constituents of concern impact the Rio Pilcomayo headwaters

Intensive mining and processing of the polymetallic sulfide ore body of Cerro Rico de Potosí (Bolivia) has occurred since 1545, leading to severe degradation of surface and subsurface waters, stream sediments, and soils at the headwaters of the economically vital, yet highly impacted, Rio Pilcomayo. Previous studies have documented extremely elevated concentrations of a limited suite of metals in local waterways from acid mine drainage (AMD), terrestrial and in-stream tailings, and ore processing plant discharges. However, contamination from a wider variety of ecotoxic metals/metalloids was considered likely due to the highly mineralized polymetallic nature of the ore body. To screen for this broader range of ecotoxic elements in AMD and receiving streams, data were gathered during two sampling events timed for the most extreme periods of the dry and wet seasons of one water-year. Concentrations of Ag, B, Ba, Mo, Sb, Se, Sn and V in AMD and receiving streams were greater than Bolivian discharge limits and receiving water body guidelines as well as international agricultural use standards. Locally, results indicate that contamination from mining Cerro Rico has a larger scope than previously thought and underscore the importance of remediation. Globally, the results raise the possibility that other mining regions could have unquantified hazards from overlooked ecotoxic elements and that screening for a broader range of contaminants may be warranted.     

Migration and contamination of major and trace elements in groundwater of Madras city,India

Groundwater samples collected from both open and bore wells in an area of about 270 km² from Madras City, India, have been analyzed for major ions (HCO₃, Cl, Si, Na, Ca, and Mg) and trace elements (As, Se, B, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn, Ni, Mo, and Ba). The study reveals that the quality of potable water has deteriorated to a large extent. Seawater intrusion into the aquifer has been observed in nearly 50 percent of the study area. The toxic elements (As and Se) have already exceeded the maximum permissible limits of drinking water in almost the entire city. A positive correlation of As and Se with other toxic metals such as V, Cr, Fe, B, etc., indicates that all these elements are anthropogenic in origin. Applying multivariate analysis, the source for trace elements in groundwater has been grouped into two major factors: pollution and mobilization factors. The groundwater in the study area is largely contaminated by organic effluents and reflects the intensity of pollution caused by the overlying soil sediment and rapid infiltration of the pollutants.     

Temporal changes in trace elements in brown soil and soybean after long-term fertilization

In agricultural production, specific elements in soil and plants are very important for the soil quality and plant productivity. Trace elements and rare earth elements enter in agri-environment by the application of fertilizers and, through anthropogenic activities, pose important health impacts even at low concentration due to non-biodegradable nature with long half-life. The micro nutrients are essential for human body in a quantity most of less than 100 mg/day. The nutritional element uptake by plants is regulated by availability of the required elements and element accumulation ability of the plants. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the accumulation of trace and rare earth elements after long-term application of different fertilizers in soil and soybean uptake. The inorganic fertilizers (NKP) and pig manure were applied to maize-maize-soybean rotation in Alfisols (brown) soil since 1979. Atomic emission spectrometry along with inductively coupled plasma technique was applied to determine trace and rare earth elements. The accumulation pattern of trace elements (TEs) observed in soil was Ni > Co > Se > Mo and rare earth elements (REEs) was found as La > Nd > Tb > Y > Pr > Gd > Er > Yb > Lu. In soybean stem, the TE and REE concentrations were Se > Ni > Co > Mo and Pr > Gd > Er > Yb > Tb > Nd > Lu > La > Y, respectively. Elemental concentrations in the seed samples were Ni > Se > Mo > Co and Pr > Gd > Er > Yb > Tb > Nd > Lu > Y > La. The seed of soybean accumulated Co, Mo, Ni, Gd, Pr, Er, Lu, and Tb more than the stem. Higher concentrations of Se, Nd, Y, and Yb were found in soil. These elements were higher in soybean stem followed by the seed. However, these elements are within safe toxic level and light pollution level.     

Geochemical characteristics of the La Réunion mantle plume source inferred from olivine-hosted melt inclusions from the adventive cones of Piton de la Fournaise volcano (La Réunion Island)

Major and trace element compositions were obtained for bulk rocks and melt inclusions hosted in olivine crystals (Fo > 85) from the adventive cones of the Piton de La Fournaise volcano (La Réunion Island). Ratios of highly incompatible trace elements for these magmas are used to identify the nature of the La Réunion mantle plume source. Although adventive cone lavas display unusual major element compositions compared to the historical lavas of the volcano (e.g., lower CaO/Al₂O₃), trace element data suggest that the magmas emitted by the adventive cones originate from a common chemical source. This source may correspond to either a homogeneous mixed source of different mantle components or a near-primitive less-differentiated mantle source. The melt inclusions display ratios of highly incompatible elements (e.g., Th/La, Nb/La) which are similar to primitive mantle values, and lower Nb/U ratios compared to most oceanic basalts. These results and previous isotopic and trace element data suggest that La Réunion plume samples a source which is intermediate between a primitive-like mantle domain and a slightly depleted one almost unaffected by the recycling processes. This source could have originated from early depletion of the primitive mantle. Assuming a depletion 4.45 Gyr ago, ~10% melting of this slightly depleted source could explain the enriched trace element concentrations of the melt inclusions.     

Spinel peridotite xenoliths from the Atsagin-Dush volcano, Dariganga lava plateau, Mongolia: a record of partial melting and cryptic metasomatism in the upper mantle

Spinel peridotite xenoliths from the Atsagin-Dush volcanic centre, SE Mongolia range from fertile lherzolites to clinopyroxene(cpx)-bearing harzburgites. The cpx-poor peridotites typically contain interstitial fine-grained material and silicate glass and abundant fluid inclusions in minerals, some have large vesicular melt pockets that apparently formed after primary clinopyroxene and spinel. No volatile-bearing minerals (amphibole, phlogopite, apatite, carbonate) have been found in any of the xenoliths. Fifteen peridotite xenoliths have been analysed for major and trace elements; whole-rock Sr isotope compositions and O isotope composition of all minerals were determined for 13 xenoliths. Trace element composition and Sr-Nd isotope compositions were also determined in 11 clinopyroxene and melt pocket separates. Regular variations of major and moderately incompatible trace elements (e.g. heavy-rare-earth elements) in the peridotite series are consistent with its formation as a result of variable degrees of melt extraction from a fertile lherzolite protolith. The Nd isotope compositions of LREE (light-rare-earth elements)-depleted clinopyroxenes indicate an old (≥ 1 billion years) depletion event. Clinopyroxene-rich lherzolites are commonly depleted in LREE and other incompatible trace elements whereas cpx-poor peridotites show metasomatic enrichment that can be related to the abundance of fine-grained interstitial material, glass and fluid inclusions in minerals. The absence of hydrous minerals, ubiquitous CO₂-rich microinclusions in the enriched samples and negative anomalies of Nb, Hf, Zr, and Ti in primitive mantle-normalized trace element patterns of whole rocks and clinopyroxenes indicate that carbonate melts may have been responsible for the metasomatic enrichment. Low Cu and S contents and high δ³⁴S values in whole-rock peridotites could be explained by interaction with oxidized fluids that may have been derived from subducted oceanic crust. The Sr-Nd isotope compositions of LREE-depleted clinopyroxenes plot either in the MORB (mid-ocean-ridge basalt) field or to the right of the mantle array, the latter may be due to enrichment in radiogenic Sr. The LREE-enriched clinopyroxenes and melt pockets plot in the ocean island-basalt field and have Sr-Nd isotope signatures consistent with derivation from a mixture of the DMM (depleted MORB mantle) and EM (enriched mantle) II sources. Received: 18 January 1996 / Accepted: 23 August 1996     

Selenium in Chinese coals: distribution,occurrence, and health impact

Selenium (Se) is one of the volatile elements in coal. During mining and utilization of coal, Se is largely released into the environment, which influences environmental quality, and consequently impacts on human health. This paper is a review of current knowledge on the distribution, occurrence and environmental impact of Se in Chinese coals. This study includes the following aspects: distribution and abundance of Se in coals of different provinces of China, different coal-forming periods, modes of occurrence of Se in coals, formation mechanism of Se in coals, migration processes and transformation of Se during coal combustion and leaching and their environmental effects. The available data show that Se content in Chinese coals is highly variable in different coalfields, different coal-forming periods, and different coal seams from individual coalfields. The average Se content in Chinese coal is 3.91 mg/kg.