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1.
The shallow aquifer beneath the Western Snake River Plain (Idaho, USA) exhibits widespread elevated arsenic concentrations (up to 120 μg L−1). While semi-arid, crop irrigation has increased annual recharge to the aquifer from approximately 1 cm prior to a current rate of >50 cm year−1. The highest aqueous arsenic concentrations are found in proximity to the water table (all values >50 μg L−1 within 50 m) and concentrations decline with depth. Despite strong vertical redox stratification within the aquifer, spatial distribution of aqueous species indicates that redox processes are not primary drivers of arsenic mobilization. Arsenic release and transport occur under oxidizing conditions; groundwater wells containing dissolved arsenic at >50 μg L−1 exhibit elevated concentrations of O2 (average 4 mg L−1) and NO3 (average 8 mg L−1) and low concentrations of dissolved Fe (<20 μg L−1). Sequential extractions and spectroscopic analysis of surficial soils and sediments indicate solid phase arsenic is primarily arsenate and is present at elevated concentrations (4–45 mg kg−1, average: 17 mg kg−1) relative to global sedimentary abundances. The highest concentrations of easily mobilized arsenic (up to 7 mg kg−1) are associated with surficial soils and sediments visibly stained with iron oxides. Batch leaching experiments on these materials using irrigation waters produce pore water arsenic concentrations approximating those observed in the shallow aquifer (up to 152 μg L−1). While As:Cl aqueous phase relationships suggest minor evaporative enrichment, this appears to be a relic of the pre-irrigation environment. Collectively, these data indicate that infiltrating irrigation waters leach arsenic from surficial sediments to the underlying aquifer.  相似文献   

2.
The occurrence of mining areas in the vicinities of salt marshes may affect their ecological functions and facilitate the transfer of pollutants into the food chain. The mobilisation of metals in salt marsh soils is controlled by abiotic (pH, redox potential) and biotic (influence of rhizosphere) factors. The effect of the rhizosphere of two plant species (Sarcocornia fruticosa and Phragmites australis) and different flooding regimes on potentially harmful metals and As mobilisation from salt marsh soil polluted by mining activities were investigated (total concentrations: 536 mg kg−1 As, 37 mg kg−1 Cd, 6746 mg kg−1 Pb, 15,320 mg kg−1 Zn). The results show that the changes in redox conditions (from 300 mV to −100 mV) and pH after flooding and rewetting periods may mobilise the contaminant elements into soil solution (e.g., 100 μg L−1 Cd, 30 μg L−1 Pb, 7 mg L−1 Zn), where they are available for plants or may be leached from the soil. Drying periods generated peaks of concentrations in the soil solution (up to 120 μg L−1 Cd and 50 μg L−1 Pb). The risk assessment of As and metal-polluted salt marshes should take into account flood dynamics in order to prevent metal(loid) mobilisation.  相似文献   

3.
Bauxite exploration drilling revealed the presence of phosphate minerals through the chemical and XRD analysis of recovered drill hole samples at Spitzbergen, in Manchester Parish, Jamaica. A subsequent pit led to the discovery of phosphorite concretions composed of hard competent masses of finely crystalline fluorapatite, with some minor crandallite. The phosphorite contains anomalously high levels of Zn (>5000 mg kg−1), Cd (>1.1%), Ag (>20 mg kg−1), Be (>80 mg kg−1) and, to a lesser extent, U. Textural and geochemical evidence indicates that the phosphorite concretions were most likely formed by the replacement of limestone by secondary deposition proximal to fossil guano deposits, postulated to be Late Miocene or Pliocene sea-bird colonies. Mechanical dispersion of the phosphorite concretions through karst weathering processes has led to their wider spatial distribution than the original guano deposits. Subsequent weathering of the concretions and the admixture of their decomposition products into the bauxitic and Terra Rossa soils is postulated to be the cause of the widespread anomalous levels of Zn, Cd and Be in these soils in central Jamaica, and the elevated levels of P in the bauxite.  相似文献   

4.
The Xunyang Hg mine (XMM) situated in Shaanxi Province is an active Hg mine in China. Gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) concentrations in ambient air were determined to evaluate its distribution pattern as a consequence of the active mining and retorting in the region. Total Hg (HgT) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in riparian soil, sediment and rice grain samples (polished) as well as Hg speciation in surface water samples were measured to show local dispersion of Hg contamination. As expected, elevated concentrations of GEM were found, ranging from 7.4 to 410 ng m−3. High concentrations of HgT and MeHg were also obtained in riparian soils, ranged from 5.4 to 120 mg kg−1 and 1.2 to 11 μg kg−1, respectively. Concentrations of HgT and MeHg in sediment samples varied widely from 0.048 to 1600 mg kg−1 and 1.0 to 39 μg kg−1, respectively. Surface water samples showed elevated HgT concentrations, ranging from 6.2 to 23,500 ng L−1, but low MeHg concentrations, ranging from 0.022 to 3.7 ng L−1. Rice samples exhibited high concentrations of 50–200 μg kg−1 in HgT and of 8.2–80 μg kg−1 in MeHg. The spatial distribution patterns of Hg speciation in the local environmental compartments suggest that the XMM is the source of Hg contaminations in the study area.  相似文献   

5.
An understanding of the biogeochemical behaviour of metals in mine spoil materials is a prerequisite to rehabilitate Ni mining sites. The objective of this study was to characterize the fate of metals in different Ni ore spoil materials as influenced by hydrological conditions and fertilisation practices. In tropical ultramafic complexes, the different stages of lateritic weathering lead to two types of ores, and therefore, to two spoil types. They are mainly either a clay-rich saprolite, so-called “garnierite”, enriched in phyllosilicates, or a limonitic material, enriched in Fe oxides. Lysimeter columns were designed to monitor leaching waters through both spoil materials. The garnieritic spoil released higher concentrations of Mg (mean = 2.25 mg L−1), Ni (0.39 mg L−1) and Cr (1.19 mg L−1) than the limonitic spoil (Mg = 0.5 mg L−1; Ni = 0.03 mg L−1 and Cr = 0.25 mg L−1). Chromium was mainly in an anionic form in leaching solutions. As exchangeable pools of Cr(VI) in limonite (980 mg kg−1 of KH2PO4-extractable Cr) are considerable its release in water may still occur in the case of a pH increase. In mixed spoil, metal concentrations were almost as low as in the limonitic one. The effect of mineral-N fertilisation was a strong release of cations (Ni, Mg) into the leachate. Phosphate amendment did not affect the soil solution composition under experimental conditions.  相似文献   

6.
Sixty five urban road dust samples were collected from different land use areas of ∼240 km2 in Xi’an, China. The concentrations of Ag, As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sb and Zn were determined to investigate potentially harmful element (PHE) contamination, distribution and possible sources. In addition, the concentrations in different size fractions were measured to assess their potential impact on human health. The highest concentrations were found in the fraction with particle diameters between 80 μm and 101 μm, the finest particles (<63 μm) were not the most important carriers for Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn. The percentages of these elements in particles with diameters less than 63 μm (PM63) and less than 101 μm (PM101) were in the range of 7–15%, and 30–55%, respectively. Three main factors influencing element distributions have been identified: (a) industrial activities; (b) prior agricultural land use; and (c) other activities commonly found in urban areas, such as traffic, coal combustion, waste dumping, and building construction/renovation. The highest concentrations were found in industrial areas for As (20 mg kg−1), Cr (853 mg kg−1), Cu (1071 mg kg−1), Pb (3060 mg kg−1) and Zn (2112 mg kg−1), and in previous agricultural areas for Ag and Hg, indicating significant contributions from industrial activities and prior agricultural activities.  相似文献   

7.
Industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural practices are 3 of the most important sources of metal accumulations in soils. Concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd were determined in surface soils collected under different land uses, including urban (UR), industrial (IN-1 and IN-2), agricultural (AG), abandoned unused (AB), and natural (NA) sites to examine the influence of anthropogenic activities on metals in soils formed in a typical Mediterranean environment. The highest concentrations of Cr, Cd, and Pb observed in the NW industrial area (IN-2) were 63.7, 3.34 and 2330 mg metal kg−1 soil, for each metal, respectively. The SW industrial area (IN-1) contained the highest Zn content at 135 mg kg−1. However, soils with the highest concentrations of Ni and Cu were located in AG sites at 30.9 and 64.9 mg kg−1 soil, respectively. Sampling locations with the highest concentrations of Mn were identified in AB sites. Using the concentrations of metals at the NA sites as the baseline levels, soils collected from all other land uses in the study area exhibited significantly higher total contents of Zn, Mn, Cr and Ni. Metal enrichment was attributed to fertilizer and pesticide applications, industrial activities, and metal deposition from a high volume of vehicular traffic (for Pb and Cd). High concentrations of Mn in some samples were attributed to parent materials. The study demonstrated that anthropogenic activities associated with various land uses contribute to metal accumulation in soils and indicated a need to closely monitor land management practices to reduce human and ecological risks from environmental pollution.  相似文献   

8.
The influence of soil organisms on metal mobility and bioavailability in soils is not currently fully understood. We conducted experiments to determine whether calcium carbonate granules secreted by the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris could incorporate and immobilise lead in lead- and calcium-amended artificial soils. Soil lead concentrations were up to 2000 mg kg−1 and lead:calcium ratios by mass were 0.5-8. Average granule production rates of 0.39 ± 0.04 mgcalcite earthworm−1 day−1 did not vary with soil lead concentration. The lead:calcium ratio in granules increased significantly with that of the soil (r2 = 0.81, p = 0.015) with lead concentrations in granules reaching 1577 mg kg−1. X-ray diffraction detected calcite and aragonite in the granules with indications that lead was incorporated into the calcite at the surface of the granules. In addition to the presence of calcite and aragonite X-ray absorption spectroscopy indicated that lead was present in the granules mainly as complexes sorbed to the surface but with traces of lead-bearing calcite and cerussite. The impact that lead-incorporation into earthworm calcite granules has on lead mobility at lead-contaminated sites will depend on the fraction of total soil lead that would be otherwise mobile.  相似文献   

9.
Zinc smelting and chlor-alkali production are major sources of Hg contamination to the environment, potentially leading to serious impacts on the health of the local population. Huludao, NE China has been heavily contaminated by Hg due to long-term Zn smelting and chlor-alkali production. The aim of this work was to determine Hg accumulation in the aquatic and terrestrial environment, as well as in the human population of Huludao. The investigation included: (a) Hg accumulation in sediments, Spirogyra algae, crucian carp and shrimp, (b) Hg distribution in soil, vegetables and corn, and (c) assessment of potential health effects of Hg exposure associated with total Hg (T-Hg) concentrations in human hair. Measured T-Hg concentrations in sediments of Wuli River ranged from 0.15 to 15.4 mg kg−1, with the maximum Hg concentration in sediment exceeding the background levels in Liaoning Province by 438 times. The maximum T-Hg levels in Spirogyra, crucian carp and shrimp were 13.6, 0.36, and 0.44 mg kg−1, respectively. Total-Hg concentrations in hair of the human population varied from 0.05 to 3.25 mg kg−1 (average 0.43 mg kg−1). However, the frequency of paraesthesia to most inhabitants in Huludao was estimated to be lower than 5%, with only one person rated at 50%. The results indicated minimal adverse health effects of Hg exposure to the inhabitants of Huludao, despite the serious Hg contamination of the environment.  相似文献   

10.
Wetlands are significant sources and sinks for arsenic (As), yet the geochemical conditions and processes causing a release of dissolved arsenic and its association with the solid phase of wetland soils are poorly known. Here we present experiments in which arsenic speciation was determined in peatland mesocosms in high spatiotemporal resolution over 10 months. The experiment included a drought/rewetting treatment, a permanently wet, and a defoliated treatment. Soil water content was determined by the TDR technique, and arsenic, iron and sulfate turnover from mass balancing stocks and fluxes in the peat, and solid phase contents by sequential extractions. Arsenic content ranged from 5 to 25 mg kg−1 and dissolved concentrations from 10 to 300 μg L−1, mainly in form of As(III), and secondarily of As(V) and dimethylated arsenic (DMA). Total arsenic was mainly associated with amorphous iron hydroxides (R2 > 0.95, α < 0.01) and deeper into the peat with an unidentified residual fraction. Arsenic release was linked to ferrous iron release and primarily occurred in the intensely rooted uppermost soil. Volumetric air contents of 2-13 % during drought eliminated DMA from the porewater and suppressed its release after rewetting for >30 d. Dissolved As(III) was oxidized and immobilized as As(V) at rates of up to 0.015 mmol m−3 d−1. Rewetting mobilized As(III) at rates of up to 0.018 mmol m−3 d−1 within days. Concurrently, Fe(II) was released at depth integrated rates of up 20 mmol m−3 d−1. The redox half systems of arsenic, iron, and sulfur were in persistent disequilibrium, with H2S being a thermodynamically viable reductant for As(V) to As(III). The study suggests that rewetting can lead to a rapid release of arsenic in iron-rich peatlands and that methylation is of lesser importance than co-release with iron reduction, which was largely driven by root activity.  相似文献   

11.
At a watershed scale, sediments and soil weathering exerts a control on solid and dissolved transport of trace elements in surface waters and it can be considered as a source of pollution. The studied subwatershed (1.5 km2) was located on an As-geochemical anomaly. The studied soil profile showed a significant decrease of As content from 1500 mg kg−1 in the 135–165 cm deepest soil layer to 385 mg kg−1 in the upper 0–5 cm soil layer. Directly in the stream, suspended matter and the <63 μm fraction of bed sediments had As concentrations greater than 400 mg kg−1. In all these solid fractions, the main representative As-bearing phases were determined at two different observation scales: bulk analyses using X-ray absorption structure spectroscopy (XAS) and microanalyses using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and associated electron probe microanalyses (EPMA), as well as micro-Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron-based micro-scanning X-ray diffraction (μSXRD) characterization. Three main As-bearing phases were identified: (i) arsenates (mostly pharmacosiderite), the most concentrated phases As in both the coherent weathered bedrock and the 135–165 cm soil layer but not observed in the river solid fraction, (ii) Fe-oxyhydroxides with in situ As content up to 15.4 wt.% in the deepest soil layer, and (iii) aluminosilicates, the least concentrated As carriers. The mineralogical evolution of As-bearing phases in the soil profile, coupled with the decrease of bulk As content, may be related to pedogenesis processes, suggesting an evolution of arsenates into As-rich Fe-oxyhydroxides. Therefore, weathering and mineralogical evolution of these As-rich phases may release As to surface waters.  相似文献   

12.
We report seawater boron concentration (mg kg−1) and chlorinity (‰) values measured in seawater samples (n = 139) collected at various depths in the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans and the East/Japan Sea (located in the western temperate North Pacific). Our results indicate that variations in seawater boron concentration are strongly coupled to variations in chlorinity (and salinity), yielding a mean boron to chlorinity ratio of 0.2414 ± 0.0009 mg kg−1 ‰−1 (boron to salinity ratio = 0.1336 ± 0.0005 mg kg−1 ‰−1). This ratio was surprisingly universal throughout the water column in the three marine basins and across widely different ocean surface regimes, but differs from the generally accepted ratio of 0.232 ± 0.005 mg kg−1 ‰−1 determined by Uppström (1974), which was based on only 20 measurements at four sites in the tropical Pacific Ocean. In converting total alkalinity to carbonate alkalinity (and vice versa) for thermodynamic calculations, the difference between these two ratios leads to a difference of 5 μmol kg−1 in estimates for ocean surface waters, where the contribution of borate to total alkalinity is typically greatest. We suggest the use of the new boron to chlorinity ratio for predicting seawater boron concentrations using chlorinity (or salinity) data.  相似文献   

13.
The concentrations of twenty four chemical elements in the surface layer of natural desert soils and the cultivated farmland soils were measured at a desert-oasis ecotone in the middle of Heihe river basin, north-west China. Background values were estimated for (a) major elements (Si 335.3 g kg− 1, Al 49.4 g kg− 1, Fe 19.1 g kg− 1, Ca 29.4 g kg− 1, Mg 8.9 g kg− 1, K 20.1 g kg− 1, Na 17.5 g kg− 1 and P 0.338 g kg− 1), (b) heavy metals and non-metals (Cr 55.8 mg kg− 1, Mn 404.8 mg kg− 1, Ni 17.7 mg kg− 1, Cu 5.1 mg kg− 1, Zn 33.7 mg kg− 1, Pb 15.5 mg kg− 1 and As 5.2 mg kg− 1) and (c) other trace elements (Ti 2.0 mg kg− 1, V 55.3 mg kg− 1, Co 5.7 mg kg− 1, Rb 82.4 mg kg− 1, Sr 232.9 mg kg− 1, Y 14.7 mg kg− 1, Zr 194.9 mg kg− 1, Nb 7.8 mg kg− 1 and Ba 720.6 mg kg− 1). After natural desert soil was cultivated for agricultural use, significant changes in element concentrations occurred under tillage, irrigation and fertilisation management. Compared to natural soil, the for the levels of Si, K, Na, Sr, Zr and Ba decreased, and no changes were observed for Rb, while the values of the other 17 elements increase in agricultural soil from 1.2 to 3.5 times. However, their absolute concentrations are still low, suggesting that the arable soil in this region remains comparatively a clean soil. The increased silt, clay and organic carbon content, under long-term irrigation, enriched the fine-grained materials, and application of fertilisers and manure contributed to the accumulation of most elements in arable soil. The accumulation of elements in agricultural soil increased with increasing cultivation years and extent of soil development.  相似文献   

14.
Hydrochemical patterns resulting from differing bedrock geochemistry were ascertained by concurrent streamwater sampling in three small catchments, each underlain by geochemically contrasting silicate rock types in the western Czech Republic, Central Europe in 2001–2010. The catchments are situated 5–7 km apart in the Slavkov Forest and are occupied by Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantations. They have similar altitude, area, topography, mean annual air temperature, and atmospheric deposition fluxes. The amount of base cations oxides (Ca + Mg + Na + K) is markedly different among the three studied rocks (leucogranite 8%, amphibolite 22%, serpentinite 36%). The leucogranite contains a very small amount of MgO, while the serpentinite contains extremely large amounts of MgO. The amphibolite contains an intermediate amount of MgO and elevated CaO. The Lysina, on leucogranite, exhibited very small concentrations of Mg (median 0.4 mg L−1) in streamwater; Pluh?v Bor, on serpentinite, contained extremely high concentrations of streamwater Mg (18 mg L−1). Streamwater in the Na Zeleném catchment, on amphibolite, contained an intermediate amount of Mg and an elevated Ca. Very low pH (4.2), negative alkalinity (−60 μeq L−1) and high inorganic monomeric Al concentrations (0.3 mg L−1) were found in the stream draining leucogranite. Serpentinite streamwater exhibited the highest pH (7.6), alkalinity (+940 μeq L−1) and Ni concentrations (100 μg L−1). Aquatic chemistry reflected the composition of the underlying rocks within the studied catchments. Contrasting streamwater compositions of the studied catchments were generated according to the MAGIC model simulations mainly by differences in chemical weathering rates of base cations (65 meq m−2 a−1 at Lysina, 198 meq m−2 a−1 at Na Zeleném, and 241 meq m−2 a−1 at Pluh?v Bor).  相似文献   

15.
To establish a natural background and its temporal and spatial variability for the area around Casey Station in the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica, the authors studied major and trace element concentrations and the distribution of organic matter in marine and lacustrine sediments. A wide range of natural variability in trace metal concentrations was identified between sites and within a time scale of 9 ka (e.g., Ni 5–37 mg kg−1, Cu 20–190 mg kg−1, Zn 50–300 mg kg−1, Pb 4.5–34 mg kg−1). TOC concentrations are as high as 3 wt.% at the marine sites and 20 wt.% at the lacustrine sites, and indicate highly productive ecosystems. These data provide a background upon which the extent of human impact can be established, and existing data indicate negligible levels of disturbance. Geochemical and lithological data for a lacustrine sediment core from Beall Lake confirm earlier interpretation of recent climatic changes based on diatom distribution, and the onset of deglaciation in the northern part of the Windmill Islands between 8.6 and 8.0 ka BP. The results demonstrate that geochemical and lithological data can not only be used to define natural background values, but also to assess long-term climatic changes of a specific environment. Other sites, however, preserve a completely different sedimentary record. Therefore, inferred climatic record, and differences between sites, can be ascribed to differences in elevation, distance from the shore, water depth, and local catchment features. The extreme level of spatial variability seems to be a feature of Antarctic coastal areas, and demonstrates that results obtained from a specific site cannot be easily generalized to a larger area.  相似文献   

16.
Sediments from the Aquia aquifer in coastal Maryland were collected as part of a larger study of As in the Aquia groundwater flow system where As concentration are reported to reach levels as high as 1072 nmol kg−1, (i.e., ∼80 μg/L). To test whether As release is microbially mediated by reductive dissolution of Fe(III) oxides/oxyhydroxides within the aquifer sediments, the Aquia aquifer sediment samples were employed in a series of microcosm experiments. The microcosm experiments consisted of sterilized serum bottles prepared with aquifer sediments and sterilized (i.e., autoclaved), artificial groundwater using four experimental conditions and one control condition. The four experimental conditions included the following scenarios: (1) aerobic; (2) anaerobic; (3) anaerobic + acetate; and (4) anaerobic + acetate + AQDS (anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid). AQDS acts as an electron shuttle. The control condition contained sterilized aquifer sediments kept under anaerobic conditions with an addition of AQDS. Over the course of the 27 day microcosm experiments, dissolved As in the unamended (aerobic and anaerobic) microcosms remained constant at around ∼28 nmol kg−1 (2 μg/L). With the addition of acetate, the amount of As released to the solution approximately doubled reaching ∼51 nmol kg−1 (3.8 μg/L). For microcosm experiments amended with acetate and AQDS, the dissolved As concentrations exceeded 75 nmol kg−1 (5.6 μg/L). The As concentrations in the acetate and acetate + AQDS amended microcosms are of similar orders of magnitude to As concentrations in groundwaters from the aquifer sediment sampling site (127-170 nmol kg−1). Arsenic concentrations in the sterilized control experiments were generally less than 15 nmol kg−1 (1.1 μg/L), which is interpreted to be the amount of As released from Aquia aquifer sediments owing to abiotic, surface exchange processes. Iron concentrations released to solution in each of the microcosm experiments were higher and more variable than the As concentrations, but generally exhibited similar trends to the As concentrations. Specifically, the acetate and acetate + AQDS amended microcosm typically exhibited the highest Fe concentrations (up to 1725 and 6566 nmol kg−1, respectively). The increase in both As and Fe in the artificial groundwater solutions in these amended microcosm experiments strongly suggests that microbes within the Aquia aquifer sediments mobilize As from the sediment substrate to the groundwaters via Fe(III) reduction.  相似文献   

17.
Waters from abandoned Sb-Au mining areas have higher Sb (up to 2138 μg L−1), As (up to 1252 μg L−1) and lower Al, Zn, Li, Ni and Co concentrations than those of waters from the As-Au mining area of Banjas, which only contain up to 64 μg L−1 As. In general, Sb occurs mainly as SbO3− and As H2AsO4−. In general, waters from old Sb-Au mining areas are contaminated in Sb, As, Al, Fe, Cd, Mn, Ni and NO2−, whereas those from the abandoned As-Au mining area are contaminated in Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cd and rarely in NO2−. Waters from the latter area, immediately downstream of mine dumps are also contaminated in As. In stream sediments from Sb-Au and As-Au mining areas, Sb (up to 5488 mg kg−1) and As (up to 235 mg kg−1) show a similar behaviour and are mainly associated with the residual fraction. In most stream sediments, the As and Sb are not associated with the oxidizable fraction, while Fe is associated with organic matter, indicating that sulphides (mainly arsenopyrite and pyrite) and sulphosalts containing those metalloids and metal are weathered. Arsenic and Sb are mainly associated with clay minerals (chlorite and mica; vermiculite in stream sediments from old Sb-Au mining areas) and probably also with insoluble Sb phases of stream sediments. In the most contaminated stream sediments, metalloids are also associated with Fe phases (hematite and goethite, and also lepidocrocite in stream sediments from Banjas). Moreover, the most contaminated stream sediments correspond to the most contaminated waters, reflecting the limited capacity of stream sediments to retain metals and metalloids.  相似文献   

18.
This study describes the hydrogeochemistry and distributions of As in groundwater from a newly investigated area of Burkina Faso. Groundwaters have been sampled from hand-pumped boreholes and dug wells close to the town of Ouahigouya in northern Burkina Faso. Although most analysed groundwaters have As concentrations of less than 10 μg L−1, they have a large range from <0.5 to 1630 μg L−1. The highest concentrations are found in borehole waters; all dug wells analysed in this study have As concentrations of <10 μg L−1. Skin disorders (melanosis, keratosis and more rare skin tumour) have been identified among the populations in three villages in northern Burkina Faso, two within the study area. Although detailed epidemiological studies have not been carried out, similarities with documented symptoms in other parts of the world suggest that these are likely to be linked to high concentrations of As in drinking water. The high-As groundwaters observed derive from zones of Au mineralisation in Birimian (Lower Proterozoic) volcano-sedimentary rocks, the Au occurring in vein structures along with quartz and altered sulphide minerals (pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite). However, the spatial variability in As concentrations in the mineralised zones is large and the degree of testing both laterally and with depth so far is limited. Hence, concentrations are difficult to predict on a local scale. From available data, the groundwater appears to be mainly oxic and the dissolved As occurs almost entirely as As(V) although concentrations are highest in groundwaters with dissolved-O2 concentrations <2 mg L−1. The source is likely to be the oxidised sulphide minerals and secondary Fe oxides in the mineralised zones. Positive correlations are observed between dissolved As and both Mo and W which are also believed to be derived from ore minerals and oxides in the mineralised zones. The discovery of high As concentrations in some groundwaters from the Birimian rocks of northern Burkina Faso reiterates the need for reconnaissance surveys in mineralised areas of crystalline basement.  相似文献   

19.
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.  相似文献   

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