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1.
《Applied Geochemistry》2006,21(11):1969-1985
Gossan Creek, a headwater stream in the SE Upsalquitch River watershed in New Brunswick, Canada, contains elevated concentrations of total Hg (HgT up to 60 μg/L). Aqueous geochemical investigations of the shallow groundwater at the headwaters of the creek confirm that the source of Hg is a contaminated groundwater plume (neutral pH with Hg and Cl concentrations up to 150 μg/L and 20 mg/L, respectively), originating from the Murray Brook mine tailings, that discharges at the headwaters of the creek. The discharge area of the contaminant plume was partially delineated based on elevated pH and Cl concentrations in the groundwater. The local groundwater outside of the plume contains much lower concentrations of Hg and Cl (<0.1 μg/L and 3.8 mg/L, respectively) and displays the chemical characteristics of an acid-sulfate weathering system, with low pH (4.1–5.5) and elevated concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and SO4 (up to 5400 μg Cu/L, 8700 μg Zn/L, 70 μg Pb/L and 330 mg SO4/L), derived from oxidation of sulfide minerals in the Murray Brook volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit and surrounding bedrock. The HgT mass loads measured at various hydrologic control points along the stream system indicate that 95–99% of the dissolved HgT is attenuated in the first 3–4 km from the source. Analyses of creek bed sediments for Au, Ag, Cu, Zn, Pb and Hg indicate that these metals have partitioned strongly to the sediments. Mineralogical investigations of the contaminated sediments using analytical scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), reveal discrete particles (<1–2 μm) of metacinnabar (HgS), mixed Au–Ag–Hg amalgam, Cu sulfide and Ag sulfide.  相似文献   

2.
Mine tailings at the former Delnite gold mine in northern Ontario were characterized to assess the impact of a biosolids cover on the stability of As species and evaluate options for long-term management of the tailings. Arsenic concentrations in the tailings range from 0.15 to 0.36 wt% distributed among goethite, pyrite and arsenopyrite. Pyrite and arsenopyrite occur as small and liberated particles that are enveloped by goethite in the uncovered tailings and the deeper portions of the biosolids-covered tailings. Sulfide particles in the shallower portions of the biosolids-covered tailings are free of goethite rims. Arsenic occurs predominantly as As5+ with minor amount of As1− in the uncovered tailings. Coinciding with the disappearence of goethite rims on sulfide particles, the biosolids-covered tailings have As3+ species gradually increasing in proportion towards the cover. Leaching tests indicated that the As concentrations in the leachate gradually increase from less than 0.085 to 13 mg/L and Fe from 28 to 179 mg/L towards the biosolids cover. These are in sheer contrast to the leachate concentrations of less than 0.085 mg/L As and 24–64 mg/L Fe obtained from the uncovered tailings confirming the role of biosolids-influenced reduction and mobilization of As in the form of As3+ species. The evidence suggests that reductive dissolution of goethite influenced by the biosolids-cover caused the mobilization of As as As3+ species.  相似文献   

3.
Windblown and vehicle-raised dust from unvegetated mine tailings can be a human health risk. Airborne particles from As-rich abandoned Au mine tailings from Nova Scotia, Canada have been characterized in terms of particle size, As concentration, As oxidation state, mineral species and texture. Samples were collected in seven aerodynamically fractionated size ranges (0.5–16 μm) using a cascade impactor deployed at three tailings fields. All three sites are used for recreational activities and off-road vehicles were racing on the tailings at two mines during sample collection. Total concentrations of As in the <8 μm fraction varied from 65 to 1040 ng/m3 of air as measured by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis. The same samples were analysed by synchrotron-based microfocused X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (μXANES) and X-ray diffraction (μXRD) and found to contain multiple As-bearing mineral species, including Fe–As weathering products. The As species present in the dust were similar to those observed in the near-surface tailings. The action of vehicles on the tailings surface may disaggregate material cemented with Fe arsenate and contribute additional fine-grained As-rich particles to airborne dust. Results from this study can be used to help assess the potential human health risks associated with exposure to airborne particles from mine tailings.  相似文献   

4.
《Applied Geochemistry》2006,21(11):1955-1968
Elemental Hg–Au amalgamation mining practices are used widely in many developing countries resulting in significant Hg contamination of surrounding ecosystems. The authors examined for the first time Hg contamination in air, water, sediment, soil and crops in the Tongguan Au mining area, China, where elemental Hg has been used to extract Au for many years. Total gaseous Hg (TGM) concentrations in ambient air in the Tongguan area were significantly elevated compared to regional background concentrations. The average TGM concentrations in ambient air in a Au mill reached 18,000 ng m−3, which exceeds the maximum allowable occupational standard for TGM of 10,000 ng m−3 in China. Both total and methyl-Hg concentrations in stream water, stream sediment, and soil samples collected in the Tongguan area were elevated compared to methyl-Hg reported in artisanal Au mining areas in Suriname and the Amazon River basin. Total Hg concentrations in vegetable and wheat samples ranged from 42 to 640 μg kg−1, all of which significantly exceed the Chinese guidance limit for vegetables (10 μg kg−1) and foodstuffs other than fish (20 μg kg−1). Fortunately, methyl-Hg was not significantly accumulated in the crops sampled in this study, where concentrations varied from 0.2 to 7.7 μg kg−1.  相似文献   

5.
《Applied Geochemistry》2005,20(3):627-638
Concentrations of total Hg and methylmercury (MMHg) in riparian soil, mine-waste calcine, sediment, and moss samples collected from abandoned Hg mines in Wanshan district, Guizhou province, China, were measured to show regional dispersion of Hg-contamination. High total Hg and MMHg concentrations obtained in riparian soils from mined areas, ranged from 5.1 to 790 mg kg−1 and 0.13 to 15 ng g−1, respectively. However, total Hg and MMHg concentrations in the soils collected from control sites were significantly lower varying from 0.1 to 1.2 mg kg−1 and 0.10 to 1.6 ng g−1, respectively. Total Hg and MMHg concentrations in sediments varied from 90 to 930 mg kg−1 and 3.0 to 20 ng g−1, respectively. Total Hg concentrations in mine-waste calcines were highly elevated ranging from 5.7 to 4400 mg kg−1, but MMHg concentrations were generally low ranging from 0.17 to 1.1 ng g−1. Similar to the high Hg concentrations in soil and sediments, moss samples collected from rocks ranged from 1.0 to 95 mg kg−1 in total Hg and from 0.21 to 20 ng g−1 in MMHg. Elevated Hg concentrations in mosses suggest that atmospheric deposition might be an important pathway of Hg to the local terrestrial system. Moreover, the spatial distribution patterns of Hg contamination in the local environment suggest derivation from historic Hg mining sites in the Wanshan area.  相似文献   

6.
The historical (1932–1971) Bralorne mine produced over 87 million grams of Au from an archetypal orogenic lode gold deposit in southwest British Columbia. High concentrations of As in mine drainage, however, represent an on-going environmental concern prompting a detailed study of effluent chemistry. The discharge rate at the mine portal was monitored continuously over a fourteen-month period during which effluent samples were collected on a quasi-weekly basis. Water samples were also collected on synoptic surveys of the adit between the portal and the main source of flow in the flooded workings. Total concentrations of As in the mildly alkaline (pH = 8.7) portal drainage average 3034 μg/L whereas at the source they average 5898 μg/L. As emergent waters from the flooded workings flow toward the portal, their dissolved oxygen content and pH increase from 0 to 10 mg/L and from 7.7 to 9, respectively. Near the emergence point, dissolved Fe precipitates rapidly, sorbing both As(III) and As(V). With increasing distance from the emergence point, dissolved As(III) concentrations drop to detection limits through sorption on hydrous ferric oxide and through oxidation to As(V). Concentrations of dissolved As(V), on the other hand, increase and stabilize, reflecting lower sorption at higher pH and the lack of available sorbent. Nonetheless, based on synoptic surveys, approximately 35% of the source As load is sequestered in the adit resulting in As sediment concentrations averaging 8.5 wt%. The remaining average As load of 1.34 kg/d is discharged from the portal. Partitioning of As(V) between dissolved and particulate phases in portal effluent is characterized by a sorption density of 0.37 mol As (mol Fe)−1 and by a distribution coefficient (Kd) of 130 L/g HFO. The relatively high sorption density may reflect co-precipitation of As with Fe oxyhydroxides rather than a purely adsorption-controlled process. Results of this study show that the As self-mitigating capacity of drainage from orogenic lode gold deposits may be poor in high-pH and Fe-limited settings.  相似文献   

7.
Narraguinnep Reservoir in southwestern Colorado is one of several water bodies in Colorado with a mercury (Hg) advisory as Hg in fish tissue exceed the 0.3 μg/g guideline to protect human health recommended by the State of Colorado. Concentrations of Hg and methyl-Hg were measured in reservoir bottom sediment and pore water extracted from this sediment. Rates of Hg methylation and methyl-Hg demethylation were also measured in reservoir bottom sediment. The objective of this study was to evaluate potential sources of Hg in the region and evaluate the potential of reservoir sediment to generate methyl-Hg, a human neurotoxin and the dominant form of Hg in fish. Concentrations of Hg (ranged from 1.1 to 5.8 ng/L, n = 15) and methyl-Hg (ranged from 0.05 to 0.14 ng/L, n = 15) in pore water generally were highest at the sediment/water interface, and overall, Hg correlated with methyl-Hg in pore water (R2 = 0.60, p = 0007, n = 15). Net Hg methylation flux in the top 3 cm of reservoir bottom sediment varied from 0.08 to 0.56 ng/m2/day (mean = 0.28 ng/m2/day, n = 5), which corresponded to an overall methyl-Hg production for the entire reservoir of 0.53 g/year. No significant point sources of Hg contamination are known to this reservoir or its supply waters, although several coal-fired power plants in the region emit Hg-bearing particulates. Narraguinnep Reservoir is located about 80 km downwind from two of the largest power plants, which together emit about 950 kg-Hg/year. Magnetic minerals separated from reservoir sediment contained spherical magnetite-bearing particles characteristic of coal-fired electric power plant fly ash. The presence of fly-ash magnetite in post-1970 sediment from Narraguinnep Reservoir indicates that the likely source of Hg to the catchment basin for this reservoir has been from airborne emissions from power plants, most of which began operation in the late-1960s and early 1970s in this region.  相似文献   

8.
《Applied Geochemistry》2006,21(11):1940-1954
Speciation and microbial transformation of Hg was studied in mine waste from abandoned Hg mines in SW Texas to evaluate the potential for methyl-Hg production and degradation in mine wastes. In mine waste samples, total Hg, ionic Hg2+, Hg0, methyl-Hg, organic C, and total S concentrations were measured, various Hg compounds were identified using thermal desorption pyrolysis, and potential rates of Hg methylation and methyl-Hg demethylation were determined using isotopic-tracer methods. These data are the first reported for Hg mines in this region. Total Hg and methyl-Hg concentrations were also determined in stream sediment collected downstream from two of the mines to evaluate transport of Hg and methylation in surrounding ecosystems. Mine waste contains total Hg and methyl-Hg concentrations as high as 19,000 μg/g and 1500 ng/g, respectively, which are among the highest concentrations reported at Hg mines worldwide. Pyrolysis analyses show that mine waste contains variable amounts of cinnabar, metacinnabar, Hg0, and Hg sorbed onto particles. Methyl-Hg concentrations in mine waste correlate positively with ionic Hg2+, organic C, and total S, which are geochemical parameters that influence processes of Hg cycling and methylation. Net methylation rates were as high as 11,000 ng/g/day, indicating significant microbial Hg methylation at some sites, especially in samples collected inside retorts. Microbially-mediated methyl-Hg demethylation was also observed in many samples, but where both methylation and demethylation were found, the potential rate of methylation was faster. Total Hg concentrations in stream sediment samples were generally below the probable effect concentration of 1.06 μg/g, the Hg concentration above which harmful effects are likely to be observed in sediment dwelling organisms; whereas total Hg concentrations in mine waste samples were found to exceed this concentration, although this is a sediment quality guideline and is not directly applicable to mine waste. Although total Hg and methyl-Hg concentrations are locally high in some mine waste samples, little Hg appears to be exported from these Hg mines in stream sediment primarily due to the arid climate and lack of precipitation and mine runoff in this region.  相似文献   

9.
This study investigates the concentration and spatial distribution of Cu, Zn, Hg and Pb in the surface (0–2 cm) soils of a regional city in Australia. Surface soils were collected from road sides and analysed for their total Cu, Zn, Hg and Pb concentrations in the <180 μm and <2 mm grain size fractions. The average metal concentration of surface soils, relative to local background soils at 40–50 cm depth, are twice as enriched in Hg, more than three times enriched in Cu and Zn, and nearly six times as enriched in Pb. Median surface soil metal concentration values were Cu – 39 mg/kg (682 mg/kg max), Zn – 120 mg/kg (4950 mg/kg max), Hg – 44 μg/kg (14,900 μg/kg max) and Pb – 46 mg/kg (3490 mg/kg max). Five sites exceeded the Australian NEPC (1999) 300 mg/kg guideline for Pb in residential soils. Strong positive correlations between Cu, Zn and Pb, coupled with the spatial distribution of elevated soil concentrations towards the city centre and main roads suggest traffic and older housing as major sources of contamination. No spatial relationships were identified between elevated metal loadings and locations of past or present industries.  相似文献   

10.
《Applied Geochemistry》2006,21(10):1760-1780
Sulfide-rich mine tailings in Adak that are exposed to weathering cause acid mine drainage characterized by low pH (2–4) and high SO4 (up to 800 mg L−1). Surface water, sediment and soil samples collected in this study contain higher concentrations of As, Cu, Fe and Zn, compared to the target and/or intervention limits set by international regulatory agencies. In particular, high As concentrations in water (up to 2900 μg L−1) and sediment (up to 900 mg kg−1) are of concern. There is large variability in trace element concentrations, implying that both physical (grain size) and chemical factors (pH, secondary phases as sulfides, Al-oxides or clay minerals) play an important role in their distribution. The low pH keeps the trace elements dissolved, and they are transported farther downstream. Trace element partition coefficients are low (log Kd = 0.3–4.3), and saturation indices calculated with PHREEQC are <0 for common oxide and sulfidic minerals. The sediment and soil samples indicate an enhanced pollution index (up to 17), and high enrichment factors for trace elements (As up to 38,300; Zn up to 800). Finally, leaves collected from different plant types indicate bioaccumulation of several elements (As, Al, Cu, Fe and Zn). However, some of the plants growing in this area (e.g., Salix, Equisétum) are generally resistant to metal toxicity, and hence, liming and phytoremediation could be considered as potential on-site remediation methods.  相似文献   

11.
About a century of exploitation of the galena-arsenopyrite deposit of Baccu Locci in Sardinia (Italy) has caused a severe, persistent arsenic contamination that extends downstream from the mine for several kilometres. Differently from As, the contamination of lead in surface waters is only localised in the upper part of the mine despite very high Pb concentrations in geologic materials (waste rocks, tailings, stream sediments, soils) over the whole Baccu Locci stream catchment. The aqueous and solid speciation of Pb in various environmental media of the Baccu Locci system was determined by means of a combined analytical (ICP-MS, SEM-EDX, TEM-EDX, chemical extraction) and thermodynamic approach (PHREEQC). The study has pointed out that relatively little Pb (up to 30 µg/L) is initially released to surface waters (pH = 7–8, Eh = 0.4–0.6 V) very rapidly due to dissolution of anglesite that is the first product of galena oxidation. Subsequently, Pb is removed (down to 0.6 µg/L) by probable sorption onto hydrous ferric oxides (e.g. ferrihydrite) and/or possible precipitation of As-containing plumbojarosite that is the main secondary Pb-bearing phase in stream sediments/tailings along the Baccu Locci stream course. The latter hypothesis is controversial since it is reported from the literature that plumbojarosite is formed under acidic conditions, although there is contrary field evidence as well. Bearing in mind the uncertainties introduced from thermodynamic and analytical data, the solubility calculations indicate strong undersaturation of surface waters with respect to plumbojarosite (SI: ? 19.9 to ? 3.7). On the contrary arsenatian plumbojarosite is at or close to saturation (SI: ? 0.6 to 3.2) in most surface waters and beudantite is clearly above saturation (SI: 4.1 to 12.7). This suggests that the incorporation of As might increase the stability of plumbojarosite, extending it up to near-neutral conditions. As a consequence, Pb is prevented from being released downstream to surface waters, and dissolved Pb concentrations remain definitely below the Italian and WHO limits for drinking waters (50 µg/L and 10 µg/L, respectively).  相似文献   

12.
《Applied Geochemistry》2005,20(5):973-987
Due to liming of acid mine drainage, a calcite–gypsum sludge with high concentrations of Zn (24,400 ± 6900 μg g−1), Cu (2840 ± 680 μg g−1) and Cd (59 ± 20 μg g−1) has formed in a flooded tailings impoundment at the Kristineberg mine site. The potential metal release from the sludge during resuspension events and in a long-term perspective was investigated by performing a shake flask test and sequential extraction of the sludge. The sequentially extracted carbonate and oxide fractions together contained ⩾97% of the total amount of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the sludge. The association of these metals with carbonates and oxides appears to result from sorption and/or coprecipitation reactions at the surfaces of calcite and Fe, Al and Mn oxyhydroxides forming in the impoundment. If stream water is diverted into the flooded impoundment, dissolution of calcite, gypsum and presumably also Al oxyhydroxides can be expected during resuspension events. In the shake flask test (performed at a pH of 7–9), remobilisation of Zn, Cu, Cd and Co from the sludge resulted in dissolved concentrations of these metals that were significantly lower than those predicted to result from dissolution of the carbonate fraction of the sludge. This may suggest that cationic Zn, Cu, Cd and Co remobilised from dissolving calcite, gypsum and Al oxyhydroxides were readsorbed onto Fe oxyhydroxides remaining stable under oxic conditions. In a long-term perspective (≳102 a), ⩾97% of the Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn content of the sludge potentially is available for release by dissolution of calcite and reductive dissolution of Fe oxyhydroxides if the sludge is subject to a soil environment with lower dissolved Ca concentrations, pH and redox than in the impoundment.  相似文献   

13.
Selenium (Se) is an important co-existing elemental component of the mineral matrix of mercury (Hg) ore deposits. The hazards associated with Se contamination of the aquatic ecosystems in Hg mining areas; however, are often overlooked by environmental researchers due to a preoccupation with Hg. Selenium may also pose a long-term risk to the local ecosystem, and further complicate the situation as Se may also play an important antagonistic role against Hg. Furthermore, most studies on Se pollution have focused only on total Se, whereas the toxicity, bioavailability, and bioaccumulation of Se in aquatic ecosystems is primarily determined by its site-specific individual species. In this study, the concentrations of total Se, inorganic Se (tetravalent and hexavalent), and organic Se were determined in water samples collected from 41 typical sites selected in rivers, tributaries, and springs in Wanshan, China, where Hg and Se co-occur due to historic Hg mining and retorting activities. Se concentrations were observed to decrease with distance from mine-waste calcines, which indicated that mine-waste calcines may be significant sources of the elevated Se in the rivers, especially in downstream areas within 8 km from the mine-waste calcines. The concentration of total aqueous Se throughout the study area was highly variable (3.8 ± 6.0 μg L−1) and on average was one order of magnitude greater than that in natural river systems worldwide (0.1–0.3 μg L−1). The majority of the Se was hexavalent (3.1 ± 4.9 μg L−1; 65%), followed by tetravalent (0.53 ± 0.86 μg L−1; 15%) and organic forms (0.85 ± 1.5 μg L−1; 20%), possibly due to the generally alkaline conditions. Se concentrations in some sampling sites exceeded certain recommended limit of values. However, the existing criteria for Se in aquatic system are mainly based on total Se and the recommended limit of values in different countries or organizations are inconsistent with one another. Therefore, the need to consider Se speciation rather than only total Se is highlighted for future studies.  相似文献   

14.
《Applied Geochemistry》2006,21(11):1837-1854
Total dissolved and total particulate Hg mass balances were estimated during one hydrological period (July 2001–June 2002) in the Thur River basin, which is heavily polluted by chlor-alkali industrial activity. The seasonal variations of the Hg dynamics in the aquatic environment were assessed using total Hg concentrations in bottom sediment and suspended matter, and total and reactive dissolved Hg concentrations in the water. The impact of the chlor-alkali plant (CAP) remains the largest concern for Hg contamination of this river system. Upstream from the CAP, the Hg partitioning between dissolved and particulate phases was principally controlled by the dissolved fraction due to snow melting during spring high flow, while during low flow, Hg was primarily adsorbed onto particulates. Downstream from the CAP, the Hg partitioning is controlled by the concentration of dissolved organic and inorganic ligands and by the total suspended sediment (TSS) concentrations. Nevertheless, the particulate fluxes were five times higher than the dissolved ones. Most of the total annual flux of Hg supplied by the CAP to the river is transported to the outlet of the catchment (total Hg flux: 70 μg m−2 a−1). Downstream from the CAP, the bottom sediment, mainly composed of coarse sediment (>63 μm) and depleted in organic matter, has a weak capacity to trap Hg in the river channel and the stock of Hg is low (4 mg m−2) showing that the residence time of Hg in this river is short.  相似文献   

15.
This study reports on the seepage of metals, metalloids and radionuclides from the Mary Kathleen uranium mill tailings repository. Since rehabilitation in the 1980s, the capped tailings have developed a stratified hydrochemistry, with acid (pH 3.7), saline, metal-rich (Fe, Mn, Ni, U ± As, Pb, Zn), oxygenated (1.05 mg L−1 DO), radioactive waters in the upper tailings pile and near-neutral pH (pH 7.57), metal-poor, reduced (0.08 mg L−1 DO) waters at depth. Seepage (∼0.5 L s−1) of acid (pH 5.5), metal-rich (Fe, Mn ± Ni, U, Zn), radioactive (U-235, U-238, Ra-226, Ra-228, Ac-227) waters occurs from the base of the tailings dam retaining wall into the former evaporation pond and local drainage system. Oxygenation of the seepage waters causes the precipitation of Fe and coprecipitation and adsorption of other metals (U, Y), metalloids (As), rare earth elements (Ce, La) and radionuclides (U-235, U-238). By contrast, alkalis and alkaline–earth elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na, Sr), Mn, sulfate and to some degree metals (U, Zn, Ni), rare earth elements (Ce, La) and radionuclides (U-235, U-238, Ra-226, Ra-228) remain in solution until pH neutralisation and evaporation lead to their precipitation in efflorescences and sulfate-rich evaporative sediments. While the release of contaminant loads from the waste repository through seepage is insignificant (e.g. ∼5 kg of U per year), surface waters downstream of the tailings impoundment possess TDS, U and SO4 concentrations that exceed Australian water quality guideline values in livestock drinking water. Thus, in areas with a semi-arid climate, even insignificant load releases of contaminants from capped tailings repositories can still cause the deterioration of water quality in ephemeral creek systems.  相似文献   

16.
《Applied Geochemistry》2006,21(3):515-527
Dissolved and particulate Hg fluxes in the Lot–Garonne–Gironde fluvial-estuarine system were obtained from observation of daily discharge and suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations. In addition to the measurements of the total dissolved (<0.45 μm) and particulate Hg (>0.45 μm), called HgTD and HgTP respectively, the dissolved inorganic Hg species (HgRD) were determined monthly. Geochemical background values for HgTP in sediments and SPM were similar to crustal values and to typical concentrations in SPM of non-contaminated river systems, respectively. The Riou Mort watershed already known as the origin of important historical polymetallic (e.g., Cd, Zn) pollution was identified as an important Hg point source. In the downstream Lot River, Hg concentrations were clearly higher than those in other moderately contaminated systems. The mean relative contribution of HgRD to HgTD in the Lot River and in the Garonne River was close to 25% and 50%, respectively, and showed no correlation with water discharge or SPM concentration. Depending on the origin and nature of SPM, HgTP concentrations were correlated or not with particulate organic C (POC). Maximum HgTP concentrations were measured in samples containing low POC concentrations and were attributed to sediment resuspension. In contrast, high POC concentrations (6–17%) during algal blooms were associated with low/moderate HgTP concentrations (<0.5 mg kg−1) at different sites, suggesting that Hg concentrations in fluvial phytoplankton may be limited by bioavailability of dissolved Hg and/or physiologically controlled Hg accumulation. Mercury was mostly (up to 98%) transported in the particulate phase with estimated annual Hg fluxes at the outlet of the Lot River system ranging from 35 to 530 kg a−1 for the past decade. The minimum anthropogenic component (58–84% of total Hg fluxes) could not be explained by present Riou Mort point source contributions, suggesting important Hg release from contaminated sediment as a major source and from downstream point sources (e.g., coal-fired power plants and/or metal processing industries). HgTP concentrations and fluxes were strongly related to hydrologic variations and were clearly increased by riverbed dredging during lock construction. Therefore, the estimated Hg stocks in the Lot River sediment (5–13 tons) represent an important potential Hg source for the downstream fluvial-estuarine system.  相似文献   

17.
In total 27 short and one long sediment core, and 278 surface sediment samples from the Baltic Sea were analyzed for mercury (Hg), and organic carbon contents. Thirteen short cores and the long core were dated by radionuclide methods (210Pb, 137Cs, AMS14C). The dataset allows discriminating between natural and human induced changes on the Hg levels in Baltic Sea sediments. Preindustrial Holocene background concentrations vary between 20 and 50 μg Hg per kg dry sediment and are positively correlated with organic carbon changes. Strong human induced pollution is recorded for the second half of the past century and caused high Hg concentrations of up to several hundred μg Hg per kg dry sediment even in Baltic Sea basins. Maximum concentrations are found at industrial and war waste dumping sites (local hot spots). An Hg concentration decreasing trend toward the present day is observed at most coring sites, a result of environmental measures undertaken during the last two decades. At sites where it is possible to calculate Hg fluxes, the natural accumulation rates vary between 2.1 and 5.4 μg Hg per m2 per year. Anthropogenically sourced Hg accumulation rates vary in a wide range of 30 and 300 μg Hg per m2 per year for the time span of maximum pollution. In areas characterized by discontinuous sedimentation only “inventories” of human sourced Hg expressed as the total amount of deposited Hg (above the natural background) per m2 can be calculated. The inventories of the investigated cores vary in the range of 1 and 8 mg Hg per m2. Additionally, influences of sediment dynamics on spatial distribution pattern of Hg concentrations in surface and subsurface sediments are discussed.  相似文献   

18.
《Applied Geochemistry》2006,21(2):305-317
There is significant random and systematic variability in As concentrations in numerous public water system wells in Minnesota. Arsenic concentrations fluctuate above and below the USA’s As drinking water Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 μg/L. The average As concentration is commonly within one standard deviation of the MCL. Results of intensive sampling conducted over the course of approximately 1 year at 3 public water system wells is consistent with the analysis of historic As measurements. In some cases, significant As concentration variability was noted over a short period of time. In these wells, the As concentration was less than 10 μg/L shortly after pumping started, but the As concentration increased over time to a level exceeding 10 μg/L. In these wells, the As concentration decreased to below 10 μg/L again when pumping was briefly restarted after being stopped for 4 h. The As concentration variability is likely due to As adsorption reactions between Fe oxides in the well borehole and in the aquifer near the well borehole during periods when the pump is not in operation. When it is crucial to accurately determine true average As concentrations – for example, at one of the many wells that fluctuate above and below the regulatory As limit of 10 μg/L – it is worthwhile collecting samples frequently during pumping to more accurately determine the average As concentration. Determining a reliable average depends on the standard deviation (SD) of the measurements, with more measurements required if the SD is larger.  相似文献   

19.
《Applied Geochemistry》2006,21(6):1073-1082
In the lower part of the River Saale, Germany, U shows concentrations of up to 4 μg/L. Former mining activities and their still existing dewatering systems in the drainage basin of the River Saale are responsible for the high salt and trace metal concentrations in the water of some tributaries. An old adit from the Mansfeld mining district flowing into the Schlenze Stream with mean U concentrations of about 60 μg/L increases the U concentration of the River Saale by 0.5 μg/L. The U concentrations in the running waters of the study area can be explained by mixing processes. Uranium from the adit and the Schlenze is mainly transported in the <0.45 μm fraction as a carbonate complex.  相似文献   

20.
The petrological, geochemical, and mineralogical compositions of the coal-hosted Jurassic uranium ore deposit in the Yili Basin of Xinjiang province, northwestern China, were investigated using optical microscopy and field emission-scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, as well as X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The Yili coal is of high volatile C/B bituminous rank (0.51–0.59% vitrinite reflectance) and has a medium sulfur content (1.32% on average). Fusinite and semifusinite generally dominate the maceral assemblage, which exhibits forms suggesting fire-driven formation of those macerals together with forms suggesting degradation of wood followed by burning. The Yili coals are characterized by high concentrations of U (up to 7207 μg/g), Se (up to 253 μg/g), Mo (1248 μg/g), and Re (up to 34 μg/g), as well as As (up to 234 μg/g) and Hg (up to 3858 ng/g). Relative to the upper continental crust, the rare earth elements (REEs) in the coals are characterized by heavy or/and medium REE enrichment. The minerals in the Yili coals are mainly quartz, kaolinite, illite and illite/smectite, as well as, to a lesser extent, K-feldspar, chlorite, pyrite, and trace amounts of calcite, dolomite, amphibole, millerite, chalcopyrite, cattierite, siegenite, ferroselite, krutaite, eskebornite, pitchblende, coffinite, silicorhabdophane, and zircon. The enrichment and modes of occurrence of the trace elements, and also of the minerals in the coal, are attributed to derivation from a sediment source region of felsic and intermediate petrological composition, and to two different later-stage solutions (a U–Se–Mo–Re rich infiltrational and a Hg–As-rich exfiltrational volcanogenic solution). The main elements with high enrichment factors, U, Se, As, and Hg, overall exhibit a mixed organic–inorganic affinity. The uranium minerals, pitchblende and coffinite, occur as cavity-fillings in structured inertinite macerals. Selenium, As, and Hg in high-pyrite samples mainly show a sulfide affinity.  相似文献   

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