Heavy metal behaviour in peat – A mineralogical perspective (original) (raw)
Related papers
Ochrona Srodowiska i Zasobów Naturalnych, 2015
This article studied the extent of accumulation of aqua regia extractable metallic elements (Al, Mg, Pb, Zn, Hg, Cd) into peaty (histic) epipedon (EP) of fen soils, transitional bog soils, peaty gley soils and peaty podzols. The accumulation coefficients (Kac) of the elements in EP were estimated in relation of forest floor (FF, as an input) as a comparison to deeper levels (SS, as a past background). The study revealed that the extent of accumulation and its order depend on soil (peat) type or pedo-ecological conditions of peatification. In the forming of EP from FF, the concentrations of Al and Pb were increased on an average 2.5-5.0 times, but that of Hg increased significantly only in peaty soils (on an average 1.5-1.6 times). The contents of Zn were significantly decreased (Kac 0.1-0.5) in all soil groups. The comparison of EP peats concentrations with SS data demonstrated a considerable accumulation of Pb, Cd, Zn and Hg into thin (~20 cm) superficial peat layer.
Quaternary Science Reviews, 2020
Mountain ombrotrophic peatlands in Central Europe are an important stock of transboundary contamination both of natural and anthropogenic origin. The Snie _ zka Mountain (West Sudetes) forms a significant orographic barrier and receives aerosols from broadly-recognized anthropogenic sources (production and use of stainless steel, processing of uranium, coal combustion, nuclear weapon tests, and Chernobyl accident). The main objective of the study was to assess the pattern of distribution and origin of trace elements and to distinguish the long-range transport vs. local signals in two 210 Pb and 14 C e dated peat cores from the highest summit of the Karkonosze (West Sudetes) spanning the last 280 years. Maximum values and accumulations of almost all investigated elements (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Ti, Al, U, Sc, and REE) were identified around the 1970s. The analysis of peat using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the occurrence of spheroidal aluminosilicate fly ash particles (SAP) in the topmost 40 cm (from AD 1938) together with a maximum of mullite (3Al 2 O 3 $2SiO 2), an anthropogenic marker originating from coal-based power plants. The overall 206 Pb/ 207 Pb signature ranges from 1.160 to 1.173, indicating a predominant contribution of anthropogenic Pb. Human activities promote the release of mobile 234 U, due to the weaker bonds to mineral structure, and cause the radiogenic disequilibrium between 238 U and its daughter 234 U.
Peat properties, major and trace element accumulation in bog peat in Latvia
Baltica, 2009
In this study the trace and major elements and the character of their accumulation in peat, with a particular emphasis on peat properties and the impact of local and regional pollution sources on the character of element accumulation in the ombrotrophic bogs in Latvia, have been analysed. The values of the element concentrations in peat taken from 44 bogs in Latvia reflect the local processes of element concentrations in the peat mass indicating accumulation of trace elements, apparently of anthropogenic origin (Pb, Cd, Co, Ni and others), in the upper layers of the peat profiles. In addition they indicate accumulation of several elements (for example, As, Cr, and others) in deeper layers of bog, possibly due to the feeding pattern, depending on the saturation of the groundwater. The trace element sorption capacity onto peat is influenced by the peat properties and depends on the concentration of oxygen containing functional groups in peat and is growing with an increasing degree of decomposition and humic/fulvic acid ratio of the peat humic matter. Peat seems to be largely unsaturated in respect to metal ions, but the peat sorption capacity can be correlated with the presence of nitrogen containing ligands and humic/fulvic acid ratio.
Energy & Fuels, 2002
The Philippi peat, NE Greece, constitutes one of the largest fossil fuel deposits in the Balkans and its potential use for power generation cannot be ruled out in the future. In this study, the concentrations of 43 trace elements (Ag, As, Yb, Zn, and Zr) in the 550°C peat ashes are determined and related to the concentrations in the bulk peat, to evaluate the behavior of each element during combustion. Mineralogical analysis of the chemically oxidized peat samples revealed that clay minerals, feldspars, quartz, gypsum, and calcite are the dominant mineral phases. The behavior of the trace elements during combustion depends significantly on this mineral composition that, in turn, depends on the depositional conditions during peat accumulation.
Atmospheric Supply of Trace Elements Studied by Peat Samples from Ombrotrophic Bogs
Journal of Environment Quality, 2005
in 1979 at 21 different sites across Norway . Preliminary results from the chemical analyses were pre-Concentrations of Fe and 12 trace elements in peat from ombrosented by . In trophic bogs were used to estimate the atmospheric deposition of these elements on a temporal and spatial scale. Peat samples were this paper the distribution of 13 elements (As, Cd, Co, collected at 21 different sites in Norway encompassing large geograph-Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Zn) with depth is ical differences in marine influence and air pollution. The study dempresented. In addition to discussing temporal trends in onstrates that surface peat is an excellent medium to study geographiatmospheric deposition, the paper focuses on the feasical differences in heavy metal deposition, provided that effects of the bility of using surface peat for the study of spatial trends.
Sources and distribution of trace elements in Estonian peat
Global and Planetary Change, 2006
This paper presents the results of the distribution of trace elements in Estonian mires. Sixty four mires, representative of the different landscape units, were analyzed for the content of 16 trace elements (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb using AAS; Cd by GF-AAS; Hg by the cold vapour method; and V, Co, As, Sr, Mo, Th, and U by XRF) as well as other peat characteristics (peat type, degree of humification, pH and ash content). The results of the research show that concentrations of trace elements in peat are generally low: V 3.8 ± 0.6, Cr 3.1 ± 0.2, Mn 35.1 ± 2.7, Co 0.50 ± 0.05, Ni 3.7 ± 0.2, Cu 4.4 ± 0.3, Zn 10.0 ± 0.7, As 2.4 ± 0.3, Sr 21.9 ± 0.9, Mo 1.2 ± 0.2, Cd 0.12 ± 0.01, Hg 0.05 ± 0.01, Pb 3.3 ± 0.2, Th 0.47 ± 0.05, U 1.3 ± 0.2 μg g− 1 and S 0.25 ± 0.02%. Statistical analyses on these large database showed that Co has the highest positive correlations with many elements and ash content. As, Ni, Mo, ash content and pH are also significantly correlated. The lowest abundance of most trace elements was recorded in mires fed only by precipitation (ombrotrophic), and the highest in mires fed by groundwater and springs (minerotrophic), which are situated in the flood plains of river valleys. Concentrations usually differ between the superficial, middle and bottom peat layers, but the significance decreases depending on the type of mire in the following order: transitional mires – raised bogs – fens. Differences among mire types are highest for the superficial but not significant for the basal peat layers.The use of peat with high concentrations of trace elements in agriculture, horticulture, as fuel, for water purification etc., may pose a risk for humans: via the food chain, through inhalation, drinking water etc.
Environmental Geology, 2004
The Oostriku peat bog (central Estonia) has been exposed to metal-rich groundwater discharge over a long period of time and has accumulated high concentrations of Fe (up to 40 wt-%), heavy metals (e.g. Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu), and As. In this study, the peat was characterised with respect to composition and metal content with depth. The peat pore water was analysed and compared to a spring water emerging at the site. Sequential extraction, using a Tessier scheme optimised for iron-rich sediments, was used to understand the relative roles of binding mechanisms involved in the retention of different metals in the peat. Significant difference in depth distribution was found between different metals bound in the peat, which was partly attributed to varying compositions of the peat with depth and different dominant binding mechanisms for different metals.
Baltica, 2016
The article presents a study of the physico-chemical properties of fen peat and their influence on the metal accumulation patterns in three Latvian fens: Svētupes Mire, Elku Mire and Vīķu Mire. Full peat profiles were obtained at all study sites and analysed with a multi-proxy approach. The content of metals in fen peat was determined using the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and normalised to the concentration of Ti in the studied peat profiles. Both the character of deposits and agricultural land use in the mire catchment areas were taken into account and the possible natural and anthropogenic metal supply sources were evaluated. The content of metals in the studied fen peat significantly varied due to the heterogeneity of fen environment; however, noticeable similarities were also traced throughout all study sites. The results indicate an increased amount of transition metals and Pb in the upper peat layer. This can be explained by a direct impact from anthropogenic sources ...
Environmental Pollution, 2007
The Oostriku peat bog (central Estonia) has been exposed to metal-rich groundwater discharge over a long period of time and has accumulated high concentrations of Fe (up to 40 wt-%), heavy metals (e.g. Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu), and As. In this study, the peat was characterised with respect to composition and metal content with depth. The peat pore water was analysed and compared to a spring water emerging at the site. Sequential extraction, using a Tessier scheme optimised for iron-rich sediments, was used to understand the relative roles of binding mechanisms involved in the retention of different metals in the peat. Significant difference in depth distribution was found between different metals bound in the peat, which was partly attributed to varying compositions of the peat with depth and different dominant binding mechanisms for different metals.