Ecological Characterization and Bio-Mitigation Potential of Heavy Metal Contamination in Metallurgically Affected Soil (original) (raw)
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
Surface soil samples were collected near the Open Pit Bor (S1) and Open Pit Cerovo (S2), a grassland along the Borska Reka River (S3) and an unpolluted garden near Slatina village (reference site). Spontaneous plants (dandelion, nettle, coltsfoot, and creeping buttercup) and vegetables (onion, garlic, carrot, parsley, celery, potatoes, dill, and sorrel) were obtained from the former three sites and the reference site, respectively. The samples were analyzed for Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Pb via FAAS. Pollution indices indicated low-to-moderate soil contamination at sites S1, S2, and S3. Cu was the main contaminant of environmental concern, being above the maximum admitted concentration at site S1. Metal levels in spontaneous plants were below phytotoxic levels. Cu content of leafy vegetables and celery roots and Pb content of most vegetables were not safe for human consumption. Metal concentrations tended to be significantly lower in plants than in soils, with only Cu occurring at signific...
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Soil and the dominant plant species in the vicinity of Khatoon Abad copper smelter in Kerman province of Iran are examined to determine contamination, bioavailability, and ecological-health risk of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) based on 23 collected soil samples and 13 Artemisia siebri plant species. Cu, Mo, As, and Sb display a significant level of enrichment in soil. Ecological risk assessment shows that Cu, As, and Cd pose the highest ecological risk. The results of PTEs fractionation reveal that, on average, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Mo are mostly distributed between non-residual fractions reflecting higher mobility and potential ecological risk, while Cr, Ni, and Co are significantly distributed within the residual fraction, and do not pose a serious ecological risk. Mobility factor suggests high bioavailability of Cu for plants followed by As, Cd, Pb, Mo, Co, Ni, and Cr. Biological accumulation coefficient displays higher phytoavailability of Mo and Cd. PTEs transfer within plant follows the order of Mo > As > Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni > Co > Cr > Cd. The results of phytoavailability indicate the high tendency of Cd to bioaccumulate in Artemisia's root, while Mo, As, and Pb tend to translocate towards Artemisia's shoot. Calculated hazard index and incremental lifetime cancer risk revealed that As poses the highest noncarcinogenic health risk, and As and Pb pose the greatest carcinogenic health risk in both adults and children.
Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 2017
Heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soils and plants of four different ecosystems (forest, grassland, agro and urban ecosystem) at different distances from the source of the pollution were analyzed in order to assess and compare soil contamination in the various ecosystems and determine the potential accumulation of plants depending on the place they inhabit. Correlation relationships among heavy metals in soils differ depending on the ecosystem, and between soil and plant, the heavy metals showed significant correlation for Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Contamination factor (C f), degree of contamination (C d) and pollution load index (PLI) were used in order to determine the level of environmental contamination of the study area. All studied ecosystems were rated as moderately contaminated (except agroecosystem, which was found as low contamination ecosystem) according to C d and extremely polluted according to PLI. The highest pollution in both cases was found in urban ecosystem, and Cd, Cu and Fe were determined as the biggest pollutants.
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Mining activities in the areas Krompachy and Rudňany-Markusovce were focused on mining and processing of copper and mercury ore and left harmful effects on the region of Eastern Slovakia. The aim of this study is using different screening methods (XRF, Phytotoxkit and earthworm bioassays) for environmental risk assessment of metal-contaminated areas. Elemental analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry indicated severe pollution of studied soils by Cu, Ni, As and Hg, which exceeded limit values. Significant positive correlation is found between Pb and Zn occurrence in the agricultural soil from Krompachy: Kluknava, and for the contents of particular metals in soil from permanent grass vegetation in Kolinovce locality, namely between Pb and Ni, Pb and Zn, and between Hg and Zn contents. A 7-day bioassay and avoidance test with the Dendrobaena veneta was used to assess the environmental risk of heavy metals in soils. The earthworms mortality was very little influenced by metals in Kr...
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This study presents a case study on the heavy metal analysis of soil and plant samples around the Murgul copper mine, one of the first and most important mining areas in Turkey. An attempt has been made to investigate the status of trace elements like Al 3+ , Fe 2+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Pb 2+ , Ni 2+ , Co 2+ and Cd 2+ in soils and plants. The sampling localities were taken from 500 m, 600 m, and 1000 m altitudes around the factory and at 1400 m in the forest zone. The aboveground parts and foliage ash of Silene compacta, Tussilago farfara, Smilax excelsa, Rhododendron ponticum, R. luteum, and herbal mix were analysed. The results of analysis have revealed the minimum and maximum concentrations measured in the plants as follows; aluminium (20-8985 mg kg-1), cadmium (0.0-0.5 mg kg-1), cobalt (0.0-5.5 mg kg-1), copper (0.0-347.5 mg kg-1), iron (25-9320 mg kg-1), lead (2-51 mg kg-1), nickel (1.5-16.5 mg kg-1), and zinc (13.0-221.0 mg kg-1). In the soil the concentrations of aluminium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, nickel, and zinc vary between 33-457, 0.0-0.0, 0.0-0.4, 0.1-88.7, 14-50, 0.3-4.1, 0.2-0.8, and 4.0-20.3 mg kg-1 respectively. These findings enlighten the fact that copper is generally toxic in the soils as well as plants. Silene compacta has been recorded as a high copper accumulator, behaving as a healthy plant on the polluted sites of the area alongside the Murgul creek (especially at 600 m). This study stresses the fact that it is imperative to assess and monitor the levels of heavy metals in the environment due to anthropogenic activities, including mining, for evaluation of human exposure and for sustainable environment.
Trace Metals in Soil and Plants Subjected to Strong Chemical Pollution
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The total concentrations of ten elements (Ag, As, Co, Cs, Fe, Ir, Ni, Rb, Sb, and Sc) were determined in soil and vegetation samples from the surroundings of a Cu-Ni smelter in Monchegorsk, Northwest Russia, and a background area in Naruska, North Finland. The samples were analysed by epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA). Elements emitted from the smelter (Ag, As, Co, Ir, Ni, and Sb) were mostly accumulated in the topsoil. Some elements also appeared to contaminate deeper soil layers. In both soil and vegetation the metal concentrations decreased with increasing distance from the smelter. The most significant contributor to the high concentrations of Fe and Sc near the smelter was probably damaged ground vegetation and subsequent wind erosion. Possibly high geochemical abundance of Fe and Sc may also have been a contributing factor. Concentrations of Cs and Rb in soil and vegetation generally increased with increasing distance from the pollution source. High negative correlations were evident between these elements and the elements emitted from the smelter, suggesting that cation exchange of Cs and Rb by the elements supplied from the smelter was likely occurring in the surface soil.
CLEANSoil, Air, Water, 2010
The investigation area is located to the east of Kütahya-Tavşanlı and, covers an area about 150 km 2 . The units cropping out in the study area comprise of metamorphic, volcanic, and sedimentary rocks ranging from Upper Paleozoic to Quaternary. There are some polymetallic ore deposits represented by silver, zinc, lead, and antimony deposits and some enrichments related to them such as As, Cd, Tl, Cu, Mn, Ba, and Sr around the Aktepe at the southeast of the study area. In order to investigate the heavy metal contents and contamination in soil and plants, some leaves, branches, and fruits of trees (Salix, oak: Quercus sp., pine: Pinus sp., apple: Malus communis, walnut: Juglans regia, poplar: Populus sp., plane: Platanus orientalis, pear: Pyrus communis, oleaster: Elaeagnus angustifolia) and some herbaceous plants like prickle and meadow samples have been collected and subjected to geochemical analysis. Mean element concentrations of soil samples are 0.7 ppm Ag, 82.6 ppm Pb, 165.3 ppm Zn, and 8.5 ppm Sb. The concentration of As, Cd, Tl, Cu, Mn, Ba, and Sr are 203.3, 1.5, 1.7, 32.6, 1059.5, 718.4, and 289.6 ppm, respectively. With respect to plants the average heavy metal concentrations are 0.14 ppm Ag, 2.49 ppm Pb, 52.34 ppm Zn, and 1.05 ppm Sb and the average concentration of As, Cd, Tl, Cu, Mn, Ba, and Sr are 4.41, 0.64, 0.19, 6.54, 119.80, 39.46 versus 41.21 ppm, respectively. Element distributions of soil and plants depend on to the distance from the present Ag-Pb-Zn-Sb deposits. Element concentrations of plants differ depending on not only plant type like tree and herbaceous plants but also the types of samples such as leaves, branches, or fruits of trees. Especially leaves of trees and herbaceous plants have relatively higher element concentrations. Therefore, people who and animals which live in this area and benefit from these soil and plants have vital risks.
Soil Biology Heavy Metal Contamination of Soils Monitoring and Remediation
2017
Soil is the principal constituent of earth ecosystem that comprises of a complicated mixture of organic matter, liquids, minerals, gases, and a diversity of organisms that sustain life (Huang et al. 1998). The composition and proportion of these constituents affect the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil which in turn affect its agricultural suitability. Soil interfaces with lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere playing important role in nutrient and organic wastes recycling, inhabiting microflora that aid decomposition processes, provide medium for plant growth and water storage. Soils continue to modify over time as a product of climate change, weathering, anthropogenic, and other biotic activities. It acts as sink for all chemicals generated from anthropogenic and natural activities (Jonathanet al. 2004). Retention time of different substances in soil ecosystems is longer than in hydrosphere and atmosphere because contaminants accumulate quickly in soils and deplete at a slow rate. Agricultural soils in this regard are greatly prone to anthropogenic substances which are used to enhance agricultural productivity. Wastewater irrigation, fossil fuel combustion, vehicle emission, mining/smelting activities, atmospheric deposition from municipal and industrial sectors, and application of fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage sludge have resulted in metal contamination of agricultural soils (Guvencc et al. 2003; Ali et al. 2014). Increased rate of heavy metal addition in soils has also accelerated corresponding metal biogeochemical cycles. Along with metals, many other organic substances, i.e., dieldrin, aldrin, lindane, pentachlorobenzene, heptachlor, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, endrin, mirex, hexachlorobenzene, endosulfans, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), toxaphene, chlordane, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and chlordecone, are found in agricultural soils generated from a diverse set of municipal and industrial activities. Soil contamination/pollution by anthropogenic activities is an established phenomenon with reports which date back to 100 BC (Eney and Petzold 1987). Heavy metals have relatively high density and are poisonous at extremely low concentrations. Elevated heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils are particularly important due to their persistence, toxicity, long half-lives, and bioaccumulation potential (Ali et al. 2014). They are a natural constituent of the earth’s crust, and many are necessary for normal metabolic functioning in plants, animals, and humans. In nature, their concentrations rarely exceed toxic levels unless intervened by any anthropogenic or natural activity. Their elevated concentration in surface soils and plants constitutes a general and recognized indication of environmental pollution (Panek 2000). Numerous studies to date have been conducted on the metal levels in soils and therein growing plants establishing environmental health concerns, i.e., food chain contamination. Pakistan is an agricultural country with two thirds of the population depending on the agriculture sector for their livelihood. An increase in agricultural production is directly related with the regional soil fertility and quality. For this reason, agricultural soils of Pakistan are facing an ever-increasing pressure not only to ensure sustainable food supplies to rapidly expanding population that is over 160 million now but also to support the livelihood of two thirds of the population. Besides salinity, fertility, and erosion problems in Pakistan soils, heavy metal accretion is an emerging issue with least concern from the legislatory bodies and policy makers. Wastewater irrigation, sewage sludge application, vehicle emissions, atmospheric deposition, and fertilizer/pesticide application are the major factors of heavy metal built-up in the agricultural soils of Pakistan (Ali et al. 2014). Agricultural soils near urban and peri-urban areas are more affected due to the complex anthropogenic activities. Recent studies in the agricultural soils of Sialkot, Gujranwala, Lahore, Kasur, Peshawar, Karachi, etc., have described heavy metal concentrations exceeding threshold levels (Midrar-ul-Haq et al. 2003; Tariq et al. 2005; Tariq et al. 2006; Malik et al. 2010a; Mushtaq and Khan et al. 2010; Ali et al. 2014). Heavy metals are known to affect crop quality/production, threatening human and livestock health through plant produce consumption. Such ecological risks associated with heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils are grave and urge remediation measures. Globally, food safety remains a major concern after food security. Plant metal uptake/contamination depends on the species type, metal loads in soils, bioavailability, and soil characteristics, i.e., pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, organic matter, texture, cation exchange capacity, sodium absorption ratio, and redox conditions. Atmospheric deposition can also be vital in metal deposition on plant surfaces via atmospheric dust thus contributing to crop contamination. Soil reclamation strategies in Pakistan are often ill practiced. Therefore, metal enrichment in agricultural soils continues indefinitely. Different lab-based studies have been continuously reported in literature for the metal removal from contaminated soils but unfortunately are not replicated in polluted areas. Compared to the high-tech metal removal technologies, more focus has been on the bioremediationrelated techniques owing to their cost-effectiveness and environment-friendly nature. Chemometric and geo-statistical approaches can be of momentous help in evaluating national metal loads and the identification of sources and hotspots that need to be reclaimed on top priority basis.
Detrimental Effects of Heavy Metals in Soil, Plants, and Aquatic Ecosystems and in Humans
Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 2018
Environmental pollution has posed a major threat to flora as well as fauna for the past few decades. Industries release effluents into the environment which act as the major source of pollution. The hazardous effects of heavy metals released from these industries impact the soil and due to bioaccumulation of these compounds in the food chain, they ultimately result in a serious human health hazard. The concentration of metals like chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), titanium (Ti), cobalt (Co), and several others in plants as well as in aquatic animals is above permissible limits according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) guidelines. This is why we need to prevent the aquatic ecosystem and human health from detrimental effects. In this review we will be discussing the harmful effects of these metals on soil, plants, aquatic ecosystems, and human health.