Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies) Research Papers (original) (raw)

Constructed wetlands are built to meet a number of regulatory requirements, including compensatory mitigation for wetland losses, treatment of wastewater, and reduction of non-point-source pollution. Natural processes in the wetland stabilize the substrate, enhance permeability, remove organic, inorganic and microbiological contaminants and facilitate the flux of gases between the sediments and atmosphere. Here we present the results of an ongoing study to evaluate the nutrient retention efficiency of a constructed wetland at the Mansfield Campus of the Ohio State University, built to mitigate the loss of stream and wetlands resulting from the construction of the Riedl Hall in 2005. The wetland is also used for stormwater retention, draining 190,000 m2 of campus uplands. Water samples have been collected monthly since April, 2009 and used for determination of organic and inorganic nutrients. Samples were collected at both the inflow and the outflow. Water temperature, pH, and concentration of total dissolved solids were also measured in situ using portable meters. Although there was considerable variability in the dataset, the mean values for all variables but pH were higher in the inflow compared to the outflow (Total Dissolved Solids = 11% higher; Total Oxidized Nitrogen (NO3 + NO2) = 46% higher; NH4 = 51% higher; PO4 = 122% higher; Total Nitrogen = 37% higher; Total Phosphorus = 43% higher; pH = 1% lower). These downstream changes in the studied variables were attributed primarily to biogeochemical processes in the wetland, which removes excess nutrients and improves water quality. The nutrient removal efficiency of the wetland varied considerably between seasons. Highest nutrient removal was observed during the summer (~40% efficiency), while the lowest was observed in the fall (~25% efficiency). Higher efficiency was observed in the removal of PO4 (65% in summer), while TON had the lowest removal efficiency (22% in the fall). There is a positive significant correlation between precipitation and DIN concentrations in both the inflow and outflow stations. Precipitation events explain 73% of the variability in DIN concentrations on the inflow and 87% of the variability on the outflow. On average, a reduction of 14% in the nutrient removal efficiency of the Riedl wetland was observed after rainfall events.

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- Geochemistry, Wetlands, Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies), Water quality

Red mud (RM) is a byproduct of aluminum production, worldwide between 70 and 120 million tons are produced annually. We analyzed RM which was released in the course of the Kolonatar disaster in Hungary into the environment in acute and genotoxicity experiments with plants which are widely used for environmental monitoring. We detected induction of micronuclei which reflect
chromosomal damage in tetrads of Tradescantia and in root cells of Allium as well as retardation of root growth with contaminated soils and leachates. Chemical analyses showed that RM contains metals, in particular high concentrations of vandadium. Follow up experiments indicated that vanadate causes the effects in the plants. This compound causes also in humans DNA damage and positive results were obtained in carcinogenicity studies. Since it was found also in RM from other production sites our findings indicate that its release in the environment is a global problem which should be studied in more detail.

- by Ian Burke and +1
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- Environmental Science, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies), Environmental Chemistry

For the first time the abundances (the average concentrations) of chemical elements are given for the soils of urban landscapes. The figures were established by authors on the base of average concentrations of chemical elements in the soils of more than 300 cities and settlements in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and America. The major part of data (sampling, analyses and their statistical treatment) was obtained directly by authors as a result of special studies conducted for more than 15 years. The concentrations of elements were defined by the spectral, gravimetric, neutron activation and the X-ray fluorescence methods of analyses. The control of sampling and also inner and outer laboratory controls of analyses were carried out. The ordinary and the control analyses were carried out in the certified and accredited laboratories, including arbitration laboratory. The sufficiently numerous published materials of different researchers were also used.

Regulatory agencies in the State of Nevada collect large quantities of geochemical and hydrologic data related to the permitting, operation, and closure of mine sites. Although these data currently aid agencies in the determination of applicable permitting decisions, they are not organized into a queryable electronic database format. A relational database, designed to ensure data integrity and usability for both state agencies and secondary users, is currently being populated that will contain all project-related geochemical and hydrologic data for permitted Nevada mine sites. Although not yet populated statewide , the current database allows for advanced analytical functions related to the determination of groundwater flow paths, analysis of geochemical characteristics of groundwater and surface waters, and determination of regulatory compliance. Eventually the database will become publically available and possibly linked to other applicable datasets, improving public access to relevant observational data and advancing the understanding of hydrologic and geochemical processes affecting water within and near mine sites.

We conducted several experiments regarding geochemical analyses of element contents in soils and carbonate rocks. Results determined by aqua regia dissolution, PRXF, and XRF are not directly comparable.
While comparability might be achieved for aqua regia dissolution results by applying empirical correction
factors, inhomogeneities of natural samples lead to problems regarding the comparability of PXRF results.
PXRF can only be useful if the method is applied consistently with due consideration of sample homogeneity. Determination of the possible contribution of insoluble residue of carbonate rocks to soil development is
connected with methodical problems that make such comparisons difficult. It cannot be excluded that other
minerals than calcium carbonate are leached during rock weathering, including relatively stable minerals
such as those containing Ti and rare earth elements (REE). As well, it seems likely that such elements will
be dissolved to a largely unknown degree in the laboratory when producing residue by controlled acid dissolution from the rock. The situation looks better for the comparability of clay mineral assemblages, but the
possibility of clay neoformation in soils and in the rock-soil contact zone with so far unknown quantities and
controlling factors leads again to methodical difficulties of comparisons of bedrock and soil.

Rivers are an important feature of most landscapes, acting as the principal mechanism for the transport of weathered debris away from upland areas and carrying it to lakes and seas, where much of the clastic sediment is deposited. River systems can also be depositional, accumulating sediment within channels and on floodplains. The grain size and the sedimentary structures in the river channel deposits are determined by the supply of detritus, the gradient of the river, the total discharge and seasonal variations in flow. Overbank deposition consists mainly of finer-grained sediment, and organic activity on alluvial plains contributes to the formation of soils, which can be recognized in the stratigraphic record as palaeosols. Water flows over the land surface also occur as unconfined sheet-floods and debris flows that form alluvial fans at the edges of alluvial plains. Fluvial and alluvial deposits in the stratigraphic record provide evidence of tectonic activity and indications of the palaeo-climate at the time of deposition. Comparisons between modern and ancient river systems should be carried out with care because continental environments have changed dramatically through geological time as land plant and animal communities have evolved.

Red mud is highly alkaline (pH 13), saline and can contain elevated concentrations of several potentially toxic elements (e.g. Al, As, Mo and V). Release of up to 1 million m3 of bauxite residue (red mud) suspension from the Ajka repository, western Hungary, caused large scale contamination of downstream rivers and floodplains. There is now concern about the potential leaching of toxic metal(loid)s from the red mud as some have enhanced solubility at high pH. This study investigated the impact of red mud addition to three different Hungarian soils with respect to trace element solubility and soil geochemistry. The effectiveness of gypsum amendment for the rehabilitation of red mud-contaminated soils was also examined. Red mud addition to soils caused a pH increase, proportional to red mud addition, of up to 4 pH units (e.g. pH 7  11). Increasing red mud addition also led to significant increases in salinity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and aqueous trace element concentrations. However, the response was highly soil specific and one of the soils tested buffered pH to around pH 8.5 even with the highest red mud loading tested (33% w/w); experiments using this soil also had much lower aqueous Al, As, and V concentrations. Gypsum addition to soil / red mud mixtures, even at relatively low concentrations (1% w/w) was sufficient to buffer experimental pH to 7.5-8.5. This effect was attributed to the reaction of Ca2+ supplied by the gypsum with OH- and carbonate from the red mud to precipitate calcite. The lowered pH enhanced trace element sorption and largely inhibited the release of Al, As and V. Mo concentrations, however, were largely unaffected by gypsum induced pH buffering due to the greater solubility of Mo (as molybdate) at circumneutral pH. Gypsum addition also leads to significantly higher porewater salinities and column experiments demonstrated that this increase in total dissolved solids persisted even after 25 pore volume replacements. Gypsum addition could therefore provide a cheaper alternative to recovery (dig and dump) for treatment of red mud affected soils. The observed inhibition of trace metal release within red mud affected soils was relatively insensitive to either the percentage of red mud or gypsum present, making the treatment easy to apply. However, there is risk that over-application of gypsum could lead to detrimental long term increases in soil salinity.

Nikola Todorov, Rumen Penin, Zornitza Cholakova, Mimoza Konteva, Tanja Stoilkova. LANDSCAPE FEATURES OF THE SOUTHER PART OF VLAHINA MOUNTAIN
The contemporary landscapes of Vlahina Mountain have emerged as a result of interaction between the basic nature factors – the geological structure, characterized by varied lithology and the tectonic development; the climate features that impact forming of specific mezoclimate; the anthropogenic factor has also left a significant imprint on the landscape components. Therefore, only a few natural landscapes have been preserved, located in areas hard to approach. The secondary (modified) complexes occupy in return considerable territories. Large-scale (1:50 000) landscape mapping has been carried out. Landscape-geochemical soil and bottom-sediment investigations have been conducted. Geochemical background of the area in research has been obtained, and spots of high heavy metals content traced.
Key words: landscape, contemporary landscapes, geochemical landscape, landscape functioning, spatial structure.

- by Rumen Lubenov and +1
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- Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies), Environmental Soil Science, Heavy Metal Pollution, Lanscape Ecology

Plastics are an essential commodity due to their superior engineering properties, durability and low cost for utilization in various commercial products. However, the degradation of plastics due to several environmental stresses has led to the formation of microplastics (MPs). MPs have risen to the top of environmental concerns due to their affinity to pollute the environment and to pass it to the food chain, threatening human health. In this context, attempts have been made to extract and characterise MPs from aqueous and solid matrices. A problem that not only hampers research but also regulatory decisions is the variety of methods used for the extraction and characterisation of MPs, especially in organic solid matrices (OSMs) with organic matter >5%, making the comparison of results difficult. This paper aims to address this by critically assessing the methodologies used for the extraction and
qualitative and quantitative characterisation of MPs in OSMs. Further, the current impediments in the accurate characterisation of MPs in OSMs are identified, along with recommendations for future research. Finally, recent efforts by various countries to legislate against certain sources of MPs, as well as issues and novel techniques to remediate MPs from the soil, and wastewater have been highlighted.

This article deals with some geochemical parameters of some selected chemical data of the younger granite of Egypt. The younger granites have a composition ranging from Alkali feldspar granite to syenogranites. the major oxides (FeO, CaO, MgO, Al2O3, MnO, Na2O) show symmetrical variation which indicated continuous variation and fractional crystallization from the pure magmatic melt. It was concluded that these rocks exhibit alkaline affinity and fractional crystallization from the magmatic melt. This younger granites are classified according to their geological setting and petrography to belong to Phase III which is mainly alkali granites. The younger granite of Egypt seems to be homogeneous chemically and mineralogically, unfoliated, hard resist weathering to a great extent. The relations between Al2O3 and SiO2 indicate that most investigated samples are post-orogenic granite(POG). These results are also confirmed by using the relation between (FeOt/FeOt+MgO) and SiO2 wt%.

Mimoza Konteva, Rumen Penin, Zornitza Cholakova. Contemporary landscape structure and geoecological state of Gaber ketle (Burel )
The article deals with the contemporary landscape structure of Gaber kettle and its ecological state
as a result of mining industry, agriculture and second-hand tyres recycling factory impact. Heavy metals
and arsenic concentrations in the area of Beli breg coal-mine are analyzed. Recommended activities
model of landscape restoration after the coal extraction ceasing is created.
Key words: landscape, geoecological state, heavy metals, arsenic in coals, restoration.

Geological map is a veritable planning tool for the economic development of any nation. The map contains distribution of various bedrock in the Area. Geological map of Nigeria geographical landmass has been produced since 1964 which is usually updated annually. However, this large map somehow omits some local geology of interest, possibly due to large area coverage. Thus, local geology must be studied to correct and bridge this gap. The area of study is Olaoluwa Local Government, Osun State, South western Nigeria. The area under study lies between Longitude 07˚ 41’ 30” N - 07˚ 45’ 00” N and Latitude 04˚ 11’ 15” E - 04˚ 15’ 00” E. The area falls within the basement complex of South Western Nigeria. The outcrops encountered in this area were metamorphic in nature, aided by petrographic and petrogenesis study of the outcrop. The rocks found were determined to be Granite Gneiss.
Deformational tectonic events that accompanied the Pan African orogeny were mapped out in the area resulting to the development of structural elements such as mineral lineation, foliation, jointing and veins. Faulting and Folding were averagely present which suggest medium – intensity deformation. Measured structural parameters revealed NW –SW trending of general orientation of foliations and minerals of the outcrops trend, which conforms with the direction of stream flow as an indication of stream flow as an indication of the streams structurally controlled. In addition, majority of the outcrop crystalline outcrops were dipping east.
Considering a mineral perspective, the outcrops consist mainly of Quartz, Feldspar (Plagioclase and Microcline) and Mica (Biotite and Muscovite), and some opaque mineral.

The Jurassic lake deposits of the Hartford Basin contain abundant and well-preserved
fossil fish that have greatly informed the development of Jurassic fish phylogenies
and paleoecologies. While the preservation of these fossil fish is known to be largely
restricted to the microlaminated black shales deposited during periods of lake level
highstand, fossilized fish are only found within a subset of these black shale units.
Additionally, fossil fish specimens collected from fossiliferous exposures across the
basin have a high degree of variability in preservation quality. Investigations into the
paleoenvironmental context of fossil preservation and fossil quality within the
Westfield fossil fish bed of the East Berlin Formation provide a framework for this
study. Quantitative examination of this observed variability in the quality of
preservation was conducted first through the development of a scaled index of
preservation based on taphonomic parameters of preservation, and second through
examination of mineralogical composition of fossil fishes and coprolites. Finally, the
use of geochemical paleoenvironmental proxies sought to identify the mechanisms by
which exceptional fossil quality is controlled. While the use of Fe-S based marine
paleoredox proxies failed to resolve any significant differences in the prevailing
redox conditions between non-fossiliferous and fossiliferous shales, δ34Spy – pyrite S
trends were characteristic of sulfate reduction in closed, anoxic and chemically
stratified basins, while non-fossiliferous shales had no such trend. Extent of sulfate
reduction was seen to increase with increasing inferred lake depth and quality of
mineralogical and taphonomic fossil preservation. It is therefore likely that the
prevalence of anoxic and acidic bottom waters within stratified lake hypolimnions
can mediate the switch from predominantly carbonate mineralization of organic hard
and soft tissues, to the mineralization of diagenetically resistant apatite mineral
phases which are primarily associated with Westfield specimens of higher
taphonomic and mineralogical quality of preservation.

INHA, Paris, salle Mariette
Mercredi 23 mars 2022, 14h-16h

- by Christophe Morhange and +1
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- Geoarchaeology, Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies), Archaeometry, Urban archaeology

A total of five borehole samples were collected from five towns in Owerri metropolis, South-eastern Nigeria and subjected to physio-chemical analysis using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and other standard equipment with the aim of characterizing and analysing the groundwater quality indicators. These quality indicators are namely: pH, temperature, total hardness, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, SO42-, Cl-, NO3-, Fe2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, and Cr2+. With the aid of geochemical diagrams acquired using Aquachem 2014.2, we classified the groundwater samples into their respective hydrogeochemical facies, identified their relative similarity and demonstrated the irrigability of the groundwater. The results showed that the groundwater quality indicators occur in the groundwater in amounts that fall within their respective permissible limits as set by World Health Organization (WHO) Drinking Water Standard, and therefore ascertained the groundwater portable and suitable for drinking. The pH of the groundwater has a mean value of 6.7 with a standard deviation of 0.26. The relative abundance of the majority of cations follows this sequence - Na+ > Ca2+ > K+ > Mg2+, while that of the anions follow this sequence - HCO3- > Cl- > SO42- > NO3-. Heavy metals constituents of the groundwater follow this order of relative abundance - Zn2+ > Fe2+ > Mn2+ > Cu2+ > Cr2+ > Pb2+. Three hydrogeochemical facies were identified in the area and they are: the Na+—Cl- water type, the Mixed Ca2+-Na+-HCO3- water type and the Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3- water type. Great similarities were identified between the geochemical composition of the samples and they are all evidently suitable for irrigation purposes. The TDS level and concentration of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl- demonstrated the freshness and softness of the groundwater, with no laxative effects. From series of computations and plots, silicate weathering and seawater intrusion were deduced to be the dominant factors controlling the groundwater chemistry, though there is evidence of poor rock dissolution – immature water-rock equilibrium.

The study described herein concerns the application of geostatistical methods to data soil from Montemor-O-Novo area
(Southern Portugal). In the area, the gold mineralised zones (Banhos, Caeiras, Fale´s, Gamela, Malaca and Monfurado) are
characterised by different geological settings and mineralogical assemblages. A total of 1211 soil samples were collected in
Montemor-O-Novo area and analysed for Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Ba and Au by atomic absorption spectrometry.
To account for spatial structure, simple and cross variograms were computed for the main directions of the grid sampling.
From the experimental variograms a linear model of coregionalization composed of three structures, a nugget effect and two
anisotropic spherical structures, was fitted to each of the six variables. The coregionalization matrices deduced from the
theoretical model show the relationships between the variables at different scales. These matrices were compared with those
obtained by principal component analysis (PCA).
This methodology was the basis for estimating the corresponding spatial components (Y0, Y1 and Y2) using factorial
kriging analysis (FKA). Maps of raw data, Y0, Y1 and Y2 were made for each variable.
The use of multivariate analysis permit the study of the spatial structure intrinsic to geochemical data and the identification
and refinement of significant anomalies related to Au-bearing mineral deposits.

- by Paula Marinho Reis and +1
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- Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies), Data Analysis, Paleoenvironment, Geostatistics
- by Davies Theophilus and +1
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- Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies)

Two hundred and three groundwater samples
were collected during March 2011 to June 2012 from
the B2/A7 aquifer water supply wells of northern part of
Jordan. The physicochemical properties were analyzed
in situ for the major cations, anions, while certain
heavy metals were analyzed in the laboratory. Some
oilshale rock samples were geochemically analyzed.
The Upper Cretaceous aquifer (B2/A7) is used as water
supply for most of the communities in the study area. It
consists of limestone, marly limestone, bedded chert,
and minor phosphorite. Hydrochemical results from
the B2/A7 aquifer indicate two main water types:
alkaline-earth water (CaHCO3) and alkaline-earth water
with high alkaline component (NaHCO3
�, Na2SO4).
Standard column leaching experiments on oilshale rock
samples and the R-mode factor analysis suggest that the
sources for elevated Mo concentrations in the groundwater
of certain parts of northern Jordan are attributed to
water-oilshale interaction, mobility of Mo down to the
groundwater and the extensive use of fertilizers within
these areas. Molybdenum (Mo) concentrations in the
groundwater water range from 0.07 to 1.44 mg/L
with an average value of 98 �g/L. They are found
to exceed the JISM and WHO guidelines in two
areas in northern part of Jordan. Spatial distribution
of Mo, using ordinary kriging techniques and
the resulting map, shows high Mo concentration in
the northwestern part near Wadi Al Arab area
reaching concentrations of 650 �g/L and in the
southeastern corner of the investigated area, south
of Al Ukaydir village, with an average concentration
of 468 �g/L. Both areas are characterized by
extensive oilshale exposures with average concentration
of 11.7 mg/kg Mo and intensive agricultural
activities. These two areas represent approximately
33 % of the groundwater in the northern part of
Jordan. Mobility of Mo to the groundwater in
northern part of Jordan is attributed to two mechanisms.
First, there is reductive dissolution of Fe-oxide,
which releases substantial adsorbed Mo concentrations.
Secondly, there is oxidation of Mo into dissolved forms
in sulfide organic-rich system.

- by Kholoud Mashal and +2
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- Hydrogeology, Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies), Water quality, Effect of Toxic Elements on Human Health

Zornitza Cholakova, Daniela Avetisyan. LANDSCAPE-GEOCHEMICAL FEATures OF LOM RIVER BASIN IN WEST BALKAN АND WEST FOREBALKAN MOUNTAINS
The article presents the results of the microelements-heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni) concentration and differentiation study in the rock formations, soils, rivers bottom sediments and water of Lom river basin in West Balkan and West Forebalkan mountains. The results are compared with average data for background and technogenic regions of Bulgaria, with the threshold and maximum permissible standard concentrations, and with the data of the national environmental monitoring system. Special attention is paid to the area of biosphere reserve “Chuprene”.
Key words: heavy metals, geochemical landscape, soils, bottom sediments, biosphere reserve.

- by Zornitza Cholakova and +1
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- Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies), Landscape, Heavy Metal Pollution

Four overbank profiles from the three terraces of different age were sampled in 10 to 20 cm intervals for the bulk content of major and minor (Ca, Mg, Fe, Ti, Al, Na, K and P) and trace (Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, As, U, Th, Sr, Cd, Sb, V, La, Cr, Ba, W, Zr, Ce, Sn, Y, Nb, Ta, Sc, Li, Rb and Hf) elements in the minus 0.125 mm fraction. Univariate statistics together with analysis of variance discriminated between the lower-lying carbonate (CA) population dominantly composed of carbonates and the overlying silicate (SI) population being dominantly of silicate mineralogy. This stratified pattern resulted from the intensive erosive action of melting glaciers exerted on limestones and dolomites in the alpine region, followed by local inputs mainly of silicate composition. Elements exhibiting the greatest between-population variability are Ca and Mg being enriched in the CA population and Fe, Mn, P, Sr, Al, Na, K, Li, Rb, Y, Zr, Ni, Cr and Ti being enriched in the SI population. Anomalously high Hg, Pb and Ba concentrations (maximum values: 6,500±2,860 ppb, 225±13 ppm and 1,519±91 ppm, respectively) in the lowermost part of the profile S7, which is nearest to the Croatian-Slovenian border, derive from the mineralized Slovenian catchment area. This profile also contains trimodal frequency distributions of Fe, Mn and P whose highest concentrations coincide with increased values of Zn and Cu which are bimodally distributed. Geochemical patterns of majority of elements in all four profiles consistently reflect the average compositions of the upstream drainage basins.

How do the environments and social structures that we create and modify to suit our needs affect the individuals that live and work within those environments? Bioarchaeology and political ecology provide novel means by which to understand how the environments we create, both social environments and our modifications of the natural environment, can affect the body and individuals’ health disproportionately. This dissertation uses osteological analyses, historic records, trace element analysis (arsenic, barium, and lead), and isotopic analyses (various lead isotopes as well as strontium 87/86) to evaluate how different types of anthropogenic environments can be retained within and have an effect upon the body. Key in this dissertation is how anthropogenic environments and industrial practices transformed environments during the Industrial Revolution in England, and how individuals’ interaction with their environments depended upon elements of their biosocial identity and the inequality present within society, both of which ultimately dictate what environments individuals can access. Accordingly, the anthropogenic processes that transformed environments in England and which were prevalent during the industrial period were a systemic threat that had far reaching consequences throughout the country, and possibly the world.
This dissertation studies two archaeological collections of individuals from England during the Industrial Revolution. Neither collection is extreme in being either completely industrial and urban, or completely rural and agrarian. Instead, these collections fall within the mid-range of industrialization, though one is larger and more industrialized than the other. The more industrial population was buried at St. Hilda’s parish in South Shields, a large industrial town with a variety of industries that include nearby coal mines and the construction of ships and steam engines. The more agrarian population was buried at St. Peter’s church in Barton-upon-Humber, a small market town focused on agriculture. These collections were chosen, as was this time period, because they represent populations of individuals who lived during dramatic environmental change, but before environmental and occupational legislation was passed to prevent pollution and job-related hazards. Therefore, this dissertation focuses on the extent to which individuals were exposed to the pollutants present in their environments, and how this exposure occurred disproportionately based on aspects of their identity and the regions in which they lived.
Prior to osteological and sample analyses, it was predicted that the population from St. Hilda’s would have experienced greater pollutant exposure and adverse health outcomes than the population from St. Peter’s, and that this could be seen in the concentration of key trace elements in their bones. It was also predicted that men from St. Hilda’s should have greater concentrations of trace elements in their bones compared to women due to the more hazardous nature of men’s work during this time period. Furthermore, it was predicted that as a consequence of the concentrations of trace element pollutants in individual’s bones, the population from St. Hilda’s would have experienced a greater variety of negative health outcomes associated with exposure.
The findings of this dissertation do not support all of these predictions, however. There were no differences in stature between the two populations, indicating that either there was some buffer in South Shields that protected the individuals from St. Hilda’s from the causative factors of decreased stature, or that there were similar hazards in both South Shields and Barton-upon-Humber. There were also a significantly greater number of older women among the population from St. Hilda’s compared to St. Peter’s, further reinforcing this finding. In regard to the pollutants present in both environments, there were harmful concentrations of different trace element pollutants in the skeletal samples from both populations (lead among those from St. Peter’s, and barium and arsenic among those from St. Hilda’s), and women from St. Hilda’s show significantly higher levels of arsenic and barium in their bodies compared to men. Furthermore, the men from St. Peter’s had significantly greater skeletal concentrations of lead compared to the men from Sr. Hilda’s.
The findings of this dissertation contradict the assumptions that the countryside and more rural environments provided safe and clean escapes from industrial cities and towns, and that women experienced fewer hazards in terms of pollutant exposure compared to men. Instead, there was continuity in environments throughout England during the Industrial Revolution such that the major changes and processes that occurred in industrial cities affected the entire country. A more agrarian town like Barton-upon-Humber was not immune to the pollutants and harmful effects of industry. However, living in a larger and more industrial town like South Shields was not entirely harmful to its population, either. Potential routes of exposure to pollutants and toxic compounds include not only occupational exposure, but also exposure as a result of burning coal in the home and workplace for heat, energy, and to cook food, as well as the use of goods made with toxic compounds – “silent killers” that could be found in homes throughout the country.

- by Sara A . McGuire
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- History, Geochemistry, Anthropology, Biological Anthropology

Urinary stone diseases are increasing in the Middle East. The majority of urinary stone cases are found in the northern part of the country. Stone samples taken from patients living in the Irbid area were collected from Princess Basma Hospital. The present study concentrates on the mineralogical and chemical composition of the urinary stones and on the effective environmental factors that assist in developing the different types of urinary stones. Using X-ray diffraction techniques, the mineralogical composition of the urinary stones was found to be as follows: oxalate, cholesten, and uric acid, with cystine stones occuring more frequently than the others. Cholesten and calcium oxalate stones are the most dominant types of stones. Calcium oxalate is the most common type of oxalate stone. Calcium oxalate is represented in: whewellite, wheddellite, and calcium carbonate oxalate hydrate minerals, in addition to other minerals such as brushite, ammonium phosphate, vaterite, valleriite, and bobierrite from other types of stones. Bobierrite (phosphate group) is a new mineral reported in urinary stones, and this has not been determined in any previous study worldwide. Apatite (calcium phosphate) is deduced using scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The SEM technique determined crystal forms and systems, shapes, morphological features, and the names of the minerals forming urine stones, while optical properties are studied by polarizing microscope. X-ray fluorescence technique determined the concentrations of major and some trace elements. It revealed that Ca is the main constituent of the urinary stones, especially those composed of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. The concentration of trace elements was Ba = 1.57, P = 3.61, Fe = 1.78, S = 2.08, Zr = 4.63, Mo = 3.92, Cu = 1.89, Co = 1.56, and F = 4.2% and was higher in the urinary stones of Jordanian patients than in foreigners in the country. Questionnaires completed by patients suggest that the most significant factors directly effecting the formation of stones are water, climate conditions, food rich in protein and rich in different chemicals. Moreover, some drugs and diseases might also help in developing other stones.

The occurrence of mercury (Hg) in the environment globally has been linked largely to its use for gold processing. In this research, ore samples, agricultural soil and mine wastes were taken within the vicinity of an artisanal gold mine and processing sites in Niger state, a north-central part of Nigeria to determine Hg contamination in the environment and estimate the potential hazard to health. The values of Hg measured in ore, agricultural soil and mine wastes ranged between 0.03 and 5.9, 0.002 and 5.57 and 0.19 and 20.99 mg/kg, respectively, with the majority of samples observed above the crustal average values of 0.003 mg/kg. All of the samples were 100 times greater than the USEPA residential soil screening level of 0.0023 mg/kg, but were lower than

- by Abiodun Odukoya and +1
- •
- Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies), Environmental Chemistry

A comparative analysis was carried out on aluminum sulphate (alum) and Moringa oleifera seeds powder in respect of their coagulating effects in water purification. Various physico-chemical analyses were carried out in water samples treated with both alum and Moringa oleifera. These include turbidty, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), coagulated dirt, calcium ion, total hardness, magnesium ion, dissolved oxygen (DO) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The samples treated with aluminium sulphate gave clearer water (turbidity ranged from 27.60NTU to 10.37NTU) with lower pH values (6.71 to 4.18) compared to samples treated with Moringa oleifera seeds powder (with turbidity values of 30.40NTU to 22.97NTU and pH ranged from 6.86 to 6.28). Samples treated with Moringa produced less number of flocs and total dissolved solids (TDS) in the samples than those treated with alum. Alum sample gives 56mg/l, 23.2mg/l, and 32.8mg/l of total hardness, calcium and magnesium respectively, while sample treated with Moringa shows lower values of total hardness, calcium and magnesium as 48mg/l, 18.4mg/l and 29.6mg. l respectively. Higher dissolved oxygen (DO) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were observed in sample of Moringa (16.23mg/l and 10.70mg/l respectively), compared to that of alum with 13.33mg/l and 8.86mg/l of dissolved oxygen (DO) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) respectively.

Abstract
Purpose of Review Many factors influence the health impact of exposure to metalliferous mine dusts and whilst the underpinning
toxicology is pivotal, it is not the only driver of health outcomes following exposure. The purpose of this review is twofold: (i) to
highlight recent advances in our understanding of the hazard posed by metalliferous mine dust and (ii) to broaden an often
narrowly framed health risk perspective to consider the wider aetiology of the potential determinants of disease.
Recent Findings The hazard posed by metalliferous dusts depends not only on their abundance and particle size but other
properties such as chemical composition, solubility, shape, and surface area, which all play a role in the associated health effects.
A better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to toxicity, such as recent advances in our understanding of the role played by
reactive oxygen species (ROS), can help in the development of improved in vitro models to support risk assessments, whilst
biomonitoring studies have the potential to guide risk management decisions for mining communities.
Summary Environmental exposures are complex; complex geochemically and complex geographically. Research linking the
environment to human health is starting to mature, highlighting the subtlety of multiple exposures, mixtures of substances, and
the cumulative legacy effects of life in disrupted and stressed environments.We are evolving more refined biomarkers to identify
these responses, which enhances our appreciation of the burden of effects on society and also directs us to more sophisticated risk
assessment approaches to adequately address evolving regulatory and societal needs.

- by Paula Marinho Reis and +1
- •
- Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies)

Karstification in Al-Kura District, northwestern of Jordan, is distribution in the Tertiary rocks at chalky and marley-limestone unit and it forms a local shallow unconfined aquifer. This research is constructed to describe and study the hydrogeochemical of karst features and their effects on the hydrochemistry of the Al-Dhaher Cave. Studied samples were collected from the water of wells and springs in the study area. All types of water have a composition in milligram units for cations (Ca2+>Mg2+>(Na++K+)), and anions (HCO3->Cl->NO3->SO42-). Calcium and bicarbonate accounts approximately 80% of the total ions. The concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ are strongly correlated with HCO3-. The rCa2+/rMg2+ ratio for Al-Dhaher Spring is about 1.54, which suggests that water moves in chalky and marly limestone. Our data revealed that the main ions Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3- have very strong correlation to spring discharge. The water is undersaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite, and the correlation of SIc and SId to discharge is very strong (r=0.97 and 0.96). Depending on comparing the coefficients variations, the type of Al-Dhaher Spring could be classified as conduit spring. The results of water analyses studies show that the aquifer system is prone to karstification and they show the impact of karstification on the chemical composition of spring waters.

This paper discusses the advance of the speleothem luminescence
research. Potential, resolution and limitations of high resolution luminescence speleothem proxy records of
Paleotemperature, Solar Insolation, Solar Luminosity, Glaciations, Sea Level advances, Past Precipitation, Plants
Populations, Paleosoils, Past Karst Denudation, Chemical Pollution, Cosmic Rays Flux variations, Cosmogenic
Isotopes production and Supernova Eruptions in the Past, Advances of Hydrothermal Waters, and Techtonic Uplift are
discussed. It is demonstrated that speleothems allow extremely high resolution (higher than in any other paleoclimatic
terrestrial archives) and long duration of records. Some speleothems can be used as natural climatic stations for
obtaining of quantitative proxy records of Quaternary climates with annual resolution.

- by Yavor Shopov
- •
- Geography, Environmental Geography, Physical Geography, Palaeogeography

As a result of the reported childhood death and illness occurring among children attributed to acute lead poisoning at Yargalma and Tunga Guru in Bukkuyum Local Government Area (LGA) and Dareta, Abare and Tunga Daji (Anka LGA) of Zamfara State, a rapid assessment of the sources of lead, water sources and other factors that could have contributed to the poisoning in the affected villages were carried out. The geology and hydrogeology of the area especially the locations where the rock materials used for the small scale gold mining at the villages was assessed and rock samples collected for geochemical assessment and thin section to determine the major chemical and mineralogical constituents of the rock materials used for the mining activities. This paper focuses on the geology and geochemical composition of the mining materials that is being processed for the gold mining activities in the affected areas.

- by Dogara Bashir and +1
- •
- Geochemistry, Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies)

A geochemical assessment of the fifty surface stream sediments from Ikorodu Southwest Nigeria was carried out to determine the level of contamination. The sediments were dried, disaggregated and sieved to \75 lm fraction for geochemical analysis, using the aqua-regia digestion technique and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Major elements showed the following trend Fe [ Al [ Ca [ Na [ Mg [ K [ P [ Ti and were below the average shale concentration, except for Na in one sample. Results from factor and correlation analyses showed two groups of trace elements Ni, Co which were from geogenic and anthropogenic sources, respectively. The enrichment factor showed that Cd, Bi, Pt, Mo and Ag were, for all samples, within background concentrations , except those of the Ogun River and the Owode Onirin, which showed significant enrichment of Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb and Ag, depletion to minimal enrichment for Bi, Mo and moderate enrichment for Pt. The contamination degree ranged between 1.25 and 143.79. The highest value was found at Owode Onirin and the lowest, at Igbonla 7. The geo-accumulation index showed that all the stream sediments ranged between practically uncontaminated to moderately to highly contaminated—with Pb, Sn, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, Zr and Ba. The potential ecological risk factor and environmental risk index (I ER) showed that all of the samples were within the class of low to medium contamination risk, except samples from the Owode Onirin, which fell within the class of very high risk to extremely high risk respectively.

To investigate and assess the effects of land use and land cover (LULC) on concentrations of heavy metals in the surface soils of Lesser Zab River Basin (LZRB), 25 surface soil samples were taken from different LULC classes. Heavy metals concentrations were measured and their enrichment factors were calculated. Most of the LZRB soil samples are moderately alkaline with pH>8 and characterized by low organic content. The average abundance of the major oxides follow the decreasing order of SiO 2 % > CaO % > Al 2 O 3 % > Fe 2 O 3 %> MgO > K 2 O % > TiO 2 % > Na 2 O % > SO 3 % > P 2 O 5 %. A correlation matrix revealed that clay and feldspar minerals, Fe and Mn oxides / hydroxides are the most important carrier phase for several heavy metals as their correlation of high significant values. The average values of the heavy metal contents are arranged in the following decreasing order: Mn> Cr> Ni>Zn> Cu> Co>Pb>Cd. The LZRB soils exhibits concentration higher than direct geochemical background (DGB), and lower than indirect geochemical background (IGB) and there is a clear difference in the accumulation of heavy metal in soils under different LULC classes. The highest accumulation of heavy metals has been found in agricultural land and next highest concentration in urban and built up land. Assessment of soil contamination is conducted using enrichment factor (Ef), contamination factor (Cf), and contamination degree CD. According to these factors the soils of LZRB showed no or minimal contamination for most metals in different LULC classes.

Abstract Through the years, mining and beneficiation
processes in Panasqueira Sn-W mine (Central Portugal)
produced large amounts of As-rich mine wastes laid up
in huge tailings and open-air impoundments (Barroca
Grande and Rio tailings) that are the main source of
pollution in the surrounding area once they are exposed
to the weathering conditions leading to the formation of
acid mine drainage (AMD) and consequently to the
contamination of the surrounding environments, particularly
soils. The active mine started the exploration
during the nineteenth century. This study aims to look
at the extension of the soil pollution due to mining
activities and tailing erosion by combining data on the
degree of soil contamination that allows a better understanding
of the dynamics inherent to leaching, transport,
and accumulation of some potential toxic elements in
soil and their environmental relevance. Soil samples
were collected in the surrounding soils of the mine, were
digested in aqua regia, and were analyzed for 36 elements
by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
(ICP-MS). Selected results are that (a) an association of
elements like Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Cu, W, and Zn strongly
correlated and controlled by the local sulfide mineralization
geochemical signature was revealed; (b) the global
area discloses significant concentrations of As, Bi,
Cd, and W linked to the exchangeable and acid-soluble
bearing phases; and (c) wind promotes the mechanical
dispersion of the rejected materials, from the milled
waste rocks and the mineral processing plant, with subsequent
deposition on soils and waters. Arsenic- and
sulfide-related heavy metals (such as Cu and Cd) are
associated to the fine materials that are transported in
suspension by surface waters or associated to the acidic
waters, draining these sites and contaminating the local
soils. Part of this fraction, especially for As, Cd, and Cu,
is temporally retained in solid phases by precipitation of
soluble secondary minerals (through the precipitation of
hydrated metal sulfates) in warm, dry periods, but such
minerals are easily dissolved during rainy periods. Climate
is an important instability factor, and the hot and
dry summers and cold, rainy, and windy winters in this
region are physical phenomena that enhance the good
receptivity of these soils to retain some of the metals
present in the primary and also the secondary mineralogy.
Considering the obtained results from both the
sequential chemical extraction and the environmental
risk assessment according to the risk assessment code,
Ag, Cd, Cu, and Zn are classified with very high risk
while As is classified with medium risk.

The analysis of faecal biomarkers in lake sediments has been used to reconstruct human population densities and animal husbandry practices in an increasing number of studies in recent years. However, terrigenous biomarkers can decompose in soils, can be stored and redeposited in colluvium and on flood-plains prior to their ultimate deposition in lakes. These and other effects can blur and distort biomarker signals. Therefore, we analysed sediments from two maars in Westeifel to evaluate whether signals of the faecal biomarkers (5b-stanols, bile acids) demonstrate statistically significant differences between contrasting periods in land-use intensity. In Holzmaar, palaeoenvironmental data showed evidence for agriculture including cereal cultivation and grassland during the pre-Roman Iron Age and Middle Ages compared with those from periods that were less influenced by land use and showed a higher abundance of broadleaf forest. However, the specific domesticated taxa of livestock in the locale from these periods remain speculative. We found statistically significantly different faecal biomarker signals, which we interpret to be related to an enhanced deposition of faeces of horses, pigs and ruminants in the core sections that represented periods of amplified land use. The analyses of grass- and broadleaf-tree characteristic n-alkanes supported the applicability of biomarkers for land-use reconstruction. Stanol data from a core section dating to the Mesolithic showed no clear results. Analyses of two core sections from Ulmener Maar, which covered periods before and after the decline of elm in the Neolithic, indicated input of pig faeces in the younger section. This study provides important evidence that faecal biomarkers can be used for land-use reconstruction in central European lakes with small catchment areas for time periods from the Neolithic onwards. The results underscore the importance of bile acid analyses in addition to stanol analyses for an identification of faeces inputs from different animals.

- by David Wright and +1
- •
- Landscape Ecology, Geochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies)

Despite being one of the most important oil producing provinces in the United States, information on basinal hy-drogeology and fluid flow in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico is lacking. The source and geochemistry of brines from the basin were investigated (Ordovician-to Guadalupian-age reservoirs) by combining previously published data from conventional reservoirs with geochemical results for 39 new produced water samples, with a focus on those from shales. Salinity of the Ca–Cl-type brines in the basin generally increases with depth reaching a maximum in Devonian (median = 154 g/L) reservoirs, followed by decreases in salinity in the Silurian (median = 77 g/L) and Ordovician (median = 70 g/L) reservoirs. Isotopic data for B, O, H, and Sr and ion chemistry indicate three major types of water. Lower salinity fluids (b 70 g/L) of meteoric origin in the middle and upper Permian hydrocarbon reservoirs (1.2–2.5 km depth; Guadalupian and Leonardian age) likely represent meteoric waters that infiltrated through and dissolved halite and anhydrite in the overlying evaporite layer. Saline (N 100 g/L), isotopically heavy (O and H) water in Leonardian [Permian] to Pennsylvanian reservoirs (2–3.2 km depth) is evaporated, Late Permian seawater. Water from the Permian Wolfcamp and Pennsylvanian " Cline " shales, which are isotopically similar but lower in salinity and enriched in alkalis, appear to have developed their composition due to post-illitization diffusion into the shales. Samples from the " Cline " shale are further enriched with NH 4 , Br, I and isotopically light B, sourced from the breakdown of marine kerogen in the unit. Lower salinity waters (b100 g/L) in Devonian and deeper reservoirs (N3 km depth), which plot near the modern local meteoric water line, are distinct from the water in overlying reservoirs. We propose that these deep mete-oric waters are part of a newly identified hydrogeologic unit: the Deep Basin Meteoric Aquifer System. Chemical, isotopic, and pressure data suggest that despite over-pressuring in the Wolfcamp shale, there is little potential for vertical fluid migration to the surface environment via natural conduits. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license

Chemical analyses of water samples from 19 hot and cold springs are used to characterize Takab geothermal field, west of Iran. The springs are divided into two main groups based on temperature, host rock, total dissolved solids (TDS), and major and minor elements. TDS, electrical conductivity (EC), Cl−, and SO42− concentrations of hot springs are all higher than in cold springs. Higher TDS in hot springs probably reflect longer circulation and residence time. The high Si, B, and Sr contents in thermal waters are probably the result of extended water–rock interaction and reflect flow paths and
residence time. Binary, ternary, and Giggenbach diagrams
were used to understand the deeper mixing conditions and
locations of springs in the model system. It is believed that
the springs are heated either by mixing of deep geothermal
fluid with cold groundwater or low conductive heat flow.
Mixing ratios are evaluated using Cl, Na, and B concentrations
and a mass balance approach. Calculated quartz and chalcedony geothermometer give lower reservoir temperatures than cation geothermometers. The silica-enthalpy mixing model predicts a subsurface reservoir
temperature between 62 and 90 °C. The δ18O and δD
(δ2H) are used to trace and determine the origin and
movement of water. Both hot and cold waters plot close
to the local meteoric line, indicating local meteoric origin.

Although the Po river is the most important fluvial
system of Northern Italy, the systematic geochemical and
isotopic investigations of its water are rare and were never
reported for the whole basin. The present contribution aims to
fill this knowledge gap, reporting a comprehensive data set
including oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopes as well as
major and trace element concentration of dissolved species
for 54 Po river water samples, mainly collected in different
hydrological conditions (peak discharge in April, drought in
August) at increasing distance from the source, i.e., from the
upper part of the catchment to the terminal (deltaic) part of the
river at the confluence with the Adriatic Sea. The isotopic
compositions demonstrate that the predominant part of the
runoff derives from the Alpine sector of the catchment
through important tributaries such as the Dora Baltea, Ticino,
Adda, and Tanaro rivers, whereas the contribution from the
Apennines tributaries is less important. The geochemical and
isotopic compositions show that the Po river water attains a
homogeneous composition at ca. 100 km from the source. The
average composition is characterized by δ18O −9.8 ‰, δD
−66.2‰, total dissolved solid (TDS) 268 mg/L, and chloride 17 mg/L and by a general Ca–HCO3 hydrochemical facies,
which is maintained for most of the river stream, only varying
in the terminal part where the river is diverted in a complex
deltaic system affected by more significant evaporation and
mixing with saline water evidenced by higher TDS and chloride
content (up to 8198 and 4197 mg/L, respectively). Geochemical
and isotopic maps have been drawn to visualize
spatial gradients, which reflect the evolution of the river water
composition at progressive distance from the source; more
detailed maps were focused on the deltaic part in order to
visualize the processes occurring in the transitional zone toward the Adriatic Sea. The data also highlight anthropogenic contributions, mainly represented by significant concentrations of nitrate (average 8 mg/L) and possibly arsenic (average 12 μg/L). These data allow the calculation of geochemical fluxes transferred from the river to the sea, and generally, they contribute to the definition of a “hydro-archive” which is useful to highlight ongoing variations in the related ecosystems.

- by Chiara Marchina and +2
- •
- Environmental Science, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Stable isotope ecology

The goals of this research were to determine if the mode of mineralization and the geology of two abandoned uranium and vanadium mining districts that border the Crow Reservation might be a source for contaminants in the Bighorn River and a source of elevated uranium in home water wells on the Reservation. Surface and spring waters of the Crow Reservation have always been greatly respected by the Crow people, valued as a source of life and health and relied upon for drinking water. Upon learning that the Bighorn River has an EPA 303d impaired water listing due to elevated lead and mercury and that mercury has been detected in the fish from rivers of the Crow Reservation this study was implemented. Watersheds from both mining districts contribute to the Bighorn River that flows through the Crow Reservation. Initial research used the National Uranium Resource Evaluation database to analyze available geochemistry for the study areas using GIS. The data showed elevated concentrations of lead in drainages related to the mining areas. The data also showed elevated uranium in many of the surface waters and wells that were tested as a part of the study on the Crow Reservation. The author attended meetings and presented results of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation data analyses to the Crow Environmental Health Steering Committee. Thus, both uranium and lead were added to the list of elements that were being tested in home water wells as part of a community based participatory research project addressing many issues of water quality on the Crow Reservation. Results from home wells tested on the reservation did show elevated uranium. Rock samples were collected in the study areas and geochemically analyzed. The results of the analyses support a Permian Phosphoria Formation oil source of metals in the two mining districts. Structural data support fracturing accompanied by tectonic hydrothermal brecciation as a process that introduced oil and brines from the Bighorn Basin into the deposits where the uranium vanadium deposits later formed.

Desde una unidad minera en el sur de Perú se obtuvieron datos mineralógicos, de efluentes y de precipitación, para realizar un modelo predictivo que permita estimar la calidad química de los efluentes, los mismos que serán generados por un botadero en diversas épocas del año. Se realizó un modelo predictivo utilizando bases termodinámicas, esto permitió estimar las distintas calidades químicas de efluentes, en función al tipo
de minerales presentes en el botadero y la pluviometría
estacional (DS.010-2010-MINAM y DS.002-2008-
MINAM). Se determinó que, sin importar la estacionalidad
del análisis, el pH del medio será siempre ácido y poseerá varios iones que están por sobre la legislación vigente. Se procedió a modelar una posible solución, que consiste en la neutralización del efluente con soda cáustica. Se determinó empíricamente la cantidad mínima requerida para elevar el pH inicial, y se estimó la calidad química final del efluente post tratamiento. Se confirma que la aplicación de modelos computacionales es una buena herramienta predictiva, de bajo costo y confiable.

Vanadium-rich mine tailings at Berg Aukas, site with a world-known vanadium mineralization in northeastern
Namibia, were investigated using a combination of solid phase and mineralogical analyses, leaching
tests and speciation modeling. Principal objective of the study was to determine, if vanadium can be
released into the environment. In spite of >30 y of weathering and oxidation of tailings material to a
maximum sampling depth of 2.4 m, a large portion of V still remains in the primary mineral descloizite,
(Pb, Zn)2(OH)VO4.
A part of V was mobilized and adsorbed/co-precipitated with ferric oxyhydroxides. Based on sequential
extraction and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, a large amount of ferric iron is present in insoluble hematite
and goethite, where V is effectively bound. Other potential contaminants are Zn, present mostly in the
primary mineral willemite, Zn2SiO4, descloizite and also in secondary smithsonite, ZnCO3; and Pb, which
was transferred from completely dissolved galena to cerussite, PbCO3 and is also partly present in primary
descloizite. Conditions in the mine tailings are alkaline (pH generally >8.2) and oxidizing during
dry period, but mobility of V is low due to low solubility of descloizite and secondary crystalline ferric
phases such as hematite. In contrast, Zn and especially Pb in secondary carbonates, probably represent
more serious environmental and health risks.
2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Red mud leachate (pH 13) collected from Ajka, Hungary is neutralised to < pH 10 by HCl, gypsum or seawater addition. During acid neutralisation >99 % Al is removed from solution during the formation of an amorphous boehmite-like precipitate and dawsonite. Minor amounts of As (24 %) are also removed from solution via surface adsorption of As onto the Al oxyhydroxides. Gypsum addition to red mud leachate results in the precipitation of calcite, both in experiments and in field samples recovered from rivers treated with gypsum after the October 2010 red mud spill. Calcite precipitation results in 86 % Al and 81 % As removal from solution, and both are non-exchangeable with 0.1 mol L-1 phosphate solution. Contrary to As associated with neoformed Al oxyhydroxides, EXAFS analysis of the calcite precipitates revealed only isolated arsenate tetrahedra with no evidence for surface adsorption or incorporation into the calcite structure, possibly as a result of very rapid As scavenging by the calcite precipitate. Seawater neutralisation also resulted in carbonate precipitation, with >99 % Al and 74 % As removed from solution during the formation of a poorly ordered hydrotalcite phase and via surface adsorption to the neoformed precipitates, respectively. Half the bound As could be remobilised by phosphate addition, indicating that As was weakly bound, possibly in the hydrotalcite interlayer. Only 5-16 % V was removed from solution during neutralisation, demonstrating a lack of interaction with any of the neoformed precipitates. High V concentrations are therefore likely to be an intractable problem during the treatment of red mud leachates.

- by Doug Stewart and +3
- •
- Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Geochemistry, Environmental Geochemistry (Environmental Studies)

The procedure proposed in this study is based
on the extraction of elements in soils by analytical grade
HNO3, the distribution of the elemental data displayed on
probability graphs (Q–Q plots) and the visualization of the
results spatially by GIS software. The applicability of the
procedure is demonstrated in an urban area and its surroundings
(Kavala, northern Greece). A major (Ca) and
a trace (Ag) element are used as examples in order to
demonstrate the applicability of the proposed procedure.
Normal probability and lognormal probability plots of Ca
and Ag show that their concentrations are lognormally
distributed and that their geochemical baseline and anomaly
threshold values can be calculated with the aid of their
geometric mean and geometric deviation. The advantages
of the proposed procedure are simplicity, comprehensiveness,
and low cost. It can be applied to environmental
geochemical studies of soils in a variety of areas.

Mount Cameroon volcano has erupted several times in the 20th Century with documented eruptions in 1909,
1922, 1954, 1959, 1982, 1999 and 2000. Evidence of historic volcanism is represented by several older lava flows
and lahar deposits around the flanks of the volcano. This study aims to assess the evolution of Mount Cameroon
volcanism through its eruptive history via interpretation of mineralogical, whole rock geochemical and Pb, Sr, Nd
isotope data generated from historic and recent lava flows. In this study, samples were collected from the 1959,
1982, 1999 and 2000 eruptions and from several historic eruption sites with unknown eruption dates.
Evaluation of major and trace element data demonstrates that Mount Cameroon is geotectonically associated
with within-plate Ocean Island Basalt Settings. More than 90% of the studied historic lavas (n ¼ 29) classify as
tephrites and basanites whereas the modern lavas (n ¼ 38) are predominantly trachybasalts, demonstrating
evolution from primitive to evolved lavas over time typically in response to fractional crystallization. Petrographically, the lavas are porphyritic with main mineral phases being olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase feldspars
and Fe–Ti–Cr oxides. The 1982 lavas are predominantly aphyric and dominated by lath-shaped flow-aligned
plagioclase in the groundmass. Olivine chemistry shows variable forsterite compositions from Fo60–89. Clinopyroxenes vary from diopside through augite to titanaugite with chemical composition ranges from Wo45En32Fs7
to Wo51En47Fs17. Plagioclase feldspars vary from labradorite (An56–70) to bytownite (An80–87). For the Fe–Ti–Cr
oxides, calculated ulvospinel component shows a wide variation from ulv € 38–87. CIPW-normative classification on
the Di-Ol-Hy-Qz-Ne system shows that all Mount Cameroon lavas are nepheline-normative (Ne ranges from
4.20 wt.% to 11.45 wt.%).
Radiogenic isotope data demonstrate that Mount Cameroon lavas are HIMU (or high μ ¼ 238U/204Pb), characterized by 206Pb/204Pb ¼ 20.19–20.46, 207Pb/204Pb ¼ 15.63–15.69, 208Pb/204Pb ¼ 40.01–40.30, 87Sr/86Sr ¼
0.70322–0.70339 (εSr ¼ 21.37 to 18.96) and 143Nd/144Nd ¼ 0.51276–0.51285 (εNd ¼ þ2.29 to þ4.05). The
historic lavas show stronger HIMU signature relative to the modern lavas, suggesting evolution towards less HIMU
signatures over time. This study has revealed that Mount Cameroon volcanism has evolved from primitive
magmas characterized by stronger HIMU signatures with high 206/204Pb and 208/204Pb isotopes, low SiO2 and high
Mg, Ni, Cr content towards lower HIMU signatures with relatively higher SiO2, lower Mg, Cr and Ni compositions.
The geochemical and isotopic changes, which account for the evolution of magmatism on Mount Cameroon occur
over long periods of time because all the modern lavas erupted within the last 100 years are isotopically homogeneous, with very limited variation in SiO2 compositions.

A brief introduction into computational methodology and preliminary results for spectroscopic (excitation energies, vibrational frequencies in ground and excited electronic states) and thermodynamic (stability constants, standard enthalpies and enthropies of complexation reactions) properties of some 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 uranyl sulphato-and selenato-complexes in aqueos solutions will be given. The relativistic effects are included via Effective Core Potential (ECP), electron correlation via (TD)DFT/B3LYP (dispersion interaction corrected) and solvatation is described via explicit inclusion of one hydratation sphere beyond the coordinated water molecules. We acknowledge limits of this approximate description – more accurate calculations (ranging from semiphenomenological two-component spin-orbit coupling up to four-component Dirac-Coulomb-Breit hamiltonian) and Molecular Dynamics simulations are in preparation. The computational results are compared with the experimental results from Time-resolved Laser-induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy (TRLFS) and UV-VIS spectroscopic studies (including our original experimental research on this topic). In case of the TRLFS and UV-VIS speciation studies, the problem of complex solution spectra decomposition into individual components is ill-conditioned and hints from theoretical chemistry could be very important. Qualitative agreement between our quantum chemical calculations of the spectroscopic properties and experimental data was achieved. Possible applications for geochemical modelling (e.g. safety studies of nuclear waste repositories, modelling of a future mining site) and analytical chemical studies (including natural samples) are dissucussed.

Twenty-one rhyolitic volcanic ash deposits were sampled
in the Southern Puna plateau (NW Argentina). The goal of this
study is contribute to define a specific analytical methodology
for environmental characterization of volcanic ash, as well as
recognize the geochemical impact of such materials on the
environment mainly on natural water. The SEM examination
allows recognize the ash by the presence of glass shards. In
addition, the coupling with EDX spectrometry provides a
complementary way to identify compositionally glass and
crystalline phases and to compare ashes of different eruptions.
Whole rock geochemistry and two types types of leachates
(deionised water and nitric acid) were performed on these
samples allowing to follow the environmental behaviour of
about 50 major and trace elements. The analyses were carried
out by ICP-OES and ICP-MS