Anthropogenic Deposition Research Articles

Main factors determining potential qualified appearance of pebble and effel dumps of depleted alluvial gold deposits

The influence of two most important factors determining gold losses during mining of alluvial deposits is considered. They include the granulometric composition of sands and the initial gold content in them. It is shown that the underestimation of these indicators in the assessment of anthropogenic deposits significantly reduces the resource attractiveness of depleted objects. Specific examples give calculations that allow for a more accurate predictive estimate of the resource potential of the dredging tailing (effel) dumps. Based on the consideration of natural and climatic factors in determining the conditions, the placer content is plotted for the gold content in the sands of various economic areas of Khabarovsk Region. It has been established that at the same values of the designed process loss and given the comparability of the main placer parameters, a high average gold content in the initial sands makes it possible to predict within the dump some objects with standard contents.

Current state and main directions of innovative development of placer gold mining in Far East Federal District

Based on the assessment of the resource base of Far East region of Russia, the important role of the mining industry for most regions of Far East Federal District was noted. A decrease in the resource potential of geogenous placers has been established, therefore anthropogenic deposits of placer deposits become an important reserve of placer gold mining. Natural and technological factors that need to be taken into account when selecting and applying those technologies and mining equipment that can reduce their influence are as follows: permafrost rocks, high clayey sand deposits, large content of fine and fine fractions of gold, the presence of high content of heavy fractions of other valuable passing components, etc. A number of developed innovative technologies for development of alluvial deposits, as well as new technological equipment for use on dredges and drags, have been noted. The parameters of the technological processes of the jigging machine on the Alaska-35 washing device (USA) have been analyzed, the matrix of interacting factors (such as the shape of the particles of a mineral, particle size, particle density, height of the bed of the jigging machine, frequency of piston swings, stroke of piston, etc.), the purpose of the study is to obtain graph-analytical dependencies for calculating their rational parameters that ensure effective extraction of metals.

The geochemistry of anthropogenic deposits in Yakutsk.

The geochemistry of anthropogenic deposits in Yakutsk.

Геохимические особенности техногенных отложений в городе Якутске

Геохимические особенности техногенных отложений в городе Якутске

The geological structure of Kastas hill archaeological site, Amphipolis, eastern Macedonia, Greece

This paper presents research results on the geological structure of Kastas hill in Amphipolis, as well as the broader area. They consist of geological and geomorphological observations at Kastas and 133 hills and the surrounding areas, on their geological structure, the stratigraphy and the paleoenvironment. Kastas hill is the site of the largest burial mound discovered in Greece to date. The slopes of its embankment were recorded and modelled in detail using near field photogrammetry. The problem of distinguishing between in situ geological formations and ex situ anthropogenic deposits is also addressed. The bulk volume of Kastas hill consists of natural sediments; these sediments are exposed as successive alternating beds of grayish loose and cohesive sands with scattered pebbles and locally with cobbles. Clayey beds up to ~20-30 cm thick intercalate between the sands. At the top of the hill the anthropogenic deposits are typical of Macedonian tumuli, with soil and clay alternations for sealing and stabilizing them. Paleosoil horizons were observed both in natural sediments and within anthropogenic substrates. Two horizons were sampled for dating by different methods (OSL – optical stimulated luminescence and 14C – Accelerated Mass Spectroscopy). Their dating shows the development of successive deposits during the Iron, Archaic and Classical ages. The AMS dating of a charcoal which is closely associated to the construction of the main monument yielded an age of Cal. BP 2310 = Cal. 360 BC.

The modeling of archaeological and geomorphic surfaces in a multistratified urban site in Padua, Italy

AbstractMultistratified archaeological sites are important archives of past human activities, recording the superposition of anthropogenic deposits over centuries and millennia. We attempted the reconstruction of buried geomorphic and archaeological surfaces in the 1.55 km2, 7 m thick, multistratified urban site of Padua in northern Italy, through the spatial interpolation of 117 elevation points relative to unique archaeological features. Key data were the elevations above sea level of ancient surfaces and features, such as the presettlement alluvial plain, roads, floors, and hearths dating from Bronze to Imperial Roman ages. Present surface elevations were provided by a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) digital elevation model. Spline interpolation produced general‐trend surfaces of the buried alluvial plain, Iron Age (13th–10th and 6th centuries B.C.), and Roman (first century B.C. and first to second centuries A.D.) levels. Validation of the later Roman surface indicates a decimeter accuracy of interpolation. Geographic information system overlay operations resulted in quantitative estimates of the vertical growth of the site, the volumes of archaeological deposits, and the depth of burial of the different levels. This research provided new insights on the development of the ancient city and its relations with paleohydrography, representing a starting point for the assessment of buried archaeological heritage.

The Cave of Pan, Marathon, Greece—AMS Dating of the Neolithic Phase and Calculation of the Regional Marine Reservoir Effect

AbstractThe Cave of Pan is located on the N/NE slope of the hill of Oinoe (38°09′31.60′′N, 23°55′48.60′′E), west of modern Marathon. In rescue excavation campaigns during the last three years, among other finds, charcoal and seashell samples were also collected. The purpose of this study is the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating of the cave’s anthropogenic deposits and the calculation of the regional marine reservoir effect during the Neolithic period. For that purpose, 7 charcoal pieces and 1 seashell were dated. Our results show that the cave was used from the second quarter of the 6th millennium (Middle Neolithic period) until the beginning of the 5th millennium BC. Additionally, one sample collected from a depth of 2 cm from the present surface of the cave yielded an age falling within the 6th century AD, giving thus the absolute time span of the cave use. Moreover, the radiocarbon (14C) ages of one pair of charcoal-seashell samples showed that the marine reservoir age R(t) in the estuarine Marathon Bay region during the 5th millennium BC is 775±57 yr and the local sea surface reservoir deviation ΔR is found to be 402±6314C yr (within 1σ).

Nitrogen deposition changes ectomycorrhizal communities in Swiss beech forests

Atmospheric pollution has implications for the health and diversity of temperate forests covering large parts of central Europe. Long-term elevated anthropogenic deposition of nitrogen (N) is driving forest ecosystems from the limitation by N to other nutrients and is found to affect tree health and ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF), which most trees depend on for nutrient uptake. However, the consequence of EMF community changes for trees remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated changes in EMF communities on root tips and in soil of beech forests along a N deposition gradient ranging between 16 and 33kgNha−1a−1, where high N deposition was found to negatively affect tree growth and nutrient levels. The most important factors significantly explaining variation in root tip and mycelium EMF community composition in both root tips and mesh bags were increased N deposition, base saturation, growing season temperature and precipitation. With increasing N deposition, fine root length, EMF root colonization, EMF diversity on root tips and in soil, and production of extramatrical mycelium decreased significantly. Foliar P and potassium (K) were positively associated with increasing EMF diversity and we found EMF community composition to be associated with foliar P and N:P ratio. The decrease in root colonization, mesh bag ingrowth and abundance of the important species Cenococcum geophilum as well as high biomass species with increasing N availability clearly indicate repercussions for belowground carbon allocation, although some indicator species for high N deposition and low foliar P have long mycelia and may reflect a potential optimization of host P uptake. Our study supports the hypothesis that the decrease in nutrient uptake in beech forests across Europe is related to changes in EMF communities and suggests that continued high N deposition changes soil carbon and nutrient cycles, thereby affecting forest ecosystem health.

Responses of key understory plants in the boreal forests of western North America to natural versus anthropogenic nitrogen levels

The understory plants of the boreal forests have evolved divergent strategies to succeed under low nitrogen conditions, with their ability to respond to nitrogen addition varying greatly. We examined the response of 5 key understory North American boreal forest species in the Yukon (4 shrubs and a herb) to low levels of nitrogen that could occur from natural pulses and to high levels that could occur because of anthropogenic deposition from either atmospheric deposition or as a management strategy to increase tree growth. We fertilized 240 one m2 plots for the three dwarf shrubs and one herb and 60 three m2 plots for one tall shrub at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 17.5g nitrogen/m2 in June 2004 and May 2005. We measured changes in cover, growth, leaf metrics, and berry production in three dwarf shrubs (Arctostaphylos rubra [deciduous] and A. uva-ursi and Empetrum nigrum [both evergreen]), one herb (Geocaulon lividum), and one tall shrub (Shepherdia canadensis). We predicted the first three would be strongly affected by variation in nitrogen levels but that neither Geocaulon (a hemi-parasite) nor Shepherdia (a nitrogen fixer) would be. To examine for long-term effects of nitrogen application, we also fertilized four 2.8ha plots in 2004 and 2005 with 1.0 and 2.0g/m2 and then measured berry production in 2006 and 2007 on the two Arctostaphylos species. Nitrogen addition at all levels had no effect on either Geocaulon or Shepherdia. There were general positive effects at low nitrogen levels and negative ones at high levels on the other 3 dwarf shrub species in a species-specific manner. There were marked year effects in some plant growth metrics and in berry production, emphasizing the role of climate, but also clear evidence that individual species tradeoff somatic growth for reproduction. There was a pronounced long-term negative effect of low nitrogen addition on the large plots, causing marked reductions in berry production in both Arctostaphylos species. We conclude that these dwarf shrubs are constrained to function optimally within a narrow range of nitrogen levels normally encountered, but are unable to cope with higher levels. Both Geocaulon and Shepherdia function independently of nitrogen limitation. Thus the life history adaptations of these understory plants to variation in nitrogen levels are species-specific and understanding their individual responses is key in predicting their fate and the biodiversity and organization of boreal forest ecosystem when challenged with higher anthropogenic levels of nitrogen.

Application of Geostatistical Methods to Describe Variation in Technological Parameters of Ash-Slags

Spatial analyses were carried out to develop a 3D geostatistical model of the spatial variation in the technological parameters of an ash-slag heap connected with the operation of the power utilities located near Świecie (Toruń). Tank A filled with ash-slags was the subject of geostatistical studies. The spatial variation of organic carbon content Corg, ash content AO, moisture content W and recoverability e’ (defined as the amount of carbon [kg] recovered from 1 ton of ash-slag), was analyzed. The variation of these parameters in the horizontal and vertical extents of the ash-slag heap was subjected to structural (variographic) analysis using the directional variogram function. The parameters of geostatistical models approximating the empirical variograms of content Corg., ash content AO, moisture content W and recoverability e’ were the basis for the estimation. Averages Z* and corresponding standard estimation deviations σk were estimated for the particular depths of the tank using (3D) ordinary (block)kriging.
 The variation of the parameters clearly differs between the particular depth levels of the waste heap. Carbon content Corg. and recoverability e’ were found to vary greatly while the variation in ash content AO and moisture content W was respectively small and average. There is a spatial correlation between the values of the investigated parameters. The variation of content Corg., moisture content W and recoverability e’, shows a certain regularity within the waste heap tank. Maximum and minimum averages Z* (the upper limits) consistently decrease (a downward trend) with depth, in the interval of 1-10 m. The ranges of maximum averages Z* of content AO notably increase, reaching higher values in deeper ash-slag horizons.
 Thanks to the application of the geostatistical methods to describe the parameters of the waste material (treated as an anthropogenic deposit) databases containing complete valuable input information for a project aimed at utilizing the deposited material were created.

Central Tibetan Plateau atmospheric trace metals contamination: A 500-year record from the Puruogangri ice core

A ~500-year section of ice core (1497–1992) from the Puruogangri ice cap has been analyzed at high resolution for 28 trace elements (TEs: Ag, Al, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V and Zn) to assess different atmospheric contributions to the ice and provide a temporal perspective on the diverse atmospheric influences over the central Tibetan Plateau (TP). At least two volcanic depositions have significantly impacted the central TP over the past 500years, possibly originating from the Billy Mitchell (1580, Papua New Guinea) and the Parker Peak (1641, Philippines) eruptions. A decreasing aeolian dust input to the ice cap allowed the detection of an atmospheric pollution signal. The anthropogenic pollution contribution emerges in the record since the early 1900s (for Sb and Cd) and increases substantially after 1935 (for Ag, Zn, Pb, Cd and Sb). The metallurgy (Zn, Pb and steel smelting) emission products (Cd, Zn, Pb and Ag) from the former Soviet Union and especially from central Asia (e.g., Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan) likely enhanced the anthropogenic deposition to the Puruogangri ice cap between 1935 and 1980, suggesting that the westerlies served as a conveyor of atmospheric pollution to central Tibet. The impact of this industrial pollution cumulated with that of the hemispheric coal and gasoline combustion which are respectively traced by Sb and Pb enrichment in the ice. The Chinese steel production accompanying the Great Leap Forward (1958–1961) and the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) is proposed as a secondary but proximal source of Pb pollution affecting the ice cap between 1958 and 1976. The most recent decade (1980–1992) of the enrichment time series suggests that Puruogangri ice cap recorded the early Sb, Cd, Zn, Pb and Ag pollution originating from developing countries of South (i.e., India) and East (i.e., China) Asia and transported by the summer monsoonal circulation.

Deciphering the effects of human activity on urban areas through morphostratigraphic analysis: The case of Pisa, Northwest Italy

AbstractThe type, thickness, and volume of anthropogenic deposits buried beneath long‐settled cities are good indicators of the human impact on urban environments and topography. Pisa is a multilayered city settled since Etruscan times in the lower Arno Plain. Stratigraphic and geomorphologic data from the urban subsurface show that Pisa today is located on a mound (ca. 4 m high) made up dominantly of anthropogenic deposits. Two types of anthropogenic facies are distinguished: human‐modified deposits of Etruscan Age and made‐ground deposits dated since the Roman Age onward. Integrating subsurface stratigraphy with ancient ground‐level topography, we reconstruct the evolutionary phases of the Pisa urban landscape subject to a dominant human influence. Urbanization processes started in Etruscan times, as testified by the lower boundary of the anthropogenic succession (Pisa archaeosphere). The formation and the highest increase in elevation of the Pisa mound, which is still growing, occurred during the Roman and the Middle Ages. At the same time, the urban fabric moved southward, toward the Arno River, and a thick anthropogenic succession accumulated in the city sector where an ancient ring of walls had been hypothesized. However, the highest acceleration in the urban ground growth rate is recorded since A.D. 1950 onward, corresponding to the Anthropocene “Great Acceleration.”

Modern anthropogenic deposits and their usage for the assessment of environmental status of urban areas

Modern anthropogenic deposits and their usage for the assessment of environmental status of urban areas

Valorization of coal mining waste dumps from he mines of Katowicki Holding Węglowy

Abstract The cataloging of over 220 coal mining dumping grounds after hard coal mining was carried out on the area of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB). Considering the significant content of coal particles in the waste, these object may be perceived as perspective anthropogenic deposits. In order to define the possibilities of recovery, an attempt of linking the quality of coal in the deposit and the in waste material was performed. Another step is the reclamation and use of dumping grounds after completing effective recovery processes. The purpose of the research was the cataloging, mapping and valorization of coal mining waste dumps from Katowicki Holding Węglowy coal mines, for the needs of reclamation and management of examined objects and defining the potential recovery of coal from the dumps. The valorization of the post-mining waste dumps was done with the use of original methodology, considering the problems of: reclamation, management, accessibility of the dumps as well as environmental hazards. T he directions of the technical reclamation (e.g. landscape objects, tabular dumps) and biological reclamation (e.g. forest direction, mixed reclamation (grass and tree reclamation), grass cultivation, lack of reclamation) were defined. Accessibility with regard to open access/closing of the dump area and the roads leading towards the object were evaluated. T he connection of coal quality in the deposits of KHW S.A. and in waste material enabled the definition and evaluation of the potential possibilities of recovery of coal from the post mining dumping grounds.

Seasonal disparity in the co-occurrence of arsenic and fluoride in the aquifers of the Brahmaputra flood plains, Northeast India

Arsenic (As) and fluoride (F−) in groundwater are increasing global water quality and public health concerns. The present study provides a deeper understanding of the impact of seasonal change on the co-occurrence of As and F−, as both contaminants vary with climatic patterns. Groundwater samples were collected in pre- and post-monsoon seasons (n = 40 in each season) from the Brahmaputra flood plains (BFP) in northeast India to study the effect of season on As and F− levels. Weathering is a key hydrogeochemical process in the BFP and both silicate and carbonate weathering are enhanced in the post-monsoon season. The increase in carbonate weathering is linked to an elevation in pH during the post-monsoon season. A Piper diagram revealed that bicarbonate-type water, with Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ cations, is common in both seasons. Correlation between Cl− and NO3 − (r = 0.74, p = 0.01) in the post-monsoon indicates mobilization of anthropogenic deposits during the rainy season. As was within the 10 µg L−1 WHO limit for drinking water and F− was under the 1.5 mg L−1 limit. A negative correlation between oxidation reduction potential and groundwater As in both seasons (r = −0.26 and −0.49, respectively, for pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, p = 0.05) indicates enhanced As levels due to prevailing reducing conditions. Reductive hydrolysis of Fe (hydr)oxides appears to be the predominant process of As release, consistent with a positive correlation between As and Fe in both seasons (r = 0.75 and 0.73 for pre- and post-monsoon seasons, respectively, at p = 0.01). Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed grouping of Fe and As in both seasons. F− and sulfate were also clustered during the pre-monsoon season, which could be due to their similar interactions with Fe (hydr)oxides. Higher As levels in the post-monsoon appears driven by the influx of water into the aquifer, which drives out oxygen and creates a more reducing condition suitable for reductive dissolution of Fe (hydr)oxides. An increase in pH promotes desorption of As oxyanions AsO4 3− (arsenate) and AsO3 3− (arsenite) from Fe (hydr)oxide surfaces. Fluoride appears mainly released from F−-bearing minerals, but Fe (hydr)oxides can be a secondary source of F−, as suggested by the positive correlation between As and F− in the pre-monsoon season.

Assessment of heavy metal concentrations and associated resistant bacterial communities in bulk and rhizosphere soil of Avicennia marina of Pichavaram mangrove, India

Heavy metals are known to pose a potential threat to terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna. Due to increasing human influence, heavy metal concentrations are rising in many mangrove ecosystems. Therefore, an assessment of heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn, and Zn) concentrations was conducted within the bulk soil and rhizosphere soil of Avicennia marina at the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest in India. The rhizosphere soil showed higher concentrations of metals than the bulk soil. Compared to the bulk soil, the metals Cd, Fe, Mn, and Zn were 6.0–16.7% higher, whereas Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb were 1.7–2.8% higher concentration. Among the three selected sampling sites (dense mangrove forest, estuarine region, and sea region), the sea region had the highest concentration of all heavy metals except Zn. The trend of the mean metal concentration was Fe > Mn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd. Heavy metals concentrations elevated by the 2004 tsunami were persistent even after 4 years, due to sedimentary soil processes, the rhizosphere effect of mangroves, and anthropogenic deposition. Analysis of the heavy metal-resistant bacteria showed highest bacterial count for Cr-resistant bacteria and rhizosphere soil. The maximum level of heavy metal-resistant bacteria was observed at the site with the highest heavy metal contamination. The heavy metal-resistant bacteria can be used as indicator of heavy metal pollution and furthermore in bioremediation.

Recent Trace Metals Pollution in Bottom Sediments of Khor Al-Sabiya, Kuwait

The tidal inlet within and around Bubiyan Island is dominated by tidal currents and the accumulation of soft mud is well seen within the intertidal flat. Mudflats with increasing number of burrowers make up most of the beaches of the western part of Bubiyan Island. The middle parts of the tidal inlets are formed of coarse suspended sediments reflecting a high rate of bottom currents. Suspended sediments are highly recognized within the inlets. Benthic communities as well as high quantities of foraminifera are well documented at the main inlet. The benthic communities are affected by the inlets salinity accordingly they vary from one place to another. The study revealed the formation of high anthropogenic deposits at the western and north-eastern part of the tidal channel of Bubiyan Island. Trace Metals (TM) as well as Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TOC) were found to be within the permissible KEPA standards. Sediment distribution varied between soft mud to muddy sand along the tidal channels. Tidal currents trending north to south is affecting most of the sediment distribution. The coastal dunes and rocky tidal flats are found at the southern part of the main entrance of Khor Al-Subiyah while soft sediment form the northern most part of the Khor. The coastal geomorphic features are highly affected by the tidal current as well as wind action.

A typology of anthropogenic deposits as a tool for modeling urban subsoil geochemistry: example of the Ile de Nantes (France)

Purpose Urban soils may be contaminated not only by industrial activities but also by the materials contained in the anthropogenic deposits. In order to anticipate the management of excavated soils linked to urban redevelopment, their quality and quantities need to be assessed. Urban soils and subsoils contain nevertheless a large variety of anthropogenic deposits and present important geochemical heterogeneities. The paper aims to develop various geochemical types of made grounds relevant for a 3D urban subsurface model.

SMART GROUND Project: SMART Data Collection and Integration Platform to Enhance Availability and Accessibility of Data and Information in the EU Territory on Secondary Raw Materials

The issue of resource security has come to the forefront of the debate as Critical Materials (CRM) and Raw Materials (RM) supply is fundamental to maintain and develop EU economy. Considering the increasing scarcity and raising prices of RM, their recycling and recovery from anthropogenic deposits is essential. To date there is no homogeneous inventory available of SRM and CRM present in EU landfills, and best management practices to recover SRM from landfill activities are inefficient. In this context, the EU SMART GROUND project intends to foster resource recovery in landfills by improving the availability and the accessibility of data and information on SRM in the EU.

The first polluted river? Repeated copper contamination of fluvial sediments associated with Late Neolithic human activity in southern Jordan

The roots of pyrometallurgy are obscure. This paper explores one possible precursor, in the Faynan Orefield in southern Jordan. There, at approximately 7000cal. BP, banks of a near-perennial meandering stream (today represented by complex overbank wetland and anthropogenic deposits) were contaminated repeatedly by copper emitted by human activities. Variations in the distribution of copper in this sequence are not readily explained in other ways, although the precise mechanism of contamination remains unclear. The degree of copper enhancement was up to an order of magnitude greater than that measured in Pleistocene fluvial and paludal sediments, in contemporary or slightly older Holocene stream and pond deposits, and in the adjacent modern wadi braidplain. Lead is less enhanced, more variable, and appears to have been less influenced by contemporaneous human activities at this location. Pyrometallurgy in this region may have appeared as a byproduct of the activity practised on the stream-bank in the Wadi Faynan ~7000years ago.