Elevated Concentrations Of As Research Articles

Insight on trace element detoxification in the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) through genetic, enzymatic and metallothionein analyses

Trace element concentrations (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn) were investigated in the liver, kidneys, muscle and feathers of 31 black-tailed godwits (Limosa limosa) accidentally killed during catches by mist net in the Pertuis Charentais, Atlantic coast of France. Analyses of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were carried out in liver, muscle and feathers in order to elucidate dietary patterns and to determine whether differences in diet explained the variation in elemental uptake. This study also aimed to have a preliminary assessment of sub-lethal effects triggered by trace elements through the investigation of gene expressions by quantitative real-time PCR, antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase), and metallothionein (MT) levels. The results showed that Cr and Ni concentrations in tissues of adults were lower than in juveniles in part because adults may have eliminated these trace elements through moulting. Except for Cd and Ni, trace element concentrations were negatively correlated to the body mass of godwits. Ag, As, Hg and Se concentrations were positively linked with the trophic position of birds. The diet could be considered as a fundamental route of exposure for these elements demonstrating therefore the qualitative linkage between dietary habits of godwits and their contaminant concentrations. Our results strongly suggest that even though trace element concentrations were mostly below toxicity threshold level, the elevated concentrations of As, Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe and Se may however trigger sub-lethal effects. Trace elements appear to enhance expression of genes involved in oxidative stress defence, which indicates the production of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, birds with the highest concentrations appeared to have an increased mitochondrial metabolism suggesting that the fight against trace element toxicity requires additional energetic needs notably to produce detoxification mechanisms such as metallothioneins.

Arsenic in volcanic geothermal fluids of Latin America

Numerous volcanoes, hot springs, fumaroles, and geothermal wells occur in the Pacific region of Latin America. These systems are characterized by high As concentrations and other typical geothermal elements such as Li and B. This paper presents a review of the available data on As concentrations in geothermal systems and their surficial discharges and As data on volcanic gases of Latin America. Data for geothermal systems in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile are presented. Two sources of As can be recognized in the investigated sites: Arsenic partitioned into volcanic gases and emitted in plumes and fumaroles, and arsenic in rocks of volcanic edifices that are leached by groundwaters enriched in volcanic gases. Water containing the most elevated concentrations of As are mature Na–Cl fluids with relatively low sulfate content and As concentrations reaching up to 73.6mgL−1 (Los Humeros geothermal field in Mexico), but more commonly ranging from a few mgL−1 to tens of mgL−1. Fluids derived from Na–Cl enriched waters formed through evaporation and condensation at shallower depths have As levels of only a few μgL−1. Mixing of Na–Cl waters with shallower meteoric waters results in low to intermediate As concentrations (up to a few mgL−1). After the waters are discharged at the ground surface, As(III) oxidizes to As(V) and attenuation of As concentration can occur due to sorption and co-precipitation processes with iron minerals and organic matter present in sediments. Understanding the mechanisms of As enrichment in geothermal waters and their fate upon mixing with shallower groundwater and surface waters is important for the protection of water resources in Latin America.

Arsenic and antimony contamination of waters, stream sediments and soils in the vicinity of abandoned antimony mines in the Western Carpathians, Slovakia

Abstract Environmental contamination with As and Sb caused by past mining activities at Sb mines is a significant problem in Slovakia. This study is focused on the environmental effects of the 5 abandoned Sb mines on water, stream sediment and soil since the mines are situated in the close vicinity of residential areas. Samples of mine wastes, various types of waters, stream sediments, soils, and leachates of the mine wastes, stream sediments and selected soils were analyzed for As and Sb to evaluate their geochemical dispersion from the mines. Mine wastes collected at the mine sites contained up to 5166 mg/kg As and 9861 mg/kg Sb. Arsenic in mine wastes was associated mostly with Fe oxides, whereas Sb was present frequently in the form of individual Sb, Sb(Fe) and Fe(Sb) oxides. Waters of different types such as groundwater, surface waters and mine waters, all contained elevated concentrations of As and Sb, reaching up to 2150 μg/L As and 9300 μg/L Sb, and had circum-neutral pH values because of the buffering capacity of abundant Ca- and Mg-carbonates. The concentrations of Sb in several household wells are a cause for concern, exceeding the Sb drinking water limit of 5 μg/L by as much as 25 times. Some attenuation of the As and Sb concentrations in mine and impoundment waters was expected because of the deposition of metalloids onto hydrous ferric oxides built up below adit entrances and impoundment discharges. These HFOs contained >20 wt.% As and 1.5 wt.% Sb. Stream sediments and soils have also been contaminated by As and Sb with the peak concentrations generally found near open adits and mine wastes. In addition to the discharged waters from open adits, the significant source of As and Sb contamination are waste-rock dumps and tailings impoundments. Leachates from mine wastes contained as much as 8400 μg/L As and 4060 μg/L Sb, suggesting that the mine wastes would have a great potential to contaminate the downstream environment. Moreover, the results of water leaching tests showed that Sb was released from the solids more efficiently than As under oxidizing conditions. This might partly explain the predominance of Sb over As in most water samples.

Elemental composition of sediments in Lake Jinzai, Japan: Assessment of sources and pollution

Bottom sediments from Lake Jinzai in southwest Japan were analyzed to determine their chemical compositions and to assess the potential for ecological harm by comparison with sediment quality guidelines. The pollution status of lake sediments was evaluated by employing contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and geoaccumulation index (I(geo)), focusing on a suite of elements in lakebed and core sediments. Elevated concentrations of As, Pb, Zn, Cu, TOC, N, and P were present in several layers of the upper core and other surface sediments. The elevated metal concentrations are likely related to the fine-grained nature of the sediments, reducing bottom conditions produced by abundant organic matter, and possibly minor non-point anthropogenic sources. Moreover, correlations between the concentrations of trace metals and organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron, suggest that these elements play a role in controlling abundances. Calculated CF, PLI, and I(geo) indicate that the sediments are strongly polluted with respect to As, moderately to strongly polluted with Zn, and moderately polluted with Pb and Cu. Metal concentrations exceed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) lowest effect level and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) interim sediment quality guidelines that indicate moderate impact on aquatic organisms in the study area.

Traditional agricultural practices enable sustainable remediation of highly polluted soils in Southern Spain for cultivation of food crops

This study relates elemental content of a range of edible crops grown in soils severely polluted by metals and metalloids as affected by traditional smallholder management practices. Five agricultural plots close to a sulfidic waste dump were monitored. Soil analysis demonstrated elevated concentrations of As, Cu, Pb and Zn that were greatly in excess of maximum statutory limits for agricultural soils in the studied region. The main vegetables (lettuce, chard, onion, potatoes) and lemon, together with their associated soils, were measured for elemental content. Extractable soil element concentrations were very low. There were differences in elemental accumulation between crops, but none exceeded statutory concentrations in edible parts. Soil–plant transfer factors were uniformly low for all elements and crops. It is concluded that traditional soil management practices (annual liming and application of animal manures) have created conditions for sustainable long-term safety use, with potential for multiple end-use, of these highly polluted soils

Distribution and mobility of heavy metals in paddy soils of the Kočani Field in Macedonia

Contamination of soils with heavy metals is widespread and poses a long-term risk to ecosystem health. Abandoned and active mining sites contain residues from ore-processing operations that are characterised by high concentrations of heavy metals. The distribution and mobility characteristics of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in paddy soil samples from Kočani Field (Macedonia) using ICP-EAS and a sequential extraction procedure was evaluated. The results indicate that highly elevated concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were detected in the paddy soil sample from location VII-2 in the vicinity of Zletovo mine and Zletovska river in the western part of Kočani Field, which drains the untreated acid mine waters and mine wastes from the active Zletovo mine. The degree of contamination based on index of geoaccumulation (I geo) from strong to weak in the paddy soils samples is Pb > As > Cd > Zn > Cu. The mobility potential of heavy metals in all paddy soil samples increases in the order As < Cu < Pb < Zn < Cd. According to the results of the anthropogenic impact on the paddy soils, a further study on the heavy metal concentrations in rice and other edible crops, the remediation process of the paddy soils and a dietary study of the local population are needed.

UNCLOAKING INVISIBLE GOLD: USE OF NANOSIMS TO EVALUATE GOLD, TRACE ELEMENTS, AND SULFUR ISOTOPES IN PYRITE FROM CARLIN-TYPE GOLD DEPOSITS

One-hundred-nm-resolution secondary ionizing mass spectrometry (nanoSIMS) was used to determine the distribution of Au, Cu, As, Sb, and S, and stable isotopes of S (34S/32S) in gold-bearing pyrite from two refractory Carlin-type gold deposits: West Banshee, northern Carlin Trend, and Turquoise Ridge, Getchell Trend, located in northern Nevada. NanoSIMS maps reveal that gold occurs in two discrete episodes in each deposit. Elevated gold concentrations correlate with elevated concentrations of As, Sb, Cu ± Te, and lower 34S/32S ratios, compared to periods when gold was not deposited. Precipitation of elevated gold and trace elements at West Banshee was followed by precipitation of pyrite with lower gold concentrations, whereas at Turquoise Ridge precipitation of trace element-rich pyrite was followed by precipitation of late ore-stage minerals. These NanoSIMS results are consistent with formation of the deposits by the episodic incursion of gold-rich fluids into hydrothermal systems otherwise dominated by gold-poor fluids. Such gold-rich fluid pulses may be related to incursions of magmatic fluid, which have been shown to have high concentrations of gold, arsenic, and copper in porphyry and high-sulfidation epithermal systems.

Tailings Mineralogy and Geochemistry at the Abandoned Haveri Au–Cu Mine, SW Finland

Fourteen samples from the Haveri Au–Cu mine tailings were studied by reflected-light microcopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder-diffraction, and sequential extraction methods, and 12 water samples were analyzed for total and dissolved elements to delineate the extent of sulfide oxidation and its impact on nearby surface waters. Water-soluble, adsorbed-exchangeable-carbonate (AEC), Fe (oxy)hydroxides, Fe oxide, and Fe sulfide fractions were extracted sequentially. The oxidation layer was found to vary from 50 to 140 cm: the upper part was nearly depleted in primary sulfides, especially pyrrhotite [Fe(1−x)S] and pyrite (FeS2); in the lower part, discontinuous cemented layers were detected. Secondary Fe (oxy)hydroxides and Fe oxyhydroxysulfates were abundant in the oxidation layer and were slightly enriched in trace elements, including As (up to 80 mg/kg), Cu (300 mg/kg), and Zn (150 mg/kg). Almost half of the As (average 25 mg/kg) were present as secondary minerals susceptible to redissolution. The pH of the vadose tailings varied from 2.46 to neutral, and the total sulfur content varied from 1 to 6.5% (average 2.9%). Aqua regia extraction showed that the Haveri tailings are characterized by low concentrations of the elements Cd, Cr, Pd, and slightly elevated concentrations of As, which are present at very low concentrations in the surface water (<6 μg/L). However, runoff that flows on top of the tailings and discharges into the nearby lake carries Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn (concentrations of each range from 500 to 1,800 μg/L). Additionally, dissolution of sulfides and Fe precipitates may mobilize trace metals in the ground water. Thus, overall, there is a small continuous release of AMD into Lake Kirkkojarvi, but the environmental impacts to the lake are presently small.

Geochemical study of arsenic and other trace elements in groundwater and sediments of the Old Brahmaputra River Plain, Bangladesh

The geochemical study of groundwaters and core sediments from the Old Brahmaputra plain of Bangladesh was conducted to investigate the distribution of arsenic and related trace elements. Groundwaters from tube wells are characterized by pH of 6.4–7.4, dissolved oxygen (DO) of 0.8–1.8 mg/l, Ca contents of 5–50 mg/l, and Fe contents of 0.2–12.9 mg/l. Arsenic concentrations ranged from 8 to 251 μg/l, with an average value of 63 μg/l. A strong positive correlation exists between As and Fe (r2 = 0.802; p = 0.001) concentrations in groundwater. The stratigraphic sequences in the cores consist of yellowish silty clays at top, passing downward into grayish to yellowish clays and sands. The uppermost 3 m and lower parts (from 13 to 31 m) of the core sediments are oxidized (average oxidation reduction potential (ORP) +170 and +220 mV, respectively), and the ORP values gradually become negative from 3 to 13 m depths (−35 to −180 mV), indicating that anoxic conditions prevail in the shallow aquifers of the Brahmaputra plain. Age determinations suggest that clay horizons at ~10 m depth were deposited at around 2,000 and 5,000 years BP (14C ages) during the transgressive phase of sea-level change. Elevated concentrations of As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, and V are present in the silts and clays, probably due to adsorption onto clay particles. Significant concentrations of As occur in black peat and peaty sediments at depths between 9 and 13 m. A strong positive correlation between As and Fe was found in the sediments, indicating As may be adsorbed onto Fe oxides in aquifer sediments.

The occurrence and geochemistry of arsenic in groundwaters of the Newark basin of Pennsylvania

Abstract Elevated As concentrations in groundwater in the eastern United States have been recognized predominantly in the accretionary geologic terranes of northern New England. A retrospective examination of more than 18,000 existing groundwater samples from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) Drinking Water and Sampling Information System database indicates that elevated groundwater As concentrations occur throughout the northern half of the Piedmont Province of Pennsylvania. Chemical analyses of 53 samples collected in 2005 from drinking water wells in this area all had detectable As, and 23% of these samples contained elevated (>133 nmol/L or >10 μg/L) concentrations of As. Elevated concentrations of As in the groundwater samples were most common in the Mesozoic sedimentary strata composed of sandstone and red mudstone with interbedded gray shale, and gray to black siltstone and shale. Arsenic was typically not elevated in groundwater of diabase intrusions of the Newark Basin or in crystalline and calcareous aquifers to the north of the Newark Basin. Geochemical parameters such as pH and oxidation–reduction potential can indicate mobility mechanisms of As in some regions. In this area, measured groundwater conditions were predominantly oxidizing (Eh > +50 mV), and more than 85% of samples contained arsenate as the dominant As species. Variations in pH were strongly correlated to the As concentration, with highest As concentrations observed at pH values greater than 6.4. The original source of As is most likely the black and gray shales that contain some arsenian pyrite with groundwater concentrations likely to be controlled by adsorption/desorption reactions with Fe oxides in the red mudstone aquifer materials.

Exposure assessment of a burning ground for chemical ammunition on the Great War battlefields of Verdun

The destruction of arsenical shells from the 1914/18 war in the vicinity of Verdun (France) during the 1920s resulted in a locally limited but severe soil contamination by arsenic and heavy metals. At the study site, the main part of the contaminant inventory occurs in the upper 20 cm of the topsoil which is essentially composed of combustion residues. Besides, some Cu (cmax.=16,877 mg/kg) and Pb (cmax.=26,398 mg/kg) in this layer, As (cmax.=175,907 mg/kg) and Zn (cmax.=133,237 mg/kg) were detected in very high concentrations. The mobilities of Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in the soil system were derived from ammonium nitrate eluates. They are strongly influenced by the soil pH and can be described by quadratic regression curves from which threshold pH values were calculated. Below these values more than 10% of the element content was available as mobile species. Within the examined pH range, this method could not be adopted for arsenic, because the mobility of As was only slightly controlled by the soil pH. In the heavily contaminated topsoil, Cu and Pb were fixed by the moderately acidic soil pH which varied from 4.8 to 5.8. No migration to the underlying horizons occurred. A different behavior was observed for As and Zn. The calculated threshold pH of Zn was 5.5, so certain amount of this element was transferred to the subsoil and the leachate (cmax.=350 microg/l). However, a major dispersion of Zn was prevented by a rise of the soil pH in the carbonate-containing subsoil. Elevated concentrations of As were found in all soil horizons up to a depth of 2 m and also in the leachate (cmax.=2377 microg/l). Contrary to Cu, Pb and Zn the mobility of As evidently was less affected by the subsoil. Regarding organic contaminants, nitroaromatic explosives were detected only in minor concentrations in the soil (cmax.=14.7 mg/kg) and the leachate (cmax.=13.5 microg/l). No aromatic organoarsenicals were detected in the soil and the leachate samples. The main hazard of the site is the severe arsenic contamination and the transfer of this carcinogen by leachate, surface runoff and probably by wind. Nevertheless, some studies on the effects of the contaminant inventory on the local vegetation revealed that ammonium nitrate elutable zinc is responsible for the spatial distribution of some tolerant plant species and not arsenic. Previously undetected buried munitions from the former delaboration facility can be an other source of environmental contaminants. This is supported by elevated concentrations of chlorate (cmax.=71 mg/l) and perchlorate (cmax.=0.8 mg/l) detected in the leachate samples. This is the second report about environmental contamination related to post-war ammunition destruction activities along the 1914/18 Western Front.

Assessment of Contamination from Arsenical Pesticide Use on Orchards in the Great Valley region, Virginia and West Virginia, USA

Lead arsenate pesticides were widely used in apple orchards from 1925 to 1955. Soils from historic orchards in four counties in Virginia and West Virginia contained elevated concentrations of As and Pb, consistent with an arsenical pesticide source. Arsenic concentrations in approximately 50% of the orchard site soils and approximately 1% of reference site soils exceed the USEPA Preliminary Remediation Goal (PRG) screening guideline of 22 mg kg(-1) for As in residential soil, defined on the basis of combined chronic exposure risk. Approximately 5% of orchard site soils exceed the USEPA PRG for Pb of 400 mg kg(-1) in residential soil; no reference site soils sampled exceed this value. A variety of statistical methods were used to characterize the occurrence, distribution, and dispersion of arsenical pesticide residues in soils, stream sediments, and ground waters relative to landscape features and likely background conditions. Concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cu were most strongly associated with high developed land density and population density, whereas elevated concentrations of As were weakly correlated with high orchard density, consistent with a pesticide residue source. Arsenic concentrations in ground water wells in the region are generally <0.005 mg L(-1). There was no spatial association between As concentrations in ground water and proximity to orchards. Arsenic had limited mobility into ground water from surface soils contaminated with arsenical pesticide residues at concentrations typically found in orchards.

Metalliferous Sediments Associated with Presently Forming Volcanogenic Massive Sulfides: The SuSu Knolls Hydrothermal Field, Eastern Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea

Short sediment cores were examined from the active SuSu Knolls hydrothermal field in the eastern Manus back-arc basin, Papua New Guinea, in order to explain the origin of the currently accumulating metalliferous sediments. The mineralogy and geochemistry of the sediments were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, and instrumental neutron activation analysis. Sediments of the Suzette site originated from the deposition of volcaniclastic material with the addition of a hydrothermal component from the mass wasting of old oxidized chimneys. A strong mass wasting event was recognized at the base of the studied sedimentary succession from the occurrence of chalcopyrite, pyrite, and barite aggregates, similar to those found in chimneys, as well as the presence of atacamite. The metalliferous component is characterized by high concentrations of Cu (up to 2.3%) and Au (up to 3.5 ppm), elevated concentrations of As, Ba, Zn, and Fe, as well as a positive Eu anomaly. The material derived from eroded chimneys was deposited together with abundant glass fragments eroded from the volcanic edifice. The mass wasting was succeeded by deposition of volcaniclastic sediment containing dacite fragments, Ca plagioclase, pyroxene, glass shards, cristobalite, Si-rich amorphous material, alunite, pyrite, barite, and magnetite. The volcaniclastic sediment may have originated from hydrothermal eruptions at North Su and South Su. The present-day plume at Suzette is a likely source of rare barite aggregates, amorphous Cu-containing aggregates, and Cu-Fe sulfides creating geochemical anomalies of Ba and Cu in the uppermost sediments at Suzette. Interbedded volcaniclastic and hemipelagic sediments were retrieved east and west of SuSu Knolls. The enrichment of Mn in these sediments is considered to be a result of settling of Mn oxides from a hydrothermal plume.

Mobility and microbially mediated mobilization of gold and arsenic in soils from two gold mines in semi-arid and tropical Australia

The mobility and microbially mediated solubilization of Au and As in regolith materials from two Au mines in Australia, i.e., the Peak Hill Gold Mine in semi-arid New South Wales and the Hit or Miss Gold Mine in tropical northern Queensland, was studied using a combination of geochemical and microbiological techniques. Gold is highly mobile in both environments, the mobility of Au increases with increasing degree of weathering of host materials, and the resident microbiota are capable of mediating its solubilization. The results of the microcosm experiments demonstrate that the activity of microorganisms needs to be taken into account when studying the mobility and solubilization of Au in the Australian regolith. In primary, unweathered mineralization material from the Hit or Miss mine 99 wt% of Au was extracted only in the strongest final step of the sequential extractions, in concentrated aqua regia. In alteration zone material from the Peak Hill Gold Mine 80 wt% of Au was associated with the operationally defined Mn and Fe oxides. In contrast, in auriferous soils overlying mineralization at both sites 90–95 wt% of Au was associated with the operationally defined exchangeable, clay-bound and organic fractions. Microcosm experiments were incubated biologically active and inactive (sterilized) in 1:4 (w/v) aqueous slurries at 25 °C in the dark for up to 95 days. In biologically active microcosms with soils from the Peak Hill- and the Hit or Miss Gold Mines approximately 55 wt% (907 ng g −1 d.w. soil) and 20 wt% (233 ng g −1 d.w. soil) of the total Au, respectively, was solubilized during the incubation. In contrast, no or significantly lower Au concentrations were observed in biologically inactive microcosms. The mobility and microbially mediated release of As was limited at both sites and appears to be mostly controlled by abiotic adsorption and desorption on Mn- and Fe-oxides. Arsenic has a low solubility in the more mobile fractions and is mostly associated with Mn- and Fe-oxides and the residual fraction. The release of As was not elevated in biologically active compared to inactive microcosms from the Peak Hill Gold Mine. In contrast, in biologically active microcosms with samples from the Hit or Miss Mine elevated concentrations of As were detected in solution compared to the biologically inactive experiments.

Sedimentary rock-hosted Au deposits of the Dian–Qian–Gui area, Guizhou, and Yunnan Provinces, and Guangxi District, China

Sedimentary rock-hosted Au deposits in the Dian–Qian–Gui area in southwest China are hosted in Paleozoic and early Mesozoic sedimentary rocks along the southwest margin of the Yangtze (South China) Precambrian craton. Most deposits have characteristics similar to Carlin-type Au deposits and are spatially associated, on a regional scale, with deposits of coal, Sb, barite, As, Tl, and Hg. Sedimentary rock-hosted Au deposits are disseminated stratabound and(or) structurally controlled. The deposits have many similar characteristics, particularly mineralogy, geochemistry, host rock, and structural control. Most deposits are associated with structural domes, stratabound breccia bodies, unconformity surfaces or intense brittle–ductile deformation zones, such as the Youjiang fault system. Typical characteristics include impure carbonate rock or calcareous and carbonaceous host rock that contains disseminated pyrite, marcasite, and arsenopyrite—usually with μm-sized Au, commonly in As-rich rims of pyrite and in disseminations. Late realgar, orpiment, stibnite, and Hg minerals are spatially associated with earlier forming sulfide minerals. Minor base–metal sulfides, such as galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and Pb–Sb–As–sulphosalts also are present. The rocks locally are silicified and altered to sericite–clay (illite). Rocks and(or) stream-sediment geochemical signatures typically include elevated concentrations of As, Sb, Hg, Tl, and Ba. A general lack of igneous rocks in the Dian–Qian–Gui area implies non-pluton-related, ore forming processes. Some deposits contain evidence that sources of the metal may have originated in carbonaceous parts of the sedimentary pile or other sedimentary or volcanic horizons. This genetic process may be associated with formation and mobilization of petroleum and Hg in the region and may also be related to As-, Au-, and Tl-bearing coal horizons. Many deposits also contain textures and features indicative of strong structural control by tectonic domes or shear zones and also suggest syndeformational ore deposition, possibly related to the Youjiang fault system. Several sedimentary rock-hosted Au deposits in the Dian–Qian–Gui area also are of the red earth-type and Au grades have been concentrated and enhanced during episodes of deep weathering.

Arsenic, antimony and other toxic elements in the drinking water of Eastern Thessaly in Greece and its possible effects on human health

Twenty-six groundwater samples were collected from the Eastern Thessaly region and analysed by ICP-ES for these elements: Al, As, P, Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cr, Sb, Cu, Na, Br, Cl, Si, Mg, Ag, Be, Bi, Dy, Er, Eu, Au, Ge, Ho, In, Ir, Os, Pt, Re, Rh, Ru, Lu, Hf, Hg, Tm, Zr and Nb. The objectives of the study were to assess the level of water contamination with respect to the EC and the USEPA health-based drinking water criteria. The geology of the studied area includes schists, amphibolites, marbles of Palaeozoic age, ophiolites, limestones of Triassic and Cretaceous age, Neogene and Quaternary deposits. The element ranges for groundwater samples are: Al 7–56 μg l−1, As 1–125 μg l−1, Br 6–60 μg l−1, Cl 500–25,000 μg l−1, Cr 1–6 μg l−1, Cu 1–15 μg l−1, Fe 10–352 μg l−1, Mg 2,940–40,100 μg l−1, Mn 0–8 μg l−1, Na 3,650–13,740 μg l−1, P 20–48 μg l−1, Pb 0–7 μg l−1, Sb 0–21 μg l−1, Si 3,310–13,240 μg l−1 and Zn 7–994 μg l−1. The results of groundwater analyses from the region of Eastern Thessaly showed elevated concentrations of As and Sb. Factor analysis explained 77.8% of the total variance of the data through five factors. Concentration of Br, Cl, Mg, Na and Si is directly related to the presence of saltwater in the aquifer, so grouping of these variables in factor 1 probably reflects the seawater intrusion. Al, As and Sb are known to form complexes in the environment, so grouping of these elements in factor 2 indicates their similar geochemical behaviour in the environment. The high negative loading of Mn in factor 2 indicates the presence of manganese oxides–hydroxides in the study area. Pb and Zn are associated together in sulphide mineralisation; so grouping of these elements in factor 3 reflects the sulphide mineralization paragenesis in the Melivoia area. P and Cu are associated together in phosphate fertilizers; so grouping of these variables in factor 4 could be related to agricultural practices. Cr, Fe, Mn and Mg are associated together in iron and manganese oxides–hydroxides and the weathering products of the olivine of the ultrabasic rocks; so grouping of these elements in factor 5 reflects the lithology of the area. There is a natural contamination of groundwaters with elevated concentrations of As and Sb due to the presence of the arsenopyrite and stibnite mineralisation in the Melivoia, Sotiritsa and Ano Polydendri areas. Contamination over the health-based drinking water guidelines given by EC and EPA has been investigated from nine sampling sites out of 26 of Eastern Thessaly region.

Geochemistry of Champagne Hot Springs shallow hydrothermal vent field and associated sediments, Dominica, Lesser Antilles

The Champagne Hot Springs (CHS) shallow submarine hydrothermal system is located along the submerged flank of the Plat Pays volcanic system on the southwest section of the island of Dominica, Lesser Antilles. We have conducted a detailed geochemical study of the hydrothermal system, with the objectives to investigate the source of the hydrothermal fluids and gases, their effect on sediment and precipitate chemistry, as well as comparing the submarine vent chemistry with nearby on-land hydrothermal vents. Finally, we compare our findings to previous preliminary data from CHS, and compare sediment chemistry to that of average Caribbean sediments. We also report on a newly discovered area of submarine hydrothermal venting, located approximately 40 m to the north of CHS. This area consists of hydrothermally altered areas of sand that contain abundant coatings of hydrous ferric oxides (HFO) on sediment grains. Geochemical and mineralogical analyses of vent waters, pore waters, gases, sediments and precipitates reveal that the vent fluids consist of a mixture of entrained seawater and meteorically derived hydrothermal fluid in varying proportions. Vent fluids are depleted in Br −, SO 4 2−, Cl −, Na +, K +, and Sr 2+ relative to ambient seawater. These species are all positively correlated with Mg 2+, which is also depleted relative to seawater. Boron, Fe, As, Sb, Mn, Si and Li are all enriched relative to ambient seawater. Pore waters in the hydrothermally altered sand patches have essentially the same chemistry. Mixing between Fe 2+ rich vent fluids and seawater causes rapid oxidation of Fe 2+ to insoluble Fe 3+ and leads to precipitation of HFO at the vent site and subsequent formation of hydrothermally altered sand patches. The elevated concentrations of As and Sb in the precipitates and sediments relative to average Caribbean seafloor sediments reflect adsorption by HFO. Gas samples from the vent site are typical arc-type gases and have both meteoric and magmatic signatures.

Use of spatial statistics and isotopic tracers to measure the influence of arsenical pesticide use on stream sediment chemistry in New England, USA

Arsenical pesticides and herbicides, principally Pb arsenate, Ca arsenate, and Na arsenate with lesser use of other metal-As pesticides, were widely applied on apple, blueberry, and potato crops in New England during the first half of the twentieth century. Agricultural census data for this time period is used to define an agricultural index that identifies areas that are inferred to have used arsenical pesticides extensively. Factor analysis on metal concentrations in 1597 stream sediment samples collected throughout New England, grouped by agricultural-index categories, indicate a positive association of areas with stream sediment sample populations that contain higher As and Pb concentrations than samples from the region as a whole with sample site settings having high agricultural-index values. Population statistics for As and Pb concentrations and factor scores for an As–Pb factor all increase systematically and significantly with increasing agricultural-index intensity in the region, as tested by Kruskal–Wallis analysis. Lead isotope compositions for 16 stream sediments from a range of agricultural-index settings generally overlap the observed variation in rock sulfides and their weathering products; however, sediments collected from high agricultural-index settings have slightly more radiogenic Pb compositions, consistent with an industrial Pb contribution to these samples. Although weathering products from rocks are likely to be the dominant source of As and metals to most of the stream sediment samples collected in the region, the widespread use of arsenical pesticides and herbicides in New England during the early 1900–1960s appears to be a significant anthropogenic source of As and metals to many sediments in agricultural areas in the region and has raised background levels of As in some regions. Elevated concentrations of As in stream sediments are of concern for two reasons. Stream sediments with elevated As concentrations delineate areas with elevated background concentrations of As from both natural rock and anthropogenic sources that may contribute As to groundwater systems used for drinking water supplies. Conversion of agricultural land contaminated with arsenical pesticide residues to residential development may increase the likelihood that humans will be exposed to As. In addition, many stream sediment sites have As concentrations that exceed sediment quality guidelines established for freshwater ecosystems. Thirteen percent of the New England sediment sample sites exceed 9.79 mg/kg As, the threshold effects concentration (TEC), below which harmful effects are unlikely to be observed. Arsenic concentrations exceed 33 mg/kg, the probable effects concentration (PEC), above which harmful effects on sediment-dwelling organisms are expected to occur frequently, at 1.25% of the sediment sample sites. The sample sites that exceed the PEC value occur predominately in agricultural areas that used arsenical pesticides.

Metal toxicity inferred from algal population density, heterotrophic substrate use, and fatty acid profile in a small stream

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine relations between metal concentrations in periphyton and the abundance of algal species, heterotrophic use of 95 carbon sources, and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) of the periphyton in a small stream spanning a mine in Lemhi County, Idaho, USA. Two upstream, two mine, and two downstream sites were examined. Elevated concentrations of As and Cu at the mine sites were associated with communities that were depleted of diatoms and filamentous blue‐green algae and characterized by a low‐diversity community dominated by a single blue‐green alga and patchy populations of the diatom Achnanthidium minutissimum and a filamentous green alga. Carbon source use and PLFA profiles provided a rapid assessment of stream conditions that were consistent with algal taxonomy and with our hypotheses constructed from previous reports on periphyton responses to metal stress.

ARSENIC AND OTHER TOXIC ELEMENTAL CONTAMINATION OF GROUNDWATER, SURFACE WATER AND SOIL IN BANGLADESH AND ITS POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH

The problems of contamination caused by arsenic (As) and other toxic metals in groundwater, surface water and soils in the Bengal basin of Bangladesh have been studied. Altogether 10 groundwater, seven surface water and 31 soil samples were collected from arsenic-affected areas and analysed chemically. The geologic and anthropogenic sources of As and other toxic metals are discussed in this paper. The chemical results show that the mean As concentrations in groundwater in the Char Ruppur (0.253 mg As L−1), Rajarampur (1.955 mg As L−1) and Shamta areas (0.996 mg As L−1) greatly exceed the WHO recommended value, which is 0.01 mg As L−1. The concentrations of As in groundwater are very high compared to those in surface water and in surface soil in the three (As-affected) areas studied. This indicates that the source of As in groundwater could be bedrock. The relatively high concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in surface water, compared to world typical value, are due to the solubility of metal ions, organometalic complexes, coprecipitation or co-existance with the colloidal clay fraction. In the soil, the elevated concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn are due to their strong affinity to organic matter, hydrous oxides of Fe and Mn, and clay minerals.