High Concentrations Of Trace Elements Research Articles

Mo isotopes record recycling of anoxic sediment in a Paleo-oceanic subduction zone

Mafic arc igneous rocks with oceanic crust-derived fluids in their mantle sources generally show heavy Mo isotope compositions. However, these rocks may exhibit variable Mo isotope compositions due to involvement of seafloor sediments under different redox conditions. Thus, it is intriguing how Mo isotope recycles with sediment subduction and how Mo isotope fractionation occurs during this process. Here we report Mo isotope data for Paleozoic mafic arc igneous rocks from the Qinling-Tongbai orogenic belt in Central China. The Qinling mafic rocks have δ98Mo values of −0.03 to 0.40‰, and the Tongbai mafic rocks have δ98Mo values of −0.26 to 0.17‰. These values are considerably higher than the normal mantle values of −0.20 ± 0.01‰. In combination with low Mo/Ce ratios, enriched SrNd isotope compositions, and high melt-mobile incompatible trace element contents for these rocks, the high δ98Mo values suggest that anoxic sediment-derived melts with heavy Mo isotopes were incorporated by oceanic subduction into the mantle sources. The high δ98Mo values of the mafic rocks indicate the limited Mo isotope fractionation during subduction of the anoxic sediment. This inference is further verified by modeling of Mo isotope fractionation under reducing conditions in the subduction zone. In this regard, Mo isotopes can be used to identify the recycling of sediments in different types and thus provide geochemical constraints on the redox conditions of oceanic subduction zones.

FORMATION OF THE COMPOSITION OF TRACE ELEMENTS OF SNOW DUST IN TYUMEN AND TOBOLSK USING HIERARCHICAL CLUSTER ANALYSIS

Link for citation: Zakharchenko A.V., Pasko O.A., Tigeev A.A. Formation of the composition of trace elements of snow dust in Tyumen and Tobolsk using hierarchical cluster analysis. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Аssets Engineering, 2023, vol. 334, no. 8, рр. 110-120. In Rus. The relevance: search for new methodological approaches and techniques for assessing the aerosol migration of substances and characterizing air pollution. The purpose of the work is a comparative analysis of clusters of the content of microelements of the solid phase of snow in the closely located cities of Tyumen and Tobolsk with respect to clean background and areas subject to technogenic impact. The materials: the trace elements of solid phase of the snow cover. The methods: chemical-analytical for determining the content of trace elements, hierarchical cluster in the analysis of geochemical spectra, probabilistic-statistical. Results. The background dust load in Tobolsk is less, and the inner city load is higher compared to Tyumen. A cluster data structure of 8 clusters has been established with the allocation of two large groups that combine the Tobolsk and Tyumen sites, which are divided into clusters with low and high content of trace elements. Conclusions. The conditionally background cluster C6 is present in Tobolsk (22,6 %) and Tyumen (11,7 %), and C5 – 13 % in Tobolsk and 8 % in Tyumen. A specific Tobolsk cluster C8 with a predominance of scattered elements (48 %) was found at 2 sites in Tyumen, which may indicate a possible transfer of aerosols between these cities. Some technogenic clusters contained heavy metals, while others were dominated by Sc, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cd. Technogenic clusters (C7, C1) differ in the shape of the geochemical spectrum: heavy metals predominate in some, trace elements (C8) predominate in others; the same applies to conditionally background samples. The specific technogenic Tyumen cluster C4 is distinguished by high values of Cu and Mo. Conditionally isolated background clusters had a low content of microelements. To identify environmental conditions, we moved from the standardized values of cluster analysis to their material content. It is shown that some clusters contain heavy metals, while others contain Sc, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cd. Conditionally isolated background clusters had a low content of microelements. Using the content of microelements of the C5 cluster as a background, the environmental index of pollution Zc was calculated, which in Tobolsk reaches a high and dangerous level of pollution 60,8–83,7, in Tyumen – an average, moderately dangerous level Zc (32–64). The use of cluster analysis makes it possible to determine the trace elements pollution of snow dust and the territory as a whole.

Elemental Characterization of Indonesian Coral Skeleton Using Underwater Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES)

The identification and determination of elements from the Indonesian coral skeleton are required to characterize anthropogenic activities. To this end, various spectroscopy methods were used for elemental analysis including underwater laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The results show that the LIBS was able identify the major elements Ca, Mg, and Sr. Using ICP-OES, all elements including major, minor, and trace elements were quantitatively determined. The results show that coral skeletons from Karimunjawa contain the highest concentrations of trace elements, which may be due to expanded human activities.

On the question of the mechanism of the general toxic action of lead nitrate

The leading unfavorable factor in the working environment that affects the health of miners is polymetallic dust, which contains a large number of toxic chemical elements. The study of the chemical composition of the floating dust in the air environment of the quarries of the East Kazakhstan copper-chemical plant and processing plant (Mamyrbaev, Konakbaev, 1992) showed a high content of lead, selenium, antimony, arsenic, and other trace elements.

Evolution of an ancient VMS ore-forming system recorded by pyrite and sphalerite mineral texture, trace elements, and sulfur isotope: A case study from the Huangtupo Cu-Zn (-Au) deposit, Eastern Tianshan, NW China

The Huangtupo Cu-Zn (-Au) volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit is hosted in a suite of Early Paleozoic basic to acidic volcanic, volcaniclastic rocks in the Eastern Tianshan orogen, northwest China. The Cu-Zn orebodies are characterized by the zoning of metallogenic elements upward from a deep stockwork mineralized zone (Cu > Zn) to a shallow massive mineralized zone (Zn > Cu). Detailed petrographic and LA-ICP-MS analyses have identified five types of pyrite and three types of sphalerite. These sulfides can be distinguished in a paragenesis with four stages of sulfide mineralization. The preore stage (SⅠ) from the deep volcanic rock contains subhedral-euhedral pyrite (Py1) with high trace element contents (e.g., Co, Ni, and Ti; Average value of total trace elements: 16764 ppm), except for Sb, and Tl, indicating a euxinic and high-temperature environment. Both the disseminated and veined pyrite (Py2) from the early ore stage (SⅡ; stockwork zone) and the euhedral pyrite (Py3) from the main ore stage-1 (SIII-1) have a similar chemical signature, suggesting that they precipitated under similar physicochemical conditions. These two paragentic stages of pyrite contributed only minimally to the trace elements endowment, except for higher Se contents. The continuous convection of hydrothermal fluids caused a large accumulation of copper and zinc, forming massive orebodies. Pyrite within the Zn(Cu)-rich zone of the main ore stage-2 (SIII-2) comprises three sub-generations (Py4a ∼ c) which are characterized by enrichment in most trace elements such as Au, As, Cu, and Sb. Pyrite 4a ∼ c formed in a fluctuating sedimentary environment and recorded the injection of a short-term, gold-rich fluid, which dissolved and reprecipitated trace elements from earlier ores and surrounding rocks. Orebody deformation and local metamorphism played a key role in this gold enrichment event. Pyrite (Py5) from the late ore stage (SⅣ) is deficient in most elements but relatively enriched in Co, Ni, and Se. Three stages of sphalerite associated with the Py3 ∼ 4 have been distinguished in the SIII. From Sp1 to Sp3, the content of Fe, Ge, Mo, and Cd decreased gradually, but the Sp2 is relatively depleted in Ag, As, Au, Pb, and Sb compared to Sp1 and Sp3. The sensitive variation of As, Co, Ni, Se, Pb in pyrite and Fe, Cu, Mn, Sb, Cd in sphalerite provide significant information for reconstructing the hydrothermal evolution process. The sulfur isotopes of these pyrites determined by in situ LA-multicollector (MC)-ICP-MS analyses are concentrated around 0‰, but vary significantly from −2.3 to 5.8‰. The δ34S values of the sphalerite range from −3.5 to 4.0 ‰ and tends to decrease from Sp1 to Sp3. These results show that the metals of the SIII were most likely derived from the deep-seated Early Paleozoic subvolcanic intrusion and Daliugou Formation during the evolution of regional island arcs.Combining the chemical, and isotopic data and geological features, the ore-forming process of an ancient VMS deposit was deduced. These results constrain the texture, composition and sulfur isotopic signatures of sulfides in veins and deformed ore bodies, as well as the gold enrichment mechanism, and also reflect the vertical variation of trace elements at the scale of VMS deposits, supporting the existence of multiple depositional mechanisms.

In situ characterization of pyrite from multiple microenvironments in middle Jurassic strata, northeastern Ordos Basin, China: Evaluation of synsedimentary/diagenetic fluid evolution

The sulfur isotopic composition and trace element content recorded in sedimentary pyrite have been widely used as a proxy to establish the geochemistry of pyrite-forming fluids. However, a continuous and complete evolution process of these fluids from the sedimentary period to diagenetic period remains not well constrained. The middle Jurassic strata (the Yan'an Formation containing coal seams and its overlying Zhiluo Formation hosting U deposits in the sandstone) in the northeastern Ordos Basin contain four kinds of microenvironments favorable for pyrite formation, namely coal, carbonaceous debris in barren gray sandstone, barren gray sandstone without carbonaceous debris and U mineralized gray sandstone from bottom to top, providing a good opportunity to decode pyrite formation in response to synsedimentary/diagenetic fluid evolution. In these microenvironments, pyrite named as PC, PD, PB and PM respectively, displays a variety of micro morphologies (framboidal, euhedral, infilling, irregular and cement) formed during sedimentary and diagenetic stages. PC has δ34S values ranging from −36.1 to +26.5 ‰ and low contents of total trace elements (from 6.7 to 58 ppm of Co + Ni + As + Se + Mo). PD and PB present δ34S signatures from −33.6 to +14.4 ‰ and from +9.7 to +22.2 ‰, respectively, with moderate trace element contents (from 21 to 111 ppm and from 23 to 80 ppm, respectively). PM resulting from the oxidation of PD and PB shows negative δ34S values (from −16.9 to −11.1 ‰ for framboidal pyrite and from −56.7 to −34.8 ‰ for euhedral pyrite + pyrite cement) and high trace element contents varying from 350 to 931 ppm. Detailed sulfur isotope and trace element microanalyses indicate that S involved in the formation of pyrite is derived from the fractionation process of organic sulfur in the coal, while Fe and trace elements originate from the surface-derived meteoric water. A paragenetic sequence from early PC, to PD and PB, and finally PM implies an evolution trend of δ34S values increasing first and then decreasing (bacterial sulfate reduction for framboids and Ostwald ripening for euhedral pyrite and pyrite cement of PM) and gradual enrichment of trace elements from synsedimentary to diagenetic fluids. The quantitative results can contribute to a better understanding of synsedimentary/diagenetic fluid evolution both locally and regionally for sedimentary strata in the low-temperature system.

STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSECT SPECIES HERMETIA ILLUCENS (BLACK SOLDIER FLY)

Background. The problem of agricultural waste disposal is currently very relevant. In the Russian Federation, the agro-industrial complex annually produces hundreds of millions of tons of waste that must be disposed of and used rationally. Organic waste from agricultural production and farm animal manure can be effectively disposed of using directed microbiological fermentation and larvae of the insect Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly). As a result of the activity of the enzyme system of black lion larvae and specific microflora, agricultural waste turns into zoohumus with a high content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements, which can be used as an organic fertilizer that improves the quality of the soil, and the biomass of larvae for animal feed and for obtaining protein concentrate and fat.
 Purpose. To determine the optimal temperature conditions for the cultivation of the insect species Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) on various types of substrates, to study the effect of the substrate composition on the production of larval biomass, protein concentrate and fat.
 Materials and Methods. The research work was carried out in the microbiological laboratory of the Center for Technological Excellence “Advanced Chemical and Biotechnology”, laboratories of the Department of Biology and Technologies of Living Systems, Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Tula State Pedagogical University named after L. N. Tolstoy and insectaria LLC “Lvinka”.
 To study the effect of the feed composition on the growth and development of the larvae of the insect species Hermetia illucens, substrates from various agricultural, food and animal waste were used. To determine the influence of temperature and humidity on the development of larvae, thermostats and insectarium rooms were used.
 Results. The study of the effect of various solid organic waste on the biomass of live and dried larvae showed that the larvae of the insect H. illucens grew and developed better on food waste consisting of meat and fish waste, as well as plant food waste. Larvae developed worse on plant residues. This is due to the fact that these wastes contain a large amount of cellulose and much less nutrients in their composition, therefore, on a substrate of this composition, the larvae gained biomass worse. The optimal temperature for the cultivation of insect larvae of the species H. illucens is t-22°C. The ratio of protein and fat in the larvae of the insect H. illucens depends on the composition of the feed. In those types of feed where protein predominates, the content of this component in the larvae is high. For example, when using food meat waste, the content of protein concentrate reaches 595 g/kg, fat only 323 g/ kg, and when using vegetable waste containing a large amount of carbohydrates, more fat and less protein are produced.
 Concisions. As a result of the research work carried out, it was possible to study the influence of environmental factors on the growth and development of the insect species H. illucens (black soldier fly), and to select favorable conditions for the development of larval biomass. Optimal substrates were selected for the cultivation of larvae of the insect species H. illucens. The most suitable substrates for the production of protein concentrate and fat were also determined.

Trace elements in aquatic products from Shenzhen, China and their implications for human exposure

Aquatic organisms in industrially polluted areas can accumulate large quantities of heavy metals. To assess the resulting health risks, 11 trace elements in 184 aquatic products representing 14 species of fish, crustaceans, and bivalves collected from Shenzhen, China were determined. Aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), antimony (Sb), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The pollution levels of each product and the human health risk resulting from their consumption were then assessed. The concentrations of As in 57 % of samples and Cd in 11 % of samples exceeded the upper limits stipulated by the Chinese National Food Safety Standards (GB 2762-2017), which was mainly due to high concentrations of trace elements in crustaceans and bivalves. The Nemerow integrated pollution index indicated that the aquatic products accumulated high levels of As and Cd. Health risk assessments using the target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) suggested that As and Cd exposure due to consumption of aquatic products presents a potential health risk for residents of Shenzhen.

Distribution, Risk Assessment and Source Identification of Potentially Toxic Elements in Coal Mining Contaminated Soils of Makarwal, Pakistan: Environmental and Human Health Outcomes

The present research was carried out to examine the health and environmental impacts associated with coal mining activities in the Makarwal coal mining area in Pakistan. To achieve the objectives, 41 soil samples were collected from the coalmine-affected areas and analyzed for major and toxic trace elements (TTEs) using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Most of the soil samples have extremely high concentrations of toxic metals such as Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb. The positive correlations and high concentration of trace elements in the Makarwal coalmine-affected region suggest an analogous origin of soil contamination. The factor analysis (FA) showed two components, i.e., F1 (53.4%) and F (74.21%), of total variability for soil. The F2 was loaded with Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr, which was similar to cluster 2, while the F1 was loaded with Cu and Cr, having a similar pattern to cluster 1. This proves that the contamination in the surrounding area is mostly associated with geological ore strata existing in the Makarwal coalfield. Based on geoaccumulation (Igeo), the elemental concentration in the studied soil sample could be categorized as follows: (1) Pb, Ni, and Zn are moderate to severely polluted and (2) Cr and Cu are in the moderately polluted category. The ecological risk indices (ERIs) of the single trace element contamination index highlighted that Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cr pose a high risk to humans and the ecosystem. Based on different statistical tools performed for the source identification and distribution of metal contamination, it seems that the exposed sedimentary rocks, including limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and coal, are responsible for the toxic metal contamination in the study area.

Scheelite trace element compositions: A robust new tool for mineral exploration

Scheelite is a widespread accessory tungstate mineral that contains a variety of trace elements. Scheelites from the major types of magmatic-hydrothermal mineral deposits (86 deposits, including quartz-vein and greisen, porphyry, skarn and orogenic Au deposits) have been collected and analyzed using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (3270 data, including 584 analyses). Discriminant analysis using Mo, Sr, Nb, La, Ce, Eu, Dy, Yb, Y, Ta, Pb, (Ce/Yb)N, (La/Sm)N, (Gd/Yb)N, Eu anomaly, Ce anomaly, (La/Yb)N, LREE/HREE, Y/Ho and Mo + Sr + Nd + rare-earth elements (REE) + Y + Ta + Pb reveals that scheelites from different mineral deposits can be distinguished. Scheelites from quartz-vein and greisen deposits have high total contents of trace elements that partition onto the Ca sites (Mo, Sr, Nd, REE, Y, Ta, Pb). Scheelites from the porphyry W ± Cu ± Mo deposits, which have been studied in this work, are characterized by low Mo and positive Eu than scheelites from porphyry Cu ± Mo deposits. This indicates that large scale tungsten deposits are related to reduced hydrothermal fluids, in contrast to the oxidized fluids associated with porphyry Cu ± Mo deposits. Scheelites from skarn W ± Sn ± Mo deposits typically exhibit a wide range of Y/Ho ratio and a higher sum of the elements Mo, Sr, Nd, REE, Y, Ta, and Pb compared to that from the skarn Cu ± Mo ± W deposits, indicating that increased amount of fluorine probably leads to large-scale W, Mo, and Sn mineralization during magmatic-hydrothermal processes. Scheelites from the greisen W-Sn polymetallic deposits tend to have more restricted Sr compositions and Eu anomalies than those from the quartz vein W-Sn deposits, as well as relatively high Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho contents, which coincide with extensive hydrothermal alteration, indicating intense fluid-rock interaction during mineralization. Using Discriminant projection analysis (DPA), scheelites from many ore deposits can be readily separated from each other. This study demonstrates that heavy-mineral scheelite grains collected during regional geochemical surveys are effective in identifying specific types of buried mineral deposits in potential mineralization area. Scheelite geochemistry with DPA provides an effective guidance for mineral exploration.

Structuring algae as buffers for heavy metals and trace elements in the Canary Islands intertidal habitat

Coastal marine pollution from sewage pipes, waste discharges, can seriously affect intertidal organisms. Therefore, the aim of this study is to know if the structuring algae in the Canary intertidal can act as buffers against pollution. Samples were taken in the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) from the intertidal water of Anemonia sulcata (anemone), Palaemon elegans (shrimp), Gongolaria abies-marina and Jania virgata (both structuring algae). Each sample was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) obtaining values for metals and trace elements (Al, Cd, Pb, Ca, K, Mg, Na, B, Ba, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sr, V and Zn). Higher concentrations were obtained in the two structuring algal species, with J. vigata having higher concentrations than G. abies-marina. Specimens of A. sulcata showed higher concentrations of trace elements and heavy metals than P. elegans. P. elegans y A. sulcata showed higher heavy metal concentrations and trace elements when algae were not present in the pool. Algae have a great buffering role in the intertidal of the Canary Islands.

Soil Contaminated with Hazardous Waste Materials at Rio Tinto Mine (Spain) Is a Persistent Secondary Source of Acid and Heavy Metals to the Environment

Mineralogical analysis and laboratory-based leaching tests coupled with speciation modeling were undertaken to quantify the potential for short-term acid generation and the release of trace elements from soils heavily contaminated with mine waste at Rio Tinto. Three different waste materials were considered as case studies: roasted pyrite, copper slags, and leached sulfide ores. The results showed elevated values of net acid generation (up to 663 mmol H+/kg), the major pools being potential sulfidic acidity and acidity retained in jarosite. Remarkable contents of As and toxic heavy metals were found especially in the slag-contaminated soil. Copper, Zn, and Pb were the most abundant metals in the acid leach solutions resulting from mine soil-water interaction, with peak values of 55.6 mg L−1, 2.77 mg L−1, and 2.62 mg L−1, respectively. Despite the high total contents of trace elements occurring in soil, the mobile fraction was limited to maximum release values of 12.60% for Cd and 10.27% for Cu, according to the test leaching. Speciation calculations indicated that free metal ions (M2+) and sulfate species (MSO40) accounted for most of the dissolved load. Acid soil drainage is a secondary source of acid and heavy metals in the mine site and, therefore, an effective land reclamation program should ensure that acidity and metal mobility are reduced to environmentally sustainable levels.

Chemical Speciation of Trace Elements in Soil Fertilized with Biomass Combustion Ash and Their Accumulation in Winter Oilseed Rape Plants

The impact of fertilization of fly ashes from biomass combustion (BAs) on the changes in the chemical speciation of trace elements (Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd) in Gleyic Chernozem soil was analyzed in field-experiment conditions, under cultivation of winter oilseed rape plants. The three-year field experiment was carried out in southeastern Poland (50°3′ N, 22°47′ E). The three-stage sequential extraction procedure developed by the Measurements and Testing Program (BCR) was used for the fractionation of trace elements in BAs and soil. The risk assessment code (RAC) coefficient was used to assess potential soil contamination with trace elements from Bas. The total content of Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd in BAs used in the experiment was 470, 311, 29, 78, 38, and 3.7 mg kg−1, respectively. The present study showed that the application of BAs significantly increased the total concentration of Zn and Cu in the surface layer of the Gleyic Chernozem soil, and did not significantly increase the concentration of Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd. Generally, using BAs does not significantly change the chemical speciation of trace elements in soil. Regardless of the applied fertilization, residual fraction (F4) was the most abundant, whereas the exchangeable/extractable (F1) fraction and reducible (F2) fraction were present in the smallest amounts. Due to the low share of exchangeable/extractable fraction (F1), the BAs used in the experiment were characterized by a low RAC coefficient; hence, their use as a soil fertilizer is relatively safe for the environment. The BAs fertilization did not cause significant changes in the content of trace elements in the different parts of the winter oilseed rape plants. Due to the relatively high content of trace elements in fly ashes from biomass combustion, an analysis of the content of individual trace element fractions should be carried out to assess their actual impact on the environment. This can help indicate further actions that should be taken to limit their negative environmental impact.

Assessment of trace elements pollution in snow piles removed from residential areas in Perm, Russia

Atmospheric deposition, vehicular transportation and de-icing agents are major sources polluted snow in urban. This study investigates the current trace elements concentrations of snow and de-icing using ICP-MS, and phytotoxicity using three vascular plants in snow. The study assesses the contamination, classification and phytotoxicity of snow quality removed from roads of residential areas and piled on children’s playgrounds in residential territories. The research found that according to Russian environmental quality standard for water has been identified the exceeding trace elements in snow by W, Se, Mn, Cu, V, Mo, Ni and Zn. The pollution indices ( PLI, CF and Zc) were identified pollution level of snow piles from moderate contamination to very high contamination. Based on average germination index values for Sinapis alba L., Lepidium sativum L., and Triticum aestivum L., the degree of inhibition in snow piles varied from no inhibition to strong inhibition. The trace elements content in de-icing “Galit А” and salt sand mix are defined in the following descending order: Zn > Mn > Ba > V > Rb > Sr and Mn > Ba > Cr > V > Sr > Ni, respectively. High concentrations of trace elements in snow piles are a source of environmental pollution. To prevent snow storage and disposal in residential areas should be involved in future studies of environmental pollution and circular economy, so that environmental managers can reduce threats to the environment and public health, as well as initiate circular economy projects in urban areas.

High urinary trace element concentrations: A possible indicator of urolithiasis in goats?

BackgroundUrolithiasis is a common urinary tract disorder among male goats. The role of trace elements in the crystallization of supersaturated urine has garnered considerable interest in other species, whereas their role in urolithogenesis has not been studied so far in goats. This study investigated the possible roles of urinary trace elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn) in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis in goats. Materials and methodsEight male goats with obstructive urolithiasis were used in the study. A celiotomy with tube cystostomy was performed after the diagnosis. Urine samples collected intra-operatively were used for physico-chemical examination, microscopy, and trace element quantification by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Urinary sediments were also used for chemical functional group determination by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. ResultsMultiple coffin-top-shaped urinary crystals were observed in all the goats. Mean urinary Mn, Fe, and Zn concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in urolithic goats than in healthy controls. The mean urinary Cu concentration was found to be non-significantly higher in urolithic goats than in healthy controls. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of PO43−, NH4+, and OH− chemical functional groups in the selected urinary sediments. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that high urinary Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations in goats play a role in the urolithogenesis of phosphate stones.

Trace Elements in Silicate Minerals of the Kargapole Meteorite

The aim of the present contribution was to evaluate the trace element mobility in olivine, low-Ca pyroxene and plagioclase of the Kargapole meteorite under thermal or impact metamorphic conditions and recognition of the properties of chondrule-forming events. The compositions of the minerals were analyzed using an electron probe microanalyser (EPMA) and a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS). No considerable deviations in the trace element concentrations of olivine and pyroxene from unequilibrated ordinary chondrites in the Kargapole meteorite were revealed. This points to minor effects of impact metamorphism and terrestrial weathering on trace element mobilization. Olivine and low-Ca pyroxene of porphyritic olivine-pyroxene chondrule POP-0 contain higher trace element concentrations than minerals in porphyritic olivine PO-2 and olivine-pyroxene POP-4 chondrules and in the meteorite matrix.

Sequential wet extraction of phosphorus from sewage sludge using alum sludge: Reassessing the aluminium-phosphorus speciation using experimental and simulation approach

Sewage sludge (SS) is a reclaimable phosphorus (P) source for fertilizer production, but it has a high toxic trace element (TE) concentration. Using alkaline leaching of SS, P can be extracted without simultaneous extraction of TEs. However, low P recovery efficiency during alkaline leaching is a major challenge. This study explored alkaline leaching of P from alum sludge (AS)-amended dry SS, with or without acidic pretreatment. The amendment with AS was intended to promote apatite to non-apatite inorganic phosphorus conversion for a higher alkaline P recovery. The highest orthophosphate (ortho-P) alkaline recovery was 74 % for the acid-pretreated SS + AS mix. Amending SS with AS averted the loss of ortho-P during acidic pretreatment by 59 % compared to the reference case (unamended SS). Standards Measurements and Testing (SMT) analysis revealed apatite to non-apatite inorganic phosphorus conversion during acidic pretreatment, especially in the amended SS. This conversion was due to the dissolution of Ca-P and adsorption of dissolved ortho-P on Al(OH)3 during acidic pretreatment. Visual MINTEQ modelling, solid-state NMR (31P, 27Al and 31P-1H CP-HETCOR) and Al 2p XPS data indicated a high abundance of Al(OH)3(s), which enhanced the ortho-P adsorption. There was no formation of AlPO4, possibly because the acid-sludge mixture reached the metastable equilibrium and not the true equilibrium during acidic pretreatment. 31P liquid NMR, SEM, FTIR and XRD provided additional insight into the effects of acidic pretreatment on sludges. Overall, Ca-P to Al-P conversion enhanced alkaline ortho-P recovery by about 12 % compared to the reference case (unamended + non-pretreated). This study demonstrated that P leaching efficiency from SS can be improved (with appropriate process modifications) irrespective of the intrinsic property of SS, thus making alkaline P recovery applicable in many regions globally. Additionally, the chemical co-treatment of SS + AS proposed is a prospective dual waste management strategy.

Significant contribution of coastal fish-farm activities to the inventory of trace elements in coastal waters: Traced by ammonia and rare earth elements

In this study, we investigated the influence of fish-farm activities on the inventory of trace elements (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) in the coastal waters off the fish-farm plants on Jeju Island, Korea. NH4+ and rare earth elements (REEs) were used as tracers to examine the production and removal processes. Relatively higher concentrations of trace elements were observed in the coastal waters and significantly correlated with NH4+. Our results suggest that the excess dissolved trace elements in the coastal waters could be mainly produced inside fish farms, together with the production of NH4+ and light-REEs (La to Nd). Although dissolved trace elements were found to be partially scavenged onto particles in the fish-farm rearing waters, indicated by the significant removal of particle-reactive Ce, these particles would be eventually discharged into the coastal ocean and release the dissolved trace elements back into the water columns.

The Characteristics, Enrichment, and Migration Mechanism of Cadmium in Phosphate Rock and Phosphogypsum of the Qingping Phosphate Deposit, Southwest China

Sedimentary phosphate rocks are characteristically rich in organic matter, and contain sulfides and a high concentration of trace elements, including cadmium (Cd), which is harmful to the human body. The mining of phosphate rock and phosphogypsum at Qingping has expanded the release of Cd into groundwater and farmland soil. To prevent and control Cd pollution it is critical to reveal the carrier mineral phase(s) and migration mechanism of Cd and other elements in phosphate rock and phosphogypsum. The elemental and mineral composition of bulk samples were analysed by XRF, ICP-MS, and XRD, respectively. The results showed that from phosphate rock to phosphogypsum, the main constituent elements changed from CaO (49.43%) and P2O5 (36.63%) to CaO (33.65%) and SO3 (&gt;34%), and the main mineral changed from fluorapatite to gypsum. Among all the elements, the element transfer factor (ETF) of P2O5, F, Co, U, Cd, and other elements was low; the ETF (Cd) was only 10.85%, and only a small amount of Cd entered the acidic phosphogypsum during the production process. Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed two types of apatite: the brown–black apatite with organic matter (type 1) and the yellow–light brown apatite without organic matter (type 2). LA-ICP-MS analysis showed that the Cd element content in type 2 was lower, while the organic matter and Cd element content in type 1 were higher, suggesting that Cd may be controlled by organic matter, and the relationship with apatite is not apparent. Electron probe analysis and XRD semiquantitative results show that the content of Cd in pyrite is higher (511 ppm), which is significantly higher than that of bulk rock. In addition, pyrite is rich in Co, As, Ni, Zn, and other elements. The content of Cd in phosphate ore shows a good correlation with that of pyrite. Cd in Qingping phosphate rock is mainly controlled by organic matter and pyrite, and only a small amount of Cd is transferred to phosphogypsum. Reducing the environment leads to the enrichment of Cd in phosphate rock.

Микроэлементы в битумоидах кристаллических пород фундамента Южно-Татарского свода

The trace element composition of bitumoids extracted from Archean crystalline basement rocks recovered by well 20009-Novoelkhovskaya has been studied. It has been established that the rocks of the Bolshecheremshanskaya series arecharacterized by a higher content of hydrocarbons compared to the Otradnenskaya series. The trace element composition was studied separately in chloroform and alcohol-benzene extracts. The rocks of the Bolshecheremshanskaya series are characterized by a higher content of organic matter. Bitumoids extracted from the rocks of the Otradnenskaya series have higher concentrations of trace elements.