Waste Deposits Research Articles

Laser-Based Characterisation of the Copper Uranyl Sulphate, Johannite

Uranyl sulphate minerals are common alteration phases in uranium mines and uraniferous waste deposits where they occur in conjunction with other products of acidic drainage such as jarosite. Although not persistent in nature due to their high solubility, they may play an important role in governing uranium mobility during the operational and immediate post-closure environment of an engineered radioactive waste repository where oxidising conditions prevail. One such mineral, johannite (Cu(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2·8H2O), is of particular interest given the stated intention of several countries to use copper canisters in the disposal of spent nuclear fuel. A museum reference sample of johannite has been characterised by luminescence and multiple-laser Raman spectroscopy, resulting in the first reported luminescence excitation and emission spectra for this mineral. Well-defined Raman features were observed using 785, 633, and 532 nm lasers with the resolved peaks corresponding well to the published spectra. The Raman spectrum measured with the 457 nm laser was mostly masked by a series of repeating doublets attributed to the luminescence emission features, from which band spacing values of 831 and 823 cm−1 were extracted; the former corresponded to both the resolved 785 nm ν1(UO2)2+ peak position and the band spacing value obtained from the first reported luminescence emission spectrum for johannite. Four emission and nine excitation peaks were resolved from the luminescence spectra. The findings indicate that a suite of complementary laser-based techniques offer the potential for real-time characterisation of johannite formed in environments where intrusive sampling, transportation, and ‘off-site’ laboratory analysis are not feasible.

Exploring the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration: A review of the interplay between retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction and the innate immune system.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the older population. Classical hallmarks of early and intermediate AMD are accumulation of drusen, a waste deposit formed under the retina, and pigmentary abnormalities in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). When the disease progresses into late AMD, vision is affected due to death of the RPE and the light-sensitive photoreceptors. The RPE is essential to the health of the retina as it forms the outer blood retinal barrier, which establishes ocular immune regulation, and provides support for the photoreceptors. Due to its unique anatomical position, the RPE can communicate with the retinal environment and the systemic immune environment. In AMD, RPE dysfunction and the accumulation of drusen drive the infiltration of retinal and systemic innate immune cells into the outer retina. While recruited endogenous or systemic mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) contribute to the removal of noxious debris, the accumulation of MPs can also result in chronic inflammation and contribute to AMD progression. In addition, direct communication and indirect molecular signaling between MPs and the RPE may promote RPE cell death, choroidal neovascularization and fibrotic scarring that occur in late AMD. In this review, we explore how the RPE and innate immune cells maintain retinal homeostasis, and detail how RPE dysfunction and aberrant immune cell recruitment contribute to AMD pathogenesis. Evidence from AMD patients will be discussed in conjunction with data from preclinical models, to shed light on future therapeutic targets for the treatment of AMD.

Incorporating conceptual site models into national-scale environmental risk assessments for legacy waste in the coastal zone

Solid wastes deposited in the coastal zone that date from an era of lax environmental regulations continue to pose significant challenges for regulators and coastal managers worldwide. The increasing risk of contaminant release from these legacy disposal sites, due to a range of factors including rising sea levels, associated saline intrusion, and greater hydrological extremes, have been highlighted by many researchers. Given this widespread challenge, and the often-limited remedial funds available, there is a pressing need for the development of new advanced site prioritization protocols to limit potential pollution risks to sensitive ecological or human receptors. This paper presents a multi-criteria decision analysis that integrates the principles of Conceptual Site Models (Source-Pathway-Receptor) at a national scale in England and Wales to identify legacy waste sites where occurrence of pollutant linkages are most likely. A suite of spatial data has been integrated in order to score potential risks associated with waste type (Source), likelihood of pollutant release relating to current and future flood and erosion climate projections, alongside current management infrastructure (Pathway), and proximity to sensitive ecological features or proxies of human use in coastal areas (Receptors). Of the 30,281 legacy waste deposits identified in England and Wales, 3,219 were located within the coastal zone, with coastal areas containing a density of legacy wastes (by area) 10.5 times higher than inland areas. Of these, 669 were identified as priority sites in locations without existing coastal defences or flood management infrastructure, with 2550 sites identified in protected areas where contaminant transfer risks could still be apparent. The majority (63%) of the priority sites have either undefined source terms, or are classified as mixed wastes. Mining and industrial wastes were also notable waste categories, and displayed strong regional distributions in the former mining areas of north-east and south-west of England, south Wales, and post-industrial estuaries. The large-scale screening process presented here could be used by environmental managers as a foundation to direct more high-resolution site assessment and remedial work at priority sites, and can be used as a tool by governments for directing funding to problematic sites. List of Acronyms.

CAPOT: A flexible rapid assessment model to estimate local deposition of fish cage farm wastes

The Cage Aquaculture Particulate Output and Transport (CAPOT) model is an easy to use and flexible farm-scale model that can rapidly estimate particulate waste deposition from fish cage production. This paper describes and tests the model and demonstrates its use for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). The spreadsheet-based model gives outputs for waste distribution in a variety of spatial modelling software formats, used for further analysis. The model was tested at a commercial Atlantic cod farm and commercial Atlantic salmon farm under full production conditions. Sediment trap data showed predictions, using actual recorded feed and biomass data, to be 96% (±36%) similar for Atlantic cod beyond 5 m from the cage edge, giving a satisfactory estimate of local benthic impact in the vicinity of the farm. For Atlantic salmon, using estimated production biomass and FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) to calculate feed input, the model overestimated wastes directly beneath the cages (120% ± 148%) and underestimated beyond 5 m from the cage edge, being 48% (±42%) similar to sediment trap data. CAPOT is a suitable initial, rapid assessment model to give an overview of potential impact of particulate waste from new or expanded fish cage farms, with little operator expertise by a wide range of stakeholders.

Modeling of Atmospheric Dispersion of Jarosite Particles from Tailing Waste in Mitrovica, Kosovo

Most of the zinc producers in the world use the jarosite process to improve zinc recovery and to remove iron as an undesirable constituent of zinc ores. Jarosite waste released from the zinc extraction process in Mitrovica, Kosovo has led to severe environmental problems due to toxic heavy metals. This industrial waste from the Zn hydrometallurgy process was abandoned on an open field, being exposed to meteorological conditions and aging. The chemical composition and grain size distribution of the jarosite waste deposit was determined. Microwave digestion procedures were used on whole jarosite samples for use in inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry trace metal analysis (ICP-OES). In addition, different weathering conditions were considered for testing the emission rate of the particles in the laboratory, including relative humidity, wind speed, and temperature. Terrain properties, urban infrastructure, source formation, and location were used for modeling with the AERMOD View-Gaussian air dispersion model. The modeling results showed a range of pollution exceeding the maximum limits in an area of 3 km in the conditions of southeast wind direction and wind speed exceeding 10 m s−1, heavily polluting the city of Mitrovica.

Quality of soil under deposits of dimension stone processing wastes

RESUMO O Brasil tem destaque mundial no setor de rochas ornamentais, e o Estado do Espírito Santo participa como o principal polo de beneficiamento do País. A transformação de blocos rochosos em chapas polidas gera grande quantidade de resíduos, que têm sido depositados diretamente sobre o solo. O conhecimento das características naturais do solo em locais onde há disposição de resíduos e em locais seguramente não afetados por eles é imprescindível para o adequado gerenciamento desses efluentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a qualidade do solo e a presença de metais potencialmente tóxicos em três áreas de disposição no município de Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (ES). Os depósitos estão em posições topográficas distintas (topo, vertente e vale) e foram instalados em áreas com diferentes tipos de uso do solo. Além da comparação com amostras-testemunho, as áreas são comparadas entre si e alguns dados são confrontados com limites estabelecidos pela Resolução do Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA) 420/2009, bem como com a faixa considerada comum em solos do Espírito Santo. Há interação entre o resíduo e o solo, aumentando o pH, os teores de K e Na e os parâmetros soma de bases, capacidade de troca catiônica efetiva, capacidade de troca catiônica potencial e saturação por bases nos locais situados em encosta e alto topográfico. Com relação aos metais potencialmente tóxicos, não foi encontrado um padrão claro de ocorrência que vincule sua origem aos resíduos; ao contrário, teores mais elevados de metais na área que recebe esgoto sem tratamento indicam uma possível fonte externa de Cu, Cr, Pb, Zn e Ni.

Consequences of disparities in sanitation infrastructures on the environment and the health of populations in the city of Cotonou

This study focused on the problems of disparities in sanitation infrastructure and their consequences on the environment and health in the city of Cotonou. The methodology focuses on documentary research, sociological surveys by questionnaire, direct observation using an observation grid. A total of 10 boroughs and 20 neighborhoods were covered. The Accelerated Participatory Research Method (MARP) was used to reach households in order to have their perceptions on the causes of floods and sanitation problems, their impacts on the environment and health. The model (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) served as the basis for the analysis and interpretation of the results. The cartographic data was processed using GIS software. The maps were drawn up using the topographic base map from the National Geographic Institute (IGN). The results obtained show that there are significant differences in terms of sanitation in Cotonou.This is partly due to the irregular settlement of populations in unhealthy areas where the land have not been serviced in time. As far as the collectors are concerned, there are arrondissements which are not or poorly provided for, whereas the need is real. This is the case of the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 12th, arrondissements. This same trend is observed with the paved roads and gutters in these respective arrondissements. It has been observed that the majority of domestic wastewater is discharged on the ground, outside or in the courtyard of the concessions (87% households) and this is explained by the fact that the majority of households do not have pits for the collection of this water. The water from the shower is collected in the pits (77% of households) or is left to infiltrate directly into the ground (40% of households). The existence of sewage streams and uncontrolled deposits of solid waste in the city are certainly one of the causes of ailments such as malaria, diarrhea, and acute respiratory ailments.

Controlled Low-Strength Materials (CLSM) as backfill: experimental investigation on CLSM properties and numerical evaluation of stresses and strains using PLAXIS 2D

ABSTRACT Retaining walls are a part of the geotechnical construction industry for the support of structures from soil erosion. Granular materials are conventionally used as backfill behind retaining walls. Instead of the conventional compacted granular fill, other industrial by-products are also used nowadays. The utilisation of these industrial by-products for Civil engineering applications helps to build a sustainable environment by reducing the waste depositions. In this paper, an experimental study was conducted to evaluate the properties of coal ash-based Controlled Low Strength Materials (CLSM) for backfill applications. The properties of pond ash-based CLSM mixes were studied to identify the effectiveness in utilising CLSM for backfill applications. Further, numerical analysis using PLAXIS 2D was carried out to evaluate the stresses and displacements developed in retaining walls for different backfilling materials. It was observed that CLSM mixes exhibit the properties required for utilising it as a backfill material. The stresses and deformations developed in situations where CLSM was used were found to be negligible compared to the normal compacted backfill materials. Thus, the studies on CLSM mixes showed that pond ash can be used as a replacement to natural aggregates which can be used as a backfill for retaining wall applications.

Improvement of Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy through Construction Waste Management for Material Reuse

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industries are allocated 40–60% of the worldwide raw material extraction. Construction waste accounts for a significant share of the total waste volume. Therefore, careless handling reduces natural resources and waste deposits (landfills). Furthermore, material reuse and recycling can reduce resource and energy consumption and environmental emissions in some cases. Waste management concepts in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction are increasingly in the European Union and worldwide focus. A circular economy can be seen as a system in which resource input, waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimised due to closed material loops. Therefore, implementing a consistent Circular Economic requires a holistic approach in which material, emissions, and energy are put into context. This paper aims to analyse dismantling, recovery, and recycling processes and link relevant parameters to assess material sustainability. The technical effort must be made, and the associated costs are compared with the influence of eco-indicators. Furthermore, the data required can be used for the following three areas: Facilitating demolition planning and on-site waste management; resource management at the local/regional/state level; and governmental tax mechanisms.

Heavy metal pollution in leachates and its impacts on the quality of groundwater resources around Iringa municipal solid waste dumpsite.

Heavy metal pollution in groundwater due to leachates leaking from the Iringa municipal dumpsite was investigated. The pollution was studied by analyzing pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Zn) in leachates collected within the dumpsite and groundwater samples from residential wells close to the dumpsite. The pH of the leachate samples varied from 7.40 to 9.10, implying alkaline behavior and the methanogenic phase of solid waste deposits. The levels of EC, TDS, and heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Zn) in leachates were above the national and/or international standards. On other hand, groundwater samples presented pH values ranging from 7.15 to 7.60 which were within the World Health Organization acceptable limit. The concentrations of EC, TDS, Fe, Pb, Ni, Mn, and Zn in most groundwater samples exceeded the national and/or international permissible limits for drinking water. In addition, the water quality indices (WQI) of groundwater samples ranged between 8.30 and 17.90, which implied the excellent quality of groundwater sources. However, the presence of high levels of heavy metals above the permissible limits in both leachate and groundwater samples signified potential risks to the environment and public health. Therefore, the present study calls for proper management of municipal solid waste to reduce the potential risks of further contamination on the groundwater resources and environment around the Iringa municipal dumpsite.

Anthropogenic dark earth: Evolution, distribution, physical, and chemical properties

AbstractAnthropogenic dark earth (ADE) is a category of Anthrosols (anthropogenic soils) characterised by dark colour from homogeneous charcoal inclusion and extraordinary fertility compared with non‐anthropogenic soils. The study aims to provide a detailed overview of the origin and distributions of ADEs, together with their physical and chemical characteristics, to reveal their fertility status for arable land use. According to this study, most studied ADEs are well distributed in tropical (Amazonian and African dark earth) and temperate (European dark earth) climatic regions. Middens are localised, with large‐sized ones well preserved in the Arctic region due to the wet and cold weather conditions. The formation of ADE is mainly associated with deliberate and unintentional ancient human activities: deposition of domestic and occupational wastes, charred residues, biomass ashes, burning, and fertilisation of fields. The characteristic dark colour of ADE resulted mainly from charcoal and the decomposition of organic wastes. The material composition of ADEs (including charcoal, organic matter, and clay) contributes to the formation of sizable pores for the retention of water and elements and aeration. ADE exhibits a C:N ratio for good mineralization, stable organic matter stock, and higher cation exchange capacity. Additionally, ADEs are characterised by circum‐neutral reactions and enriched by nutrients (C, N, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe) and other elements (Sr, Rb, and Ba) compared with surrounding non‐anthropogenic soils. Although generally highly productive, a comparison of herbage production and crop yields between ADEs and natural soils is not well studied. The persistence of anthropogenic activities that lead to the formation of ADE indicates that these soils are still subject to continuous development, especially in rural settings. Adopting the process of ADE development in recent arable land can represent a promising future for sustainable agriculture.Highlights Anthropogenic dark earths (ADEs) are characterized by their physical and chemical signatures. Characteristic high pore size of ADEs due to charcoal inclusion support the retention of nutrients. ADEs are often have reduced acidity and high C, N, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe contents. ADEs represent an archive of fertile soils suitable for sustainable agriculture.

Water: As a Social Order Decider in Central Himalayas

Any direct or indirect change in the physical, thermal, chemical, biological, radioactive properties of any part of the environment, by discharge, emissions or deposits of waste, so as to adversely affect any beneficial use or a condition which Hazardous to public health, safety or to animals, birds, wildlife, aquatic life or plants of all kinds. - Environment Report 1986 The concept of the present paper begins with the concept of water, forest, and land, which has been an important motto and main goal of an important movement (Chipko movement)- What is the blessing of the forest(क्या है जंगल के उपकार)soil water and wind(मिट्टी पानी और बयार)soil water and wind(मिट्टी पानी और बयार)basis for survival.(जिंदा रहने के आधार।) When it comes to the basic three things that have been described as the basis of life - forest, land and water, these three have equal access to every community, class, caste. and do they have access at present? the present research paper focuses on water and its access. Is. Especially its access to the community which comes under the purview of the marginalized society.

Elemental Associations in Stream and Alluvial Sediments of the Savinja and Voglajna Rivers (Slovenia, EU) as a Result of Natural Processes and Anthropogenic Activities

Stream and alluvial sediments of the Savinja and Voglajna rivers were sampled, and sediment fractions <0.063 and 0.063–0.125 mm were analyzed on the content of 60 of the main and trace elements. The objective was to determine elemental associations and identify possible sources of these associations. Differences of Al/Ti oxides ratio (9.7–26) can be attributed to the variations in the source rocks, while the K/Al oxides ratio indicates erosional or depositional river regime and variation in source rocks. One anthropogenic and three natural associations of elements were identified. The anthropogenic association (Ag, In, Sb, Cu, As, Zn, Pb, Cd, Bi, Mo and Sn) is linked to historic Zn smelting in the Celje area, and the subsequent erosion of the material from inadequately managed pyrometallurgical waste deposit. The second association (Li, Sc, Al, V, Cs and Ga) is linked to clay minerals, the third one (Mg, Ca and Te) to carbonate rocks, and the fourth one (Hf, Zr) to the heavy mineral fraction.

Preparation and characterization of vitrified tiles from kaolinite clay – waste container glass mixture by sintering method

In this study, vitrified ceramic tiles were made by sintering a mixture of recycled waste container glass powder (RWGP) and kaolinite clays sourced from Nigeria. Initially, waste container glass (transparent color) was obtained from a municipal waste deposit, washed, and crushed before fine milling and sieving to obtain RWGP of approximately 75 µm. Prior to use, the as-received kaolinite clays were also beneficiated and sieved. Three body mixes (VT1, VT2, and VT3) containing 80 – 90 wt. percent RWGP with kaolinite clays and feldspar were homogeneously blended and compacted in a steel mould measuring 200 x 180 x 10 mm. The green compacts were allowed to dry at room temperature before sintering at 1200oC for 2 hours. To evaluate the properties of the developed vitrified tiles, physical, mechanical, phase, and microstructure investigations were carried out. The results showed that bulk density increases across the series, while porosity was 0.5 percent for all tested samples, which is in accordance with ISO 13006. VT2 had higher hardness (6.71 MPa) and compressive strength (2.44 MPa). Quartz and wollastonite were the major phases identified by XRD, with albite, orthoclase, and calcite also present. The microstructure revealed a densified morphology typical of a clay–quartz structure, with little glassy phase resulting from the limited reaction of glass with the clay during sintering.

A Numerical Model for the Optimization of Concentrated Suspensions for Sustainable Concrete Proportioning

Concrete has a large environmental impact due to CO2 emissions related to cement manufacturing and the consumption of natural aggregates. More sustainable concretes can be developed, replacing part of the cement with mineral admixtures or natural aggregates with recycled ones. However, recycled materials are less regular than natural ones, and using new deposit changes concrete properties, which necessitates the re-optimization of mixture proportions. For small/medium-size waste deposits, the expensive experimental work needed to adapt concrete formulation containing these particular wastes is not profitable, which prevents from their valorization. The aim of this study is to develop a numerical model to optimize the mixture proportions of concentrated suspensions based on very limited entry data. In the model, spheres of small radii are seeded in the porosity and allowed to swell until reaching a target radius/density. On monosized suspensions, it is shown that the ratio between the number of random displacements to the number of particles varies with density, following a classical viscosity–density relationship, which allows identification of the packing fraction. The model is extended to bidisperse systems, with the viscosity of the whole suspension calculated by combining the viscosities of each granular class. The model is applied to bidisperse systems of size ratios 4:1 and 2:1 with varying proportions of large particles. The optimum proportions identified numerically are compared successfully to experimental results from the literature.

Assessment of the Landfill Barrier System through Numerical Analysis: Rehabilitation and Expansion of Belgrade Landfill Case Study

There are still many unmanaged landfills around the world that pose significant potential environmental problems. One of the largest unmanaged landfills in Europe, which has been used for more than 40 years to deposit waste from Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, is the Vinča landfill. A revitalization and extension of this landfill was proposed that would allow its sustainable operation in the future. The revitalization project considered building a capping layer on the surface of the current landfill, which will close it and which will serve as a liner on the bottom of the new landfill. The use of a composite system including a HDPE geomembrane is considered in the project. New landfill settlements were predicted using the FEM method utilizing a Hardening-soil constitutive model for subgrade. Both immediate settlements of subgrade caused by waste deposition and primary consolidation settlement were calculated. The results show that a substantial increase in the settlement of the geomembrane subgrade can be expected during the primary consolidation period, due to the high rate of filling compared to the permeability of the subgrade. The total settlement of the new landfill in its crown is expected to be between 2.73 and 4.52 m. The axial force in the geomembrane will not exceed the tensile strength of the membrane at any time during or after the new landfill operation.

Changes in urban soil yeast communities after a reduction in household waste during the COVID-19 pandemic

The soils of streets, urban parks and suburban areas were examined for yeasts in the summer of 2020 on the territory of the southern cities of Russia and the Republic of Crimea: Krasnodar, Maykop, Sochi and Simferopol. The results of this study are compared with the results of a previous study carried out in these cities in 2019. This study was conducted three months after the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a sustained decline in household waste deposition in these areas. The number of tourists visiting these southern cities decreased significantly, and the number of walkers and visitors to urban parks fell sharply. In 2020, after the decline of household waste loads, the yeast abundance was slightly but reliably higher than in 2019. A total of 30 yeast species were observed - 11 ascomycetes and 19 basidiomycetes. This was more than in 2019 and was caused by twice as many autochthonous basidiomycetous yeast species (natural core community), which were found in urban soils only after the reduction in household waste in the environment - Apiotrichum dulcitum, A. laibachii, Saitozyma podzolica Solicoccozyma terricola. And at the same time, the proportion of clinically significant (opportunistic) yeasts, Candida sake and Meyerozyma guilliermondii, was much lower in 2020 than in 2019. Thus, the observed changes in yeast communities in urban soils could be a short-time response of the microbial community to a reduction in household waste.

Utilization Of Corn Cob As A Partial Replacement Of Coarse Aggregate In Concrete Blocks

Demand for construction activity is on a steep rise due to an increase in population, which has led to a growth in industrialisation and urbanisation in the country by marshalling the way for infrastructure development resulting in heavy usage of natural resources. To implement such ventures concrete must be used which require an immense quantity of non-renewable resources such as Fine aggregates, Coarse aggregate, and Cement. Corn is one of the widely used grain all around the world, its impulsive nature towards wastage generation of about 50-70% as corncob has concerned a lot due to waste accumulation. Keeping in view of the availability of natural resources, rise in environmental pollution and waste deposition by construction industry, has motivated us to work on this aspect. In this paper, discussion is carried out on the influence of using corncob as a partial replacement to the coarse aggregate in the concrete mix. It aims at finding out the optimum percentage replacement for natural coarse aggregates, which can give us the similar or more strength and has the same amount of workability as compared to nominal concrete. Moulds were casted using cement, sand, coarse aggregate, corncob, and marble paste. Cubes were casted and tested for 7-days, 14-days & 28-days against compression loads to determine its compressive strength.

Impacts of a tailing dam break on the contamination of pollen and honey from the stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula (Apidae: Trigonini)

Metal and metalloid pollution are one of the main negative impacts of mining activities. Furthermore, the mining wastes are often stored in tailing dams, which are prone to failures and even total collapse. The Fundão tailing dam collapse in Brazil in 2015 flooded large areas of river floodplains below the dam. We analyzed the effect of the tailing deposition from the dam disaster on metal/metalloid levels in honey and pollen samples from the stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula. Pollen and honey samples were taken from the initial stretch of the impacted areas, as well as adjacent control areas and an additional external control area. In total, we analyzed 55 pollen samples and 53 honey samples, which were collected directly from the honey and pollen combs stored within the hives. The samples were wet acid digested in a microwave oven and the concentrations of the elements were determined by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. The metal/metalloid contents in honey and pollen samples were compared between the impacted and the non-impacted points. We found significantly higher concentrations of As, Ba, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn, in honey and pollen samples, from some impacted points compared to the reference non-impacted ones. However, most concentrations we found were similar to those found in other works, including areas with mining activity in the Iron Quadrangle (Minas Gerais, Brazil). These results suggest that the tailing dram break, followed by deposition of the dam waste, contributed to a high concentration of some elements found in the pollen and honey samples at our study site.

An Experimental Investigation of the Environmental Risk of a Metallurgical Waste Deposit

The aim of this study is to investigate the environmental risk of long-term metallurgical waste disposal. The investigated site was used for the open storage of lead and zinc waste materials originating from a lead smelter and refinery. Even after remediation was performed, the soil in the close vicinity of the metallurgical waste deposit was heavily loaded with heavy metals and arsenic. The pollutants were bound in various compounds in the form of sulfides, oxides, and chlorides, as well as complex minerals, impacting the pH values of the investigated soil, such that they varied between 2.8 for sample 6 and 7.34 for sample 8. In order to assess the environmental risk, some eight soil samples were analyzed by determining the total metal concentration by acid digestion and chemical fractionation of heavy metals using the BCR sequential extraction method. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to determine six elements (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni). Total concentrations of the elements in the tested soil samples were in the range of 3870.4–52,306.18 mg/kg for As, 2.19–49.84 mg/kg for Cd, 268.03–986.66 mg/kg for Cu, 7.34–114.67 mg/kg for Ni, 1223.13–30,339.74 mg/kg for Pb, and 58.21–8212.99 mg/kg for Zn. The ratio between the mean concentrations of the tested metals was determined in this order: As > Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cd. The BCR results showed that Pb (50.7%), Zn (49.2%), and Cd (34.7%) had the highest concentrations in mobile fractions in the soil compared to the other metals. The contamination factor was very high for Pb (0.09–33.54), As (0.004–195.8), and Zn (0.14–16.06). According to the calculated index of potential environmental risk, it was confirmed that the mobility of Pb and As have a great impact on the environment.