Mercury speciation in environmental samples associated with artisanal small-scale gold mines using a novel solid-phase extraction approach to sample collection and preservation.

IF 3.2 3区 环境科学与生态学 Q3 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL Environmental Geochemistry and Health Pub Date : 2024-10-28 DOI:10.1007/s10653-024-02187-w
David King, Michael Watts, Elliott Hamilton, Robert Mortimer, Michael Coffey, Odipo Osano, Marcello Di Bonito
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Abstract

In artisanal small-scale gold mines (ASGM), mercury (Hg) is known to pollute nearby river waters and sediments where it can be methylated to the highly bioavailable methylmercury (MeHg). The assessment of Hg speciation in water samples has been challenging for many years, with recommended procedures often not adequately allowing for analysis of samples in a suitable timeframe. Using a novel solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for sampling and preservation of Hg species, representative speciation data can be safely and easily collected and retained for up to 4-weeks (MeHg = 115 ± 8% refrigerated and 109 ± 13% unrefrigerated storage; Hg2+  = 100 ± 14% refrigerated and 94 ± 12% unrefrigerated storage). Concentrations of MeHg in environmental water samples and drinking water were below detection limit across two ASGM sites in western Kenya and concentrations of Hg2+ were below drinking water guidelines; however, drinking water sources contribute 20-30% of the tolerable weekly intake of Hg, indicating a need to minimise exposure of Hg from dietary sources to prevent Hg poisoning. Sediments from receiving rivers at ASGM sites showed total Hg concentrations above guideline limits (0.08-1.84 mg kg-1 total Hg) along the length of the river; however, MeHg concentrations fluctuated dependent on the stagnation of the river due to damns and ponds (5.9 ± 14.3 µg kg-1 MeHg). The findings show that SPE can be used as a robust sample collection and preservation approach for Hg speciation, which can better inform mitigation measures, understand ecological and human health implications, and improve environmental monitoring.

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采用新型固相萃取法收集和保存样本,对与手工小规模金矿相关的环境样本中的汞进行标本分析。
众所周知,在个体小规模金矿(ASGM)中,汞(Hg)会污染附近的河水和沉积物,并在那里被甲基化为生物利用率极高的甲基汞(MeHg)。多年来,评估水样中汞的种类一直是一项挑战,推荐的程序往往无法在适当的时间内对样品进行充分分析。使用一种新型固相萃取(SPE)方法进行汞物种的采样和保存,可以安全、轻松地收集具有代表性的分类数据,并可保存长达 4 周(MeHg = 115 ± 8% 冷藏保存和 109 ± 13% 非冷藏保存;Hg2+ = 100 ± 14% 冷藏保存和 94 ± 12% 非冷藏保存)。在肯尼亚西部的两个 ASGM 现场,环境水样和饮用水中的甲基汞浓度低于检测限,Hg2+ 的浓度也低于饮用水标准;然而,饮用水中的汞占每周可容忍摄入量的 20-30%,这表明需要尽量减少从饮食中摄入汞,以防止汞中毒。小规模手工开采和小规模采金业地点受纳河流的沉积物显示,河流全长的总汞浓度高于指导限值(0.08-1.84 毫克/千克总汞);然而,甲基汞浓度会因水坝和池塘造成的河流停滞而波动(5.9 ± 14.3 微克/千克甲基汞)。研究结果表明,固相萃取法可以作为一种可靠的样品采集和保存方法,用于汞的分型,从而更好地为减缓措施提供信息,了解对生态和人类健康的影响,并改进环境监测。
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来源期刊
Environmental Geochemistry and Health
Environmental Geochemistry and Health 环境科学-工程:环境
CiteScore
8.00
自引率
4.80%
发文量
279
审稿时长
4.2 months
期刊介绍: Environmental Geochemistry and Health publishes original research papers and review papers across the broad field of environmental geochemistry. Environmental geochemistry and health establishes and explains links between the natural or disturbed chemical composition of the earth’s surface and the health of plants, animals and people. Beneficial elements regulate or promote enzymatic and hormonal activity whereas other elements may be toxic. Bedrock geochemistry controls the composition of soil and hence that of water and vegetation. Environmental issues, such as pollution, arising from the extraction and use of mineral resources, are discussed. The effects of contaminants introduced into the earth’s geochemical systems are examined. Geochemical surveys of soil, water and plants show how major and trace elements are distributed geographically. Associated epidemiological studies reveal the possibility of causal links between the natural or disturbed geochemical environment and disease. Experimental research illuminates the nature or consequences of natural or disturbed geochemical processes. The journal particularly welcomes novel research linking environmental geochemistry and health issues on such topics as: heavy metals (including mercury), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and mixed chemicals emitted through human activities, such as uncontrolled recycling of electronic-waste; waste recycling; surface-atmospheric interaction processes (natural and anthropogenic emissions, vertical transport, deposition, and physical-chemical interaction) of gases and aerosols; phytoremediation/restoration of contaminated sites; food contamination and safety; environmental effects of medicines; effects and toxicity of mixed pollutants; speciation of heavy metals/metalloids; effects of mining; disturbed geochemistry from human behavior, natural or man-made hazards; particle and nanoparticle toxicology; risk and the vulnerability of populations, etc.
期刊最新文献
Correction to: Environmental and human health risk of potentially toxic metals in freshwater and brackish water Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) aquaculture. Correction: Ecological, environmental risks and sources of arsenic and other elements in soils of Tuotuo River region, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Identifying the spatial pattern and driving factors of nitrate in groundwater using a novel framework of interpretable stacking ensemble learning. Mercury speciation in environmental samples associated with artisanal small-scale gold mines using a novel solid-phase extraction approach to sample collection and preservation. Correction: Synergistic mitigation of cadmium stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.) through combined selenium, calcium, and magnesium supplementation.
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