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Urban Environmental and Medical Geochemistry
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Urban Environmental and Medical Geochemistry

A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263). This special issue belongs to the section "Geochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2017) | Viewed by 50078

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Nurdan S. Duzgoren-Aydin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Office of the Provost, New Jersey City University, 2039 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305, USA
Interests: urban environmental geochemistry; medical geology and mineralogy; applied geochemistry and mineralogy; environmental health assessment; geochemistry of toxic and potentially toxic elements; Pb-toxicity; Pb-isotope provenance analyses; geoscience education

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban areas continue to attract people at an unprecedented rate due to obvious socio-economic and cultural opportunities, while extensive industrial, housing, and infrastructure developments have deteriorated surface environmental quality, significantly, since the beginning of the 19th century. Historical, as well as on-going anthropogenic activities, are the primary sources of environmental contamination in urban areas and pose growing environmental and public health risks. This Special Issue dedicated to the theme of urban environmental and medical geochemistry focuses on the emerging sub-disciplines of environmental geochemistry exploring significant and often adverse role of humans in observed anomalies of the biogeochemical cycles of organic and inorganic elements.

It is the aim of this Special Issue to enhance collaboration between geoscientists, geochemists, biologists, ecologists, toxicologist, epidemiologists, health professionals and other allied professionals and researchers to protect and mitigate both public and environmental health, and ultimately to increase public awareness about the consequences of humans’ daily activities. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

a) geochemical processes controlling environmental behaviour of toxic and potentially toxic elements and minerals; particularly source, distribution, dispersion, and bioavailability of the elements/minerals in surface environments; and

b) assessment and mitigation of environmental quality and public health in urban settings.

In this Special Issue, we also welcome articles based on undergraduate research projects on urban environmental and medical geochemistry/geology, or projects emphasizing role of geology in human health.

Prof. Dr. Nurdan S. Duzgoren-Aydin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Urban Environmental Geochemistry
  • Medical Geology and Geochemistry
  • Organic and Inorganic Contaminants; Toxic and Potentially Toxic Elements; Trace Elements; Heavy Metals
  • Environmental and Public Health Assessment
  • Environmental Quality Monitoring and Assessment
  • Environmental Mitigation and Sustainability

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 5991 KiB  
Article
Geochemical Characteristics of Soils on Ellis Island, New York-New Jersey, Sixty Years after the Abandonment of the Hospital Complex
by Kaixuan Bu, Deborah Freile, James V. Cizdziel, Jena Richards, Virinder Sidhu and Nurdan S. Duzgoren-Aydin
Geosciences 2018, 8(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8010013 - 4 Jan 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6220
Abstract
Soil plays many critical roles in ecosystem health. As urbanization expands into once industrial and commercial lands, there is increased potential for human exposure to soil contaminants, including heavy metals introduced by past anthropogenic activities. Thus, it is important to assess soil contamination [...] Read more.
Soil plays many critical roles in ecosystem health. As urbanization expands into once industrial and commercial lands, there is increased potential for human exposure to soil contaminants, including heavy metals introduced by past anthropogenic activities. Thus, it is important to assess soil contamination in such areas for public health concerns. In this study, we investigated the physico-chemical characteristics of soils from an abandoned hospital complex on Ellis Island, New York (NY) – New Jersey (NJ) to assess the geochemical conditions of the local soil environment and metal contamination from historical activities, including coal-burning and use of lead arsenate insecticide and lead paint. The soil texture, nutrient content and heavy metal (As, Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu and Hg) concentrations were determined and their impact was evaluated. Soils were mostly sandy loam with C:N ratios of about 20:1. Heavy metals were elevated compared to background soils. Concentrations of acid extractable As and Pb ranged from 8.12 to 26.3 mg·kg−1 and 257 to 1008 mg·kg−1, respectively. Total-Hg concentrations varied from 0.191 to 0.899 mg·kg−1, with the higher levels likely from local coal-burning and deposition from the prevailing westerly winds. Overall, we find that even after 60 years of abandonment, the impact to Ellis Island soil from past human activities can still be observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Environmental and Medical Geochemistry)
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18 pages, 5654 KiB  
Article
Groundwater Natural Contamination by Toluene in Beja and Faro Districts, Portugal
by Gabriel A. Barberes, Rui Pena dos Reis, André L. D. Spigolon, Paulo E. Fonseca, Carlos Bandeira de Mello and Maria Teresa Barata
Geosciences 2018, 8(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8010009 - 2 Jan 2018
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 9006
Abstract
The focus area is located along Beja and Faro districts (southwestern of Portugal), where the Baixo Alentejo Flysch Group exists, is composed of the Mértola, Mira, and Brejeira Formations. The aim of this article is to characterize the groundwater contamination by toluene, one [...] Read more.
The focus area is located along Beja and Faro districts (southwestern of Portugal), where the Baixo Alentejo Flysch Group exists, is composed of the Mértola, Mira, and Brejeira Formations. The aim of this article is to characterize the groundwater contamination by toluene, one of the petroleum products that may originate from natural petroleum systems and have been introduced into the environment by natural seepage. For this study, twenty soil samples and thirty-one water samples were collected, in 2016, from artesian wells, boreholes, and springs, and analyzed in a GC-FID system. Sampling was performed using headspace vials, with distilled water and a bactericide to inhibit any bacterial activities. The results showed that 93.5% of water samples range between 1000 and 6000 μg/L, and 55% are higher than 3000 μg/L of toluene concentration. In soil samples, amounts of toluene are less than 1000 μg/L in general. These levels are much higher than the World Health Organization health-based guideline for drinkable water (700 μg/L) and higher than those usually found in other places, being only comparable with values from severe industrial contamination. Contaminated groundwater represents a serious concern for human health, and residents should be informed to avoid drinking contaminated ground water or using it for other domestic proposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Environmental and Medical Geochemistry)
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10 pages, 4446 KiB  
Article
Mercury Contamination of Cattle in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
by Basri, Masayuki Sakakibara, Koichiro Sera and Idham Andri Kurniawan
Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040133 - 14 Dec 2017
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6451
Abstract
The industrial mining sector is one of the main contributors to environmental damage and toxic metal pollution, although some contamination originates from natural geological sources. Due to their position at the top of the food chain, cattle tend to bioaccumulate mercury (Hg) in [...] Read more.
The industrial mining sector is one of the main contributors to environmental damage and toxic metal pollution, although some contamination originates from natural geological sources. Due to their position at the top of the food chain, cattle tend to bioaccumulate mercury (Hg) in their bodies. We used analyses of cattle hair samples to investigate Hg contamination in cattle farmed within and outside of an artisanal and small-scale gold-mining area in Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. We also examined the factors that might have influenced the toxicity, such as the environmental conditions, sex, and age of the cattle. A total of 63 hair samples were analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission spectrometry. The mean Hg concentration was significantly higher in hair from cattle farmed within the artisanal and small-scale gold mining area (11.44 μg/g hair) than in those farmed outside the area (2.89 μg/g hair, p < 0.05). A possible cause of this is contamination by mercury persistent in terrestrial food chain. The results indicates that the level of toxic metals such as Hg need to be controlled in food sources to protect human health, especially in Bombana, Indonesia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Environmental and Medical Geochemistry)
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21 pages, 1747 KiB  
Article
Nutrients and Heavy Metals Contamination in an Urban Estuary of Northern New Jersey
by Hun Bok Jung
Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040108 - 23 Oct 2017
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6400
Abstract
The Newark Bay Estuary in northern New Jersey contains one of the largest urban wetland complexes in the United States, but the majority of the wetlands and habitats have been lost due to urbanization and industrialization. Field and laboratory research was conducted to [...] Read more.
The Newark Bay Estuary in northern New Jersey contains one of the largest urban wetland complexes in the United States, but the majority of the wetlands and habitats have been lost due to urbanization and industrialization. Field and laboratory research was conducted to understand the impacts of human activities on the biogeochemistry of nutrients and heavy metals in the urban estuary. Concentrations of dissolved nutrients such as nitrate, ammonia, and phosphate were higher in the Hackensack River than in the Passaic River or the Newark Bay, while the Hackensack River was more deficient in dissolved oxygen. Sediment oxygen demand and mobilization of nutrients were higher in sediments with higher organic matter content as a result of microbial decomposition of organic matter. Heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) and organic matter were more enriched in finer sediment grains such as silt and clay. There were positive correlations among heavy metals as well as organic matter in sediments. The results suggest that fine grained sediments, which can be readily suspended and transported during tidal cycles, may play a significant role in biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and heavy metals in the urban estuary. It appears that the current sources of nutrients and heavy metals in the water and sediment of the Newark Bay Estuary are mainly domestic effluents from sewage treatment plants during non-storm periods as well as combined sewer overflows during storm events, but further research including more frequent and pervasive water and sediment quality monitoring during dry and wet periods is needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Environmental and Medical Geochemistry)
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11 pages, 1271 KiB  
Article
The Cancer and Non-Cancer Risk of Santiago Island (Cape Verde) Population due to Potential Toxic Elements Exposure from Soils
by Marina M. S. Cabral Pinto, Maria M. V. Silva, Eduardo A. Ferreira da Silva and A. Paula Marinho-Reis
Geosciences 2017, 7(3), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7030078 - 7 Sep 2017
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5447
Abstract
The hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk due to the exposure of some potentially toxic elements to the Santiago Island (Cape Verde) population were calculated, considering soil ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact as exposure pathways. The topsoil of Santiago Island, compared with that [...] Read more.
The hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk due to the exposure of some potentially toxic elements to the Santiago Island (Cape Verde) population were calculated, considering soil ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact as exposure pathways. The topsoil of Santiago Island, compared with that of the upper continental crust, is enriched with Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, V, Zn, Mn, and Cd. Hazard indices (HIs) for these metals and the As exposures to the Santiago Island population were calculated, and these calculations were performed for children and adults. For children, HIs were higher than 1 for Co, Cr, and Mn. Therefore, there is an indication of potential non-carcinogenic risk for children, due to the high Co (HI = 2.995), Cr (HI = 1.329), and Mn (HI = 1.126) values in these soils. For the other elements, in adults, there is no potential non-carcinogenic risk. Cancer risk for As, Cd, Cr, and Ni exposures, in adults and children, was calculated, and the results are mainly lower than the carcinogenic target risk of 1 × 10−6 for As, Cd, and Ni. However, in adults, cancer risk is higher than the carcinogenic target risk for Cr. Regarding As, for children, the fraction due to Riskingestion represents 51.6%, while Riskinhalation represents 48.0% and Riskdermalcontact represents only 0.4% of the total risk. For adults, Riskinhalation represents 81.3%, Riskingestion represents 16.6%, and Riskdermal contact represents 2.1%. These results reflect the higher daily ingestion dose for children and the higher inhalation rate and higher dermal contact surface for adults. For the other elements, the cancer risk due to Cr, Ni, and Cd inhalation is always higher for adults than it is for children, reflecting the higher inhalation rate for adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Environmental and Medical Geochemistry)
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10 pages, 2566 KiB  
Article
Comparison of the Mineral Element Content of Public Drinking Fountains and Bottled Water: A Case Study of Ferrara City
by Dario Di Giuseppe
Geosciences 2017, 7(3), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7030076 - 1 Sep 2017
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5948
Abstract
Mineral elements are essential nutrients for humans and play important roles in many human physiological and bio-chemical processes. In this study, a comparison between the levels of mineral elements present in the water of public drinking fountains (PDRF) and in bottled water was [...] Read more.
Mineral elements are essential nutrients for humans and play important roles in many human physiological and bio-chemical processes. In this study, a comparison between the levels of mineral elements present in the water of public drinking fountains (PDRF) and in bottled water was carried out. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of PDRF as a mineral supplement, compared to the low-mineral bottled water for out-door non-competitive activity, such as jogging. The city of Ferrara was chosen as the study site. It has ancient walls and on their top there is a gravel road that people use for jogging and walking. Along the road, there are two public drinking fountains that are always used. Water from these fountains was sampled and analysed for major cations and anions using ionic chromatography. Data analyses were compared with the same analyses carried out on bottled water usually used by joggers. Results showed that fountains are a valid substitute of bottled water as they have a moderate content of mineral elements. During outdoor sport activity, the water from fountains is preferable for the reintegration of mineral elements, instead of bottled water that has a very low quantity of minerals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Environmental and Medical Geochemistry)
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15 pages, 1341 KiB  
Article
Mercury Exposure and Health Problems in Urban Artisanal Gold Mining (UAGM) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
by Hasriwiani Habo Abbas, Masayuki Sakakibara, Koichiro Sera and Lukmanul Hakim Arma
Geosciences 2017, 7(3), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7030044 - 23 Jun 2017
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 9581
Abstract
Urban artisanal gold mining (UAGM) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been run by a number of urban gold workers with gold jewelry manufacture as its core activity. The wastes generated from goldsmiths’ activities were further processed by the gold smelters to recover [...] Read more.
Urban artisanal gold mining (UAGM) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been run by a number of urban gold workers with gold jewelry manufacture as its core activity. The wastes generated from goldsmiths’ activities were further processed by the gold smelters to recover fine gold particles. Smelting gold doré, amalgamation, and burning out the amalgam were the mercury-based gold process usually applied in their work. While working the gold workers are, therefore, potentially exposed to a source of mercury pollution that may cause health problems because of working without proper protection. The aims of this research are to characterize the process of urban artisanal gold mining with the potential mercury exposures during the process, and to assess the health of the gold workers. The results showed that the gold workers had a low educational background, but a relatively high income. The total mercury concentration of gold workers was higher than the control group. They were exposed to intoxicatingly high levels of mercury with the average total mercury concentrations of 6.6 and 10.8 µg/g in the hair of indirect and direct exposed workers, respectively. The health assessment showed that 85% of the gold workers suffered neurological symptoms, such as tremors, and 44%–56% of them experienced restricted fields of vision, slow reflexes, sensory disturbances, unbalanced rigidity, and ataxia. The results also showed that the working years have reasonable correlation with the sum of the positive findings in the 10 neurological symptoms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Environmental and Medical Geochemistry)
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