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Minerals
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Potentially Toxic Elements: Source, Distribution, Risk Assessment and Remediation
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Potentially Toxic Elements: Source, Distribution, Risk Assessment and Remediation

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Mineralogy and Biogeochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 July 2024) | Viewed by 9770

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Antonio Fernandes

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Guest Editor
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal Rural University of the Amazon, Belém 66077-830, Brazil
Interests: fertility management aimed at soil recovery; evaluation of potentially toxic elements in the environment; reference values for metals and remediation of soils contaminated by metals from the use of plants, organic residues and biochar
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Wendel Valter Da Silveira Pereira

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Guest Editor
Vale Institute of Technology – Sustainable Development, Belém, Brazil
Interests: contamination and bioavailability of potentially toxic elements in the environment; recovery of soil contaminated by mining; soil fertility and fertilization; plant production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Paula Godinho Ribeiro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Vale Institute of Technology-Sustainable Development, Belém, Brazil
Interests: ecotoxicological and phytoremediation tests in mining areas; effects of rare earth elements on the development of crops of agricultural interest; fertilizers as amendments of heavy metal toxicity; monitoring the recovery and restoration of mined areas
Dr. Yan Nunes Dias

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Vale Institute of Technology – Sustainable Development, Belém, Brazil
Interests: characterization of environmental matrices; statistical methods in R and Python language; evaluation and interpretation of geographic space data with the aid of QGIS software

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will present research and review articles on potentially toxic elements (PTEs), with an emphasis on their sources and distribution in the environment, as well as the assessment of the risk they pose to ecosystems and human health. These elements include metals and metalloids that threaten the environment at high concentrations, especially in areas subject to anthropic activities such as agriculture, livestock, mining, industrialization and urbanization. Considering the proven risks of PTEs, knowledge of guiding values and the quantification of concentrations, contamination levels and risk indices are essential to mitigate the impacts of these contaminants and protect the environment. Potential topics for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to: PTE guiding values and background values; contamination by PTEs; environmental and human health risk assessment; the use of phytoremediation, organic residues and biochar in mitigating the impacts of PTEs; treatment of residues contaminated by PTEs; bioaccumulation and biomagnification of PTEs; bioavailability and bioaccessibility of PTEs.

Prof. Dr. Antonio Fernandes
Dr. Wendel Valter Da Silveira Pereira
Dr. Paula Godinho Ribeiro
Dr. Yan Nunes Dias
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 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

  • background values
  • quality reference values
  • heavy metals
  • metal distribution
  • environmental contamination
  • environmental pollution
  • environmental risks
  • human health risks

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 5921 KiB  
Article
Geochemical Dynamics and Evolutionary Implications of Sediments at the Xingu–Amazon Rivers’ Confluence: Proxies for Mixing, Mobility and Weathering
by Lucio Cardoso Medeiros Filho, Nils Edvin Asp, Jean Michel Lafon, Thiago Pereira Souza, José Francisco Berredo and Gabriel Negreiros Salomão
Minerals 2024, 14(11), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14111101 - 29 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1263
Abstract
This study investigates the geochemical characteristics and evolutionary implications of sediments at the confluence of the Xingu and Amazon Rivers. The main objective is to understand sediment mixing, mobility, and weathering processes through geochemical proxies. Samples were collected from various sections of the [...] Read more.
This study investigates the geochemical characteristics and evolutionary implications of sediments at the confluence of the Xingu and Amazon Rivers. The main objective is to understand sediment mixing, mobility, and weathering processes through geochemical proxies. Samples were collected from various sections of the lower Xingu River, focusing on its interaction with the Amazon River. Analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were employed to analyze major and trace elements. The results reveal significant spatial variations in mineralogical and textural patterns, with sediments forming distinct groupings based on their location. The data suggest that the lower Xingu River is strongly influenced by sediment inputs from the Amazon River, particularly affecting sediment composition and chemical weathering processes. This research highlights the critical interactions between river systems and their implications for the evolution of the Amazon basin, especially regarding sediment contributions from various geological sources. Even though the Xingu River drains cratonic regions at higher elevations, the geochemistry of the bottom sediments confirms that the bedload is derived from heterogeneous sources with primarily intermediate igneous compositions and has undergone substantial recycling during river transport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potentially Toxic Elements: Source, Distribution, Risk Assessment and Remediation)
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20 pages, 2332 KiB  
Article
Source to Receptor: Assessing Health Risks from Heavy Metal Exposure in Mining Soils
by Gladys Nyoh Belle, Yolandi Schoeman and Paul Johan Oberholster
Minerals 2024, 14(9), 858; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14090858 - 24 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1640
Abstract
This research quantifies the health risks associated with exposure to heavy metals in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, a gold mining region in South Africa, utilising a deterministic source–pathway–receptor approach. This study uniquely integrates both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk assessments across multiple heavy metals, [...] Read more.
This research quantifies the health risks associated with exposure to heavy metals in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, a gold mining region in South Africa, utilising a deterministic source–pathway–receptor approach. This study uniquely integrates both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk assessments across multiple heavy metals, providing a comprehensive perspective on health impacts in mining-impacted communities. The study measured concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) in soil samples, with mean values found to be 3.2 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg, 17 mg/kg, and 25 mg/kg for As, Cd, Pb, Co, and Cr, respectively. The deterministic assessment revealed minimal non-carcinogenic risks for ingestion across all demographics (HQ < 1), while significant dermal risks were identified for Cd, Pb, Co, and Cr (HQ > 1), particularly for the adult group. The inhalation pathway emerged as a critical exposure route, with HQ values ranging from 5 to 15 and chronic hazard index values significantly exceeding safe limits (CHI > 5). The carcinogenic risk through inhalation notably surpassed the acceptable thresholds set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (1 × 10−4 to 1 × 10−6), with a calculated lifetime cancer risk far exceeding the limit for As, Cd, Cr, Co, and Ni for both adults and juveniles. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted risk mitigation strategies in the community to address the significant health risks posed by airborne heavy metal exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potentially Toxic Elements: Source, Distribution, Risk Assessment and Remediation)
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16 pages, 1241 KiB  
Article
Açaí Seed Biochar-Based Phosphate Fertilizers for Improving Soil Fertility and Mitigating Arsenic-Related Impacts from Gold Mining Tailings: Synthesis, Characterization, and Lettuce Growth Assessment
by Yan Nunes Dias, Wendel Valter da Silveira Pereira, Cecílio Frois Caldeira, Sílvio Junio Ramos, Edna Santos de Souza, Paula Godinho Ribeiro and Antonio Rodrigues Fernandes
Minerals 2024, 14(7), 732; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14070732 - 22 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1109
Abstract
Biochar represents a promising alternative for enhancing substrates and remediating contaminants in mining areas. Given that arsenic (As) and phosphorus (P) share similar chemical forms, the combination of biochar and P fertilizers may reduce As uptake, thereby mitigating As-related impacts. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Biochar represents a promising alternative for enhancing substrates and remediating contaminants in mining areas. Given that arsenic (As) and phosphorus (P) share similar chemical forms, the combination of biochar and P fertilizers may reduce As uptake, thereby mitigating As-related impacts. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of biochar-based P fertilizers in improving soil fertility and mitigating human health risks from gold mining tailings in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. Biochar from açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) seeds was produced through enrichment with single and triple superphosphate at a ratio of 1:4, at 400 °C, and applied to mining tailings at 0.5%, 1%, and 2%. After one year of incubation, lettuce plants were grown for 70 days. Biochar reduced As absorption by lettuce and improved biomass and nutrient accumulation, resulting in improved vegetation indices. Biochar was effective in reducing non-carcinogenic As risks via ingestion of soil and plants to acceptable levels. Regression equations explained the As absorption behavior as affected by the biochar and the importance of biochar-related nutrients in reducing As stress. This study demonstrates the potential of P-enriched biochar as an amendment for As-contaminated soils, reducing As absorption, increasing P availability, and improving plant growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potentially Toxic Elements: Source, Distribution, Risk Assessment and Remediation)
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19 pages, 4891 KiB  
Article
Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) Dispersion in Alluvial Deposits from Abandoned Mining Sites
by Julián Martínez, Rosendo Mendoza, María José de la Torre and M. Carmen Hidalgo
Minerals 2024, 14(4), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14040340 - 26 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1306
Abstract
In the watersheds of abandoned mining districts, it is common to find remains of former facilities and waste dams on stream banks and slopes—a situation that results in the transport and accumulation of metal(loid)s in alluvial deposits. To analyze this problem, an area [...] Read more.
In the watersheds of abandoned mining districts, it is common to find remains of former facilities and waste dams on stream banks and slopes—a situation that results in the transport and accumulation of metal(loid)s in alluvial deposits. To analyze this problem, an area of the former mining district of Linares–La Carolina (southern Spain) was selected to evaluate the contents and distributions of Ag, As, Ba, Cu, and Pb as potentially toxic elements (PTEs) found in the mineral paragenesis. Specifically, this study focused on the Siles Stream, which runs through a sector where underground mining for the exploitation of galena veins generated abundant mining wastes, mainly waste rock and tailings. Thirty-four sediment samples from the stream bed of the Siles Stream and two sediment samples from the Guadiel River, of which it is a tributary, were analyzed. Floodplain sediments were sampled in the stream banks at the middle and lower reaches (11 samples), as well as the riverine soils developed at the mouth of the Siles Stream (22 samples). The analyzed samples presented high levels of PTEs, in most cases with values much higher than the generic reference levels established by European and regional legislation for PTEs in soils. In the case of Pb, the main metal mined in this district, contents of up to 27,074 mg·kg−1 were observed in the stream bed sediments. Very high concentrations of Pb also appeared in the floodplain sediments, with maximum values in the middle course of the stream, where the concentration reached 43,692 mg·kg−1. With respect to the sediments of the Guadiel river bed, the Pb content was 699 mg·kg−1 before the confluence with the stream and 2537 mg·kg−1 downstream, which clearly reflects the influence of the contributions from the Siles Stream. The enrichment factors (EFs) show that the sediments present a severe to very severe anthropogenic influence for Ag, As, Ba, Cu, and Pb. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicates that the entire basin is extremely polluted by Pb, to which As and Ag are added in the middle course of the stream. The potential ecological risk index (RI) and pollution load index (PLI) based on the contamination factor (CF) suggested that metal loads far exceeded the reference values. Selective chemical extraction methods were used to assess the potential bioavailability of these elements in sediment and soil samples. The results showed high concentrations of Pb in the exchangeable fraction, which poses a significant ecological risk and potential human health risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potentially Toxic Elements: Source, Distribution, Risk Assessment and Remediation)
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18 pages, 615 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Soil Heavy Metal(loid)s Considering Uncertainties: The Case of a Typical Metal Mining Area in Daye City, China
by Hao Zhou, Xuemei Yue, Yong Chen, Yanzhong Liu and Gaoxu Gong
Minerals 2023, 13(11), 1389; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13111389 - 30 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1656
Abstract
Heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) in soils near mining sites often cause serious environmental and health issues. Accurately assessing soil HM risks and identifying priority pollutants are crucial for improving risk control efficiency with limited management costs and resources. Traditional deterministic assessments may yield biased [...] Read more.
Heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) in soils near mining sites often cause serious environmental and health issues. Accurately assessing soil HM risks and identifying priority pollutants are crucial for improving risk control efficiency with limited management costs and resources. Traditional deterministic assessments may yield biased results due to the imprecision and ambiguity of environmental data and assessment processes. To compensate for the deficiencies of deterministic assessment, a comprehensive probabilistic-fuzzy model was developed based on fuzzy theory, probability methods, the soil contamination risk (SCR) index, and a human health risk (HR) assessment framework. According to this model, the soil HM risk status in a typical mining area in China was evaluated. The results indicated that Cd and Cu significantly violated the relevant environmental guidelines and were considered priority metals for environmental risk (ER). Notably, Cd’s hazard predominantly manifested in a solid potential ecological risk (PER), whereas Cu’s environmental impact primarily manifested as a soil contamination risk (SCR). From the perspective of HR, soil HMs already pose a considerable threat to human health, with children facing greater HRs than adults. As was identified as a priority element for HRs, with carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks reaching unacceptable levels. Regarding general risk (GR), Cd and Cu ranked in the first gradient and As in the second gradient. Overall, the accumulation of soil HMs—especially Cd, Cu, and As—in the study area has posed a significant threat to the ecosystem and human health. The risks of other HMs (Pb, Zn, Cr, and Ni) are relatively low, but the superimposed risks of multiple HMs should not be ignored. The probabilistic–fuzzy model reduces the uncertainty of risk assessment, and the model integrates the environmental and health risks of HMs, providing more comprehensive risk information. The assessment results can serve as a reference for managers to develop targeted control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potentially Toxic Elements: Source, Distribution, Risk Assessment and Remediation)
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13 pages, 6649 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Electricity Generation and Heavy Metal Removal by a Rutile–Biochar Cathode MFC
by Jiqiang Zhou, Lei Wang, Zhe Wang, Yonglin Feng, Guangfeng Luo, Zhiyang Wang, Jing Wu and Peiqing Hu
Minerals 2023, 13(10), 1250; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13101250 - 25 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1702
Abstract
The issue of heavy metal pollution has gradually emerged as a significant global concern. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) hold immense potential for clean energy production and pollutant treatment. However, their limited power generation efficiency hampers the large-scale implementation of MFCs. The porous microstructure [...] Read more.
The issue of heavy metal pollution has gradually emerged as a significant global concern. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) hold immense potential for clean energy production and pollutant treatment. However, their limited power generation efficiency hampers the large-scale implementation of MFCs. The porous microstructure of biochar and the excellent physical and chemical properties of rutile render both materials promising catalysts with positive potential. In this study, we employed biochar as a carrier for rutile to fabricate a novel rutile–biochar (Rut-B) composite material, investigating its efficacy in enhancing MFC power generation efficiency as a cathode catalyst, as well as its application in heavy metal pollutant degradation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results confirmed the successful preparation of biochar-loaded rutile composites. The MFC achieved maximum current density and power density values of 152.26 mA/m2 and 9.88 mW/m2, respectively—an increase of 102.7% and 224% compared to the control group without the addition of Rut-B. Furthermore, the biochar-loaded rutile MFC exhibited excellent performance in degrading heavy metal pollutants; within 7 h, the Pb2+ degradation rate reached 92.4%, while the Zn2+ degradation rate reached 84%. These rates were significantly higher than those observed in the control group, by factors of 437.2% and 345%, respectively. The cyclic degradation experiments also demonstrated the outstanding stability of the system over multiple cycles. In summary, this study successfully combined natural rutile with biochar to create an efficient electrode catalyst that not only enhances electricity generation performance but also provides an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach for remediating heavy metal pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potentially Toxic Elements: Source, Distribution, Risk Assessment and Remediation)
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