Arsenic in Mining Areas: Environmental Contamination Routes

Abstract

The emission and accumulation of toxic elements such as arsenic in various environmental compartments have become increasingly frequent primarily due to anthropogenic actions such as those observed in agricultural, industrial, and mining activities. An example of environmental arsenic contamination in Brazil exists in the city of Paracatu, MG, due to the operation of a gold mine. The aim of this work is to evaluate the routes and effects of arsenic contamination in environmental compartments (air, water, and soil) and environmental organisms (fish and vegetables) from mining regions as well as the trophic transfer of the element for a risk assessment of the population. In this study, high levels of arsenic were found in the waters of the Rico stream ranging from 4.05 µg/L during the summer season to 72.4 µg/L during the winter season. Moreover, the highest As concentration was 1.668 mg kg−1 in soil samples, which are influenced by seasonal variation and by proximity to the gold mine. Inorganic and organic arsenic species were found above the allowed limit in biological samples, indicating the transfer of arsenic found in the environment and demonstrating a great risk to the population exposed to this area. This study demonstrates the importance of environmental monitoring to diagnose contamination and encourage the search for new interventions and risk assessments for the population.

Vadose zone perspectives in global arsenic research: A review and future opportunities

“…However, mining As mineral ore is not the only mining‐related activity that can pollute soils with high As levels. The emission of As is also a frequent by‐product of gold or copper mining, where large volumes of ore are processed to remove especially sulfides and the As that comes with it (Faria et al., 2023; Xu et al., 2020). While the release of As during ore processing is a known problem (Shi et al., 2017), the quantitative extent of the problem is not well known (Leblanc et al., 2020).…”

Arsenite Mediates Selenite Resistance and Reduction in Enterobacter sp. Z1, Thereby Enhancing Bacterial Survival in Selenium Environments

“…1,2 As poses a severe threat to plants, animals, and humans and is derived from natural phenomena (such as weathering and volcanic eruptions) and anthropogenic activities (such as industrial wastewater discharge and ore mining). 3,4 Acute As poisoning in humans can lead to seizures and shock, and chronic As exposure may result in dermatosis, chronic liver disease, cancer, and other adverse health effects. 5,6 Owing to geothermal activities, As has been present in the earth's environment before the emergence of life.…”

“…The metalloid arsenic (As) has two biologically relevant oxidation states: arsenite [As­(III)] and arsenate [As­(V)]. , As poses a severe threat to plants, animals, and humans and is derived from natural phenomena (such as weathering and volcanic eruptions) and anthropogenic activities (such as industrial wastewater discharge and ore mining). , Acute As poisoning in humans can lead to seizures and shock, and chronic As exposure may result in dermatosis, chronic liver disease, cancer, and other adverse health effects. , Owing to geothermal activities, As has been present in the earth’s environment before the emergence of life. Its pervasive existence exerts substantial and enduring pressure on the evolution of cellular detoxification mechanisms. − A large number of bacterial strains possess genes associated with As metabolism ( ars operon), and numerous fungal, algal, and vertebrates also possess these genes. , The ars operon functions as a protective mechanism against As toxicity in the cell.…”

Legacy effects of historical gold mining on floodplains of an Australian river

“…Once exposed to atmospheric conditions during metallurgical operations, As may become mobile at mine sites as a result of multiple (and often related) processes, including: size reduction (i.e., crushing and grinding), oxidation and dissolution of As-bearing sulfide minerals (e.g., arsenopyrite, FeAsS) (Craw & Bowell, 2014 ; Liu et al, 2022 ). These processes can result in the release of arsenic, as a component of mine tailings, into creeks and streams (Rae, 2001 ; EPA, 2016 , Faria et al, 2023 ). As-containing particles can be further transported through rivers and streams as either bedload, suspended sediments or as dissolved species in the water column, where they can be stored in river bed sediments or as floodplain alluvial deposits from overbank events (Byrne et al, 2012 ).…”