Environmental and health hazards of military metal pollution

Skalny, Anatoly V.; Aschner, Michael; Bobrovnitsky, Igor P.; Pan, Chen; Tsatsakis, Aristidis; Paoliello, Mônica Maria Bastos; Djordevic, Aleksandra Buha; Tinkov, Alexey A.

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111568

Cited by 28 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 137 publications

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, Skalny et al (2021) reviewed the environmental and health hazards of military metal pollution, and the urgency of effective approaches for prevention of military-related metal overexposure, including remediation of metal-polluted environments, was re-emphasized. 51 Results of a meta-analysis demonstrated that earthworms (including epigeic E. fetida) could accelerate the biogeochemical cycling of potentially toxic elements and increase their mobility and availability in soils. 52 Moreover, the present study indicated that E. fetida may be a U-resistant species, highlighting the potential of using earthworms for bioremediation of DU-contaminated soils, which may be boosted with organic wastes (such as livestock manure) and coapplication in phytoremediation.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Earthworm Enhanced Phytoremediation of U in Army Test Range Soil with Indian Mustard and Sunflower

Guo

Proctor

Larson

et al. 2022

ACS Earth Space Chem.

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Wars and military testing have resulted in the depleted uranium (DU) contamination of military proving grounds. In the present study, a pot experiment was conducted to explore the effects of earthworms on the uranium phytoremediation process. Effects of cattle manure and Eisenia fetida on biomass and U accumulation of plants, U solubility, and pH in soil were investigated using DU-contaminated soil from Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, U.S. Results showed that the growth of plants was promoted with the addition of cattle manure and earthworms, which was more obvious for sunflowers. Moreover, the U accumulation was significantly enhanced by earthworms and cattle manure, with a 68.5% (Indian mustard) and 85.0% (sunflower) increase in the cattle manure plus earthworm treatments, and the removal efficiencies of U were correspondingly improved. No significant effect on soil pH was observed, while the soil water extractable U was increased by 84.9–87.8% in the earthworm treatments. Moreover, after the 4-week cultivation, cattle manure benefited the survival of earthworms and slightly increased their average fresh weight in DU-contaminated soil. Therefore, this study concludes that earthworms combined with agricultural organic wastes was an alternative approach to effectively remediate DU-contaminated soils in firing ranges.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earthworm Enhanced Phytoremediation of U in Army Test Range Soil with Indian Mustard and Sunflower

Guo

Proctor

Larson

et al. 2022

ACS Earth Space Chem.

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“…Deterioration of soil qualities is long-lasting and affects its productive functions critically. Destruction of vegetation, damages to soil cover, loss of natural moisture are all common consequences of war and technogenic loading (Hu et al, 2013;Skalny et al, 2021;Omelchuk, 2022;Holubtsov et al, 2023). Those processes drastically decrease the biodiversiry, which in turn affects the biological populations and species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Productivity of bee families and biomonitoring of corbicular pollen and war-affected honeybee foraging sites with cultivated honey clover (Melilotus albus)

Razanov,

Ibatulin,

Razanov

et al. 2024

Regul. Mech. Biosyst.

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As a result of military actions, some territories of Ukraine have suffered technogenic loading on the environment. Of special concern is disturbed agricultural soils that are significant for food safety of the country. Soils affected by military actions require control of contamination and restoration of fertility. The studies revealed the advantages of cultivating honey clover (Melilotus albus) in war-affected soils and controlling content of heavy metals in soils and corbicular pollen from honey clover cultivated in those soils. In gray forest average-loamy soils that had been affected by military actions, nitrogen content increased 6.3% thanks to cultivation of M. albus. High nitrogen content in soil improves its fertility. Cultivation of M. albus in affected soils promoted more intensive growth of the bee families, encouraging them to gather nectar more actively. As a result, this apiary produced greater amounts of honey, corbicular pollen, and bee pollen. The conducted studies revealed heightened levels of lead, cadmium, and zinc in the war-impacted agricultural land, compared with the territory beyond the impact zone. This caused increased content of heavy metals in corbicular pollen from M. albus. Contamination of corbicular pollen from M. albus manifested in excess over the allowable norms of cadmium, lead, and zinc. At the same time, the highest coefficient of transfer from soil into corbicular pollen was found for zinc. The high degree of contamination of the soil with heavy metals as a result of military action promoted a high level of ingress of lead and cadmium into the corbicular pollen, compared with the situation in clean territory. The study results expand the available data on biomonitoring of apiary products and foraging lands in contaminated areas. Analysis of the corbicular pollen and pollen can give information about the level of environmental contamination and help evaluate the ecological state of melliferous sites. Such a monitoring can be useful for decision making regarding the protection of the environment and healthcare.

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“…Research into the health effects of GSR is a growing area of interest with firearm at military firing ranges [21,22]. Some of the common elements found in GSR have known health relevance such as Pb [23][24][25] and Ba [26,27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airborne and Dermal Collection Methods of Gunshot Residue for Toxicity Studies

2022

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Gunshot residue (GSR) has potential negative health effects on humans as a result of inhalation and dermal exposure to the chemical and physical characteristics of GSR such as Pb, Sb, Ba, nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, and particulate size fraction. Filter (size selective) and double-sided tape (non-size selective) samples collected airborne GSR during single and triple firing of a 0.22 caliber revolver. Dermal exposures were considered using hand swabs and de-leading wipes, designed to remove the heavy metals. The samples underwent analysis to investigate physical (morphology, size distribution, zeta potential), chemical (black carbon and element concentrations), and potential to induce oxidative stress (oxidative potential via the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay). All sample types detected Pb concentrations higher than national ambient air standards. The de-leading wipes reduced the metal content on the hands of the shooter for Pb (15.57 ± 12.99 ppb and 3.13 ± 4.95 ppb). Filter samples provided health relevant data for airborne PM2.5 for all of the analysis methods except for GSR morphology. This work identified collection and analysis methods for GSR in an outdoor setting, providing protocols and considerations for future toxicological studies related to inhalation and dermal exposures to particulate GSR. Future studies should investigate the influence of meteorological factors on GSR exposure in an outdoor setting.

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Environmental and health hazards of military metal pollution

Cited by 28 publications

References 137 publications

Earthworm Enhanced Phytoremediation of U in Army Test Range Soil with Indian Mustard and Sunflower

Earthworm Enhanced Phytoremediation of U in Army Test Range Soil with Indian Mustard and Sunflower

Productivity of bee families and biomonitoring of corbicular pollen and war-affected honeybee foraging sites with cultivated honey clover (Melilotus albus)

Airborne and Dermal Collection Methods of Gunshot Residue for Toxicity Studies

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