Geochemistry and mercury contamination in receiving environments of artisanal mining wastes and identified concerns for food safety

Reichelt‐Brushett, Amanda; Stone, Jane; Howe, Pelli Louise; Thomas, Bernard; Clark, Malcolm W.; Male, Yusthinus T; Nanlohy, Albert Ch; Butcher, Paul A.

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2016.07.007

Cited by 46 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…ASGM is currently active in more than 70 countries, where it is typically little acknowledged, unregulated, or illegal (Veiga et al 2006 ; Telmer and Veiga 2009 ; Swenson et al 2011 ; Reichelt-Brushett et al 2017 ). Collectively this practice represents a major global emission source of Hg to the atmosphere, with estimates ranging from 20 to 37 % of total anthropogenic Hg emissions (Lacerda 2003 ; Pirrone et al 2010 ; United Nations Environment Programme 2013 ).…”

Section: Gold Mining and Other Mining Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

Hsu‐Kim

Eckley

Achá

et al. 2018

Ambio

200

115

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The environmental cycling of mercury (Hg) can be affected by natural and anthropogenic perturbations. Of particular concern is how these disruptions increase mobilization of Hg from sites and alter the formation of monomethylmercury (MeHg), a bioaccumulative form of Hg for humans and wildlife. The scientific community has made significant advances in recent years in understanding the processes contributing to the risk of MeHg in the environment. The objective of this paper is to synthesize the scientific understanding of how Hg cycling in the aquatic environment is influenced by landscape perturbations at the local scale, perturbations that include watershed loadings, deforestation, reservoir and wetland creation, rice production, urbanization, mining and industrial point source pollution, and remediation. We focus on the major challenges associated with each type of alteration, as well as management opportunities that could lessen both MeHg levels in biota and exposure to humans. For example, our understanding of approximate response times to changes in Hg inputs from various sources or landscape alterations could lead to policies that prioritize the avoidance of certain activities in the most vulnerable systems and sequestration of Hg in deep soil and sediment pools. The remediation of Hg pollution from historical mining and other industries is shifting towards in situ technologies that could be less disruptive and less costly than conventional approaches. Contemporary artisanal gold mining has well-documented impacts with respect to Hg; however, significant social and political challenges remain in implementing effective policies to minimize Hg use. Much remains to be learned as we strive towards the meaningful application of our understanding for stakeholders, including communities living near Hg-polluted sites, environmental policy makers, and scientists and engineers tasked with developing watershed management solutions. Site-specific assessments of MeHg exposure risk will require new methods to predict the impacts of anthropogenic perturbations and an understanding of the complexity of Hg cycling at the local scale.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-017-1006-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Gold Mining and Other Mining Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

Hsu‐Kim

Eckley

Achá

et al. 2018

Ambio

200

115

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“…Mercury is extremely dangerous and contaminates the air, water, soil, and living organisms, including trees. ASGM activity is implicated in contamination issues which seriously compromise ecosystem and human health which estimated about 50 million workers in over 70 countries [1,2]. The health of miners and inhabitants living within or outside an area affected by Hg contamination is affected by the inhalation of atmospheric Hg [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mangifera indica as Bioindicator of Mercury Atmospheric Contamination in an ASGM Area in North Gorontalo Regency, Indonesia

et al. 2018

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Abstract:We report the atmospheric Hg contamination in an artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) area in North Gorontalo, Indonesia. It is well known that atmospheric Hg contaminates the air, water, soil, and living organisms, including trees. In this study, we calculated total weight of heavy metals, especially Hg, and quantitatively measure the concentrations of heavy metals, especially Hg, in tree bark from an ASGM area. Tree bark can be used for the environmental assessment of atmospheric contamination because it attaches and absorbs heavy metals. Atmospheric Hg and other heavy metals, including Fe and Mn, and As were detected on the tree bark samples. The total weight of Hg, As, Fe, and Mn in the tree bark samples ranged from undetectable (ND) to 9.77, ND to 81.3, 124-4028, 37.0-1376 µg dry weight (DW), respectively per weight of sample. Based on quantitatively analysis micro-PIXE, the highest concentrations of all these metals were detected in the outer part of the bark. We conclude that tree bark can adsorb atmospheric contamination, which is then absorbed into the inner tissues.

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“…Inorganic mercury, formed through oxidation of mercury metal lost during ASGM may contaminate water and also lead to kidney damage if consumed . Conversion of mercury pollution from ASGM into methyl mercury also poses a tremendous risk as this highly toxic form of mercury accumulates in food supplies, such as fish, crustaceans and mollusks . Consumption of methyl mercury is particularly harmful to the central nervous system, causing nerve and brain damage .…”

Section: Health and Ecological Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to accumulation in seafood, mercury pollution can accumulate in food crops, livestock and poultry . Mercury pollution from ASGM is suspected to threaten these food supplies through contamination of groundwater, rivers and lakes used for irrigation and drinking .…”

Section: Challenges and Opportunities For Chemistsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Mercury Problem in Artisanal and Small‐Scale Gold Mining

Esdaile

Chalker

2018

Chemistry A European J

317

177

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Mercury‐dependent artisanal and small‐scale gold mining (ASGM) is the largest source of mercury pollution on Earth. In this practice, elemental mercury is used to extract gold from ore as an amalgam. The amalgam is typically isolated by hand and then heated—often with a torch or over a stove—to distill the mercury and isolate the gold. Mercury release from tailings and vaporized mercury exceed 1000 tonnes each year from ASGM. The health effects on the miners are dire, with inhaled mercury leading to neurological damage and other health issues. The communities near these mines are also affected due to mercury contamination of water and soil and subsequent accumulation in food staples, such as fish—a major source of dietary protein in many ASGM regions. The risks to children are also substantial, with mercury emissions from ASGM resulting in both physical and mental disabilities and compromised development. Between 10 and 19 million people use mercury to mine for gold in more than 70 countries, making mercury pollution from ASGM a global issue. With the Minamata Convention on Mercury entering force this year, there is political motivation to help overcome the problem of mercury in ASGM. In this effort, chemists can play a central role. Here, the problem of mercury in ASGM is reviewed with a discussion on how the chemistry community can contribute solutions. Introducing portable and low‐cost mercury sensors, inexpensive and scalable remediation technologies, novel methods to prevent mercury uptake in fish and food crops, and efficient and easy‐to‐use mercury‐free mining techniques are all ways in which the chemistry community can help. To meet these challenges, it is critical that new technologies or techniques are low‐cost and adaptable to the remote and under‐resourced areas in which ASGM is most common. The problem of mercury pollution in ASGM is inherently a chemistry problem. We therefore encourage the chemistry community to consider and address this issue that affects the health of millions of people.

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Geochemistry and mercury contamination in receiving environments of artisanal mining wastes and identified concerns for food safety

Cited by 46 publications

References 61 publications

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

Mangifera indica as Bioindicator of Mercury Atmospheric Contamination in an ASGM Area in North Gorontalo Regency, Indonesia

The Mercury Problem in Artisanal and Small‐Scale Gold Mining

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