Mercury contamination of surface water and fish in a gold mining region (Cuyuni river basin, Venezuela)

García-Sánchez, Antonio-Javier; Contreras, F.; Adams, Melitón; Santos, Filipa

doi:10.1504/ijep.2008.019398

Cited by 13 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Furthermore, according to Canadian water quality guidelines [74], 44% of the samples exceeded the allowable limit of 0.001 mg/L. It is imperative to address mercury contamination and implement measures to safeguard the health of the exposed population [22,75]. Elevated mercury concentrations of up to 4.60 µg/L in surface water samples (rivers, streams, mining ponds, springs) highlight the potential transfer of mercury into the aquatic food chain.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risks to Human Health from Mercury in Gold Mining in the Coastal Region of Ecuador

Mestanza-Ramón,

Jiménez-Oyola,

Cedeño-Laje

et al. 2024

Toxics

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Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) plays a crucial role in global gold production. However, the adoption of poor mining practices or the use of mercury (Hg) in gold recovery processes has generated serious environmental contamination events. The focus of this study is assessing the concentration of Hg in surface waters within the coastal region of Ecuador. The results are used to conduct a human health risk assessment applying deterministic and probabilistic methods, specifically targeting groups vulnerable to exposure in affected mining environments. Between April and June 2022, 54 water samples were collected from rivers and streams adjacent to mining areas to determine Hg levels. In the health risk assessment, exposure routes through water ingestion and dermal contact were considered for both adults and children, following the model structures outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The results indicate elevated Hg concentrations in two of the five provinces studied, El Oro and Esmeraldas, where at least 88% and 75% of the samples, respectively, exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) set by Ecuadorian regulations for the preservation of aquatic life. Furthermore, in El Oro province, 28% of the samples exceeded the MPL established for drinking water quality. The high concentrations of Hg could be related to illegal mining activity that uses Hg for gold recovery. Regarding the human health risk assessment, risk values above the safe exposure limit were estimated. Children were identified as the most vulnerable receptor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish effective regulations that guarantee the protection of river users in potentially contaminated areas. Finally, it is important to continue investigating the contamination caused by human practices in the coastal region.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risks to Human Health from Mercury in Gold Mining in the Coastal Region of Ecuador

Mestanza-Ramón,

Jiménez-Oyola,

Cedeño-Laje

et al. 2024

Toxics

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“…In the Madeira River, Brazil, in Latin America, the THg accumulated up to 1242 µg/kg in fish [113]. Hg contamination was higher (0.12-1.92 mg/kg) in fish communities of the ASGM in the Cuyuni River Basin of Venezuela [114]. Hacon et al [115] assessed the potential ecotoxicological risks of THg to trophic guilds of fish in 18 sites in five regions of the Amapá State territory in the Brazilian Northern Amazon region.…”

Section: Nigeriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquatic Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: Status, Impacts, and Interventions

Mulenga,

Ouma,

Monde

et al. 2024

Water

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Mercury (Hg) pollution remains an environmental global concern due to its non-degradable and toxic nature. Natural and anthropogenic sources of Hg adversely affect the functioning of aquatic ecosystems and biological processes. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), unregulated artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) contributes up to 20% of global gold production and uses 205–496 tonnes/yr of Hg. Despite being a vital economic driver for 20–30 million people, ASGM threatens the health of aquatic systems from Hg pollution, presenting a complex challenge that demands urgent interventions. This review seeks to (1) establish the current status of aquatic Hg pollution, (2) explore the environmental impacts of aquatic Hg, and (3) highlight the proposed interventions for aquatic Hg pollution in SSA. We examined publications and institutional reports between 2000 and 2023 addressing aquatic Hg pollution, impacts, and interventions in the ASGM of SSA. Results indicate a rise in aquatic Hg pollution due to the expansion and intensification of ASGM. West Africa remained the highest contributor (50.2%), followed by Central Africa (39.6%), Southern Africa (9.6%), and Eastern Africa (<1%). Contamination of freshwater ecosystems, toxicity to aquatic biota, and environmental health risks to humans were evident. Alternative Hg-free ASGM technologies, including physical, metallurgical, and pyrometallurgical, were investigated from case studies and recommended for adoption.

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“…The toxic and carcinogenic effects of mercury on living beings are quite well known [1,2]. It was found in wastewater deriving from color-alkali production, oil refinery, paint production, pharmaceutical, coal combustion, non ferrous metallurgy, and metal mining as well as in garbage/municipal wastes [3,4]. In contaminated environment, different forms of mercury can be accumulated in animals and plants, and also enter into human body by food chain, resulting in the damage of central nerve.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Removal of Mercury from Wastewater by Adsorption Using Thiol-Functionalized Eggshell Membrane

Cheng

et al. 2010

AMR

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The thiol-functionalized eggshell membrane (TF-ESM) was prepared by esterification between thioglycolic acid (CH2SHCOOH) and oxygen-containing functional groups on eggshell membrane (ESM). A promising potential biosorbent, TF-ESM, was used for the removal of toxic mercury in wastewater. Aqueous of mercury ions removing properties by TF-ESM were studied through batch experiments. The results indicated that the modified ESM has greatly enhanced the adsorption capacity for Hg2+, the maximum capacity was increased more than 3-fold in comparison with the unmodified ESM, from 19.4 mg g-1 to 71.9 mg g-1. The optimum of pH value for Hg adsorption was in the range of 2-8, which the removing rate over 96%. The results obtained show that the novel thiol-functionalized eggshell membrane performed well the removal and recovery of mercury from low concentration wastewaters.

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Mercury contamination of surface water and fish in a gold mining region (Cuyuni river basin, Venezuela)

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Risks to Human Health from Mercury in Gold Mining in the Coastal Region of Ecuador

Risks to Human Health from Mercury in Gold Mining in the Coastal Region of Ecuador

Aquatic Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: Status, Impacts, and Interventions

Removal of Mercury from Wastewater by Adsorption Using Thiol-Functionalized Eggshell Membrane

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