Trace metals from historical mining sites and past metallurgical activity remain bioavailable to wildlife today

Abstract

Throughout history, ancient human societies exploited mineral resources all over the world, even in areas that are now protected and considered to be relatively pristine. Here, we show that past mining still has an impact on wildlife in some French protected areas. We measured cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc concentrations in topsoils and wood mouse kidneys from sites located in the Cévennes and the Morvan. The maximum levels of metals in these topsoils are one or two orders of magnitude greater than their commonly reported mean values in European topsoils. The transfer to biota was effective, as the lead concentration (and to a lesser extent, cadmium) in wood mouse kidneys increased with soil concentration, unlike copper and zinc, providing direct evidence that lead emitted in the environment several centuries ago is still bioavailable to free-ranging mammals. The negative correlation between kidney lead concentration and animal body condition suggests that historical mining activity may continue to play a role in the complex relationships between trace metal pollution and body indices. Ancient mining sites could therefore be used to assess the long-term fate of trace metals in soils and the subsequent risks to human health and the environment.

Simulated Aquifer Heterogeneity Leads to Enhanced Attenuation and Multiple Retention Processes of Zinc

“…After the system stabilized (21 days into the experiment), Zn 2+ (∼2.3 mmol L –1 ) was introduced into all groundwater sources, and the experiment continued for an additional 56 days (77 days in total; fresh groundwater was prepared every 7 days and switched the day after sampling). The concentration of Zn was chosen in order to achieve sediment loadings similar to those affected by mining and smelting activities. − …”

Succession of Mite Assemblages (Acari, Mesostigmata) during Decomposition of Tree Leaves in Forest Stands Growing on Reclaimed Post-Mining Spoil Heap and Adjacent Forest Habitats

“…The characteristic features of soils such as structure of the soil profile, appropriate water and air conditions [6], amount of organic matter [7] and high microbiological activity are absent [5]. However, thanks to the specific conditions that arose as a result of human activity on degraded sites subjected to reclamation, these areas may be potential habitats for many species of animals [8][9][10][11], including mites [12][13][14]. Colonization of post-industrial areas by invertebrates, such as mites, undoubtedly supports soil-forming processes, but the scale of this process is still insufficiently recognized [14].…”

Profiling metal contamination from ultramafic sediments to biota along the Albanian shoreline of Lake Ohrid (Albania/Macedonia)

“…Measured concentrations of Ni and Cr in Albanian soils reach around 3,000 mg kg -1 and 2,400 mg kg -1 , respectively (Bani et al, 2013(Bani et al, , 2014 and sedimentary concentrations of up to 1600 mg kg -1 and 700 mg kg -1 have been reported (Malaj et al 2012). Because trace metals from historical mining sites can still be bioavailable to organisms years after decommissioning (Camizuli et al, 2018), metal contamination of Lake Ohrid remains an important local issue and its study can provide a reference point for other UME in Albania or, more in general, in temperate European areas.…”