A robust and rapid methodology for the determination of iodine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in environmental samples is presented. Data were initially obtained for the validation of the analytical measurements, using 17 commercially available soil reference materials. The methodology was then tested on soil and water samples collected in Afghanistan where iodine deficiency and its effects are reportedly prevalent. Sample collections were conducted in Greater Kabul; the iodine in agricultural soils was determined to be in the range of 1.6-4.2 mg/kg and that in water drawn for drinking and irrigation was found to range from 9.9 to 22.7 microg/L. Samples were also collected in a second region, Nangarhar province, which is located to the east of Kabul, where goitres in the local population had been reported. The iodine content in soils and water at this location was 0.5-1.9 mg/kg and 5.4-9.4 microg/L, respectively. The organic content of soils in Kabul was found to be in the range of 1.9-4.2%; in Nangarhar, organic content ranged from 1.7 to 4.5%. All of the Afghan soils were slightly alkaline at pH 7.6-8.2.

As part of a wider research programme of experimental archaeology at Calanais Farm, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, a number of experimental hearths were constructed, based on excavated evidence from the Late Iron Age houses at Bostadh, Lewis. Controlled and repeated burning of different fuel sources (well-humified peat, fibrous upper peat, peat turf and wood) was carried out over a number of burning episodes, each of three days duration. A range of mineral magnetic measurements, including remanences and the variation of susceptibility with high temperature, were taken from the resulting ash samples. The high temperature susceptibility measurements show that the fibrous upper peat and peat turf have a single magnetic component, with a drop in magnetic susceptibility at ca. 600°C. In comparison the well-humified peat and wood have one, sometimes two, distinct magnetic components characterized by drops in susceptibility at ca. 330 and ca. 550°C. Stepwise discriminant analysis was performed on the room temperature magnetic data. A biplot of the resulting two main variables distinguishes the well-humified peat and wood. Some overlap is observed between the fibrous upper peat and peat turf. Magnetic measurements also were carried out on Iron Age and Medieval hearth, floor and ash spread samples from the multiperiod archaeological site of Guinnerso, on the Isle of Lewis. Comparison was made with the modern ash samples in order to determine if fuel sources could be identified. The high temperature susceptibility curves and the discriminant analysis biplot suggest that for the selected archaeological samples the predominant fuel source was well-humified peat.

In 1998 the BGS, in collaboration with Tarmac, initiated an industrial mineral waste project known as REFILL which was funded by the EU BriteEuRam programme. BGS was responsible for the characterization of quarry waste from certain aggregate quarrying operations across the UK. During the work it became clear that there was little information available on the quantity and technical quality of mineral waste in the UK. Also, BGS assisted Tarmac in research work to find uses for the fines produced at a coastal aggregate quarry in southern Ireland.In 1999 BGS developed a further research project, known as 'Minerals from Waste', which was funded by the UK Government Department for International Development (DfID). This project aimed to improve the sustainability of mining communities by investigating the use of mineral waste as a source of construction and industrial minerals. The types of waste found in a range of extractive operations were reviewed. Case studies were carried out in Namibia and Costa Rica including investigations of the properties of the waste, mineral product evaluations, market and economic appraisals and social and environmental impact assessments of local communities. Overall, this work aimed to benefit not only mine and quarry engineers, but all those involved in the management of mine waste.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) represents 20% of gold supply and 90% of gold mining workforce globally, which operates in highly informal setups. Pollutants from mined ores and chemicals introduced during gold processing pose occupational and inadvertent health risks to the extent that has not been well elucidated in Africa. Trace and major elements were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in soil, sediment and water samples from 19 ASGM villages in Kakamega and Vihiga counties. Associated health risks for residents and ASGM workers were assessed. This paper focuses on As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni and Pb for which 96% of soil samples from mining and ore processing sites had As concentrations up to 7937 times higher than the US EPA 12 mg kg−1 standard for residential soils. Soil Cr, Hg and Ni concentrations in 98%, 49% and 68% of the samples exceeded respective USEPA and CCME standards, with 1–72% bioaccessibility. Twenty-five percentage of community drinking water sources were higher than the WHO 10 µg L−1 drinking water guideline. Pollution indices indicated significant enrichment and pollution of soils, sediment and water in decreasing order of As > Cr > Hg > Ni > Pb > Cd. The study revealed increased risks of non-cancer health effects (98.6) and cancer in adults (4.93 × 10−2) and children (1.75 × 10−1). The findings will help environment managers and public health authorities better understand the potential health risks in ASGM and support evidence-based interventions in ASGM processes, industrial hygiene and formulation of public health policy to protect residents and ASGM workers’ health in Kenya.

environmental samples collected for the TWRS (W-519) Infrastructure Characterization effort in and around the 200 East Area. w Soil, Augering, Characterization, Samples, W-519, This document provides a detailed description of the TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER. Reference herein to any specific comnercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recmndation, or favoring by the united States Government or any agency thereof or its contractors or subcontractors.