Determination of tungsten’s toxicity coefficient for potential ecological risk assessment

Abstract

The potential ecological risk index (RI), proposed by the Swedish geochemist Hakanson, has been widely used for quantitatively evaluating the pollution degree caused by various pollutants. As an emerging contaminant, tungsten (W) poses ecological risks to the environment, and the quantitative assessment of the risk is of extraordinary significance. However, the lack of a determined W toxicity coefficient has limited the use of the RI in evaluating the W pollution degree. In this study, the toxicity coefficient of W (= 2.00) was calculated based on Hakanson’s theory, then verified via a case study conducted by 23 sediment samples in Taojiang River near a W mining area in southern Jiangxi. The risk factor (Ew) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) of W, and RI and Nemerow comprehensive pollution index (NCPI) of eight heavy metals at each sampling site were calculated and compared, respectively. The results showed consistent correlations and trends of pollution levels for the investigated sites, which means the rationality of assigning a toxicity coefficient of 2.00 for W. These results can contribute to the use of the RI method for the scientific evaluation of W pollution levels.

Ecotoxicological effects of tungsten on celery (Apium graveolens L) and pepper (Capsicum spp.)

“…This approach aids in the identification and screening of sensitive biomarkers for W contamination. The calculation of the IBRv2 index follows the methodology outlined in existing literature ( Li et al., 2023a ; Li et al., 2023b ). The calculation of IBRv2 is as follows.…”

“…The W reserves in Jiangxi Province, China, account for approximately half of the global reserves ( Wang et al, 2022 ), making it a hotspot for W pollution ( Hartley et al, 2014 ; Li et al., 2023a ; Li et al., 2023b ; Zheng et al, 2020b ). Existing studies have primarily focused on the physiological and biochemical toxicity of W, with a gap in the literature regarding biomonitor organisms and indicative biomarkers for W pollution.…”

Ecological and human health risk assessment of tungsten and other heavy metal(loid)s in farmland around a typical tungsten mining area in southern Jiangxi, China

“…Moreover, the microbial community may change when the W content in the soil exceeds 1% (Ringelberg et al 2009). Epidemiological investigations have demonstrated a significant correlation between increased concentrations of W in human urine and the occurrence of health issues (Koutsospyros et al 2019, Li et al 2023.…”