Effects of Mining Activities on the Release of Heavy Metals (HMs) in a Typical Mountain Headwater Region, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China

Abstract

Understanding the heavy metal (HM) contamination in alpine mountain headwaters regions is important to maintaining the ecosystem stability of the basin. A total of 119 water samples and 104 sediment samples were collected along tributaries and the main course of Heihe River. The concentrations of eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in water and sediment were measured to describe their spatial variability and to assess water quality. To identify the origins and pathways of HMs, anions, cations, and trace elements, as well as δD/δ18O stable isotopes in water samples were also measured. The results of water quality assessment suggested that tributaries were affected by local mining activity. Factor analysis in sediments showed that all HMs in sediments were inherited from the parent bedrock. Both natural weathering and mining contribute HMs. Cr and Ni were homologous with a source from the weathering of basic gabbro and serpentine at Yushigou. Mn appeared to be influenced more by artificial activities such as agriculture and grazing. Depending on the mining technique involved, two pathways for the release of HMs were distinguished in this area. For open-pit mining, mining promoted the release of HMs primarily via enhanced weathering. For underground mining, HMs might have contributed to greater acid mine discharge at high elevations due to the weak weathering processes. As the elevation decreases, precipitation increases, and a series of complex hydrological factor significantly affect leaching and runoff. The study results can be applied to improve water management efficiency.

Influence of Mining and Vegetation Restoration on Soil Properties in the Eastern Margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

“…In addition to As, the concentration of other trace metals in this study are lower than the Chinese Environmental Quality Standards limit values. Previously, many studies have shown that the content of Cd and Hg in this region has been increasing rapidly in recent years [36,54], but the concentration of both elements in this study was still at a low level.…”

Analisis Histopatologis Insang dan Kandungan Logam Berat Pb, Cd dan Fe pada Ikan Nila (Oreochromis niloticus) yang Dibudidayakan di Kolam Bekas Tambang Kota Samarinda

“…Baku mutu sedimen dengan standard sediment quality guideline values for metals and associated levels of concern to be used in Doing assesments of sediment quality (2003) Hasil Analisis Histopatologis Insang Ikan Nila Literatur tentang konsentrasi logam berat pada ikan nila yang dipelihara dalam keramba di kolam bekas tambang batubara yang ada di kawasan bekas tambang batubara masih jarang ditemukan. Menurut Wei et al (2018), logam berat (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, dan Zn) dalam air dan sedimen pada tersebut umumnya berasal dari aktivitas penambangan lokal.…”

Influence of soil water content and soil amendments on trace metal release and seedling growth in serpentine soil

“…In addition, some serpentine deposits have been extended into agricultural regions (Ye-Tao et al 2012;Neilson and Rajakaruna 2015), including in Mouriki-Thiva, Central Greece, where Antibachi et al (2012) found 621-2639 and 134-856 mg kg −1 of Ni and Cr in soil, respectively. Moreover, due to high rainfall and erosion, serpentine soil and sediments can separate from its main body, transport through irrigation systems, and deposit in valleys and lowlands which are used extensively for agriculture (Wei et al 2018). Ranau Valley in Malaysia was reported to have Mn (43,063.8 mg kg −1 ), Cr (7332.2 mg kg −1 ), Ni (6322.3 mg kg −1 ), and Co (1004.7 mg kg −1 ) in paddy soil due to erosion, transport, and sedimentation (Aziz et al 2015).…”