Environmental Problems Related to the Presence of Arsenic in the Anza Valley (Piedmont, North-Western Italy)

Caviglia, Caterina; Destefanis, Enrico; Masciocco, Luciano; Re, Daniela

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-09054-2_87

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 5 publications

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“…The presence of Cu and Zn is not surprising because they are well known essential physiological metals in human and animal organisms, and are present in several metallo-proteins and enzymes22. Arsenic, on the other hand, is widespread in the environment, in particular as a contaminant in groundwater2324, and moderate As-contamination is common in the region from where the samples originate2526. On the other hand, Ba may originate from barite (BaSO 4 ), which is a common addictive in cement (the presence of Ba was previously reported on digested AB by means of ICP-MS analysis22).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New insights on the biomineralisation process developing in human lungs around inhaled asbestos fibres

Bardelli

Veronesi

Capella

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Once penetrated into the lungs of exposed people, asbestos induces an in vivo biomineralisation process that leads to the formation of a ferruginous coating embedding the fibres. The ensemble of the fibre and the coating is referred to as asbestos body and is believed to be responsible for the high toxicological outcome of asbestos. Lung tissue of two individuals subjected to prolonged occupational exposure to crocidolite asbestos was investigated using synchrotron radiation micro-probe tools. The distribution of K and of elements heavier than Fe (Zn, Cu, As, and Ba) in the asbestos bodies was observed for the first time. Elemental quantification, also reported for the first time, confirmed that the coating is highly enriched in Fe (~20% w/w), and x-ray absorption spectroscopy indicated that Fe is in the 3+ oxidation state and that it is present in the form of ferritin or hemosiderin. Comparison of the results obtained studying the asbestos bodies upon removing the biological tissue by chemical digestion and those embedded in histological sections, allowed unambiguously distinguishing the composition of the asbestos bodies, and understanding to what extent the digestion procedure altered their chemical composition. A speculative model is proposed to explain the observed distribution of Fe.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New insights on the biomineralisation process developing in human lungs around inhaled asbestos fibres

Bardelli

Veronesi

Capella

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Characterization of As-polluted soils by laboratory X-ray-based techniques coupled with sequential extractions and electron microscopy: the case of Crocette gold mine in the Monte Rosa mining district (Italy)

Allegretta

Porfido

Martín

et al. 2018

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Arsenic concentration and distribution were studied by combining laboratory X-ray-based techniques (wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD)), field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with microanalysis (FE-SEM-EDX), and sequential extraction procedure (SEP) coupled to total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysis. This approach was applied to three contaminated soils and one mine tailing collected near the gold extraction plant at the Crocette gold mine (Macugnaga, VB) in the Monte Rosa mining district (Piedmont, Italy). Arsenic (As) concentration, measured with WDXRF, ranged from 145 to 40,200 mg/kg. XRPD analysis evidenced the presence of jarosite and the absence of any As-bearing mineral, suggesting a high weathering grade and strong oxidative conditions. However, small domains of Fe arsenate were identified by combining μXRF with FE-SEM-EDX. SEP results revealed that As was mainly associated to amorphous Fe oxides/hydroxides or hydroxysulfates (50-80%) and the combination of XRPD and FE-SEM-EDX suggested that this phase could be attributed to schwertmannite. On the basis of the reported results, As is scarcely mobile, even if a consistent As fraction (1-3 g As/kg of soil) is still potentially mobilizable. In general, the proposed combination of laboratory X-ray techniques could be successfully employed to unravel environmental issues related to metal(loid) pollution in soil and sediments.

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A Multi-biological Assay Approach to Assess Microbial Diversity in Arsenic (As) Contaminated Soils

Stazi

Moscatelli

Papp

et al. 2016

Geomicrobiology Journal

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Environmental Problems Related to the Presence of Arsenic in the Anza Valley (Piedmont, North-Western Italy)

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

New insights on the biomineralisation process developing in human lungs around inhaled asbestos fibres

New insights on the biomineralisation process developing in human lungs around inhaled asbestos fibres

Characterization of As-polluted soils by laboratory X-ray-based techniques coupled with sequential extractions and electron microscopy: the case of Crocette gold mine in the Monte Rosa mining district (Italy)

A Multi-biological Assay Approach to Assess Microbial Diversity in Arsenic (As) Contaminated Soils

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