Groundwater-related thallium transfer processes and their impacts on the ecosystem: southwest Guizhou Province, China

Xiao, Tangfu; Boyle, Dan; Guha, Jayanta; Rouleau, Alain; Hong, Youwei; Zheng, Bo

doi:10.1016/s0883-2927(02)00154-3

Cited by 95 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Cosmic dust, although insignificant compared to other fl uxes, is another potential source of dissolved oceanic thallium with a maximum concentration of 150 ng g -1 (13). In the world there are a few areas with naturally high thallium concentrations such as the southwestern Guizhou Province in China (16), Allchar mine in Kavadarci, Macedonia (17), Lengenbach in Switzerland (18), and Rotokawa in New Zealand (19).…”

Section: Natural Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Thallium Toxicity in Humans

Cvjetko

Pavlica

2010

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

171

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Thallium is a naturally occurring trace element, widely distributed in the earth's crust, but at very low concentrations. It does not have a known biological use and does not appear to be an essential element for life. It has been considered one of the most toxic heavy metals. Occasionally, there are reports on thallium poisoning as results of suicide or murder attempt or accident. The main threat to humans is through occupational exposure, environmental contamination, and accumulation in food, mainly in vegetables grown on contaminated soil. Increasing use in emerging new technologies and demanding high-tech industry constantly raise concern about exposure risk to all living organisms. Thallium is considered a cumulative poison that can cause adverse health effects and degenerative changes in many organs. The effects are the most severe in the nervous system. The exact mechanism of thallium toxicity still remains unknown, although impaired glutathione metabolism, oxidative stress, and disruption of potassium-regulated homeostasis may play a role. The lack of data about mutagenic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic effects of thallium compounds in humans calls for further research.

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Section: Natural Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Weathering can lead to erosion and natural contamination of soil. Several studies of population inhabiting some of the above mentioned naturally thallium-rich areas have confi rmed increased thallium exposure through food grown in these areas (16).…”

Section: Natural Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thallium Toxicity in Humans

Cvjetko

Pavlica

2010

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

171

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“…Tl is predominantly associated with sulfide ores, but can also be found in oxides (Ikramuddin et al 1986). Surfaceand ground-water may be impacted by Tl leaching from naturally occurring mineralized zones; stream concentrations above 2 lg/L have been observed in areas of sulfidic deposits (Xiao et al 2003). A survey of coal mine and power plant sites in Canada reported Tl concentrations \2 lg/L (Cheam et al 2000).…”

Section: Introduction Thallium In the Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Areas impacted by basemetal mining tend to have the highest concentrations of Tl. Concentrations in mine drainage, surface-, ground-, and tailings-water have been observed to range from 1 to 1600 lg/L of Tl (Casiot et al 2011;Cheam 2001;Xiao et al 2003;Zitko et al 1975). Mining-influenced water (MIW) with Tl concentrations above 2 lg/L may require treatment if discharged into surface water identified as a drinking water source.…”

Section: Introduction Thallium In the Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Oxidative Precipitation of Thallium at Alkaline pH for Treatment of Mining Influenced Water

et al. 2015

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Thallium (Tl) may exceed regulatory limits in mining-influenced water (MIW) associated with processing cadmium, copper, gold, lead, and zinc ores. It is a toxic metal that is soluble over a wide pH range, resulting in both persistence in the environment and poor removal by conventional lime precipitation. This study evaluated the effect of potassium permanganate (KMnO 4 ) at alkaline pH on Tl removal from MIW in batch experiments. The oxidation of Tl ? to Tl 3? by KMnO 4 and subsequent Tl removal was explored at Tl concentrations of B1 mg/L in synthetic and actual MIW. In addition to Tl, the synthetic MIW contained &5 mg/L of Mn, while the actual MIW contained [10 mg/L of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn and had a pH & 2.5. Dissolved Tl \2 lg/L in synthetic MIW was achieved at a pH & 9 (CaO addition) and C5 mg/L of KMnO 4 . In the actual MIW, dissolved Tl \2 lg/L was achieved at pH & 9 and C12 mg/L of KMnO 4 . The Tl removal mechanism is complicated due to the presence of reduced Mn in the synthetic MIW and multiple metals in the actual MIW. However, effective Tl removal was achieved by adding KMnO 4 to synthetic and actual MIW at alkaline pH.

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“…For example, the average thallium concentration in a mine water of SW Guizhou Province, China, is 340 mg/L, 4 orders of magnitude higher than the background level (0.005 mg/L). Tl contents range from 13 to 1100 mg/L in deep mine groundwater in the area where intensive Tl mineralization is developed (Xiao et al, 2003). Due to the long-term exploiting of thallium-bearing resources, chronic Tl poisoning is very common and very severe in this region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photochemical reaction of Tl in aqueous solution and its environmental significance

Zhenmin

Zhu

et al. 2005

Geochem. J.

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The valence state of thallium determines its toxicity, distribution and mobility. Tl(I) can be oxidized to Tl(III) under photoirradiation of the high-pressure mercury arc lamp and solar light. A photooxidation experiment of thallium showed that the photooxidation rate could be affected by the pH of the solution, and the intensity and wavelength of the light source. Lowering the pH and increasing the light intensity have the effect of increasing the photooxidation rate. UV radiation (UVB and UVC regions) plays an important role in the photooxidation of Tl(I). However, the microbial effect is not obvious in comparison with photooxidation effect in this experiment. The study can provide important scientific groundwork for handling of thallium pollution.

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Groundwater-related thallium transfer processes and their impacts on the ecosystem: southwest Guizhou Province, China

Cited by 95 publications

References 16 publications

Thallium Toxicity in Humans

Thallium Toxicity in Humans

The Oxidative Precipitation of Thallium at Alkaline pH for Treatment of Mining Influenced Water

Photochemical reaction of Tl in aqueous solution and its environmental significance

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