Mercury contamination in the vicinity of a derelict chlor-alkali plant

Ullrich, Susanne M.; Ilyushchenko, Mikhail A.; Tanton, T.W.; Uskov, Grigory A.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.02.020

Cited by 54 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…A wastewater pipe from the plant discharged wastewater directly to the Nura River and is considered one of the most contaminated parts close to the city. The measured Hg concentrations in the range of 150-240 mg/kg in sediments are the highest within the first 15 km [54], and it was 9.95-306 mg/kg in the most polluted section according to another study conducted in 2001-2002 [61]. Agreeing to the Hg concentrations in soils, technogenic silts, and river sediments, the first 10 to 20 km from the wastewater discharge point were confirmed to be the most contaminated part of the river [54,56,61,66].…”

Section: Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…The measured Hg concentrations in the range of 150-240 mg/kg in sediments are the highest within the first 15 km [54], and it was 9.95-306 mg/kg in the most polluted section according to another study conducted in 2001-2002 [61]. Agreeing to the Hg concentrations in soils, technogenic silts, and river sediments, the first 10 to 20 km from the wastewater discharge point were confirmed to be the most contaminated part of the river [54,56,61,66]. Ullrich et al [61] reported that the highest MeHg concentrations in the surface sediments were ranging from 4.9 to 39 µg/kg, but usually less than 0.1% of total Hg (THg).…”

Section: Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Agreeing to the Hg concentrations in soils, technogenic silts, and river sediments, the first 10 to 20 km from the wastewater discharge point were confirmed to be the most contaminated part of the river [54,56,61,66]. Ullrich et al [61] reported that the highest MeHg concentrations in the surface sediments were ranging from 4.9 to 39 µg/kg, but usually less than 0.1% of total Hg (THg). A significant negative correlation was found between total Hg concentrations and the MeHg fraction in the sediments.…”

Section: Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding the suspended particulate matter, Ullrich et al [61] reported that Hg in surface waters was mainly adsorbed to particulates. Many international studies reported a significant positive relationship between total Hg and total suspended solids downstream of contaminated sites [48].…”

Section: Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mercury (Hg) Contaminated Sites in Kazakhstan: Review of Current Cases and Site Remediation Responses

Güney

Akimzhanova

Kumisbek

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Mercury (Hg) emissions from anthropogenic sources pose a global problem. In Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s central and northern regions are among the most severely Hg-contaminated territories. This is due to two former acetaldehyde (in Temirtau) and chlor-alkali (in Pavlodar) plants, discharges from which during the second half of the 20th century were estimated over 2000 tons of elemental Hg. However, the exact quantities of Hg released through atmospheric emissions to the environment, controlled discharges to the nearby aquatic systems, leakages in the cell plant, and contaminated sludge are still unknown. The present review is the initiation of a comprehensive field investigation study on the current state of these contaminated sites. It aims to provide a critical review of published literature on Hg in soils, sediments, water, and biota of the impacted ecosystems (Nura and Irtysh rivers, and Lake Balkyldak and their surrounding areas). It furthermore compares these contamination episodes with selected similar international cases as well as reviews and recommends demercuration efforts. The findings indicate that the contamination around the acetaldehyde plant site was significant and mainly localized with the majority of Hg deposited in topsoils and riverbanks within 25 km from the discharge point. In the chlor-alkali plant site, Lake Balkyldak in North Kazakhstan is the most seriously contaminated receptor. The local population of both regions might still be exposed to Hg due to fish consumption illegally caught from local rivers and reservoirs. Since the present field data is limited mainly to investigations conducted before 2010 and given the persisting contamination and nature of Hg, a recent up-to-date environmental assessment for both sites is highly needed, particularly around formerly detected hotspots. Due to incomplete site remediation efforts, recommendations given by several researchers for the territories of the former chlor-alkali and acetaldehyde plant site include ex-situ soil washing, soil pulping with gravitational separation, ultrasound and transgenic algae for sediments, and electrokinetic recovery for the former and removal and/or confinement of contaminated silt deposits and soils for the latter. However, their efficiency first needs to be validated. Findings and lessons from these sites will be useful not only on the local scale but also are valuable resources for the assessment and management of similar contaminated sites around the globe.

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Section: Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Mercury (Hg) Contaminated Sites in Kazakhstan: Review of Current Cases and Site Remediation Responses

Güney

Akimzhanova

Kumisbek

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…The age of the contamination at any single site is often several decades old (although newer industrial contamination still occurs in areas without close monitoring or established environmental regulations). Impacted sites include terrestrial sites as well as surface waters where Hg is typically concentrated in sediments (Lindeström 2001 ; Bloom et al 2004 ; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2005 ; Tomiyasu et al 2006 ; Skyllberg et al 2007 ; Ullrich et al 2007a , b ; Bravo et al 2009 , 2014 ; Balogh et al 2015 ). Industrially impacted sites also include subsurface zones where groundwater discharge of Hg into surface waters is a concern (Flanders et al 2010 ; Southworth et al 2010 ).…”

Section: Industrial Point Sources and Remediationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

Hsu‐Kim

Eckley

Achá

et al. 2018

Ambio

207

115

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The environmental cycling of mercury (Hg) can be affected by natural and anthropogenic perturbations. Of particular concern is how these disruptions increase mobilization of Hg from sites and alter the formation of monomethylmercury (MeHg), a bioaccumulative form of Hg for humans and wildlife. The scientific community has made significant advances in recent years in understanding the processes contributing to the risk of MeHg in the environment. The objective of this paper is to synthesize the scientific understanding of how Hg cycling in the aquatic environment is influenced by landscape perturbations at the local scale, perturbations that include watershed loadings, deforestation, reservoir and wetland creation, rice production, urbanization, mining and industrial point source pollution, and remediation. We focus on the major challenges associated with each type of alteration, as well as management opportunities that could lessen both MeHg levels in biota and exposure to humans. For example, our understanding of approximate response times to changes in Hg inputs from various sources or landscape alterations could lead to policies that prioritize the avoidance of certain activities in the most vulnerable systems and sequestration of Hg in deep soil and sediment pools. The remediation of Hg pollution from historical mining and other industries is shifting towards in situ technologies that could be less disruptive and less costly than conventional approaches. Contemporary artisanal gold mining has well-documented impacts with respect to Hg; however, significant social and political challenges remain in implementing effective policies to minimize Hg use. Much remains to be learned as we strive towards the meaningful application of our understanding for stakeholders, including communities living near Hg-polluted sites, environmental policy makers, and scientists and engineers tasked with developing watershed management solutions. Site-specific assessments of MeHg exposure risk will require new methods to predict the impacts of anthropogenic perturbations and an understanding of the complexity of Hg cycling at the local scale.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-017-1006-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Meat

Ortega‐Barrales¹,

Córdova²

2015

Handbook of Mineral Elements in Food

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Mercury contamination in the vicinity of a derelict chlor-alkali plant

Cited by 54 publications

References 48 publications

Mercury (Hg) Contaminated Sites in Kazakhstan: Review of Current Cases and Site Remediation Responses

Mercury (Hg) Contaminated Sites in Kazakhstan: Review of Current Cases and Site Remediation Responses

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

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