Mercury Speciation in the Water Distribution System of Skiathos Island, Greece

Spyropoulou, Alexandra; Lazarou, Yannis G.; Laspidou, Chrysi

doi:10.3390/proceedings2110668

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In addition, the concentration of heavy metal ions such as Zn, Ni, and Cu do not seem to be affected by the high concentration of Clanion in the pH range of the experiments (pH of 2-4) as it causes an increase in the metal's solubility [49][50][51]. However, in the case of Hg, calomel (Hg 2 Cl 2 ) precipitation may contribute to its reduction from the solution [52,53].…”

Section: Metal Removal By the Fe-al Bimetallic Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Evaluation of Fe-Al Bimetallic Particles for the Removal of Potentially Toxic Elements from Combined Acid Mine Drainage-Effluents from Refractory Gold Ore Processing

et al. 2021

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Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a serious environmental issue associated with mining due to its acidic pH and potentially toxic elements (PTE) content. This study investigated the performance of the Fe-Al bimetallic particles for the treatment of combined AMD-gold processing effluents. Batch experiments were conducted in order to eliminate potentially toxic elements (including Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Mn) from a simulated waste solution at various bimetal dosages (5, 10, and 20 g/L) and time intervals (0 to 90 min). The findings show that metal ions with greater electrode potentials than Fe and Al have higher affinities for electrons released from the bimetal. Therefore, a high removal (> 95%) was obtained for Hg, As, Cu, and Pb using 20 g/L bimetal in 90 min. Higher uptakes of Hg, As, Cu, and Pb than Ni, Zn, and Mn also suggest that electrochemical reduction and adsorption by Fe-Al (oxy) hydroxides as the primary and secondary removal mechanisms, respectively. The total Al3+ dissolution in the experiments with a higher bimetal content (10 and 20 g/L) were insignificant, while a high release of Fe ions was recorded for various bimetal dosages. Although the secondary Fe pollution can be considered as a drawback of using the Fe-Al bimetal, this issue can be tackled by a simple neutralization and Fe precipitation process. A rapid increase in the solution pH (initial pH 2 to >5 in 90 min) was also observed, which means that bimetallic particles can act as a neutralizing agent in AMD treatment system and promote the precipitation of the dissolved metals. The presence of chloride ions in the system may cause akaganeite formation, which has shown a high removal capacity for PTE. Moreover, nitrate ions may affect the process by competing for the released electrons from the bimetal owing to their higher electrode potential than the metals. Finally, the Fe-Al bimetallic material showed promising results for AMD remediation by electrochemical reduction of PTE content, as well as acid-neutralization/metal precipitation.

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Section: Metal Removal By the Fe-al Bimetallic Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Evaluation of Fe-Al Bimetallic Particles for the Removal of Potentially Toxic Elements from Combined Acid Mine Drainage-Effluents from Refractory Gold Ore Processing

et al. 2021

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“…On top of that, the overall aquifer level drop results in seawater intrusion and groundwater salinization, with detrimental consequences, such as the natural mineral mercury release into groundwater. Mercury concentration has repeatedly been recorded to exceed WHO limits, regarding toxicity, even by six times [26]. The water utility of Skiathos (DEYASK) has declared the water in the island as nonpotable.…”

Section: Case Study Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation of a Water Distribution Network with Key Performance Indicators for Spatio-Temporal Analysis and Operation of Highly Stressed Water Infrastructure

Kofinas

Ulańczyk

Laspidou

2020

Water

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An annual and lumped water balance assessment of a water distribution network is recommended by the International Water Association as a first step and prerequisite for improving the performance of the network by minimizing real/physical water losses, burst incidents, water theft, nonrevenue water, and energy consumption, among others. The current work suggests a modeling approach for developing the water balance of a network spatio-temporarily, in hour time-scale and neighborhood granularity. It exploits already established key performance indicators and introduces some new ones to highlight the potential in improving the management of a water distribution network when having a detailed spatio-temporal supervision, especially when the spatial and temporal conditions are variable. The methodology is applied in a seasonally touristic and hilly case study. Additionally, a pressure management scheme is applied to further exploit the potential of such a toolkit. For the investigated case study, the town of Skiathos, the annual real losses are estimated equal to 50.9–52.2% of the system input volume, while apparent losses are estimated to be about 5.6–6.6%. Losses depict intense seasonal variability. Real losses range from 38.8–39.6% in summer months to 63.3–64.7% in winter months, while apparent losses range from 8.4–9.3% in summer to 1.3–2.5% in winter. Annual water theft is estimated to be at least 3.6% of system input volume. Spatial variability, which is linked to the elevation and the different urban land uses is proven to play a significant role in the neighborhoods’ water balances and various key performance indicators are suggested and applied for the pressure control scheme. The annual potential savings due to the applied scheme rise up to 51,300 m3 for leakage and 53,730 m3 for pressure-driven demand.

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“…The entire island water network is served by one drilled well, supported by a smaller well when required, which results in serious water supply issues for the island. The problem becomes more intensive by the sharp increase in water demand during the touristic period, while at the same time the potable water which comes only from groundwater is of low quality due to aquifer salinization and the presence of heavy metals [23]. The water utility of Skiathos (DEYAS) has announced that the water is not potable or safe for household use.…”

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The presence of mercury in Skiathos groundwater comes from natural sources, since the underlying carstic limestone contains cinnabar (HgS) deposits. The mechanism that mobilizes the mercury to leach from the rocks and arrive in the water network is described thoroughly in Spyropoulou et al [23].…”

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Possible Mercury Source-Point Contamination in the Coastal Area of Skiathos Island

Spyropoulou

Laspidou

Kormas

et al. 2020

The 4th EWaS International Conference: Valuing the Water, Carbon, Ecological Footprints of Human Activities

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In Skiathos Island the water is not potable due to mercury contamination and salinization. The mercury’s origin is natural due to the existence of cinnabar in the Skiathos aquifer as a mineral in the Earth’s crust. The possibility of mercury contaminants ending up in the coastal area was investigated through a field experiment. Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were employed as mercury monitoring biomarkers at the outflow of the wastewater treatment of the island. Using the RNA:DNA ratio, it was revealed that the organisms were stressed after three months of exposure to Skiathos’ coastal waters. The mercury concentration was directly measured at the bulk mussels’ tissue showing differences between the station located at the outflow of the WWT and the reference station. Although the results may imply mercury contamination in the coastal area of the island, the precise origin of the mercury in mussels is difficult to define.

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Mercury Speciation in the Water Distribution System of Skiathos Island, Greece

Cited by 9 publications

References 21 publications

Performance Evaluation of Fe-Al Bimetallic Particles for the Removal of Potentially Toxic Elements from Combined Acid Mine Drainage-Effluents from Refractory Gold Ore Processing

Performance Evaluation of Fe-Al Bimetallic Particles for the Removal of Potentially Toxic Elements from Combined Acid Mine Drainage-Effluents from Refractory Gold Ore Processing

Simulation of a Water Distribution Network with Key Performance Indicators for Spatio-Temporal Analysis and Operation of Highly Stressed Water Infrastructure

The Impact of Possible Mercury Source-Point Contamination in the Coastal Area of Skiathos Island

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