Presence of thallium in the environment: sources of contaminations, distribution and monitoring methods

Abstract

Thallium is released into the biosphere from both natural and anthropogenic sources. It is generally present in the environment at low levels; however, human activity has greatly increased its content. Atmospheric emission and deposition from industrial sources have resulted in increased concentrations of thallium in the vicinity of mineral smelters and coal-burning facilities. Increased levels of thallium are found in vegetables, fruit and farm animals. Thallium is toxic even at very low concentrations and tends to accumulate in the environment once it enters the food chain. Thallium and thallium-based compounds exhibit higher water solubility compared to other heavy metals. They are therefore also more mobile (e.g. in soil), generally more bioavailable and tend to bioaccumulate in living organisms. The main aim of this review was to summarize the recent data regarding the actual level of thallium content in environmental niches and to elucidate the most significant sources of thallium in the environment. The review also includes an overview of analytical methods, which are commonly applied for determination of thallium in fly ash originating from industrial combustion of coal, in surface and underground waters, in soils and sediments (including soil derived from different parent materials), in plant and animal tissues as well as in human organisms.

Mercury‐modified Lignosulfonate‐stabilized Gold Nanoparticles as an Alternative Material for Anodic Stripping Voltammetry of Thallium

“…The results suggest that anodic stripping peak potential is strongly dependent on the surface of the working electrode. The different oxidation potentials of thallium were also reported previously at various modified electrodes , , . For instance, Nasiri‐Majd at al.…”

“…Thallium is an element that is toxic to animals, plants, microorganisms and humans . The toxicity of thallium is greater than that of mercury, cadmium, lead or copper . Thallium determination in the environmental samples can be problematic due to its very low concentrations often present in surface water (usually not higher than 10–100 ng L −1 and non‐polluted soil (0.08‐1.5 μg g −1 ).…”

Distribution et structure des communautés de vers de terre et leur corrélation avec des éléments traces métalliques (ETM) le long des bordures de l’autoroute du Nord en Côte-d’Ivoire

“…En effet, bien qu'étant indispensables, à l'état de trace pour de nombreux processus cellulaires chez les vers de terre, le cuivre, le nickel et le zinc peuvent se révéler toxiques à forte concentration, et avoir des effets néfastes tels que la réduction de leur biomasse et la réduction de la production de cocon (Scott-Fordsmand et al, 2000 ;Maboeta et al, 2004). Il en est de même pour le plomb (Spurgeon et al, 2003 ;Langdon et al, 2005) et le thallium (Karbowska, 2016), qui ne jouent aucun rôle dans les processus cellulaires des vers de terre, mais s'avèrent plutôt toxiques, même à de faibles concentrations, pour les organismes biologiques. Par ailleurs, les fortes corrélations observées entre les espèces de vers Dichogaster bolaui, Dichogaster sp1, Dichogaster sp2 et Millsonia ghanaensis et les principaux axes canoniques montrent que ces vers seraient les plus impactés par les substances ETM détectées le long des bordures de l'autoroute.…”

Identification of complexes involving thallium(I) and thallium(III) with EDTA and DTPA ligands by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

“…In consequence, there is a need to monitor the content of Tl in the environment. Atmospheric emission from industrial sources results in an increased concentration of Tl in biological samples . This metal is highly toxic when introduced via either oral digestion, inhalation of dust or sorption through the skin .…”

“…Atmospheric emission from industrial sources results in an increased concentration of Tl in biological samples. 9 This metal is highly toxic when introduced via either oral digestion, inhalation of dust or sorption through the skin. 10 The main problem is associated with the lack of threshold values for Tl in soil, agricultural products, feed and food in most countries.…”