Uranium and Arsenic Spatial Distribution in the Águeda Watershed Groundwater

Antunes, I.M.H.R.; Albuquerque, Teresa; Seco, M.F.M.; Oliveira, S.F.; Sanz, Germán

doi:10.1016/j.proeps.2014.05.004

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The discharge water posed pollution hazards to the surrounding environment, including soils, surface water and groundwater. This has been a major environmental concern in U mill tailings [18]. We collected seven samples including four discharge water and three leakage water around the U tailings pond (Table 1).…”

Section: Percolating Water Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence and Distribution of Uranium in a Hydrological Cycle around a Uranium Mill Tailings Pond, Southern China

Gao

Guo

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Uranium (U) mining activities, which lead to contamination in soils and waters (i.e., leachate from U mill tailings), cause serious environmental problems. However, limited research works have been conducted on U pollution associated with a whole soil-water system. In this study, a total of 110 samples including 96 solid and 14 water samples were collected to investigate the characteristics of U distribution in a natural soil-water system near a U mining tailings pond. Results showed that U concentrations ranged from 0.09 ± 0.02 mg/kg to 2.56 × 104± 23 mg/kg in solid samples, and varied greatly in different locations. For tailings sand samples, the highest U concentration (2.56× 104 ± 23 mg/kg) occurred at the depth of 80 cm underground, whereas, for paddy soil samples, the highest U concentration (5.22 ± 0.04 mg/kg) was found at surface layers. Geo-accumulation index and potential ecological hazard index were calculated to assess the hazard of U in the soils. The calculation results showed that half of the soil sampling sites were moderately polluted. For groundwater samples, U concentrations ranged from 0.55 ± 0.04 mg/L to 3.36 ± 0.02 mg/L with a mean value of 2.36 ± 0.36 mg/L, which was significantly lower than that of percolating waters (ranging from 4.56 ± 0.02 mg/L to 12.05 ± 0.04 mg/L, mean 7.91 ± 0.98 mg/L). The results of this study suggest that the distribution of U concentrations in a soil-water system was closely associated with hydrological cycles and U concentrations decreased with circulation path.

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Section: Percolating Water Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence and Distribution of Uranium in a Hydrological Cycle around a Uranium Mill Tailings Pond, Southern China

Gao

Guo

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…Similarly, As concentrations up to 325 µgL -1 was reported in the groundwater of an abandoned tungsten mine in China [39] . In Europe, leaching of dumps at abandoned mine sites was thought to be responsible for the occurrence of As contamination of groundwater at a site that belongs to both Portugal and Spain [12] .…”

Section: Arsenic Contaminated Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other human activities such as mining also contribute to As contamination in soils due to discharges from waste dumps in abandoned mining and processing sites [12] . Elevated As concentrations have been reported in surface soils of Canada nearby a smelting complex [60] .…”

Section: Arsenic Contaminated Soilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elevated As concentrations exceeding regulatory limits (>10 µgL -1 ) have been reported in groundwater at sites contaminated with As showing that As contaminated soils have the potential to pollute groundwater and surface water sources through leaching and run off [11][12] . Use of As contaminated water for irrigation in farmlands has also REVIEW Table 1.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Arsenic Contamination, Exposure Routes and Public Health

2018

Evid Based Med Public Health

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Natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and dissolution of arsenic rich minerals underground contribute to arsenic contamination in the environment. Human activities like mining, application of herbicides and pesticides, wood preservation and irrigation greatly increase levels of arsenic in the soil. Arsenic contaminated soils play a central role in As contamination in the environment. Arsenic contaminated soils may pollute the groundwater below through leaching while dust from contaminated soils may also pollute the air. Irrigation with arsenic contaminated water and atmospheric deposition can also increase As concentration in the soil. People are exposed to arsenic via diet (food chain contamination), drinking of arsenic contaminated groundwater, dermal contact, dust ingestion, and inhalation of arsenic rich dust. Children are particularly exposed to arsenic in indoor dust while playing on the floor and outdoors on playgrounds built with the wood preservative; chromate copper arsenate (CCA). Exposure to As has been associated with health problems such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, hearing problems, reproductive health problems in pregnant women and it affects the unborn. The health effects of As indicate the importance of combating arsenic contamination in order to protect public health.

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