Klein Ole, Zimmermann Tristan, Hildebrandt Lars, Pröfrock Daniel
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany; Universität Hamburg, Department of Chemistry, Inorganic and Applied Chemistry, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany.
Sci Total Environ. 2022 Dec 15;852:158464. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158464. Epub 2022 Aug 31.
Despite their presence in almost every technical device, little is known about the occurrence, distribution, and fate of technology-critical elements (TCEs) within the environment. Due to high economic demands and short product lifespans as well as low recycling rates, many TCEs appear to become emerging contaminants. Within the scope of this work, 57 sediment samples from the German part of the Rhine river, as well as various tributaries, were collected to study the occurrence and distribution of TCEs. This specific catchment area has consistently been subjected to strong anthropogenic influences over the last century. Hierarchical cluster analysis, as well as principal component analysis were used to gain first insights into the spatial distribution and possible sources of TCEs along the Rhine. Obtained mass fractions in conjunction with corresponding geoaccumulation indices (I) provide first indications of a possible enrichment along the Rhine for the TCEs of interest (Ga, Ge, Nb, In, Te, rare earth elements, and Ta). Especially the mass fractions of Zn, Ge, In, La, Sm, and Gd exhibit significant anthropogenic inputs. For stations characterized by high Ge and In mass fractions, element fingerprints imply possible atmospheric deposition stemming from e.g. combustion processes. Distinct anomalies of La and Sm most likely originate from discharges located at the city of Worms into the Upper Rhine. Statistical analysis of all analyzed 55 elemental mass fractions revealed similar behavior of TCEs compared to classical heavy metals. Diffuse as well as point sources of TCEs are likely. As a result, this study provides further insight into the role of TCEs as potential emerging contaminants in the environment.
尽管技术关键元素（TCEs）几乎存在于每一种技术设备中，但人们对其在环境中的出现、分布和归宿却知之甚少。由于经济需求高、产品寿命短以及回收率低，许多TCEs似乎正在成为新兴污染物。在这项工作的范围内，采集了莱茵河德国段以及各支流的57个沉积物样本，以研究TCEs的出现和分布情况。在过去的一个世纪里，这个特定的集水区一直受到强烈的人为影响。采用层次聚类分析和主成分分析，初步了解了莱茵河沿线TCEs的空间分布和可能来源。获得的质量分数与相应的地累积指数（I）一起，首次表明了莱茵河沿线感兴趣的TCEs（镓、锗、铌、铟、碲、稀土元素和钽）可能存在富集现象。特别是锌、锗、铟、镧、钐和钆的质量分数显示出显著的人为输入。对于锗和铟质量分数较高的站点，元素指纹表明可能存在例如燃烧过程产生的大气沉降。镧和钐的明显异常很可能源于沃尔姆斯市向上莱茵河的排放。对所有分析的55种元素质量分数的统计分析表明，与传统重金属相比，TCEs的行为相似。TCEs的扩散源和点源都有可能。因此，本研究进一步深入了解了TCEs作为环境中潜在新兴污染物的作用。
