Department of Geology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Department of Geology, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
Environ Geochem Health. 2023 Jun;45(6):3907-3931. doi: 10.1007/s10653-022-01471-x. Epub 2023 Jan 8.
This comprehensive research has been conducted to consider the distribution of PTEs in the surface sediments of a recently developed Dar-e-Allo copper mine in dependence on the potential ecological and human health risks. Field sampling was carried out discreetly at preselected sampling spots including the natural background, the streams around the mine, waste rock drainages, evaporative deposits, sediments containing Fe oxy-hydroxides and secondary phases. Distribution of target elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, S, Sb, Se, and Zn) showed high levels of crustal elements. As regards, Fe, Al, and S are identified to exist as the most copious elements in the earth's crust, so have the major portion of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the sediment concentrations. Evaluating environmental indices reflected that in general, Cu, S, and Mo have a higher quota of contamination in sedimentary systems. the pollution load index (PLI), modified contamination degree (mCd), Contamination factor (C), Sediment potential index (SPI), Geo-accumulation index (I) and Contamination degree (C) confirm that sedimentary systems of mining area are heavily contaminated by PTEs and were not found within the guideline acceptable values. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) displayed a high or severe risk level for Cu with a peak in green-blue sediments containing secondary minerals. The results of total carcinogenic risk (TCRs) show that As has high toxicity level and carries a risk of carcinogenicity among children and adults. The TCRs for Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb with carcinogenic potential are found only in children and they are classified as the prime concern elements that have serious dangers to children's public health. The results of contamination source presumed that the sources of PTEs contamination were principally geogenic along with the anthropogenic sources in the study area. Therefore, the present study has highlighted the implication of human health risks of PTEs in sedimentary systems of copper mining, also will grant advice for prime stakeholders, including mine managers, Environmental Protection Agency, the government and public organizations in connection to protecting the environment, aquatic biota and consumer's health.
本研究全面考察了在达雷-阿勒（Dar-e-Allo）铜矿开发过程中，表层沉积物中 PTE 的分布情况，考虑了其潜在的生态和人类健康风险。在现场采样过程中，在预先选定的采样点进行了 discreetly 采样，包括自然背景、矿山周围的溪流、废石排水、蒸发沉积物、含有 Fe 氢氧化物和次生相的沉积物。目标元素（Al、As、Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Fe、Mn、Mo、Ni、Pb、S、Sb、Se 和 Zn）的分布显示出较高水平的地壳元素。就 Fe、Al 和 S 而言，它们被认为是地壳中最丰富的元素，因此在沉积物浓度中也存在大部分潜在有毒元素（PTE）。环境指数的评估反映出，一般来说，Cu、S 和 Mo 在沉积系统中具有更高的污染配额。污染负荷指数（PLI）、修正污染程度（mCd）、污染因子（C）、沉积物潜在指数（SPI）、地质累积指数（I）和污染程度（C）均证实，矿区的沉积系统受到 PTE 的严重污染，且均未达到可接受的指导值范围内。潜在生态风险指数（PERI）显示 Cu 具有高或严重的风险水平，在含有次生矿物的绿-蓝色沉积物中达到峰值。总致癌风险（TCRs）的结果表明，As 具有高毒性水平，对儿童和成人具有致癌风险。Cd、Cr、Ni 和 Pb 的 TCRs 具有致癌潜力，仅在儿童中发现，它们被归类为对儿童公共健康构成严重危害的首要关注元素。污染源的结果表明，研究区域 PTE 污染的来源主要是地球成因的，同时也有人类活动的污染源。因此，本研究强调了 PTE 在铜矿开采沉积系统中对人类健康风险的影响，并为包括矿山管理者、环境保护局、政府和公共组织在内的主要利益相关者提供了建议，以保护环境、水生生物群和消费者健康。
