We investigated the carcinogenic and mutagenic respiratory health risks related to the exposure to atmospheric PAHs in an urban area. Our study focused in the association of these pollutants and ...their possible effect in human health, principally respiratory and circulatory diseases. Also, we determined a relationship between the inhalation risk of PAHs and meteorological conditions. We validated the hypothesis that in winter PAHs with high molecular weight associated to submicron particles (PM1) may increase exposure risk, especially for respiratory diseases, bronchitis and pneumonia diseases. Moreover, in our study we verified the relationship between diseases and several carcinogenic PAHs (Ind, BbkF, DahA, BaP, and BghiP). These individual PAHs contributed the most to the potential risk of exposure for inhalation of PM1.0. Even at lower ambient concentrations of BaP and DahA in comparison with individual concentrations of other PAHs associated to PM1.0. Mainly, research suggests to include carcinogenic and mutagenic PAHs in future studies of environmental health risk due to their capacity to associate to PM10. Such carcinogenic and mutagenic PAHs are likely to provide the majority of the human exposure, since they originate from dense traffic urban areas were humans congregate.
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•We study the carcinogenic respiratory health risk of PAHs in PM1.•We found association of PAHs with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.•BaP, DahA, Ind, BgP contributed more to risk of exposure for inhalation of PM1.
Many industrial by-products have been disposed along coastlines, generating profound marine changes. Phosphogypsum (PG) is a solid by-product generated in the production of phosphoric acid (PA) using ...conventional synthesis methods. The raw material, about 50 times more radioactive as compared to unperturbed soils, is dissolved in diluted sulfuric acid (70%) forming PG and PA. The majority of both, reactive hazardous elements and natural radionuclides, remain bound to the PG. A nonnegligible fraction of PG occurs as nanoparticles (<0.1 μm). When PG are used for e.g., agriculture or construction purposes, nanoparticles (NPs) can be re-suspended by Aeolian and fluvial processes. Here we provide an overview and evaluation of the geochemical and radiological hazardous risks associated with the different uses of PG. In this review, we show that NPs are important residues in both raw and waste materials originating from the uses of phosphate rock. Different industrial processes in the phosphate fertilizer industries are discussed in the context of the chemical and mineralogical composition as well as size and reactivity of the released NP. We also review how incidental NPs of PG impact the global environment, especially with respect to the distribution of rare earth elements (REEs), toxic elements such as As, Se, and Pb, and natural radionuclides. We also propose the application of advanced techniques and methods to better understand formation and transport of NPs containing elements of high scientific, economic, and environmental importance.
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•Numerous anthropogenic and natural nanoparticles were documented in phosphogypsum.•The environmental and human health effects of nanoparticles are studied.•Dangerous ultra-fine compounds such as anatase and rutile (TiO2), cadmium, lead, and nickel, were detected.•This review is complemented with field measurements and geochemical modeling.
The Brazil nut shell was used as a precursor material for preparing activated carbon by chemical activation with potassium hydroxide. The obtained material (BNSAC) was characterized, and the ...adsorptive features of phenol were investigated. The characterization showed that the activated carbon presented several rounded cavities along the surface, with a specific surface area of 332 m
2
g
–1
. Concerning phenol adsorption, it was favored using an adsorbent dosage of 0.75 g L
–1
and pH 6. The kinetic investigation revealed that the system approached the equilibrium in around 180 min, and the Elovich model represented the kinetic curves. The Sips model well represented the equilibrium isotherms. In addition, the increase in temperature from 25 to 55 °C favored the phenol adsorption, increasing the maximum adsorption capacity value (
q
s
) from 83 to 99 mg g
–1
. According to the estimated thermodynamic parameters, the adsorption was spontaneous, favorable, endothermic, and governed by physical interactions. Therefore, the Brazil nut shell proved a good precursor material for preparing efficient activated carbon for phenol removal.
Graphical Abstract
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and graphene nanosheets (GNs) are one of the most attractive fluorescent carbon nano-sized materials with unique features of optical and physico-chemical properties having ...various applications in chemical sensing, biomedicine, semiconductor devices, photo-catalyzing, and electrocatalysis. The primary purpose of this preliminary work is the feasibility study for synthesis of nano-structured value-added carbon products i.e., CQDs and GNs from cheap and abundant carbon sources, such as coal, petroleum coke, graphite, and coal-based humic acid by hydrothermal techniques. The physico-chemical properties of the raw precursors were evaluated by proximate and ultimate analysis. High resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), UV–visible (UV–vis), and fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy were used to achieve physico-chemical parameters of carbon nanostructures, to better comprehend the development of carbon quantum dots and graphene nanosheets. HR-TEM analysis indicates that the dimensions of the synthesized CQDs from different carbon sources exist in the range of 3–6.5 nm. The approximate quantum yields (QY) of the synthesized carbon nanomaterials were found to be about 2–22%. The synthesized carbon based nanomaterials (i.e. CQDs and GNs) have been efficiently used in the photo-degradation of harmful 2-nitrophenols (2-NP) with the efficiency of 80.79% for CQDs and 82.53% for GNs, respectively. The present study provides a simple and efficient technique for large-scale fabrication of typical CQDs and GNs from abundantly available low-grade coal and other carbonaceous materials for photo-catalysis application.
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•We have demonstrated the concept of conversion of waste carbonaceous materials to high-value carbon nanomaterials.•Carbon quantum dots and chemically converted graphene nano-sheets has been synthesized.•Photo-degradation of toxic 2-nitophenol by synthesized carbon-based nanomaterials.•Advanced level analytical characterizations of the synthesized carbon nanomaterials are discussed.
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•Seasonal variation of acid mine drainage in high-sulphur coalfield was studied.•Management of acid mine drainage was performed by using nano-limestone.•Cytotoxicity of AMD was ...evaluated to know the extent of its pollution.
Opencast mining causes significant environmental concern due to acid mine drainage (AMD) caused by the oxidation of pyrites and other sulfur-bearing minerals. The present study intends to determine the seasonal variability of AMD in the affected area of the Ledo opencast mining, the cytotoxicity of the AMD, and the AMD remediation process. The physicochemical properties of the collected samples were analyzed by using laboratory-based methods and sophisticated instrumental tools. The cytotoxicity study of AMD water was performed by using different cell lines such as normal rat muscle and human carcinoma cells. The study demonstrates that the mine water samples have high conductivity (1.30–2.49 ms cm−1) with high total dissolved solids (1068−1339 ppm) which can change the ionic composition of water. The concentration level of trace elements are also found to be higher than the permissible limit during monsoon season. A simple laboratory-based remediation process of AMD has been carried out in the current study by using size segregated pulverized limestone and the process reveals the decrease in elemental concentrations of AMD water. This study will be useful to develop a remediation technique to minimize the concentration levels of hazardous elements and ions in the AMD water.
Ultrafine and nanometric sediment inputs into river systems can be a major source of nutrients and hazardous elements and have a strong impact on water quality and ecosystem functions of rivers and ...lakes regions. However, little is known to date about the spatial distribution of sediment sources in most large scale river basins in South America. The objective of this work was to study the coal cleaning rejects (CCRs) spill that occurred from a CCRs impoundment pond into the Tubarão River, South Brazil, provided a unique occasion to study the importance and role of incidental nanoparticles associated with pollutant dispersal from a large-scale, acute aquatic pollution event. Multifaceted geochemical research by X-ray diffraction (XRD), High Resolution-Transmission Electron microscopy (HR-TEM)/(Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) EDS/(selected-area diffraction pattern) SAED, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM)/EDS, and Raman spectroscopy, provided an in-depth understanding of importance of a nano-mineralogy approach of Aqueous Pollution Scenarios. The electron beam studies showed the presence of a number of potentially hazardous elements (PHEs) in nanoparticles (amorphous and minerals). Some of the neoformed ultrafine/nanoparticles found in the contaminated sediments are the same as those commonly associated with oxidation/transformation of oxides, silicates, sulfides, and sulfates. These data of the secondary ultra/nanoparticles, puts in evidence their ability to control the mobility of PHEs, suggesting possible presentations in environmental technology, including recuperation of sensitive coal mine. The developed methodology facilitated the sediment transport of the catchment providing consistent results and suggesting its usefulness as a tool for temporary rivers management.
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•We investigated the distribution of sediment of a large river basin.•The advanced methodology constrained the parameter values of the sediment simulation.•Applied nano-mineralogy approach for selecting composite fingerprints in Brazil.•Combined geochemical and fallout nanoparticles fingerprint for adequate management advice.
The geochemical characteristics of coal cleaning rejects (CCR) in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, were investigated. Around 3.5 million ton/ year of coal waste are dumped in Santa Catarina State. Coal ...beneficiation by froth flotation results in large amounts of CCR composed of coaly and mineral matter, the latter characterised by the occurrence of sulphide minerals and a broad array of leachable elements. The total and leachable contents of more than 60 elements were analysed. Atmospheric exposure promotes sulphide oxidation that releases substantial sulphate loads as well as Ca² ⁺ , K ⁺ , Mg² ⁺ , Cl ⁻ and Al³ ⁺ . The metals with the most severe discharges were Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni and Cd. Most trace pollutants in the CCR displayed a marked pH-dependent solubility, being immobile in near-neutral samples. The results highlight the complex interactions among mineral matter solubility, pH and the leaching of potentially hazardous elements.
Environmental and human health risk assessments of nanoparticle effects from coal and bottom ash require thorough characterisation of nanoparticles and their aggregates. In this manuscript, we expand ...the study of human exposure to nanosized particles from coal combustion sources (typically <100 nm in size), characterising the complex micromineralogy of these airborne combustion-derived nanomaterials. Our study focuses on bottom ash generated in the Santa Catarina power station (Brazil) which uses coal enriched in ashes, many potential elements (e.g. Cr and Ni) and pyrite. Transmission electron microscope data reveal nanoscale C deposits juxtaposed with and overgrown by slightly larger aluminosilicate (Al-Si) glassy spheres, oxides, silicates, carbonated, phosphates and sulphates. Iron oxides (mainly hematite and magnetite) are the main bottom ash products of the oxidation of pyrite, sometimes via intermediate pyrrhotite formation. The presence of iron oxide nanocrystals mixed with silicate glass particles emphasises the complexity of coal and bottom ash micromineralogy. Given the potentially bioreactive nature of such transition metal-bearing materials, there is likely to be an increased health risk associated with their inhalation.
Acid drainage from coal mines and metal mining is a major source of underground and surface water contamination in the world. The coal mining acid drainage (CMAD) from mine contains large amount of ...solids in suspension and a high content of sulphate and dissolved metals (Al, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe, etc.) that finally are deposited in the rivers. Since this problem can persist for centuries after mine abandonment, it is necessary to apply multidisciplinary methods to determine the potential risk in a determinate area. These multidisciplinary methods must include molecular and elemental analysis and finally all information must be studied statistically. This methodology was used in the case of coal mining acid drainage from the Tubarao River (Santa Catarina, Brazil). During molecular analysis, Raman Spectroscopy, electron bean, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have been proven very useful for the study of minerals present in sediment rivers near this CMAD. The obtained spectra allow the precise identification of the minerals as jarosite, quartz, clays, etc. The elemental analysis (Al, As, Fe, K, Na, Ba, Mg, Mn, Ti, V, Zn, Ag, Co, Li, Mo, Ni, Se, Sn, W, B, Cr, Cu, Pb and Sr) was realised by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical analysis (Principal Component Analysis) of these dates of concentration reveals the existence of different groups of samples with specific pollution profiles in different areas of the Tubarao River.
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► Increasing coal drainage sediments geochemical information will increase human health information in this area. ► Brazilian coal mining information will increase recuperation planning information. ► The nanominerals showed strong sorption ability to aqueous hazardous elements.
•Four anthracites and one anthracite-rank carbonaceous shale were analyzed.•Three of the coals showed an enrichment in the middle to heavy rare earths.•The Virginia anthracite showed substitution of ...As, Hg, and Se in pyrite.•Carbon nanotubes were observed in the three highest-rank coals.
Petrographic, geochemical, and electron microbeam investigations of selected anthracites and anthracite-rank coaly shales were conducted. The Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and KwaZu-Natal anthracites show an enrichment in the middle to heavy rare earths (REE) while the Virginia semi-anthracite exhibited a decreasing trend through the light REE, a peak in Gd, and a depletion in the heavy REE. Substitution of As, Hg, and Se in pyrite was most apparent in the Virginia coal. The Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and KwaZu-Natal anthracites contained spherical carbon nanotube (CNT) structures. The CNTs contained several elements, including Hg, Cd, F, Cl, and Br. While CNTs are known to be produced from coals of varying ranks, this seems to be the first report of naturally occurring CNTs.
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