Mohammad Wahsha

Potentially Harmful Elements in Abandoned Mine Waste

Soils are essential components of the environment therefore; soil quality must be controlled and preserved. However, the increased concentration and distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in soils by anthropogenic activities of industrial and mining resources are causing worldwide concern. The anomalous concentration of PTE may affect the soil’s environment, reducing it’s quality and therefore pollution which can be followed by an eventual accumulation through the food chain. This implies a serious risk for crops, livestock and human health. There is an increasing need to apply innovative technologies of prevention, monitoring, risk assessment and remediation, more sustainable and economical, in the context of mining site soils.

Potentially Harmful Elements and Human Health.

Potentially harmful elements, or more generally trace elements, are now considered to be among the most effective environmental contaminants, and their release into the environment is increasing since the last decades. Metals released by different sources, both natural and anthropic, can be dispersed in the environment and accumulated in plants and, ultimately, in human body, causing serious health problems as intoxication, neurological disturbances and also cancer. Widespread interest in trace elements has risen as major scientific topic only over the last 50 years, when it was realized that some elements were essential to human health (e.g. Fe, Cu, Zn), whereas some others were toxic (e.g. As, Hg, Pb), and likely responsible for serious human diseases, with frequent lethal consequences.

Land contamination by toxic elements in abandoned mine areas in Italy

PurposeThe present paper concerns the distribution and mobility of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe) in the soils of some abandoned mine sites in Italy and their transfer to wild flora.Materials and methodsSoils and plants were sampled from mixed sulphide mine dumps in different parts of Italy, and the concentrations of heavy metals were determined.Results and discussionThe phytoremediation ability of Salix species (Salix eleagnos, Salix purpurea and Salix caprea), Taraxacum officinale and P​lantago major for heavy metals and, in particular, zinc was estimated. The results showed that soils affected by mining activities presented total Zn, Cu, Pb and Fe concentrations above the internationally recommended permissible limits. A highly significant correlation occurred between metal concentrations in soils.ConclusionsThe obtained results confirmed the environmental effects of mine waste; exploring wild flora ability to absorb metals, besides metal exploitation, proved a useful tool for planning possible remediation projects.

Mine Waste: Assessment of Environmental Contamination and Restoration

Abstract Ore exploitation constitutes an environmental concern, since both exhausted deposits and active mine sites leave on the land a huge amount of mine waste, with environmental damage and a potential threat to living organisms and human health. The increasing environmental consciousness of the general population has compelled public administrators to set down effective legislation. One of the most important issues is remediation of contaminated sites. Costs related to remediation, however, are very high. In areas affected by high contamination, such as mine waste, direct and indirect health hazards require urgent restoration, regardless of the remediation technology selected for the site, in order to eliminate or reduce the environmental hazard and contribute to the valorization of green areas otherwise not usable. Phytoremediation is an emerging technology that holds great potential in cleaning up contaminants that: (1) are near the surface, (2) cover large surface areas, and (3) pose little imminent risk to the environment. Moreover, it is cost-effective in comparison to current technologies, and environmentally friendly. The abandoned mine sites represent actual natural laboratories for experimenting with new opportunities for restoration. Plants growing on mine waste are genetically metal-tolerant, and therefore may be utilized in phytoremediation of contaminated sites. Furthermore, the institution of natural parks in these areas could enhance their educational and scientific value, contributing to general population recreation.

Biochemical and histopathological effects of the stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) venom in rats

&NA; The Reef Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) is one of the most dangerous venomous fish known, and has caused occasional human fatalities. The present study was designed to examine some of the pathological effects of the venom from this fish in Sprague Dawley rats. Crude venom was extracted from venom glands of the dorsal spines of stonefish specimens collected from coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba (in the northeastern branch of the Red Sea). The rats were given intramuscular injections of the venom and acute toxicity and effect on selected serum marker enzymes as well as normal architecture of vital organs were evaluated. The rat 24 h LD50 was 38 &mgr;g/kg body weight. The serum biochemical markers; alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) increased after 6 h of administration of a sub lethal dose of the venom and remained significantly raised at 24 h. Amylase levels also significantly increased after venom injection. The venom caused histological damage manifested as an interstitial hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and necrosis. The demonstrated rises in the levels of different critical biochemical parameters in the serum may have led to the observed abnormal morphological changes in these organs. These results may account for some of the clinical manifestations observed in victims of stonefish envenomation. Thus, the presented data provide further in vivo evidence of the stonefish toxic effects that may threaten human life and call for the need for special measures to be considered. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available. HighlightsStonefish worlds most venomous fish ever encountered by man.Venom highly toxic; rat LD50 38 &mgr;g/kg.Serum enzymes significantly increased.Sever histological damages may occur in human victims.Potential risk and precautious measures should be taken.