Zane Vincevica-Gaile

Field-portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry as rapid measurement tool for landfill mining operations: comparison of field data vs. laboratory analysis

Landfill mining applied in reclamation at the territories of old dump sites and landfills is a known approach tended to global economic and environmental benefits as recovery of metals and energy is an important challenge. The aim of this study was to analyse the concentration of several metallic elements (Ca, Cu, Cr, Fe, K, Mn, Pb, Zn) in the fine fraction of waste derived in the landfill and to compare the results of measurements obtained by field-portable equipment with the data gained by advanced analytical tools. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used for the quantitative detection of metallic elements at the laboratory; whereas field-portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (FPXRF) was applied for rapid sample characterisation in the field (on-site). Wet digestion of samples (fine fraction of waste at landfill) was done prior analytical procedures at the laboratory conditions, but FPXRF analysis was performed using raw solid samples of waste fine fraction derived in the Kudjape Landfill in Estonia. Although the use of AAS and ICP-MS for the measurements of metals achieves more precise results, it was concluded that precision and accuracy of the measurements obtained by FPXRF is acceptable for fast approximate evaluation of quantities of metallic elements in fine fraction samples excavated from the waste at landfills. Precision and accuracy of the results provided by express method is acceptable for quick analysis or screening of the concentration of major and trace metallic elements in field projects; however, data correction can be applied by calculating moisture and organic matter content dependent on sample matrix as well as special attention must be paid on sample selection and homogenisation and number of analysed samples.

Paradigms on landfill mining: From dump site scavenging to ecosystem services revitalization

Abstract For the next century to come, one of the biggest challenges is to provide the mankind with relevant and sufficient resources. Recovery of secondary resources plays a significant role. Industrial processes developed to regain minerals for commodity production in a circular economy become ever more important in the European Union and worldwide. Landfill mining (LFM) constitutes an important technological toolset of processes that regain resources and redistribute them with an accompanying reduction of hazardous influence of environmental contamination and other threats for human health hidden in former dump sites and landfills. This review paper is devoted to LFM problems, historical development and driving paradigms of LFM from ‘classical hunting for valuables’ to ‘perspective in ecosystem revitalization’. The main goal is to provide a description of historical experience and link it to more advanced concept of a circular economy. The challenge is to adapt the existing knowledge to make decisions in accordance with both, economic feasibility and ecosystems revitalization aspects.

Research review trends of food analysis in Latvia: major and trace element content

The current paper involves overview of several studies concerning quantitative major and trace element analysis of different food samples, such as products of plant origin, e.g., locally grown vegetables (carrots, onions, potatoes) and products of animal origin derived with or without processing (cottage cheese, eggs, honey). Food samples were collected over the territory of Latvia in the time period 2009–2012. Sample pre-treatment was chosen according to the product specifics but mostly wet mineralization with concentrated nitric acid was applied. Analysis of major elements (e.g., Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na) and trace elements (e.g., As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn) was performed by appropriate quantitative analytical technique: atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Not only the influence of environmental factors (e.g., geographical or seasonal impact) was detected in element dissemination in food, also botanical origin (if applicable) and applied agricultural praxis, product processing and storage specifics were found to be important. Possible food contamination by potentially toxic elements can be associated mostly with the consequences of anthropogenic activities. The studies revealed the significance of food research in the context of environmental science.

Concentration of Elements in Food: How Can It Reflect Impact of Environmental and Other Influencing Factors?

Abstract Element content of food is variable and can be influenced by different factors. The aim of the present study was to discover the linkage between macro- and microelement concentrations in food produced in Latvia, and possible impacts of environmental factors. More than 300 fresh food samples such as eggs, cottage cheese, honey, root vegetables, apple juice, apple wine were collected in the time period from 2009 to 2011. Samples were mineralised or analysed directly by appropriate method of quantitative analysis: atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Statistical analysis of data revealed that food elemental content can be influenced by sitespecific factors such as geographical origin, seasonality, environmental pollution.

Transfer of Metals in Food Chain: An Example with Copper and Lettuce

Abstract Present study investigated the possible transfer of metals in the food chain (from soil to edible plants). The experiment was done with lettuce Lactuca sativa grown in different types of soil contaminated with copper (Cu2+) in various concentrations, with or without addition of humic substances. The highest content of copper was detected in lettuce samples grown in soils with lower levels of organic matter, thus indicating the importance of soil organics in metal transfer routes and accumulation rates in plants. It was found that copper accumulation in lettuce grown in contaminated soils can be significantly reduced by the addition of humic substances.

Trace and Major Elements in Food Articles in Latvia: Root Vegetables

Trace and Major Elements in Food Articles in Latvia: Root Vegetables It is known that the content of trace and major elements in plants is dependent on several factors, such as type of species, soil properties, climate conditions, agricultural and agrichemical factors, pollution. The aim of the study was to quantify element content of root vegetables grown in farmlands and allotment gardens in Latvia. Samples of onion bulbs and carrot roots were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Quantitative amounts of 17 trace elements (Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, V, Zn) and 5 major elements (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na) were determined. It was detected that carrot roots contained higher amounts of several elements than onion bulbs. Differences in element content of vegetables were also detected between the subgroups of samples grown in farmlands versus samples grown in allotment gardens. Data revealed that onions grown in farmlands were more affected by contaminants. Mikro- un makroelementi pārtikā Latvijā: sakņu dārzeņu analīze Uzturproduktu ķīmiskā sastāva izpēte ir komplicēts process, kas kā pētniecības metode tiek pielietota galvenokārt pārtikas ķīmijas nozarē. Ir zināms, ka ķīmisko elementu saturu augos ietekmē dažādi faktori, tādi kā suga, augsnes īpašības, laika apstākļi, mēslošana un augu aizsardzības līdzekļu lietošana, kā arī augu attīstības stadija, tāpēc pārtikas produktu analīze var būt nozīmīga arī citu nozaru kontekstā. Pētījuma mērķis - iegūt informāciju par Latvijā audzētu sakņu dārzeņu (sīpolu un burkānu), mikro- un makroelementu sastāva īpatnībām, ņemot vērā dārzeņu paraugu izcelsmi. Pētījuma ietvaros no dažādiem Latvijas regioniem, precizējot paraugu izcelsmi no zemnieku saimniecībām vai piemājas dārziem, tika ievākti sīpolu un burkānu paraugi. Pēc paraugu apstrādes un mineralizācijas tie tika analizēti ar tādām kvantitatīvās analīzes metodēm kā atomabsorbcijas spektrometrija un induktīvi saistītās plazmas masas spektrometrija. Iegūtie dati par mikroelementu (Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, V, Zn) un makroelementu (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na) saturu dārzeņos tiks statistiski apstrādāti, savstarpēji salīdzināti, kā arī izvērtēti kontekstā ar līdzīgiem citu valstu pētījumiem. Kopumā tika konstatēts, ka burkānos vairāku elementu saturs ir augstāks nekā sīpolos, kamēr citi elementi abos dārzeņu veidos ir vienlīdzīgā apjomā. Apakšgrupu analīze atklāja statistiski nozīmīgas vairāku elementu īpatnības starp zemnieku saimniecībās mazdārziņos audzētiem sakņu dārzeņiem. Piemēram, Cd, Co, Na, Ni, Rb, Se un Sr koncentrācijas sīpolu paraugos no mazdārziņiem bija statistiski būtiski zemākas nekā sīpolos, kas audzēti zemnieku saimniecībās. Datu analīze ļauj secināt, ka vides faktoru ietekmei ir būtiska nozīme uz elementu saturu dārzeņos. Микро- и макроэлементы в продуктах питания в Латвии: корнеплодные овощи Исследование химического состава продуктов питания представляет собой сложный процесс, который в основном используется в пищевой химии в качестве исследовательского метода. Известно, что содержание химических элементов в растениях зависит от различных факторов, таких как вид растения, характеристика почвы, условия погоды, продукты для удобрения и защиты растений, а также стадия развития растения, поэтому анализ продуктов питания растительного происхождения может иметь важное значение в контексте разных отраслей науки. Цель исследования - получить информацию о корнеплодных овощах, таких как репчатый лук и морковь, местного латвийского происхождения относительно микро- и макроэлементов, с учетом происхождения с образцов. Образцы были собраны по всей территории Латвии. Происхождение образцов было выяснено при покупке, получая образец из сельскохозяйственного предприятия или из садово-огородного участка. После обработки и минерализации образцов растворы были анализированы такими методами, как: атомно-абсорбционная спектрометрия и масс-спектрометрия индуктивно-связанной плазмы. Полученные данные о содержании микроэлементов (Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Се, Со, Сг, Си, La, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, V, Zn) и макроэлементов (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na) в овощах статистически обработаны, сравнены между собой, а также в контексте подобных исследований в других странах. В целом, было установлено, что несколько элементов в составе моркови выше, чем у лука, в то время как другие элементы входят в состав обоих видов в одинаковом количестве. Анализ подгрупп показал статистически значимые особенности многих элементов в корнеплодах, выращенных в условиях садово-огородных участков и сельскохозяйственных условиях. Например, концентрации Cd, Co, Na, Ni, Rb, Se и Sr в образцах лука были статистически значимо ниже, чем у лука, выращенного при сельскохозяйственных условиях. Анализ данных показал, что факторы окружающий среды играют важную роль в содержании элементов в овощах.

Impact of micro- and macroelement content on potential use of freshwater sediments (gyttja) derived from lakes of eastern Latvia

Organic-rich freshwater sediments formed from the remains of water plants, plankton and benthic organisms, which are transformed by microorganisms, and mixed with mineral components supplied from the lake basin, are known as gyttja (sapropel or dy). Gyttja is a valuable natural resource that can be used in various fields such as agriculture, forestry, construction, chemical industry, balneology and the latter ones are especially interested in chemical composition and safety of natural materials. The aim of the study was to investigate micro- and macro-element content of gyttja derived from lakes of eastern Latvia (north-east of Europe). Depending on composition, sediment samples were identified as peaty, various algae, green algae, diatom, carbonate and organic-silicate types of gyttja. Dried samples were wet-digested by heating in HNO3/H2O2 solution until complete mineralization. Sample solutions were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) to detect concentration of Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Zn, but inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr and V concentration measurements. Total content of elements was variable; higher macroelement concentration was detected for gyttja of carbonate type, but higher microelement concentration—for organic-silicate gyttja. As concentration of several elements was much lower than permitted by the European Union legislation, gyttja is not only safe, but also highly valuable resource applicable in organic agriculture. There is a potential to use gyttja as a peloid in health care, but element bioavailability should be estimated likewise.