7 research outputs found
Utilizing Eisenia andrei to assess the ecotoxicity of platinum mine tailings disposal facilities
South Africa is an important platinum mining
country which results in environmental impacts due to the
construction of tailing disposal facilities (TDFs). It is unclear
what the effects of ageing are on the ecotoxicity of TDFs and
whether it increases or decreases over time. The aim of this
study was to determine the ecotoxicity of differently aged
TDFs by investigating earthworm (Eisenia andrei) responses
viz. growth, reproduction, neutral red retention times
(NRRT) and tissue metal concentrations. Further, to evaluate
the status of these in terms of a geoaccumulation index (Igeo),
pollution index and integrated pollution index. Results
indicated that earthworms showed reduced reproductive
success (hatchlings per cocoon) and decreased NRRT in all
the sites. Juveniles per cocoon between all of the different
treatment groups were; control (2.83 ± 0.54)[site 2
(20 years old; 1.83 ± 0.27)[sites 1 and 3 (40 years old;
1.06 ± 0.15 and 6 years old; 0.88 ± 0.39). This might be
ascribed to the elevated levels of Cr (±200 to 1,166 lg g-1)
and Ni (±100 to 316 lg g-1) in all of the sites. Earthworms
did not bioaccumulate metals with bioconcentration factors
for all the different treatments\0.01. Studies like these could
be useful when establishing a ranking of TDFs in the future to
provide legislative institutions with an indication of the
environmental liabilities of platinum mines.http://link.springer.com/journal/1064
Assessing the ecotoxicity of gold mine tailings utilizing earthworm and microbial assays
Problems associated with mining are the disposal
of wastes on tailing disposal facilities (TDFs). The
aim of this study was to determine the ecotoxicity of
gold mine tailings by using earthworm bioassays, earthworm
biomarkers and enzymatic analyses. End points
included changes in biomass, reproduction, lysosomal
membrane stability, tissue metal concentrations, and
selected enzymatic activities. Results indicated high
concentrations of Ni in the material as well as bioaccumulation
of lead and arsenic in the earthworm body
tissue after exposure. Enzymatic activity was higher in
revegetated tailings than in unrehabilitated tailings. It
was concluded that TDF and surrounding areas have an
acidic pH which affects earthworms and metal bioavailability.
Soil enzymatic activities were a sensitive indicator
of metal pollution in mining areas. Growth, reproduction
and lysosomal membrane stability of earthworms
have also been shown to be sensitive end points
to assess the ecotoxic effects of gold TD