Solid-phase partitioning of mercury in artisanal gold mine tailings from selected key areas in Mindanao, Philippines, and its implications for mercury detoxification

The solid-phase partitioning of mercury could provide necessary data in the identification of remediation techniques in contaminated artisanal gold mine tailings. This study was conducted to determine the total mercury content of mine wastes and identify its solid-phase partitioning through selective sequential extraction coupled with cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy. Samples from mine tailings and the carbon-in-pulp (CIP) process were obtained from selected key areas in Mindanao, Philippines. The results showed that mercury use is still prevalent among small-scale gold miners in the Philippines. Tailings after ball mill-gravity concentration (W-BM and Li-BM samples) from Mt Diwata and Libona contained high levels of mercury amounting to 25.024 and 6.5 mg kg(-1), respectively. The most prevalent form of mercury in the mine tailings was elemental/amalgamated mercury, followed by water soluble, exchangeable, organic and strongly bound phases, respectively. In contrast, mercury content of carbon-in-pulp residues were significantly lower at only 0.3 and 0.06 mg kg(-1) for P-CIP (Del Pilar) and W-CIP (Mt Diwata), respectively. The bulk of mercury in P-CIP samples was partitioned in residual fraction while in W-CIP samples, water soluble mercury predominated. Overall, this study has several important implications with regards to mercury detoxification of contaminated mine tailings from Mindanao, Philippines

Unraveling Microplastic Pollution in Mangrove Sediments of Butuan Bay, Philippines

The mass production and consumption of plastics have serious effects on the environment, human health, and livelihood. Hence, global efforts to reduce plastic generation must be realized. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of microplastics in mangrove sediments of Cabadbaran, Buenavista, and Nasipit in Butuan Bay, Philippines. Seventy-two (72) microplastic particles were extracted from mangrove sediments dominated by fibrous type (71%) and blue (35%) as the most common color. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy was used to assess the polymer type of microplastics. Results reveal a total of six polymer types including high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyamide, and polypropylene, with the latter comprising 39% of samples, the highest among the extracted particles. Overall, Nasipit (71.1/kg) obtained the highest microplastic density followed by Buenavista (48.9/kg) and Cabadbaran (40.0/kg). These data will serve as a piece of baseline information in crafting important environmental policies to address plastic pollution issues in the area. Long-term studies are recommended to better understand, monitor, and prevent further microplastic pollution in Butuan Bay

Unraveling Microplastic Pollution in Mangrove Sediments of Butuan Bay, Philippines

The mass production and consumption of plastics have serious effects on the environment, human health, and livelihood. Hence, global efforts to reduce plastic generation must be realized. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of microplastics in mangrove sediments of Cabadbaran, Buenavista, and Nasipit in Butuan Bay, Philippines. Seventy-two (72) microplastic particles were extracted from mangrove sediments dominated by fibrous type (71%) and blue (35%) as the most common color. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy was used to assess the polymer type of microplastics. Results reveal a total of six polymer types including high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyamide, and polypropylene, with the latter comprising 39% of samples, the highest among the extracted particles. Overall, Nasipit (71.1/kg) obtained the highest microplastic density followed by Buenavista (48.9/kg) and Cabadbaran (40.0/kg). These data will serve as a piece of baseline information in crafting important environmental policies to address plastic pollution issues in the area. Long-term studies are recommended to better understand, monitor, and prevent further microplastic pollution in Butuan Bay