A multifarious comparative ecotoxicological approach on a catchment scale from three mine wastelands for improved environmental management and risk assessment: integrating abiotic, biotic and agroecosystem approaches

Metal mobilization under acid or neutral rock drainage represents one of the major environmental impacts associated with mining of sulphidic minerals. To avert this, suitable handling of mine overburden material, waste rock, open pits and tailing storage facilities (TSF) is needed. This study addressed the risks associated with metal mobilization from the waste, including those resulting from the potential for ARD generation from the mine waste (tailings) following the recovery of copper from sulphidic ores, the impacts on the aquatic ecosystem, the agro-ecosystem and potential ecological restoration using phytomining technologies. The study is focused on the Kafue River basin on the Zambian Copperbelt and seeks to identify impacts and potential benefits through studying a grouping of TSFs and their impact in a single geographical region, allowing attributes of the facilities to be contrasted. In this study, we have addressed the categorisation of ARD generation of Chibuluma TSF, TSF15A and TSF14 tailing samples and associated metal mobility using the standard static tests, UCT biokinetic test and column bioleach experiments. Owing to the potential for compromised water quality and exploratory studies alluding to this, an ecotoxicology study at the catchment scale was conducted seasonally for three years on water resources (Nselaki Stream, Fikondo Stream and Mululu Streams) and food crops in close proximity to the selected TSFs. The potential of phytomining technologies using native herbaceous plants to mitigate mobilization of metals from the copper mine wastelands was investigated. Characterisation of the risk of ARD using data generated from the standard static and biokinetic tests was compared across the three samples. The biokinetic test supported the standard static test classification of non-acid forming, providing preliminary kinetic data on ARD generation. The three tailings have high neutralisation potential and are not acid forming over an initial period. Column bioleach tests allowed for differentiation of metals according to their leaching potential under conditions ranging from neutral through varying levels of acidity conditions, providing support evidence for potential ecological burdens. The results showed that low pH promoted significant release of Fe, Cu and Mn while release of metals Co, Ni, Zn and Pb remained considerably low. Low mobilization of metal species was observed under high pH, however, over time the sustained low mobilization of metal species is likely to cause significant ecological risks. The results better inform the risk posed by copper wastelands, through the combined use of a suit of tests (static, biokinetic and column leach tests). Under high acidic conditions, Fe and Cu exhibited high ecological risk while the risk was moderate under non-acidic conditions. The ecological risk under acidic conditions for Ca, Al, Mg and Mn was observed to vary from low to moderate, while negligible ecological risk profiles were observed with elements of interest Pb, Co, Zn, and Ni. Our research further expanded the studies on monitoring abiotic and biotic ecosystem drivers in adjacent streams. Selected physiochemical indicators downstream were identified in relation to the influence of the mine wastelands. No significant difference in heavy metals was observed between the three streams at the significance level (P > 0.05), however, notable changes in chemical and physical signatures for selected elements was reported downstream of the selected TSFs. Multivariate analysis such as principal component analysis, indicated prevalent TSF interferences of Cu, Co, Mn, Zn, and Pb in water and sediment samples analysed. The use of macroinvertebrates provided a useful approach to monitor the variation in the degree of impacts and characterise the ecological integrity of the streams, as well as evaluate the links with selected physiochemical contaminants. The various physiochemical markers used were useful in observing persistent impacts on macroinvertebrate taxa, which can be linked to severe anthropogenic impacts as well as timely warning indicators. Particularly, macroinvertebrate taxa tolerant to water pollution such as Talitridae and Gnathobdellidae were observed to be dominant species. The biotic monitoring results supported the abiotic test classification with regards to stream contamination. The use of macroinvertebrate community structures proved more useful to characterize the integrity of the ecosystem of the streams and determine the links with possible contaminants. Similarly, results from food crops irrigated using the selected streams reported significant elevation of metals Cu, Co, Mn, and Pb in the edible parts. The contamination load index (CLI) showed that the pollution index of Pb, at ≈43.8 in the vegetable samples, exceeded that of the other metals; equally, metal contamination was also determined in the edible vegetables for Cu, Co and Mn, but not consistently for Zn. One-way ANOVA at p≤0.05 and boxplot analysis suggests that heavy metal concentration in soils and crops did not vary significantly among the sites downstream of the TSF. In contrast, the soils in the upstream control sites showed much reduced metal content. These observations suggest that the TSFs may be the primary source of metal contamination in the selected streams. The study presents phytomining as an improvement approach towards mitigating the impacts of metal mobilization and rehabilitation of wastelands. Further, it acknowledges the benefit of vegetation of TSFs. A rich diversity of indigenous herbaceous plant species was observed to thrive on the low-grade wastelands, with 622 indigenous herbaceous species from 21 families and 46 genera identified. Through analysis of the rhizosphere and above- and belowground biomass of these plant species, the following plants reporting copper accumulation above 1000 ppm, terming them hyper-accumulators: A. eucomus, B. alata, C. floribunda, C. ductylon, C. alternifolius, H. filipendula, E. scuber and V. glabra. However, hyper-accumulation of Co, Zn and Mn was not observed despite accumulation to levels of 300, 200 and 1000 ppm respectively. Further, a number of the hyper-accumulators showed wide-spread acclimatisation to TSFs through their importance value index (IVI). Our findings suggest that phytomining using indigenous herbaceous plant species in Zambia has potential as a viable technology. Overall, the approach of comparing catchments impacted by similar land use activities, was observed to be valuable and useful in current and future management of watersheds exposed to similar challenges. The study highlights useful monitoring methods, key risks requiring mitigation and highlights the need for interventions. The comparative catchment scale study is unique and rare which few studies have utilised to assess the likely impacts of mine wastelands, while also investigating potential remedial measures

Assessment of water pollution arising from copper mining in Zambia: a case study of Munkulungwe stream in Ndola, Copperbelt province

Water pollution is recognized as one of the major environmental problems in the mining industry. This has been compounded with an increase in agriculture activities. Water pollution is a major problem on copper and coal mines throughout the world and Zambia, the focus of this study, is no exception. Worldwide freshwater resources, which provide important ecosystem services to humans, are under threat from rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization and abandonment of wastelands. There is an urgent need to monitor and assess these resources. In this context, the physical, chemical and ecological water quality of the Munkulungwe Stream located on the Copperbelt of Zambia, was assessed with possible contamination from Bwana Mkubwa TSF, agriculture activities and subsequent impact on the surrounding community. The chemical and physical parameters were assessed at four sampling locations. Sampling site S1 was located on the Munkulungwe stream upstream of Bwana Mkubwa TSF, S2, S3 and S4 were on the main stream downstream of Bwana Mkubwa TSF. In addition, a macroinvertebrate composition analysis was performed to estimate the quality of water using the biotic index score. Finally, the relationship between physiochemical parameters and biotic index score was analysed to interrogate their inter-relationship with respect to water quality. The results showed that the average values of dissolved oxygen (DO) of 4.52 mg/l, turbidity (40.96 NTU), Co (0.24 mg/l), Pb (0.25 mg/l), Fe (0.36 mg/l) and Mn (0.22 mg/l) downstream exceeded international standards for drinking water. Upstream, the values of Co, Pb, Fe and Mn were within acceptable standards for drinking water, DO and turbidity were above acceptable standards. The metal concentration and total dissolved solutes were impacted by closeness to the mine tailings deposit with the heavy metal concentration being highest at S2 and S3. Moreover, high turbidity levels revealed that land erosion induced by agriculture activities is a severe problem in the area. Physical parameters were high in the rainy season due erosion escalated by rains while chemical parameters were high post rainy season. During the rainy season, the chemical contaminants are diluted and thus they are not such a big impact, but they tend to concentrate up during the dry MDNLEE001 III season. The stream at sampling points S2 and S3 was dominated by species tolerant (leech, Isopod and Snail: Pouch) and semi tolerant (Blackfly larvae and Amphipod or Scud) to pollution. The change in season influenced the composition of macroinvertebrates, with the number of species increased post rainy season. The average biotic index score (2.5) showed that the stream condition is not good, it is slightly polluted. The results showed that water quality downstream was substantially affected by Bwana Mkubwa TSF, agriculture activities and is likely to affect human health and food security. It is recommended that groundwater surrounding tailings dams should be monitored in both active and abandoned mines. Curtain boreholes around a tailings dam can be drilled and the water extracted and treated so that it doesn't contaminate other water bodies. To improve the environmental management of mining related impacts in Zambia, mining areas should be completely rehabilitated. There is need for remediation strategies for abandoned mine sites. Constructed wetlands, roughing filtration and phytoremediation are highly promising techniques, as they are reliable, cheap, effective and sustainable

Privacy-Aware Human Tracking Using Kinect and Android Smart Watches

Using the Microsoft Kinect® in conjunction with an Android Wear device, this project aims to design a Privacy Aware 3D motion tracking application with haptic feedback functionality used to reduce prevalence of Back Injuries in Caregivers. The System will use a registration method to ensure the caregiver is both uniquely tracked and abstract from most of the information used by the application.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2016/1051/thumbnail.jp

An economic analysis of the consumption behavior of farm-households in Zambia: an application of the firm-household model

This paper examines the quantitative significance and policy implications of the integration of household production and consumption decisions. A recursive form of the integrated production-consumption model is estimated for a semi-commercial household in Zambia using primary cross-sectional data. The production side of the model is estimated by linear programming techniques and the consumption side is estimated, econometrically, by the linear expenditure system (LES) of estimating demand functions and labor supply. The integrated model is used to analyze the impact of agricultural price intervention on a small farm-household in Zambia

Privacy-Aware Human Tracking Using Kinect and Android Smart Watches

Using the Microsoft Kinect® in conjunction with an Android Wear device, this project aims to design a Privacy Aware 3D motion tracking application with haptic feedback functionality used to reduce prevalence of Back Injuries in Caregivers. The System will use a registration method to ensure the caregiver is both uniquely tracked and abstract from most of the information used by the application.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2016/1051/thumbnail.jp

Epidemiology and molecular characterization of human and canine hookworm

Among the soil-transmitted helminths (STH), hookworms are a worldwide problem in both humans and animals. They cause non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms, and in young children and animals, they can cause stunting, malnutrition and anemia. Canine hookworms have significant zoonotic potential as a cause of cutaneous larvae migrans and eosinophilic enteritis in humans. To determine the ecological niche of human hookworm in Brazil, two risk models were developed based on the Growing Degree Day-Water Budget (GDD-WB) concept, one based on accumulation of monthly temperatures above a base temperature of 15oC and threshold WB value \u3e0.4. The second was based on a ‘gradient index’ of the product of monthly accumulated GDD and WB values. It was determined that both environmental temperature and moisture are important in the distribution of hookworm. This study supports the validity of the GDD-WB concept for mapping risk of hookworm at a national scale. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in human outpatients in Mutuípe municipality, Brazil, to determine prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths, including hookworm. Mutuípe falls within the permissive zone for the transmission of hookworm. A sucrose double centrifugation flotation technique was used for the concentration of helminth eggs in fecal samples. Hookworm infection was the most prevalent of the STH and the prevalence was highest in adults and males. PCR was then used to determine the species of hookworm present. Necator americanus was confirmed by PCR as the predominant hookworm species. A single case of Ancylostoma ceylanicum was identified. A study on the prevalence of hookworms and other gastrointestinal parasites in shelter dogs in south Louisiana and the anthelminthic protocols used in the shelters was conducted. Fecal samples examined by direct smear, flotation and sedimentation methods revealed that hookworm had the highest prevalence (53.6%) followed by Trichuris vulpis (28.7), Cystoisospora ohioensis (17.2%), Giardia duodenalis (12.0%), C. canis (7.7), Toxocara canis (6.2%), Dipylidium caninum, Alaria spp and Capillaria sp A PCR-RFLP developed to differentiate A. caninum and A. braziliense revealed A. caninum as the only species found. Evaluation of the anthelminthic protocols used in nine shelters showed current methods were inadequate for control of hookworms in shelter dogs

Case Report on Primary Intratesticular Leiomyosarcoma of the Spermatic Cord

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