Origine et impact des pollutions liées aux activités minières sur l'environnement (eau-sol-atmosphère) et la santé, cas de Oruro (Bolivie)

Ce travail s'inscrit dans les grandes problématiques actuelles traitant des interactions environnement-santé en contexte minier. L'objectif est de décrire l'origine et l'impact sur l'environnement et la santé des pollutions liées aux activités d'extraction et de fonte polymétalliques (Ag, Au, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn) dans la ville minière d'Oruro, en Bolivie. Des échantillons d'eaux de consommation et de surface, de sols, de poussières de sol, d'aérosols (PM2,5 et PM10) et de bioaccumulateurs de la contamination atmosphérique (Tillandsias capillaris) ont été caractérisés géochimiquement (ICP-MS) et minéralogiquement (DRX, MEB). L'ensemble des compartiments " eaux ", " sols " et " atmosphère " de la zone urbaine est contaminé en Eléments Trace Métalliques (ETM), notamment à proximité des mines et des fonderies (atteignant 16000 µ/g de Pb dans les sols ou 200 ng/m3 d'As dans les PM10 prés de la fonderie). Les différentes sources de contamination atmosphérique (érosion des terrils miniers, émissions des fonderies, transport de minerais) et leurs zones d'influence sont identifiées à l'aide d'études statistiques et d'interpolations spatiales. L'étude des sols et des poussières indique d'autres sources de contamination plus locales, comme une ancienne zone de stockage de minerais. Les séparations granulométriques des poussières montrent que les ETM sont globalement plus concentrés dans les fractions fines, mais pas nécessairement dans la fraction argileuse (< 2µm), généralement considérée comme étant la fraction la plus contaminée. La bioaccessibilité des poussières, mesurée par la méthode UBM, est globalement plus faible prés de la mine que de la fonderie, et varie en fonction de la fraction granulométrique et de l'élément considéré (jusqu'à 90% pour As et inférieure à 5% pour Sb et Sn). Le bilan d'exposition aux ETM des enfants selon leur quartier d'habitation (" centre ville ", " mine " et " fonderie ") est réalisé en prenant en compte l'ingestion et l'inhalation des poussières de sol et des aérosols. La prise en compte de la granulométrie et de la bioaccessibilité par fraction influe fortement sur les calculs de doses absorbées par l'organisme. Les doses absorbées calculées et les concentrations précédemment mesurées dans les cheveux des enfants sont corrélées. Dans cette étude, le Pb présente un comportement particulier : il présente des tenenurs très hautes dans les sols mais très faibles dans l'atmosphère. L'exposition est donc particulièrement liée au type et au lieu d'activité du sujet considéré et expliquerait la variabilité observée dans une étude épidémiologique antérieure.This work deals with current problematic issues of environment-health interactions. This thesis describes the origin of mining and smelting polymetallic pollution (Ag, Au, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn) and its impact on environment and health in the mining city of Oruro, Bolivia. Samples of tap water, the hydrographic network, soils, dusts, aerosols (PM2,5 et PM10) and bioindicators of atmospheric contamination (Tillandsias capillaris) were geochemically (ICP-MS) and mineralogically (DRX, SEM) characterized. All the compartments of the urban area studied ("water ", "soil" and "atmosphere") were contaminated by trace elements, especially near smelters and mines (reaching 16000 µg/g Pb in dust and 200 ng/m3 As in PM10 close to the smelting area). Statistical studies and spatial interpolations helped in the identification of atmospheric contamination sources and their scope. Soil and dust studies also indicated other more local sources, such as old ore stockage areas. Granulometric separation of dusts showed that trace elements were more highly concentrated in fine fractions, but not necessarily in the clay (< 2µm), which is generally considered to be the most contaminated fraction. Oral bioaccessibility of dust fractions (UBM method), is higher overall in the smelting area than in the mining one. Bioaccessibility greatly varies depending on the granulometric fraction or elements considered (up to 90% for As and less than 5% for Sn and Sb). Exposure to trace elements in children depending on their place of residence was calculated considering dust and aerosol inhalation and ingestion. Taking into account granulometry and bioaccessibility can considerably change the absorbed dose calculated. Estimated exposure and trace element content in children's hair previously measured prove to be correlated. In this study, Pb showed a particular behaviour, with soil Pb concentrations were very high when compared to weak aerosol concentrations. Child exposure is thus greatly linked to type and location of the child's activities, which can explain the variability observed in a previous epidemiological study

Ecotoxicity tests and ecoscores to improve soil management : case of a secondary lead smelter plant

International audienceriginally located on the outskirts of cities, numerous industrial sites, sometimes abandoned, are now in urban areas and are therefore likely to have environmental and health risks to surrounding populations. Currently, rehabilitation of the sites frequently entails excavation of polluted soils. Excavated soils can thus follow two different ways: landfilling, expensive and energy intensive, or reuse/recycling, integrated to sustainable development. The choice of a specific track mainly depends on total and leachable concentrations of the pollutant in the soil. Among the numerous pollutants observed in urban and peri-urban areas, trace metals are often present in soils; atmosphere emissions by smelters being one of the main anthropogenic source. MTE speciation and compartmentalization in soils can modify their impact on living organisms

Ecotoxicity tests and ecoscores to improve soil management : case of a secondary lead smelter plant

International audienceriginally located on the outskirts of cities, numerous industrial sites, sometimes abandoned, are now in urban areas and are therefore likely to have environmental and health risks to surrounding populations. Currently, rehabilitation of the sites frequently entails excavation of polluted soils. Excavated soils can thus follow two different ways: landfilling, expensive and energy intensive, or reuse/recycling, integrated to sustainable development. The choice of a specific track mainly depends on total and leachable concentrations of the pollutant in the soil. Among the numerous pollutants observed in urban and peri-urban areas, trace metals are often present in soils; atmosphere emissions by smelters being one of the main anthropogenic source. MTE speciation and compartmentalization in soils can modify their impact on living organisms

Use of ecotoxicity test and ecoscores to improve the management of polluted soils: case of a secondary lead smelter plant

International audienceWith the rise of sustainable development, rehabilitation of brownfield sites located in urban areas has become a major concern. Management of contaminated soils in relation with environmental and sanitary risk concerns is therefore a strong aim needing the development of both useful tools for risk assessment and sustainable remediation techniques. For soils polluted by metals and metalloids (MTE), the criteria for landfilling are currently not based on ecotoxicological tests but on total MTE concentrations and leaching tests. In this study, the ecotoxicity of leachates from MTE polluted soils sampled from an industrial site recycling lead-acid batteries were evaluated by using both modified Escherichia coli strains with luminescence modulated by metals and normalized Daphnia magna and Alivibrio fischeri bioassays. The results were clearly related to the type of microorganisms (crustacean, different strains of bacteria) whose sensitivity varied. Ecotoxicity was also different according to sample location on the site, total concentrations and physico-chemical properties of each soil. For comparison, standard leaching tests were also performed. Potentially phytoavailable fraction of MTE in soils and physico-chemical measures were finally performed in order to highlight the mechanisms. The results demonstrated that the use of a panel of microorganisms is suitable for hazard classification of polluted soils. In addition, calculated eco-scores permit to rank the polluted soils according to their potentially of dangerousness. Influence of soil and MTE characteristics on MTE mobility and ecotoxicity was also highlighted

Origine et impact des pollutions liées aux activités minières sur l'environnement et la santé, cas de Oruro (Bolivie)

This work deals with current problematic issues of environment-health interactions. This thesis describes the origin of mining and smelting polymetallic pollution (Ag, Au, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn) and its impact on environment and health in the mining city of Oruro, Bolivia. Samples of tap water, the hydrographic network, soils, dusts, aerosols (PM2,5 et PM10) and bioindicators of atmospheric contamination (Tillandsias capillaris) were geochemically (ICP-MS) and mineralogically (DRX, SEM) characterized. All the compartments of the urban area studied ("water ", "soil" and "atmosphere") were contaminated by trace elements, especially near smelters and mines (reaching 16000 µg/g Pb in dust and 200 ng/m3 As in PM10 close to the smelting area). Statistical studies and spatial interpolations helped in the identification of atmospheric contamination sources and their scope. Soil and dust studies also indicated other more local sources, such as old ore stockage areas. Granulometric separation of dusts showed that trace elements were more highly concentrated in fine fractions, but not necessarily in the clay (< 2µm), which is generally considered to be the most contaminated fraction. Oral bioaccessibility of dust fractions (UBM method), is higher overall in the smelting area than in the mining one. Bioaccessibility greatly varies depending on the granulometric fraction or elements considered (up to 90% for As and less than 5% for Sn and Sb). Exposure to trace elements in children depending on their place of residence was calculated considering dust and aerosol inhalation and ingestion. Taking into account granulometry and bioaccessibility can considerably change the absorbed dose calculated. Estimated exposure and trace element content in children's hair previously measured prove to be correlated. In this study, Pb showed a particular behaviour, with soil Pb concentrations were very high when compared to weak aerosol concentrations. Child exposure is thus greatly linked to type and location of the child's activities, which can explain the variability observed in a previous epidemiological studyCe travail s'inscrit dans les grandes problématiques actuelles traitant des interactions environnement-santé en contexte minier. L'objectif est de décrire l'origine et l'impact sur l'environnement et la santé des pollutions liées aux activités d'extraction et de fonte polymétalliques (Ag, Au, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn) dans la ville minière d'Oruro, en Bolivie. Des échantillons d'eaux de consommation et de surface, de sols, de poussières de sol, d'aérosols (PM2,5 et PM10) et de bioaccumulateurs de la contamination atmosphérique (Tillandsias capillaris) ont été caractérisés géochimiquement (ICP-MS) et minéralogiquement (DRX, MEB). L'ensemble des compartiments " eaux ", " sols " et " atmosphère " de la zone urbaine est contaminé en Eléments Trace Métalliques (ETM), notamment à proximité des mines et des fonderies (atteignant 16000 µ/g de Pb dans les sols ou 200 ng/m3 d'As dans les PM10 prés de la fonderie). Les différentes sources de contamination atmosphérique (érosion des terrils miniers, émissions des fonderies, transport de minerais) et leurs zones d'influence sont identifiées à l'aide d'études statistiques et d'interpolations spatiales. L'étude des sols et des poussières indique d'autres sources de contamination plus locales, comme une ancienne zone de stockage de minerais. Les séparations granulométriques des poussières montrent que les ETM sont globalement plus concentrés dans les fractions fines, mais pas nécessairement dans la fraction argileuse (< 2µm), généralement considérée comme étant la fraction la plus contaminée. La bioaccessibilité des poussières, mesurée par la méthode UBM, est globalement plus faible prés de la mine que de la fonderie, et varie en fonction de la fraction granulométrique et de l'élément considéré (jusqu'à 90% pour As et inférieure à 5% pour Sb et Sn). Le bilan d'exposition aux ETM des enfants selon leur quartier d'habitation (" centre ville ", " mine " et " fonderie ") est réalisé en prenant en compte l'ingestion et l'inhalation des poussières de sol et des aérosols. La prise en compte de la granulométrie et de la bioaccessibilité par fraction influe fortement sur les calculs de doses absorbées par l'organisme. Les doses absorbées calculées et les concentrations précédemment mesurées dans les cheveux des enfants sont corrélées. Dans cette étude, le Pb présente un comportement particulier : il présente des tenenurs très hautes dans les sols mais très faibles dans l'atmosphère. L'exposition est donc particulièrement liée au type et au lieu d'activité du sujet considéré et expliquerait la variabilité observée dans une étude épidémiologique antérieure

Origine et impact des pollutions liées aux activités minières sur l'environnement (eau-sol-atmosphère) et la santé, cas de Oruro (Bolivie)

TOULOUSE3-BU Sciences (315552104) / SudocSudocFranceF

Using Bayesian networks for environmental health risk assessment

International audienceThe study investigated the potential relationships between air pollution, socio-economy, and proven pathologies (e.g., respiratory, cardiovascular) within an industrial area in Southern France (Etang de Berre), gathering steel industries, oil refineries, shipping, road traffic and experiencing a Mediterranean climate. A total of 178 variables were simultaneously integrated within a Bayesian model at intra-urban scale. Various unsupervised and supervised algorithms (maximum spanning tree, tree-augmented naive classifier) as well as sensitivity analyses were used to better understand the links between all variables, and highlighted correlations between population exposure to air pollutants and some pathologies. Adverse health effects (bronchus and lung cancers for 15–65 years old people) were observed for hydrofluoric acid at low background concentration (<0.003 μg m−3) while exposure to particulate cadmium (0.210–0.250 μg m−3) disrupts insulin metabolism for people over 65 years-old leading to diabetes. Bronchus and lung cancers for people over 65 years-old occurred at low background SO2 concentration (6 μg m−3) below European limit values. When benzo[k]fluoranthene exceeded 0.672 μg m−3, we observed a high number of hospital admissions for respiratory diseases for 15-65 years-old people. The study also revealed the important influence of socio-economy (e.g., single-parent family, people with no qualification at 15 years-old) on pathologies (e.g., cardiovascular diseases). Finally, a diffuse polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution was observed in the study area and can potentially cause lung cancers

Environmental and health impacts of fine and ultrafine metallic particles: Assessment of threat scores

International audienceThis study proposes global threat scores to prioritize the harmfulness of anthropogenic fine and ultrafine metallic particles (FMP) emitted into the atmosphere at the global scale. (Eco)toxicity of physicochemically characterized FMP oxides for metals currently observed in the atmosphere (CdO, CuO, PbO, PbSO4, Sb2O3, and ZnO) was assessed by performing complementary in vitro tests: ecotoxicity, human bioaccessibility, cytotoxicity, and oxidative potential. Using an innovative methodology based on the combination of (eco)toxicity and physicochemical results, the following hazard classification of the particles is proposed: CdCl2~CdO>CuO>PbO>ZnO>PbSO4>Sb2O3. Both cadmium compounds exhibited the highest threat score due to their high cytotoxicity and bioaccessible dose, whatever their solubility and speciation, suggesting that cadmium toxicity is due to its chemical form rather than its physical form. In contrast, the Sb2O3 threat score was the lowest due to particles with low specific area and solubility, with no effects except a slight oxidative stress. As FMP physicochemical properties reveal differences in specific area, crystallization systems, dissolution process, and speciation, various mechanisms may influence their biological impact. Finally, this newly developed and global approach could be widely used in various contexts of pollution by complex metal particles and may improve risk management

Environmental and Dietary Exposures Near a Major Industrial Harbour (Fos-sur-Mer, France) Identified as a Significant Pathway for PCBs and PCDD/Fs Accumulation in Residents’ Blood Serum

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Hg concentrations and stable isotope variations in tropical fish species of a gold-mining-impacted watershed in French Guiana

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