Respiratory bioaccessibility and solid phase partitioning of potentially harmful elements in urban environmental matrices

Boim, Alexys Giorgia Friol; Patinha, Carla; Wragg, Joanna; Cave, Mark; Alleoni, Luís Reynaldo Ferracciú. 2021 Respiratory bioaccessibility and solid phase partitioning of potentially harmful elements in urban environmental matrices. Science of The Total Environment, 765, 142791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142791

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142791

Abstract/Summary

Studies regarding the role of geochemical processes in urban environmental matrices (UEM) and their influence on respiratory bioaccessibility in humans are scarce in humid tropical regions, especially in Brazil. Contaminated UEM are potentially hazardous to humans if particles < 10 μm in diameter are inhaled and reach the tracheobronchial region. In this study, we evaluated samples collected in Brazilian UEMs with a large environmental liability left by former mining industries and in a city with strong industrial expansion. UEM samples were classified into soil, sediment and mine tailings according to the characteristics of the collection sites. The respiratory bioaccessibility of potentially harmful elements (PHE) was evaluated using artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF, pH 4.5), and the BCR-sequential extraction was performed to evaluate how the respiratory bioaccessibility of the PHE was related to the solid phase partitioning. The bioaccessible fraction (BAF) ranged from 54 - 98% for Cd; 21 - 89% for Cu; 46 - 140% for Pb, 35 - 88% for Mn and; 41- 84% for Zn. The average BAF of the elements decreased in the following order: Soil: Cd> Pb> Mn> Zn> Cu; Tailing: Pb> Cd> Zn> Mn> Cu; and Sediments: Pb> Mn> Cd> Zn> Cu. BCR-fractions were useful to predict the PHE bioaccessibility (R2 = 0.79 – 0.98), thus suggesting that particle geochemistry and mineralogy can influence PHE behaviour in the pulmonary fluid. Therefore, this approach provides a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, which allows us to carry out a more realistic assessment of the current situation of the potentially contaminated site and possible alternatives for decision making by the stakeholders.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142791
ISSN:	00489697
Date made live:	13 Oct 2020 10:48 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/528701

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142791

ISSN:

00489697

Date made live:

13 Oct 2020 10:48 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/528701