GeoBioSciences, GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering

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Organizational Unit

Publications

Geochemical, mineralogical and morphological characterisation of road dust and associated health risks

Publication . Candeias, Carla; Vicente, Estela; Tomé, Mário; Rocha, Fernando; Ávila, Paula Freire; Alves, Célia

ABSTRACT: Road dust resuspension, especially the particulate matter fraction below 10 mu m (PM10), is one of the main air quality management challenges in Europe. Road dust samples were collected from representative streets (suburban and urban) of the city of Viana do Castelo, Portugal. PM10 emission factors (mg veh(-1) km(-1)) ranging from 49 (asphalt) to 330 (cobble stone) were estimated by means of the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency method. Two road dust fractions (<0.074 mm and from 0.0074 to 1 mm) were characterised for their geochemical, mineralogical and morphological properties. In urban streets, road dusts reveal the contribution from traffic emissions, with higher concentrations of, for example, Cu, Zn and Pb. In the suburban area, agriculture practices likely contributed to As concentrations of 180 mg kg(-1) in the finest road dust fraction. Samples are primarily composed of quartz, but also of muscovite, albite, kaolinite, microcline, Fe-enstatite, graphite and amorphous content. Particle morphology clearly shows the link with natural and traffic related materials, with well-formed minerals and irregular aggregates. The hazard quotient suggests a probability to induce non-carcinogenic adverse health effects in children by ingestion of Zr. Arsenic in the suburban street represents a human health risk of 1.58 x 10(-4).

2020Journal article

Open access

Potentially toxic elements dynamics in the soil rhizospheric-plant system in the active volcano of Fogo (Cape Verde) and interactions with human health

Publication . Candeias, Carla; Ávila, Paula Freire; Sequeira, Cristina; Albuquerque, Manuel; Rocha, Fernando

ABSTRACT: Volcanic eruptions disturb directly and indirectly the ecosystems. Direct impact occurs on the soil-plant system with an input of new elements and indirect hazard occurs by consumption of these plants. Fogo island (Cape Verde Republic) has an active volcano and the last eruption occurred in 2014-15, expelling large amounts of materials that spread all over the island. Soils and edible plants were collected all over the island. Pollution indexes reveal contamination in all samples, mostly due to Hg and Ni and with moderate contribution of Co, Cr, Cu and Pb. Mercury is the PTE with higher contribution to the non-carcinogenic hazard quotient, both by soil ingestion and inhalation. Carcinogenic risk exceeds the target risk in all samples with the higher contribution of Ni. Transfer factor from soils to plants decreasing order is Mn > As > Zn > Cr > Cu > Cd > Pb > Ni > Co > Hg, being < 1 except for As and Mn (TF > 1 point to a significant accumulation of elements in edible plants). The hazard risk index and targeted hazard quotient shows that potential negative health outcomes can be induced by As, Cr, Cu, and Zn by consumption of edible plants.

2022-02Journal article

Open access

Dust Characterization and Its Potential Impact during the 2014-2015 Fogo Volcano Eruption (Cape Verde)

Publication . Candeias, Carla; Ávila, Paula Freire; Alves, Célia; Gama, Carla; Sequeira, Cristina; Silva, E. Ferreira da; Rocha, Fernando

ABSTRACT: Fogo (Fogo Island) is the youngest and most active volcano of Cape Verde. The last eruption occurred in 2014-2015. Aiming to assess the dust sources that impacted the air quality during the present study period, fresh lava samples were collected, while Saharan dust intrusions and transport were modeled. Rooftop dust was also collected on the island dwellings and a mineralogical and chemical characterization was undertaken. Air quality monitors were used to obtain concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants. The mineralogical constitution was assessed by XRD and Electron Microprobe. The pseudototal chemical concentration was performed by XRF, ICP-MS and SEM; the latter includes particles morphology. During the study, WRF-CHIMERE results showed the intrusion of desert dust which affected the air quality. Lava was classified as tephritic to basanitic, with high potassium content. The Pollution Load Index for rooftop dust was > 1 in all samples, suggesting an enrichment. Higher values were found in dust size fraction < 63 mu m, with contamination factor pointing to high enrichment of As, Ni and Pb, and very high enrichment of Cd. The non-carcinogenic hazard estimated for children suggested that health problems may arise. The carcinogenic risk was above the target risk, mostly due to As > Pb > Co. Ingestion was the main exposure route. PM10 concentrations exceeded the 24-h mean of 50 mu g/m(3) recommended by WHO. Nevertheless, TVOCs displayed levels lower than guidelines. The highest levels of CO2 were recorded in more populated villages and farthest from the volcano.

2021-11Journal article

Open access

House dusts of a volcanic island: potential impacts on human health

Publication . Candeias, Carla; Ávila, Paula Freire; Cunha, Leandro; Sequeira, Cristina; Rocha, Fernando

ABSTRACT: Fogo island (Cape Verde), has an active volcano that last erupted in 2014-15, with melts mainly alkaline, of basanitic to tephritic composition. Dwellings dust composition is the result of natural and anthropogenic interactions. Nineteen house dusts were collected, in representative dwellings all over the island. Fractions < 2 mm was analyzed by ICP-MS, XRF and XRD and SEM for chemical, mineralogical, and morphological characterization. Mineral phases revealed several minerals linked to the volcanic origin. Iron mean concentration in soils, is above the 2014-105 eruption lava mean. Potentially toxic elements were below Acceptable Values (AV), e.g., As 0.6 to 3.3 mg/kg, except once sample 111 mg/kg (AV = 20 mg/kg); Cd, 0,5-3.6 mg/kg (AV = 3 mg/kg). Elements Ni and V presented concentrations above AV in all samples. But is Ti with concentrations much above AV. Risk assessment (USEPA) found As and Ni over the car cinogenic target Risk in most samples, while systemic toxicity in children is mostly due to Fe, V and Zr concentrations. Higher particles concentration is > 50 µm in diameter, suggesting that bioaccessible fraction might not be high, thus, reducing risk.

2021-11Conference object

Open access