Enrichment of Arsenic in Surface Water, Stream Sediments and Soils in Tibet.

Groundwater in sedimentary deposits in China, Southern, and Southeast Asia down gradient from the Tibetan plateau contain elevated As concentrations on a regional scale. To ascertain the possibility of source region As enrichment, samples of water (n=86), stream sediment (n=77) and soil (n=73) were collected from the Singe Tsangpo (upstream of the Indus River), Yarlung Tsangpo (upstream of the Brahmaputra River) and other drainage basins in Tibet in June of 2008. The average arsenic concentration in stream waters, sediments and soils was 58±70 μg/L (n=39, range 2-252 μg/L), 42±40 mg/kg (n=37, range 12-227 mg/kg), and 44±27mg/kg (n=28, range 12-84 mg/kg) respectively for the Singe Tsangpo and was 11±17 μg/L (n=30, range 2-83 μg/L), 28±11 mg/kg (n=28, range 2-61 mg/kg), and 30±34 mg/kg (n=21, range 6-173 mg/kg) respectively for the Yarlung Tsangpo.

[Distribution of arsenic in surface water in Tibet].

This research was aimed on studying the arsenic distribution of water in Yarlung Zangbo and Singe Zangbo basins in Tibet. Results showed that arsenic concentrations were different in different types of the water. The sequence of arsenic concentration from high to low was hot spring water (4920 microg x L(-1) +/- 1520 microg x L(-1), n =2), salt lake water (2180 microg x L(-1) +/- 3840 microg x L(-1), n =7), well water (194 microg x L(-1), n = 1), freshwater lake water (163 microg x L(-1) +/- 202 microg x L(-1), n =2) and stream water (35.

Thallium pollution in China: A geo-environmental perspective.

It is well known that thallium (Tl) is a non-essential and toxic metal to human health, but less is known about the geo-environmentally-induced Tl pollution and its associated health impacts. High concentrations of Tl that are primarily associated with the epithermal metallogenesis of sulfide minerals have the potential of producing Tl pollution in the environment, which has been recognized as an emerging pollutant in China. This paper aims to review the research progress in China on Tl pollution in terms of the source, mobility, transportation pathway, and health exposure of Tl and to address the environmental concerns on Tl pollution in a geo-environmental perspective.

Medical geology of arsenic, selenium and thallium in China.

Arsenic (As), selenium (Se) and thallium (Tl) are three trace metals (metalloids) of high concern in China because deficiency or excess expose can cause a range of endemic diseases, such as endemic arsenism, selenosis, Keshan disease (KD), Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and thallotoxicosis. These specific endemic diseases were attributable for overabundance or deficiency (mainly referring to selenium) of these three elements in the local environment as a result of natural geochemical processes and/or anthropologic activities. The geochemistry and human health impacts of these three trace elements have been intensively studied since the 1970s in China, in terms of geochemical sources, distribution, transportation, health impact pathways, and prevention/remediation measures.

The distribution of radon in tunnels with different geological characteristics in China.

In China, as the economy is developing and the population is expanding, some underground buildings have been used as supermarkets, restaurants and entertainment places. Tunnels in mountains are one type of underground building, and the radon ((222)Rn) level in tunnels is an important issue. Radon levels in different type tunnels appear to differ, and relatively higher levels of (222)Rn are associated with particular types of bedrock.

The studying of washing of arsenic and sulfur from coals having different ranges of arsenic contents.

To study the effectiveness of washing in removal of arsenic and sulfur from coals with different ranges of arsenic concentration, coal was divided into three groups on the basis of arsenic content: 0-5.5 mg/kg, 5.5 mg/kg-8.

Fluoride in chilies from southwestern china.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the fluoride contents in the chilies from southwest China and other countries in order to calculate the difference in fluoride levels in the fresh chilies. The standard method in China for analysis of fluoride in food (GB/T 5009.18-2003) was applied to determinate the fluoride content in chilies.

Arsenicosis status and urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) in people exposed to arsenic contaminated-coal in China.

The current arsenic exposure condition, arsenicosis prevalence, urinary arsenic and MDA (malondialdehyde) concentrations in people were studied. The study area, a village in Xing Ren County in Guizhou Province, PR China, is a coal-borne arsenicosis endemic area that was identified several decades ago. The residents in Xing Ren have been using coal containing high arsenic levels all their life.

The biogeochemistry of selenium in Sunan grassland, Gansu, Northwest China, casts doubt on the belief that Marco Polo reported selenosis for the first time in history.

In order to clarify the historic academic problem of whether or not livestock poisoning in ancient Suzhou of Northwest China, recorded by Marco Polo in 1295, was selenosis, this study deals with the biogeochemistry of selenium in Sunan County in the Hexi Corridor, which is part of ancient Suzhou in China. It was found that quite a number of farm animals had suffered from intoxication and died as a result of grazing poisonous grasses, mostly Oxytropis DC, Stellera chamaejasme, and Achnatheru inebrians. Toxic symptoms of livestock grazing on Oxytropis DC are similar to those of selenium toxicity, for instance, hair loss and hoof lesions as described by Marco Polo.

Meeting report: threats to human health and environmental sustainability in the pacific basin.

The coastal zone of the Pacific Rim is home for about one-third of the world's population. Disproportionate growth of Far Eastern economies has produced a disproportionate share of related environmental difficulties. As the region searches for acceptable compromises between growth and environmental quality, its influence on global environmental health is certain to increase.

[Porphyrins as the early biomarkers for arsenic exposure of human].

To investigate the effects of arsenic exposure on porphyrins excretion profiles in human, porphyrins were measured by HPLC and total arsenic by HG-AAS in urine samples collected from arsenicosis-endemic areas and control sites in Guizhou Province. Analytical data showed that urinary uroporphyrin-III and coproporphyrin-III were significantly elevated in arsenic-exposed group compared with those in control group, while urinary coproporphyrin-I was not significantly higher in arsenic-exposed group than that in control group. Not any significant difference was found in porphyrins between the male and female except for 20-40 years age group.

Fluorosis caused by indoor coal combustion in China: discovery and progress.

In this study, investigations into endemic fluorosis were conducted and fluorine concentration in environmental samples determined. In an indoor coal-combustion-type fluorosis area, local clay was used to mix with coal for indoor combustion. There are two key steps in the procedure of the indoor transition of fluorine: indoor wet corns and vegetables strongly absorbed fluorine from indoor air; and fluorine strongly accumulated in clay, which was mixed with coal for combustion.

A survey of radon level in underground buildings in China.

From 2003-2004, using solid state nuclear detectors, a survey of the air radon level in 234 underground buildings in 23 cities of China was carried out during spring as well as summer and winter. The annual radon concentrations in these underground buildings range from 14.9 to 2482 Bq m(-3), with an overall mean value of 247 Bqm(-3).

A study of daily and seasonal variations of radon concentrations in underground buildings.

A study of daily and seasonal variations of radon concentrations in underground buildings in major cities of China was carried out. According to the data from the Model 1027 continuous monitor, radon concentrations in the underground buildings changed through two cycles each day. The first cycle was from 12:00 to 0:00 and the highest or lowest value, depending on location, was at about 19:00.

Arsenic concentrations in Chinese coals.

The arsenic concentrations in 297 coal samples were collected from the main coal-mines of 26 provinces in China were determined by molybdenum blue coloration method. These samples were collected from coals that vary widely in coal rank and coal-forming periods from the five main coal-bearing regions in China. Arsenic content in Chinese coals range between 0.

Endemic arsenosis caused by indoor combustion of high-as coal in Guizhou Province, P.R. China.

The arsenic (As) content of coal relating with mineralization of gold in Southwest Guizhou Province, China is up to 35,000 ppm. The coal is burned indoors in open pits for daily cooking and crop drying. As a result, arsenic is precipitated and concentrated in corn (5-20 ppm), chili (100-800 ppm) and other foods.

Dental caries in fluorine exposure areas in China.

In this study, fluorine concentrations in drinking water and in urine of residents from a fluorine exposure area in China were tested. DMFT (average number of decayed, missing and filled teeth) of local residents in four age groups were also determined. The results of the study indicate that in fluorine exposure areas, there is a strictly positive correlation between fluorine content in urine and the fluorine content in drinking water.

Urinary porphyrins as biomarkers for arsenic exposure among susceptible populations in Guizhou province, China.

Coal is widely used in PR China. Unfortunately, coal from some areas in Guizhou Province contains elevated levels of arsenic. This has caused arsenicosis in individuals who use arsenic-contaminated coal for the purposes of heating, cooking and drying of food in poorly ventilated dwellings.

[Content and distribution of fluorine in Chinese coals].

Nationwide sampling program is designed according to the resources distribution and coal-forming periods as well as coal rank and yield of coal in China, and 305 coal samples were collected from 26 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. Fluorine in coal is determined by pyrohydrolysis / fluoride-ion selective electrode method. Fluorine in coals is mainly of an inorganic nature.

Natural cyanide degradation and impact on Ili River drainage areas from a Goldmine in Xinjiang autonomous region, China.

The Ili River is a very important river to the northwest of China and Kazakhstan. The Axi Goldmine is located in the upstream of a branch of the Ili River. The cyanide from the goldmine effluent is a threat to the downstream areas.

Relationship between fluorine in drinking water and dental health of residents in some large cities in China.

In this project, the relationship between fluorine content in drinking water and dental health of residents in some large cities in China was evaluated. The concentration of fluorine in tap water and in urine of local subjects of 28 cities and 4 high fluorine villages in China shows a strong positive correlation (r(2)=0.96, S.

Naturally occurring thallium: a hidden geoenvironmental health hazard?

This paper illustrates a real environmental concern and draws attention to the fact that natural processes can mobilize thallium (Tl), a highly toxic metal, which may enter the food chain as a "hidden health killer" with severe health impacts on local human population. Natural processes may be exacerbated by human activities such as mining and farming, and may cause enrichment of Tl in the environment. In geochemically anomalous areas with concentrated levels of Tl in the surface environment (bedrocks, waters, soils, and crops), such as the Lanmuchang area in southwestern Guizhou Province, China, it is essential to establish base-level values and to pay heed to the geological context of "natural contamination," as high concentrations of Tl in bedrocks/ores (6-35,000 mg/kg) can lead to enrichment of Tl in the aquatic system (0.

Chronic arsenic poisoning from burning high-arsenic-containing coal in Guizhou, China.

Arsenic is an environmental hazard and the reduction of drinking water arsenic levels is under consideration. People are exposed to arsenic not only through drinking water but also through arsenic-contaminated air and food. Here we report the health effects of arsenic exposure from burning high arsenic-containing coal in Guizhou, China.