The Presence of and Leaching Processes Concerning Heavy Metal Contamination in Our Environment

       In our day to day lives, we are often exposed to heavy metals, such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and copper, without even knowing it. Cadmium is present in rechargeable household batteries. Mercury lies within the dental amalgam of your teeth, as well as the fish that you eat. Lead can be found in many building materials, paints and household pipes. If you're a research scientist in a lab, involved in a mining project, work in a hazardous waste facility or are working for a chemical company, you yourself probably interact with these elements frequently. But what does their presence mean for us, both environmentally and health wise as a society? Several studies, including a review by the WHO, have found that when these heavy metals leach into the ground, for example via run off or leaks during storage and transportation, they can contaminate groundwater supplies and pose serious risks to human health.

Illustration 1: Example of how heavy metals can leach
 into our water and soil.

Often, once these heavy metals have become trapped in the soil, it becomes very difficult and expensive to remove them. These removal processes involve chemical and biochemical leaching, also known as “extraction”. Traditionally, acid treatments were an important component in leaching. Now, however, there are many modern techniques that are used in removing heavy metals from the soil and groundwater supplies. For example, in a 2001 study concerning the remediation of heavy metals in the environment, around 300 gallons (20 g/minute) of calcium polysulfide (CaSn2) was dispensed into a groundwater location through 114 injection ports, at a depth of up to 20 feet. Researchers saw that, after this had been done, the chromium concentration in the groundwater almost instantly declined. Other effective techniques include electro-kinetic leaching, which utilizes electric currents, and chemical leaching, which involves organic and inorganic acids.

     In chemical leaching, substances such as sulfuric and hydrochloric acid are added to contaminated areas in order to solubilize the heavy metals and further extract them from the soil. It was noted also in a study that iron chloride (FeCl3) was a cost effective and efficient compound to use for chemical leaching. It was also noted by a researcher in the same study that as, after 18 hours of leaching, they were able to extract about 78% of copper (Cu) using inorganic acids such as nitric (HNO3) acid.

Illustration 2: Example of heavy metal contamination in Australia.

The electro-kinetic leaching process is especially useful in diluting high concentrations of heavy metals, particularly lead, in substances. In a sample that was used in one study, there was an over 70% decrease in Pb concentrations. In electro-kinetic leaching, there is a two step method: first, there is water washing of the contaminated soil in order to remove soluble salts (such as KCl, NaCl, SiCl4, and CaClOH). Second, an electric current is used in order to balance the pH and stabilize the heavy metals into less reactive complexes.

Overall, there is a large amount of controversy surrounding heavy metals. They are utilized in almost every aspect of our modern lives, in one way or another, and yet they can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. One way to handle this issue would be to ensure that people are very well aware of the dangerous nature of these metals, and know how to properly store and transport them. Another important aspect of this issue is to make sure that people involved in the chemical industry, whether they are scientists in the lab or working out in toxic waste landfills, are aware of safe and effective methods such as chemical and electro-kinetic leaching that can be used to properly detoxify and stabilize potentially life threatening heavy metals that are leaching into our soil.

References:

Jarup, Lars. "Hazards of Heavy Metal Contamination." Hazards of Heavy Metal Contamination. British Medical Bulletin, 2003. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

Ukiwe, Lugard, Allinor J.I, Ejele A.E, Anyadiegwu C.I.C, & Ibeneme S.I. "Chemical and Biological Leaching Methods to Remove Heavy Metals from Sewage Sludge: A Review."JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN CHEMISTRY. 4.3 (4): 509-517. Web. 13 Feb. 2014

Wing-Ping Liao1, Renbo Yang, Zheng-Xian Zhou1, ZJui-Yuan Huang. “Electrokinetic stabilization of heavy metals in MSWI fly ash after water washing.” Wiley Online Library, 9 Jan 2014. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

Thomasser, R. and Rouse, J.V., 2001. “In-Situ Remediation of Chromium Contamination of Soil and

Groundwater”. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1981, US EPA Chart Comparing Sulfide and Hydroxide Solubilities; EPA publication, EPA-600/2-82-OIIC.

Images courtesy of: treehugger.com (http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/environmental-heavy-metal-contamination.jpg) and the Australian Department of the Environment (http://www.environment.gov.au/archive/atmosphere/airquality/publications/report3/chapter2.html).

Eating Experiments: A Report on the Effects of Genetically Modified Crops

Since the 90s, genetically modified crops have been invading our farms, grocery stores and homes. They have been the cause of major health issues and even death for countless people, yet they continue to be grown, harvested and sold. In this article you will get answers to the following questions that have haunted me for so long. These questions include:
What effects do these post-DNA-surgery patients have on our environment and the people you love? Is modern science qualified to perform DNA surgery on our food? Are there any positive effects of the GM food in which we consume? What is currently being done about these threats to our health and environment?

What effects do these post-DNA-surgery patients have on our environment and the people you love?

Genetically modified crops affect both consumers and the environment. They even affect those who do not consume them.
GM crops are responsible for inhabiting 331 million acres of land. This means that 331 million acres of land is being sprayed daily with pesticides, herbicides and other harmful chemicals. Substances like pesticides have been labeled as both environmental pollutants and hazardous to our health.
To put things in perspective, think about this: workers who deal with these chemicals put their lives at risk and are required to wear protective equipment and gear. Where is our protective gear?

To aesthetically please, fruits like tomatoes have been modified to retain their firm red appearance. Although this appearance is maintained for a longer period of time than non GM foods, the tomato itself begins to almost rot inside and ultimately lose its’ nutritional value. The tomato has an impressively longer shelf life, but sits in an ill stupor upon the shelves - waiting to be consumed.
GM crops, being antibiotic resistant, are often targeted by bacteria. This bacteria could pick up these antibiotic resistant cells which would then cause them to mutate. This super bacteria could then infect us. Because GM crops are without labels, fault could not be traced back to them. A real-life example of this would be an incident that occurred In the 90s. Although it failed to make major headlines, many people died and/or were partially paralyzed/temporarily disabled due to a syndrome that was eventually traced back to GM bacteria.
The genes in GM crops, herbicides and pesticides are all vulnerable to theft from weeds, bacteria and viruses. This implied scenario is called gene pollution and the effects are tragic. There are many sources of pollution on this Earth, but the negative effects caused by gene pollution is irreversible.

Are there any positive effects of the GM food in which we consume?

Not unless you prefer harmful chemicals over a few harmless bugs! Many believe that GM foods (along with non organic foods) are helpful in that they are “pest-resistant” and tolerant to herbicide. To this I say, balderdash! Certain crops are genetically modified to withstand the harmful chemicals sprayed on them. This scenario eerily reminds me of the dairy cows who are given antibiotics to withstand the milk inducing hormones that they are injected with. Can we really call this practice “helpful”? What we all seem to keep forgetting is - what goes into them, goes into us (if we so chose to consume it).

Is our government doing anything about these threats to our health?

The Obama administration has recently approved of several genetically modified crops to be planted in the U.S. The United States of America already accounts for 42% of genetically modified crops while Brazil comes in at 2nd place with 16%. English scientist, David King, believes that genetically modified foods are safer to consume than conventionally grown crops. He continues to stand by his opinion and holds the position of chief scientific adviser of England.

Is modern science qualified to perform DNA surgery on our food?

No, to put it blatantly. Did you know that 97% of your DNA is literally labeled by scientists as "junk"? Because so little is known about DNA, scientists have labeled the unknown strands and functions of our DNA as ³junk². If this little is known about our very own DNA, what makes scientists and biotech companies think that they are prepared to perform DNA surgery on globally consumed products? Does this mean that we are consuming experiments? What do you think? Biotech companies possess approximately 23% of the world's seed companies. This percentage continues to increase.

A simple rule to follow in order to avoid consuming GMO foods

If you wish to avoid consuming GMO foods, only purchase foods that have a '100% Organic' sticker on the label.

What are some of the most common genetically modified foods?

• Artificial sweeteners

• Soy

• Corn

• Canola

• Sugar

"Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect."

Keep Off the Seagrass! Learn Why These Vital Grasses are Vanishing

What exactly is seagrass and what role does it play in our ocean?

Submerged in the shallow waters of our coast, seagrass is a flowering plant that resides in ecosystems such as lagoons, bays and near shore waters all over the world. Like other plants, seagrass uses photosynthesis, therefore it relies on water clarity to collect the rays of the sun. Seagrasses reproduce both sexually and asexually, so they also depend on the consistency of their ecosystem for both reproduction methods.

Seagrass is yet an additional organism that is being negatively affected by the degradation of coastal waters in the Northern Gulf of Mexico.

60 distinct species of seagrass have been discovered so far. Some of these species include freshwater dwelling seagrass that have the capability to also tolerate saline waters. Seagrass beds have a multitude of beneficial functions, some of which include: protecting the shoreline by stabilizing sediments and decreasing wave energy, providing a habitat for countless organisms, regulating the food system, attracting migratory organisms which is both beneficial to the food chain/ecosystem and tourism and supporting the reproduction of certain species of fish by acting as a nursery among other things. Seagrass is a truly understated and amazing creature. I could go on for paragraphs and paragraphs about their facts and benefits but I won't, for seagrass beds of all species face great danger.

The welfare of seagrass beds were not paid special attention to until their net worth was eventually estimated. The approximate economic value of seagrass to the coast of Texas ended up being $9,000 to $28,000 per square acre. In Florida, where much success, income and jobs rely on the well being and function of the coast, it was estimated that the value of seagrass beds per acre rake in an approximate 55.4 billion dollars a year. Be this as it may, estuaries in the region and near shore waters experienced 20% to 100% of seagrass loss within the last 50 years.

Areas such as the Galveston Bay system completely lost the entirety of their seagrass beds. This loss was due to both human and natural factors. Seagrass can normally withstand natural factors of stress, but the factors in this scenario became excessive and proved to be too much for the already delicate beings.

The factors that eliminated the Galveston Bay system are the very same factors that threaten other worldwide seagrasses every day.

These factors included: dredge and fill operations, shoreline development, over fishing, excessive boating, land subsidence and natural events like hurricanes.

What you may not know is that the loss of seagrass influences the amount of coastline that we lose. Because the seagrass is not there to stabilize sediments or reduce wave power, these factors accelerate the decay of our northern Gulf of Mexico coastline. It was recently estimated that we lose approximately 28 square miles of (northern gulf of Mexico) coast a year. The coastline and seagrass fields rely on each other to maintain a consistent and functioning ecosystem.

Has the EPA done anything about this threat to the environment?

Firstly, what is the GMP? GMP stands for the EPA's(Environmental Protection Agency's) Gulf of Mexico Program.

The initial effort of this program was to write and publish a report dedicated to the documentation and study of seagrasses particularly growing and residing in the Northern Gulf of Mexico region. The purpose of this report was to educate the public/society on the ever changing condition of seagrass and to make past and present studies and reports readily available. The 260 page report was entitled ''seagrass status and trends in the Northern Gulf of Mexico''.

The northern Gulf of Mexico region that the GMP has been focused on since 1999 can be defined as the waters lying adjacent to the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The northern Gulf of Mexico region stretches approximately 1,500 miles and houses a recorded 25 million living organisms. It is a source of human consumption, tourism and most importantly a home to countless groups of wildlife.

Even though it was the only, somewhat depressing, attempt to do anything at all about the sea grass by the EPA, the report provides the public with an abundance of information and helped enlighten many about the vital importance of seagrass. Although words cannot save our deteriorating coastline or stop the decay of seagrass, they may gift us with the knowledge required to take action.

What can you do to help prevent the loss of these vital organisms?

1. Choose and Support Eco Friendly Tourism Methods! If you are planning on a visit to the coast, take tour boats and vacations that haven't/won't interfere with the fields of seagrass. Take tours/boats that guarantee to stay out of areas that are inhabited by seagrass. Do not support hotels/resorts who have built their establishments on certain shores and active coasts that are close to or closely interact with seagrass beds.

2. Know Where Your Fish Comes From: If you are a regular consumer of fish or fish solubles, find out where your fish comes from. Make sure that you're receiving your fish from scientifically (not corporate) regulated areas for fishing. These regulated areas for fishing lessen the impact on seagrass and their ecosystem. You can do this at the: Blue Ocean Institute Seafood.

3. Do not fall for or support ambiguous organizations or allegedly 'Certified' fisheries without further research into their authenticity.

For example: Fisheries who are allegedly ''certified'' with the MSC are supposed to be fishing in regulated areas that will not cause great harm to fragile ecosystems such as seagrass beds. With 104 certified fisheries, the MSC has only rejected the certification of one fishery in their entire existence of an organization; this acceptance rate may well be valid but some news reports over the past year, like this one in The Vancouver Sun and this one on the CLIMATE PROGRESS Blog, have started to cast doubt on the organizations credibility. It is therefore important to just check all the facts first before buying.

''Nature does nothing in vain'' - Aristotle