Contaminant Binding and Bioaccessibility in the Dust From the Ni-Cu Mining/Smelting District of Selebi-Phikwe (Botswana).

ABSTRACT: We studied the dust fractions of the smelting slag, mine tailings, and soil from the former Ni-Cu mining and processing district in Selebi-Phikwe (eastern Botswana). Multi-method chemical and mineralogical investigations were combined with oral bioaccessibility testing of the fine dust fractions (<48  and <10 μm) in a simulated gastric fluid to assess the potential risk of the intake of metal(loid)s contaminants. The total concentrations of the major contaminants varied significantly (Cu: 301-9,600 mg/kg, Ni: 850-7,000 mg/kg, Co: 48-791 mg/kg) but were generally higher in the finer dust fractions. The highest bioaccessible concentrations of Co, Cu, and Ni were found in the slag and mine tailing dusts, where these metals were mostly bound in sulfides (pentlandite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite).

SUBMITTER: Ettler V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9636585 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature