Mercury Use and Loss from Gold Mining in Nineteenth-Century Victoria 45
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Mines An~ Mf 1Terals of Ulllasbf Ngton
I I I I I t I t I I t I I I I l I l I I t I I I I I I t • I I I I I I f Mines an~ Mf1terals of Ulllasbf ngton . • A~AL REPORT or GEORGE A. BETHUNE, FIRST STATE GEOLOGIST. OT.Y~rT'lA, \V A!':IT.: O. C. WOITE, tiTAT.E .PRINT.ER, 1801. I I t I I I t I I I I I I ' I f I I f I I I t I I t I f I I I I I t I I Tacoma, Wash.) Jan. ..............................1 891. To ······-·····-·················································-·····························.··········· I take pleasure in presenting this, the first annual report upon the Mines and Minerals of Washington. Yours very truly, GEO. A... BETHUNE, ~ First State Geologist. Mines anb Minerals of Ulllasbington . • ANNUAL REPORT OF GEORGE A . BETHUNE, FIRST STATE GEOL OGIST. OLYMPIA, WASU.: O. C. WU I TE, STATE PRI NTER. 1891. • ANNUAL REPORT. 'l'o his Excellency, Ct1ARU:S E. LAUG HTON, Governor·, and tlie lion orable, the membm·s of the Seri ate and House of Rep1·esentatives of the State of Washington: G~NTLEMEN- Herewitb find my annual report, as the first ~tate geologist of the State of Washington. In submitting this report for your consideration, and possibly for dissemination throughout the state, I beg leave first to call your attention to the following facts: By act of the legislature, the first to convene in this state, the office of which I have the honor to be the possessor, was created in March, 1890, and my appointment as state geologist and con firmation by the senate followed shortly thereafter. -
HISTORY of LEAD POISONING in the WORLD Dr. Herbert L. Needleman Introduction the Center for Disease Control Classified the Cause
HISTORY OF LEAD POISONING IN THE WORLD Dr. Herbert L. Needleman Introduction The Center for Disease Control classified the causes of disease and death as follows: 50 % due to unhealthy life styles 25 % due to environment 25% due to innate biology and 25% due to inadequate health care. Lead poisoning is an environmental disease, but it is also a disease of life style. Lead is one of the best-studied toxic substances, and as a result we know more about the adverse health effects of lead than virtually any other chemical. The health problems caused by lead have been well documented over a wide range of exposures on every continent. The advancements in technology have made it possible to research lead exposure down to very low levels approaching the limits of detection. We clearly know how it gets into the body and the harm it causes once it is ingested, and most importantly, how to prevent it! Using advanced technology, we can trace the evolution of lead into our environment and discover the health damage resulting from its exposure. Early History Lead is a normal constituent of the earth’s crust, with trace amounts found naturally in soil, plants, and water. If left undisturbed, lead is practically immobile. However, once mined and transformed into man-made products, which are dispersed throughout the environment, lead becomes highly toxic. Solely as a result of man’s actions, lead has become the most widely scattered toxic metal in the world. Unfortunately for people, lead has a long environmental persistence and never looses its toxic potential, if ingested. -
ESTIMATION of FISSION-PRODUCT GAS PRESSURE in URANIUM DIOXIDE CERAMIC FUEL ELEMENTS by Wuzter A
NASA TECHNICAL NOTE NASA TN D-4823 - - .- j (2. -1 "-0 -5 M 0-- N t+=$j oo w- P LOAN COPY: RET rm 3 d z c 4 c/) 4 z ESTIMATION OF FISSION-PRODUCT GAS PRESSURE IN URANIUM DIOXIDE CERAMIC FUEL ELEMENTS by WuZter A. PuuZson una Roy H. Springborn Lewis Reseurcb Center Clevelund, Ohio NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D. C. NOVEMBER 1968 i 1 TECH LIBRARY KAFB, NM I 111111 lllll IllH llll lilll1111111111111 Ill1 01317Lb NASA TN D-4823 ESTIMATION OF FISSION-PRODUCT GAS PRESSURE IN URANIUM DIOXIDE CERAMIC FUEL ELEMENTS By Walter A. Paulson and Roy H. Springborn Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION For sale by the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information Springfield, Virginia 22151 - CFSTl price $3.00 ABSTRACl Fission-product gas pressure in macroscopic voids was calculated over the tempera- ture range of 1000 to 2500 K for clad uranium dioxide fuel elements operating in a fast neutron spectrum. The calculated fission-product yields for uranium-233 and uranium- 235 used in the pressure calculations were based on experimental data compiled from various sources. The contributions of cesium, rubidium, and other condensible fission products are included with those of the gases xenon and krypton. At low temperatures, xenon and krypton are the major contributors to the total pressure. At high tempera- tures, however, cesium and rubidium can make a considerable contribution to the total pressure. ii ESTIMATION OF FISSION-PRODUCT GAS PRESSURE IN URANIUM DIOXIDE CERAMIC FUEL ELEMENTS by Walter A. Paulson and Roy H. -
The Pharaohs' Gold: Ancient Egyptian Metallurgy
THE PHARAOHS' GOLD: ANCIENT EGYPTIAN METALLURGY TI n an age when mining is conducted on an lode country increased in size and scale, the clam industrial scale through the use of explosives, or for more efficient means of processing ores huge draglines, and enormous ore-carriers, there grew ever more strident and in response to this is a tendency to forget that mining was, and is, an demand milling processes grew increasingly activity involving the concerted efforts of human sophisticated. Greever notes that California's beings. In his depiction of mining activities in hardrock miners first relied on arrastras and California's nineteenth-century gold fields, Chilean mills to reduce their ores. When these William S. Greever in The Bonanza West: The Story devices failed to provide satisfactory returns of the Western Mining Frontier, 1848-1900 calls to California's argonauts then began to employ mind the human factor involved in the extraction stamp mills to process their gold ores.3 of ore from beneath the earth's surface: The processes underlying the operation of a stamp mill had changed little in the centuries [T)he deepest shafts in California leading up to the California gold rush.4 Greever quartz mining went down ... about compares the basic function of a stamp to that of a three hundred feet; often a deposit was pharmacist's mortar and pestle. In its simplest worked by a tunnel into a hillside or application, a stamp was dropped repeatedly on a even an open cut. The men used hand piece of metallic ore until the ore was reduced to drills, sledges, and a little black pow powder. -
A History of Tailings1
A HISTORY OF MINERAL CONCENTRATION: A HISTORY OF TAILINGS1 by Timothy c. Richmond2 Abstract: The extraction of mineral values from the earth for beneficial use has been a human activity- since long before recorded history. Methodologies were little changed until the late 19th century. The nearly simultaneous developments of a method to produce steel of a uniform carbon content and the means to generate electrical power gave man the ability to process huge volumes of ores of ever decreasing purity. The tailings or waste products of mineral processing were traditionally discharged into adjacent streams, lakes, the sea or in piles on dry land. Their confinement apparently began in the early 20th century as a means for possible future mineral recovery, for the recycling of water in arid regions and/or in response to growing concerns for water pollution control. Additional Key Words: Mineral Beneficiation " ... for since Nature usually creates metals in an impure state, mixed with earth, stones, and solidified juices, it is necessary to separate most of these impurities from the ores as far as can be, and therefore I will now describe the methods by which the ores are sorted, broken with hammers, burnt, crushed with stamps, ground into powder, sifted, washed ..•. " Agricola, 1550 Introduction identifying mining wastes. It is frequently used mistakenly The term "tailings" is to identify all mineral wastes often misapplied when including the piles of waste rock located at the mouth of 1Presented at the 1.991. National mine shafts and adi ts, over- American. Society for Surface burden materials removed in Mining and Reclamation Meeting surface mining, wastes from in Durango, co, May 1.4-17, 1.991 concentrating activities and sometimes the wastes from 2Timothy c. -
Mercury Education
MERCURY The Slippery, Silent Toxin to Dispose of Carefully You may be surprised to find mercury in your home, business and places you go often. When spilled or not disposed of carefully, it poses a risk to human and ecosystem health. DID YOU KNOW? Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room Why is Mercury Such a Problem? temperature. Mercury, or quicksilver, is an element that serves many useful 80 purposes – when contained. It conducts electricity, is used in thermometers, thermostats, barometers, blood pressure cuffs and many other everyday items such as some alarm clocks Mercury 200.59 and irons. The most common use is in today’s fluorescent light bulbs that use mercury vapor. Read the reverse The trouble comes when mercury is not disposed of properly for safe ways to or worse, when it spills. Mercury is a toxic element that can dispose of mercury. enter the body through an open wound or by inhaling or ingesting it. It can cause damage to nerves, the liver and kidneys, as well as a number of other symptoms. If mercury is poured down the drain or dumped into the sewer, it seeps into lakes and waterways, a chemical process occurs, converting it to deadly methylmercury, potentially contaminating the fish and animals we eat. When products containing mercury are placed in the trash or poured down the drain, the mercury does not disappear. It ends up in the environment via landfills and wastewater treatment facilities. Now that you know some of the items that contain mercury, you can make Never touch or vacuum up buying decisions that reduce the amount of mercury in your home or office, spilled mercury in any form, and that assure safe disposal of products that contain mercury. -
History of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho
History of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho Victoria E. Mitchell Idaho Geological Survey Morrill Hall, Third Floor Staff Report 08-3 University of Idaho July 2008 Moscow, Idaho 83844-3014 History of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho Victoria E. Mitchell Staff Reports present timely information for public distribution. This publication may not conform to the agency's standards. Idaho Geological Survey Morrill Hall, Third Floor Staff Report 08-3 University of Idaho July 2008 Moscow, Idaho 83844-3014 CONTENTS Introductory Note.. vii History of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho. 1 Introduction. 1 Geology. 1 Ore Characteristics.. 16 History of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho. 18 Belshazzar Mine.. 18 Mountain Chief Mine.. 25 References. 51 ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1. Location of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief mines, Boise County, Idaho.. 2 Figure 2. Boise Basin and area surrounding the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief mines. 3 Figure 3. Location of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho.. 4 Figure 4. Geology of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief mines and vicinity, Boise County, Idaho.. 5 Figure 5. Sketch showing the underground features of the ore vein at the Belshazzar Mine.. 7 iii Figure 6. Sketch showing relationship of geologic features to the workings at the Mountain Chief Mine.. 8 Figure 7. Geologic map of the workings of the Belshazzar Mine in 1930. 10 Figure 8. Geologic map of the Quartzburg area, Boise Basin, Idaho.. 11 Figure 9. Geologic map of the workings of the Belshazzar Mine in 1932 or 1933. -
Mercury Spill Fact Sheet
This fact sheet is intended to be a quick reference tool for people who are involved in a mercury spill and cleanup event. MERCURY Mercury mercury MERCURY MERCURY MERCURY Elemental mercury, also called “quicksilver,” is a heavy, silvery, form of the metal mercury that is liquid at room temperature. It can slowly change from a liquid into a gas that is invisible to the naked eye. The gas or “vapors” that are released will start to fill a room if mercury is spilled indoors. MERCURY EXPOSURE Mercury is a very toxic or poisonous substance that people can be exposed to in several ways. If it is swallowed, like from a broken thermometer, it mostly passes through your body and very little is absorbed. If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you. Mercury is most harmful when you breathe in the vapors that are released when a container is open or a spill occurs. HEALTH EFFECTS Pregnant women, infants and young children are particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of mercury. The health effects that can result from mercury exposure depend on how much mercury you are exposed to and how long you are exposed. Some of the acute effects, ones that may come soon after exposure to high concentrations of mercury are: • Headaches, chills, fever • chest tightness, coughs • hand tremors • nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea Some effects that may result from chronic, or longer term exposure to mercury vapor can be: • Personality changes • Decreased vision or hearing • Peripheral nerve damage • Elevated blood pressure Children are especially sensitive to mercury and at risk of developing a condition known as acrodynia or “Pinks Disease” by breathing vapors or other exposure circumstances. -
Elemental Mercury Emission in the Indoor Environment Due to Broken Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs
Elemental Mercury Emission In The Indoor Environment Due To Broken Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs David Marr1, Mark Mason1, Stanley Durkee2 1U.S. EPA, RTP, NC 2U.S. EPA, Washington DC Mark Mason l [email protected] l 919-541-4835 Paper control number 553 Introduction Mercury emissions from broken Broken CFL Bulb Cleanup fluorescent bulbs Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs require elemental The U.S EPA, as part of its public outreach program, provides mercury for operation. Each bulb contains a few milligrams Published research on mercury emissions cleanup guidance when a CFL is broken in the indoor of mercury, a value that has been decreasing over time due to environment. As part of this guidance, it is recommended that new technologies and methodologies, driven primarily by from lighting the debris be cleaned up following 5 to 10 minutes of increased environmental and consumer concerns. If a CFL breaks, Aucott et al. (2003) generated mercury emission rate ventilation and some initial steps. Figure 3 shows indoor model some of the mercury is immediately released as elemental equations for fluorescent lamps (FLs) broken in a barrel at results that include the emission rate of Equation 1, but with mercury vapor while the remainder is available for emission three ambient air temperatures in an effort to quantify source removal occurring at 15 minutes to provide a visual of over time to air via the bulb debris and contaminated indoor mercury emissions in time. Equation 1 is their published the impact of proper cleanup on indoor mercury concentrations surfaces until properly remediated. -
Mercury and Mercury Compounds
United States Office of Air Quality EPA-454/R-97-012 Environmental Protection Planning And Standards Agency Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 December 1997 AIR EPA LOCATING AND ESTIMATING AIR EMISSIONS FROM SOURCES OF MERCURY AND MERCURY COMPOUNDS L & E EPA-454/R-97-012 Locating And Estimating Air Emissions From Sources of Mercury and Mercury Compounds Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Office of Air and Radiation U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 December 1997 This report has been reviewed by the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and has been approved for publication. Mention of trade names and commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. EPA-454/R-97-012 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................ xi 1.0 PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT .............................................. 1-1 2.0 OVERVIEW OF DOCUMENT CONTENTS ................................. 2-1 3.0 BACKGROUND ........................................................ 3-1 3.1 NATURE OF THE POLLUTANT ..................................... 3-1 3.2 OVERVIEW OF PRODUCTION, USE, AND EMISSIONS ................. 3-1 3.2.1 Production .................................................. 3-1 3.2.2 End-Use .................................................... 3-3 3.2.3 Emissions ................................................... 3-6 4.0 EMISSIONS FROM MERCURY PRODUCTION ............................. 4-1 4.1 PRIMARY MERCURY -
Direct Detection of Atmospheric Atomic Bromine Leading to Mercury and Ozone Depletion
Direct detection of atmospheric atomic bromine leading to mercury and ozone depletion Siyuan Wanga,1, Stephen M. McNamaraa, Christopher W. Mooreb,2, Daniel Obristb,3, Alexandra Steffenc, Paul B. Shepsond,e,f,4, Ralf M. Staeblerc, Angela R. W. Rasod, and Kerri A. Pratta,g,5 aDepartment of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; bDivision of Atmospheric Science, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV 89523; cAir Quality Processes Research Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, ON M3H5T4, Canada; dDepartment of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907; eDepartment of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907; fPurdue Climate Change Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907; and gDepartment of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Edited by Mark H. Thiemens, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, and approved May 29, 2019 (received for review January 12, 2019) Bromine atoms play a central role in atmospheric reactive halogen O3 producing BrO ([R2]), which can undergo photolysis to chemistry, depleting ozone and elemental mercury, thereby reform Br ([R3]). Br is also regenerated by BrO reaction with enhancing deposition of toxic mercury, particularly in the Arctic NO ([R4]), or a halogen monoxide (XO = BrO, ClO, or IO; near-surface troposphere. However, direct bromine atom mea- [R5]) (19). surements have been missing to date, due to the lack of analytical capability with sufficient sensitivity for ambient measurements. Br2 + hv → Br + Br, [R1] Here we present direct atmospheric bromine atom measurements, conducted in the springtime Arctic. Measured bromine atom levels − Br + O → BrO + O , [R2] reached 14 parts per trillion (ppt, pmol mol 1;4.2× 108 atoms 3 2 − per cm 3) and were up to 3–10 times higher than estimates using + + → + [R3] previous indirect measurements not considering the critical role of BrO hv O2 Br O3, molecular bromine. -
Lead, Mercury and Cadmium in Fish and Shellfish from the Indian Ocean and Red
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering Review Lead, Mercury and Cadmium in Fish and Shellfish from the Indian Ocean and Red Sea (African Countries): Public Health Challenges Isidro José Tamele 1,2,3,* and Patricia Vázquez Loureiro 4 1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Eduardo Mondlane University, Av. Julius Nyerere, n 3453, Campus Principal, Maputo 257, Mozambique 2 Institute of Biomedical Science Abel Salazar, University of Porto, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal 3 CIIMAR/CIMAR—Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-238 Matosinhos, Portugal 4 Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782 A Coruña, Spain; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 20 March 2020; Accepted: 8 May 2020; Published: 12 May 2020 Abstract: The main aim of this review was to assess the incidence of Pb, Hg and Cd in seafood from African countries on the Indian and the Red Sea coasts and the level of their monitoring and control, where the direct consumption of seafood without quality control are frequently due to the poverty in many African countries. Some seafood from African Indian and the Red Sea coasts such as mollusks and fishes have presented Cd, Pb and Hg concentrations higher than permitted limit by FAOUN/EU regulations, indicating a possible threat to public health. Thus, the operationalization of the heavy metals (HM) monitoring and control is strongly recommended since these countries have laboratories with minimal conditions for HM analysis.