Hydrochemical Characteristics of the Mongolian Plateau and its Pollution Levels
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Increasing large-scale and rampant small-scale mining activity in Mongolia is raising fears about the possibility of regional environmental pollution. To characterise the level of groundwater pollution related to large- and small-scale underground resource development in the Mongolian plateau, we analysed 10 groundwater and 3 surface water samples collected from three areas: the Oyu Tolgoi mining area (n = 3), the Tavan Tolgoi mining area (n = 9) and an abandoned small-scale gold-mining site in the suburban of Ulaanbaatar (n = 1). The samples were collected between 29 August and 5 September 2012. Measurement parameters included pH; electrical conductivity; dissolved organic carbon; dissolved nitrogen; and the concentrations of major ions and trace elements. Principal component analyses, Piper diagrams and enrichment factor analyses were applied to a set of hydrochemical data. Water samples were analysed to identify components that may adversely affect the regional environment and human health. Analytical measurements showed that the studied sites were highly affected by fossil salt water and trace elements derived from anthropogenic activity. We found that groundwater samples from the Oyu Tolgoi area were more polluted than those from the Tavan Tolgoi area. Because wells in the pasture area adjacent to the mining sites supply drinking water for livestock and nomads, it is especially important to monitor these wells for NO3−, As and Se, for which the World Health Organisation has established drinking-water guidelines. The concentrations of NO3−, As and Se in wells may be used as indicators to evaluate the human and livestock health risks related to mining activity in this area.
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Hydrochemical Characteristics of the Mongolian Plateau and its Pollution Levels
In: Inner AsiaSearch for other papers by Osamu Nagafuchi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Koyomi Nakazawa in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Kanji Okano in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ken’ichi Osaka in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Yuki Nishida in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Naoko Hishida in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jamstram Tsogtbaatar in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Javzan Choijil in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Increasing large-scale and rampant small-scale mining activity in Mongolia is raising fears about the possibility of regional environmental pollution. To characterise the level of groundwater pollution related to large- and small-scale underground resource development in the Mongolian plateau, we analysed 10 groundwater and 3 surface water samples collected from three areas: the Oyu Tolgoi mining area (n = 3), the Tavan Tolgoi mining area (n = 9) and an abandoned small-scale gold-mining site in the suburban of Ulaanbaatar (n = 1). The samples were collected between 29 August and 5 September 2012. Measurement parameters included pH; electrical conductivity; dissolved organic carbon; dissolved nitrogen; and the concentrations of major ions and trace elements. Principal component analyses, Piper diagrams and enrichment factor analyses were applied to a set of hydrochemical data. Water samples were analysed to identify components that may adversely affect the regional environment and human health. Analytical measurements showed that the studied sites were highly affected by fossil salt water and trace elements derived from anthropogenic activity. We found that groundwater samples from the Oyu Tolgoi area were more polluted than those from the Tavan Tolgoi area. Because wells in the pasture area adjacent to the mining sites supply drinking water for livestock and nomads, it is especially important to monitor these wells for NO3−, As and Se, for which the World Health Organisation has established drinking-water guidelines. The concentrations of NO3−, As and Se in wells may be used as indicators to evaluate the human and livestock health risks related to mining activity in this area.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 275 | 36 | 16 |
| Full Text Views | 145 | 4 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 27 | 3 | 0 |