Biogeochemical, Health, and Ecotoxicologic al Perspectives on Gold and Gold Mining... Biogeochemical, Health, and Ecotoxicologic al Perspectives on Gold and Gold Mining... This work is a
Trang 1Biogeochemical, Health, and
Ecotoxicologic al Perspectives on
Gold and
Gold Mining
Trang 2CRC PR E S S
Boca Raton London New York Washington, D.C
Ronald Eisler, Ph.D.
Biogeochemical,
Health, and
Ecotoxicologic al Perspectives on
Gold and Gold Mining
Trang 3This work is a reprint of a publication of the United States government (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center internal report, Gold and Gold Mining: Biogeochemical, Medical, and Ecotoxicological Perspec-tives; available from Librarian, USGS, PWRC, Laurel, MD 20708) Reasonable efforts have been made
to publish reliable data and information; however, neither the United States Government nor the publisher makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or the publisher The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Government or the publisher and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources Reprinted material
is quoted with permission, and sources are indicated A wide variety of references are listed Reasonable efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the author and the publisher cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all materials or for the consequences of their use.
Neither this book nor any part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
The consent of CRC Press does not extend to copying for general distribution, for promotion, for creating new works, or for resale Specific permission must be obtained in writing from CRC Press for such copying.
Direct all inquiries to CRC Press, 2000 N.W Corporate Blvd., Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation, without intent to infringe.
No claim to original U.S Government works International Standard Book Number 0-8493-2898-5 Library of Congress Card Number 2004051932 Printed in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Printed on acid-free paper
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Eisler, Ronald, 1932–
Biogeochemical, health, and ecotoxicological perspectives on gold and gold mining Ronald Eisler.
p cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8493-2898-5 (alk paper)
1 Gold mines and mining—Health aspects 2 Gold mines and mining—Environmental aspects 3 Gold—Toxicology 4 Gold—Physiological effect I Title.
RC965.M48E35 2004
2898_C00.fm Page iv Friday, September 24, 2004 10:38 AM
Visit the CRC Press Web site at www.crcpress.com
Trang 4To Jeannette, Renée, David, Charles, Julie, and Eb
2898_C00.fm Page v Friday, September 24, 2004 10:38 AM
Trang 5Over the past several decades I have been tasked by environmental specialists
of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service with the preparation of risk assessment doc-uments of chemical and biological hazards of various compounds to wildlife For the most part, these documents involved analysis of measurable risks associated with agricultural, industrial, municipal, military, and industrial chemicals and their wastes Risk assessment — still an inexact science — depends heavily on well-documented databases that include the compound’s source and use; its physical, chemical, and metabolic properties; concentrations in field collections of abiotic materials, plants, and animals; lethal and sublethal effects, including effects on survival, growth, reproduction, metabolism, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenicity; pro-posed regulatory criteria for the protection of human health and sensitive natural resources; and recommendations for additional research when databases are incom-plete However, this approach was only partially successful in attempting to evaluate gold and gold mining practices because none of the preceding reports — unlike the present account on gold — relied significantly on social, political, economic, med-ical, or psychological variables in assessing risk to the biosphere For the past several years — through literature analysis, visits to operating gold mines, and consultations with colleagues — I have tried to evaluate critically the enormous effort expended
by society in producing gold mainly for coinage, bullion, and personal jewelry, regardless of environmental damage This book is the result; however, all interpre-tations are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S Geological Survey
or any other federal agency Moreover, mention of trade names or commercial products is not an endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S government
Ronald Eisler, Ph.D.
Senior Research Biologist U.S Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Laurel, Maryland
2898_C00.fm Page vii Friday, September 24, 2004 10:38 AM
Trang 6I owe a special debt of gratitude to Judd A Howell, the Director of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC), and Harry N Coulombe, Chief of Research at PWRC, for their encouragement and financial support during the course of this five-year effort I thank Wanda Manning and Lynda J Garrett for providing essential library services, and my colleagues at PWRC for discussions and technical support, specifically, Peter H Albers, Thomas W Custer, Gary H Heinz, David J Hoffman,
T Peter Lowe, Glenn H Olsen, Oliver H Pattee, Matthew C Perry, Barnett A Rattner, Graham W Smith, and Nimish Vyas Computer assistance was kindly provided by PWRC specialists Kinard Boone and Henry C Bourne I am also obligated to others for their insights on gold mining aspects, including David N Weissman (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health), Stanley N Wiem-eyer (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service), Rory E Lamp (State of Nevada Department
of Wildlife), Roger D Congdon and David J Vandenberg (U.S Bureau of Land Management), David Gaskin (State of Nevada Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation), Michael L Strobel (U.S Geological Survey), Tom Jeffers (U.S Forest Service), Jeff White (Newmont Mining Corporation), and Ron A Espell and Peter
G Bodily (Barrick Goldstrike Mines, Inc.) Finally, I thank CRC staffers Randi Cohen, Gail Renard, and Kathy Johnson for their professionalism in expediting publication of this volume
2898_C00.fm Page viii Friday, September 24, 2004 10:38 AM
Trang 7About the Author*
Ronald Eisler received his B.A degree from New York University in biology and chemistry, and his M.S and Ph.D degrees from the University of Washington
in aquatic sciences and radioecology, respectively
Eisler has been a senior research biologist since 1984 at the U.S Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland Prior to 1984, he held, in order, the following positions: bioscience advisor, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.; research aquatic toxicologist, U.S Environmental Pro-tection Agency, Narragansett, Rhode Island; fishery research biologist, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, Highlands, New Jersey; radiochemist, University of Washing-ton Laboratory of Radiation Ecology; aquatic biologist, New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation, Raybrook, New York During the Korean War, he served in the U.S Army Medical Service Corps
He has held a number of special assignments and teaching appointments includ-ing senior science advisor to the American Fisheries Society, adjunct professor of zoology at American University in Washington, D.C., adjunct professor of ocean-ography at the University of Rhode Island, and visiting professor of marine biology and resident director of the Marine Biological Laboratory of Hebrew University in Eilat, Israel Since 1955, he has authored more than 135 technical articles and books
on contaminant hazards to living organisms, mainly on physiological and toxico-logical effects of trace metals, as well as agricultural chemicals, municipal wastes, crude oils and oil dispersants, and military and industrial wastes
He resides in Potomac, Maryland, with his wife Jeannette, a teacher of French and Spanish
* Dr Eisler retired in July 2004 after 45 years of federal service.
2898_C00.fm Page ix Friday, September 24, 2004 10:38 AM
Trang 8Books by Ronald Eisler
Handbook of Chemical Risk Assessment: Health Hazards to Humans, Plants, and Animals Volume 1 Metals; Volume 2 Organics; Volume 3 Metalloids, Radia-tion, Cumulative Index to Chemicals and Species Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, Florida, 2000
Trace Metal Concentrations in Marine Organisms. Pergamon Press, New York,
1981
2898_C00.fm Page x Friday, September 24, 2004 10:38 AM
Trang 9List of Tables
2.1 Gold production in Canada in 1975, 1985, and 1992 by source 13
2.2 Total gold production in the United States, 1799–1965 16
2.3 Total placer gold production in the United States, 1792–1969 17
2.4 U.S gold production by state: 1995 vs 2000 18
4.1 Oxidation states of gold, examples, and stability in water 41
5.1 Gold concentrations in selected abiotic materials 52
5.2 Gold concentrations in selected plants and animals 57
6.1 Distribution of 198Au+ in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats 79
9.1 Gold thiolate compounds used medicinally 133
10.1 Metal concentrations (in µg/L) in stream waters at Goldenville Gold Mine, Nova Scotia 176
10.2 Average concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in waters, soils, and crops near Korean gold mining activities 176
10.3 Acute toxicity of aged gold mill effluent to marine fishes and crustaceans 181
10.4 Tissue metal burdens of juvenile tanner crabs, Chionoecetes bairdi 181
10.5 U.S Food and Drug Administration guidance for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and nickel in shellfish 182
10.6 Drinking water limits and soil threshold values for protection of human health 184
11.1 Cyanide and metals concentrations in water and sediments downstream of Portovela-Zaruma cyanide-gold mining area, Ecuador; dry season, 1988 192
11.2 Single oral dose toxicity of sodium cyanide (mg NaCN/kg body weight) fatal to 50% of selected birds and mammals 200
12.1 Arsenic concentrations in biota and abiotic materials collected near gold mining and processing facilities 226
12.2 Lethal and sublethal effects of various arsenicals on humans and selected species of plants and animals 231
12.3 Proposed arsenic criteria for the protection of human health and selected natural resources 242
13.1 Total mercury concentrations in abiotic materials, plants, and animals near active Brazilian gold mining and refining sites 259
13.2 Total mercury concentrations in abiotic materials, plants, and animals near historic gold mining and refining sites in the United States 271
13.3 Lethal effects of mercury to sensitive species of aquatic organisms, birds, and mammals 278
13.4 Proposed mercury criteria for the protection of selected natural resources and human health 287
14.1 Metals and arsenic in tailings, soils, rice, and groundwater near an abandoned gold-silver-copper-zinc mine, Dongil, Korea, 2000–2001 311
2898_C00.fm Page xi Friday, September 24, 2004 10:38 AM
Trang 10Part 1 Gold and Gold Compounds 1
Chapter 1 Introduction 3
Literature Cited 5
Chapter 2 Geology, Sources, and Production 7
2.1 Geology 8
2.2 Sources and Production 10
2.2.1 Asia and Environs 12
2.2.2 Canada 12
2.2.3 Europe 13
2.2.4 Republic of South Africa (RSA) 14
2.2.5 South America 14
2.2.6 United States 14
2.3 Summary 19
Literature Cited 19
Chapter 3 Uses 23
3.1 Jewelry 23
3.2 Coinage 24
3.3 Electronics 26
3.4 Radiogold 26
3.5 Medicine 28
3.6 Dentistry 31
3.7 Delivery Vehicle 32
3.8 Electron Microscopy 32
3.9 Other 33
3.10 Summary 33
Literature Cited 33
Chapter 4 Properties 39
4.1 Physical Properties 39
4.2 Chemical Properties 41
4.3 Biochemical Properties 43
4.4 Summary 47
Literature Cited 48
Chapter 5 Gold Concentrations in Field Collections 51
5.1 Abiotic Materials 51
5.2 Plants 56
5.3 Animals 59
5.4 Summary 60
Literature Cited 61
2898_C00.fm Page xiii Friday, September 24, 2004 10:38 AM
Trang 11Chapter 6 The Effects of Gold on Plants and Animals 65
6.1 Aquatic Organisms 65
6.1.1 Monovalent Gold 65
6.1.2 Trivalent Gold 66
6.2 Accumulation 67
6.2.1 Microorganisms, Fungi, and Higher Plants 68
6.2.2 Aquatic Macrofauna 72
6.2.3 Animal Fibrous Proteins 73
6.3 Laboratory Mammals 73
6.3.1 Metallic Gold 73
6.3.2 Monovalent Gold: Obese Mouse Model 74
6.3.3 Monovalent Gold: Other 75
6.3.4 Trivalent Gold 80
6.4 Summary 81
Literature Cited 82
Part 2 Human Health Impacts 89
Chapter 7 Health Risks of Gold Miners 91
7.1 Historical Background 91
7.2 Health Risks: Underground Miners 93
7.2.1 Australia 93
7.2.2 North America 94
7.2.3 South America 95
7.2.4 Europe 96
7.2.5 Africa 96
7.3 Health Risks: Surface Miners Who Use Mercury 100
7.3.1 Case Histories 101
7.3.2 Mercury in Tissues 102
7.3.3 Mercury in Air and in Fish Diet 104
7.4 Summary 105
Literature Cited 106
Chapter 8 Human Sensitivity to Gold 113
8.1 History 113
8.2 Adverse Reactions 115
8.2.1 Suicide Attempt 115
8.2.2 Teratogenicity and Carcinogenicity 115
8.2.3 Hypersensitivity 115
8.3 Case Histories 118
8.3.1 Hypersensitivity 118
8.3.2 Goldschlager Syndrome 121
8.3.3 Prostheses 122
8.3.4 Protective Effect of Gold Rings 123
2898_C00.fm Page xiv Friday, September 24, 2004 10:38 AM
Trang 128.4 Dental Aspects 123
8.4.1 Allergic Reactions and Sensitization 123
8.4.2 Case Histories 125
8.5 Summary 126
Literature Cited 126
Chapter 9 Chrysotherapy 131
9.1 History 131
9.2 Proposed Modes of Action 134
9.2.1 Au+ and Au+ Metabolites 135
9.2.2 Immunomodulatory Activity 139
9.2.3 Tumor Necrosis Factor 141
9.2.4 Bone Resorption 142
9.2.5 Leukocyte Infiltration 142
9.2.6 Lysosomal Enzymes 142
9.2.7 Macrophages 143
9.2.8 Polymorphic Neutrophils 143
9.2.9 Sulfhydryl Binding Sites 143
9.2.10 Superoxide Ion 144
9.2.11 Thioredoxin Reductase 144
9.3 Treatment Regimes, Case Histories, and Adverse Effects 144
9.3.1 Treatment Regimes 145
9.3.2 Case Histories 146
9.3.3 Adverse Effects 148
9.4 Summary 154
Literature Cited 155
Part 3 Effects of Gold Extraction on Ecosystems 161
Chapter 10 Gold Mine Wastes: History, Acid Mine Drainage, and Tailings Disposal 163
10.1 Overview 163
10.1.1 Lode Mining 165
10.1.2 Placer Mining 166
10.2 Acid Mine Drainage 168
10.2.1 Effects 169
10.2.2 Mitigation 170
10.3 Tailings 172
10.3.1 Freshwater Disposal 172
10.3.2 Marine Disposal 178
10.3.3 Terrestrial Storage 183
10.4 Waste Rock 183
10.5 Summary 183
Literature Cited 184
2898_C00.fm Page xv Friday, September 24, 2004 10:38 AM