Mercury emissions from Peruvian gold shops: Potential ramifications for Minamata compliance in artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities

Keegan H Moody; Kazi M Hasan; Sumeja Aljic; Victoria M Blakeman; L Perry Hicks; Danielle C Loving; Matthew E Moore; B Spencer Hammett; Mónica Silva-González; Caryn S Seney; Adam M Kiefer

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2019.109042

Mercury emissions from Peruvian gold shops: Potential ramifications for Minamata compliance in artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities

Environ Res. 2020 Mar:182:109042. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109042. Epub 2019 Dec 24.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA. Electronic address: keeganmoody33@gmail.com.
² Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA. Electronic address: Kazi.M.Hasan@live.mercer.edu.
³ Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA. Electronic address: sumeja.aljic@gmail.com.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA. Electronic address: tori.blakeman04@gmail.com.
⁵ Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA. Electronic address: lillian.p.hicks@gmail.com.
⁶ Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA. Electronic address: Danielle.Cherrice.Loving@live.mercer.edu.
⁷ Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA. Electronic address: Matthew.Emerson.Moore@live.mercer.edu.
⁸ Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA. Electronic address: Brett.Spencer.Hammett@live.mercer.edu.
⁹ Dirección de Calidad Ambiental y Ecoeficiencia, Experto Integrado CIM/GIZ, Ministerio Del Ambiente, Calle Los Nogales 234, San Isidro, Lima, Peru. Electronic address: monicasilva@mail.usa.com.
¹⁰ Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA. Electronic address: Seney_cs@mercer.edu.
¹¹ Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA. Electronic address: kiefer_am@mercer.edu.

PMID: 32069769
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109042

Abstract

Ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury has led to the establishment of Peruvian regulations limiting mercury concentrations in air to 2000 ng/m³over a 24-hr measurement period. As a result, three communities in Madre de Dios, Peru were mapped during October 2017 to determine Hg⁰ vapor concentrations in the air. The town of Tres Islas exhibited Hg⁰ concentrations less than 200 ng/m³: the minimum risk level defined by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. These low concentrations were reflective of a town in the region with limited exposure to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). However, the ASGM communities of Laberinto and Delta One exhibited concentrations of Hg⁰ vapor that exceeded 2,000,000 ng/m³ surrounding active gold shops, where amalgams and processed amalgams were heated with open flames. Laberinto was reevaluated in May 2018 during which time Hg⁰ levels on the sidewalks in front of gold shops again exceeded 2,000,000 ng/m³. Within the scope of this paper a rapid mapping technique allows for the detection of sources of Hg⁰ pollution and identifies neighborhoods that require intervention to decrease Hg⁰ emissions. In addition, this work highlights the difficulties of measuring total gaseous mercury in ASGM communities with gold shops according to the Peruvian law.

Keywords: Amalgam; Artisanal and small-scale gold mining; Gold shop; Mercury; Mercury capture system; Minamata convention on mercury; Peru; Processed amalgam; Sponge gold.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Environmental Monitoring
Gases
Gold
Humans
Mercury* / analysis
Mining*
Peru

Substances

Gases
Gold
Mercury