Research Briefs: University of Arizona

Superfund Research Program

Exposures, Health Impacts, and Risk for Mine Waste Contamination

Center Director: Raina M. Maier
Grant Number: P42ES004940
Funding Period: 1990-2025

Program Links

Research Briefs

• 326 - New Technique Yields Promising Results for Uranium Removal in the Field -- Boxley, Maier
  Release Date: 02/02/2022

  A technology developed by NIEHS-funded Superfund Research Program (SRP) researchers may remove uranium and other heavy metals from groundwater near abandoned mines. Small business GlycoSurf, LLC worked with partners at the University of Arizona SRP Center to determine the best environmental conditions for effectively removing uranium from contaminated water.

• 322 - Helping Communities Monitor Air Pollution Using Plants -- Ramirez-Andreotta
  Release Date: 10/06/2021

  An NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP)-funded study revealed that certain plants can be used to effectively monitor metals and other pollutants in air. Community members collected environmental data used in the study as part of the Gardenroots project, which involves residents in research activities to evaluate human and environmental health effects near former and operating mining sites in Arizona. The study was led by University of Arizona SRP Center researcher Monica Ramirez-Andreotta, Ph.D.

• 259 - Phytostabilization of Mine Tailings with Compost-Assisted Direct Planting -- Maier
  Release Date: 07/06/2016

  Amending mine waste with compost is a viable and promising alternative to the expensive process of covering an entire site with a thick soil or rock cap followed by seeding, according to research from the University of Arizona Superfund Research Program (UA SRP) Center. The trial was based on successful results from preliminary greenhouse studies, which scaled effectively to the field.

• 245 - Using Lead Isotopes to Identify Sources of Metal and Metalloid Contaminants -- Betterton
  Release Date: 05/06/2015

  By sampling wind-blown dust and aerosol, researchers from the University of Arizona Superfund Research Program (UA SRP) have measured airborne metal and metalloid contaminant dispersion patterns from mining operations. While using an existing technique in a new way, the UA SRP researchers measured the extent of soil contamination near a mine and smelter while verifying the use of lead isotope analysis to identify contaminant sources.

• 219 - Arsenic Uptake in Homegrown Vegetables from Mining-Affected Soils -- Maier, Ramirez-Andreotta
  Release Date: 03/06/2013

  Arsenic uptake from soil into some plants presents a potential health hazard that may affect home gardeners near contaminated sites. When combining results from a greenhouse and a home garden study, the amount of arsenic accumulated in the edible portion of the plant in certain vegetable families was associated with the arsenic soil concentration.

• 214 - Study First to Quantify TCE in Breast Milk -- Beamer
  Release Date: 10/03/2012

  Trichloroethylene (TCE), a degreasing agent, is one of the most common groundwater contaminants in the United States. A new study reveals TCE can be detected in the breast milk of women living in an area with TCE-contaminated water.

• 206 - Arsenic Linked to Developmental Changes in the Heart -- Camenisch
  Release Date: 02/01/2012

  Adults exposed to arsenic in their drinking water are at increased risk for high blood pressure and heart disease, among other health problems. New research using mice shows these cardiovascular effects can start early in life if mice are exposed to arsenic during development.

• 202 - Size-resolved Chemical Characterization of Atmospheric Aerosols -- Betterton
  Release Date: 10/05/2011

  Some mining operations release dust containing hazardous elements like arsenic and lead into the air. Scientists have developed a new approach for detecting these airborne pollutants, assessing their potential health impacts and reducing human exposures.

• 177 - Mechanisms Influencing Long-term Mass Flux of DNAPL Contaminants -- Brusseau
  Release Date: 09/02/2009
  
  
• 168 - Zero Valent Iron for Passive Treatment of Acid Rock Drainage -- Field
  Release Date: 12/03/2008
  
  
• 163 - The Role of Soil Bacteria in Phytostabilization of Mine Tailings -- Maier
  Release Date: 07/02/2008
  
  
• 159 - Research Brief 159: In utero and Early Postnatal Exposure to Arsenic May Alter Pulmonary Function -- Lantz
  Release Date: 03/05/2008
  
  
• 153 - Novel High-Strength Iron Cement Sequesters Pollutants -- Curry
  Release Date: 09/05/2007
  
  
• 141 - MMA(III) - a Role in Arsenic Carcinogenesis -- Gandolfi
  Release Date: 09/06/2006
  
  
• 138 - New Technologies for Remediation of Halogenated Organics -- Arnold, Saez, Betterton
  Release Date: 06/07/2006
  
  
• 135 - The Human Genetics of Arsenic Biotransformation -- Klimecki, Aposhian
  Release Date: 03/01/2006
  
  
• 119 - Novel Applications of Microbially-Produced Surfactants -- Maier
  Release Date: 11/02/2004
  
  
• 107 - Outreach to Mexico -- Gandolfi
  Release Date: 11/05/2003
  
  
• 83 - Removal of Arsenic from Domestic Drinking Water Supplies -- Farrell
  Release Date: 11/07/2001
  
  
• 75 - An Advanced Characterization Study of a Chlorinated Solvent Contaminated Aquifer -- Brusseau
  Release Date: 03/07/2001
  
  
• 68 - Investigating the Transport of Heavy Metals in a Polluted Aquifer -- Conklin
  Release Date: 07/12/2000
  
  
• 56 - Electrolytic Strategies for Remediation of Chlorinated Solvents in Groundwater -- Betterton, Arnold
  Release Date: 10/06/1999
  
  
• 51 - Diversity of Inorganic Arsenic Metabolism -- Aposhian
  Release Date: 07/28/1999
  
  
• 34 - Advanced Analytical Technique Developed for Detecting Metals in Biological and Environmental Samples -- Aposhian
  Release Date: 11/25/1998
  
  
• 22 - The Role of Bacterial Gene Transfer In Cleaning-Up Metal and Organic Contaminated Soils -- Gandolfi, Fernando
  Release Date: 06/10/1998
  
  
• 14 - Studies Examine Cardiac Teratogenicity of a Common Drinking Water Contaminant -- Johnson
  Release Date: 02/18/1998
  
  
• 4 - Use of Microbial Surfactants for Enhanced Removal of Metals from Contaminated Soils -- Maier
  Release Date: 09/17/1997