Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
07:05
Use of Autometallography to Localize and Semi-Quantify Silver in Cetacean Tissues
Published on: October 4, 2018
Silver emissions and their environmental impacts: a multilevel assessment
Matthew J Eckelman1, T E Graedel
1Program in Environmental Engineering, Center for Industrial Ecology, and School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA. matthew.eckelman@yale.edu
Environmental Science & Technology
|October 17, 2007
Summary
This study quantifies 1997 environmental silver releases across 64 countries, identifying Asia and the US as major emitters. Tailings and landfill waste contribute significantly to global silver pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Resource Management
Background:
- Accurate assessment of metal releases is crucial for environmental protection.
- Previous studies have not comprehensively detailed global silver emissions and their impacts.
- Understanding environmental flows of silver is essential for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a detailed accounting of global environmental silver releases for 1997.
- To assess the environmental impact of different silver emission categories using a standardized scoring system.
- To identify key regions and countries responsible for significant silver emissions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from Yale University's Stocks and Flows (STAF) project and other sources for 1997.
- Applied the Indiana Relative Chemical Hazard (IRCH) ranking system to score environmental impact based on chemical properties and receiving media.
- Scaled emission flows by impact and land area for a semiquantitative environmental impact assessment.
Main Results:
- The United States exhibited the highest gross emissions for most environmental flows among 64 countries analyzed.
- Asia was identified as the largest regional emitter of silver directly to land and water.
- Globally, over 13 Gg of silver were emitted annually, with tailings and landfills accounting for nearly 75% of the total.
Conclusions:
- Silver emissions, particularly from tailings and landfills, pose a significant global environmental challenge.
- The developed methodology offers a robust framework for evaluating the environmental impact of other metals.
- Targeted mitigation strategies are needed for major emitting countries and regions, focusing on waste management and industrial processes.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Acid Mine Drainage
Mining activities that disturb sulfide-rich rocks, particularly those containing pyrite (FeS₂), initiate a cascade of geochemical and microbiological processes with serious environmental implications. When exposed to air and water, pyrite undergoes oxidation, releasing sulfate, ultimately forming sulfuric acid and mobilizing heavy metals into surrounding water systems. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), results in low pH waters laden with toxic elements that threaten aquatic...
01:27Microbial Leaching
Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...
01:30Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
01:20Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample by analyzing the light emitted from excited atoms. In AES, atoms in a sample are excited to higher energy levels by thermal energy from high-temperature sources, such as plasma, arcs, or sparks. When these excited atoms return to lower energy states, they emit light at specific wavelengths characteristic of each element. The resulting atomic emission spectrum, which consists of...
01:25Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella, which use...
01:24Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles
Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...