Medical geology in the framework of the sustainable development goals
Article
Article Title | Medical geology in the framework of the sustainable development goals |
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ERA Journal ID | 3551 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Bundschuh, Jochen (Author), Maity, Jyoti Prakash (Author), Mushtaq, Shahbaz Mushtaq (Author), Vithange, Meththika (Author), Seneweera, Saman (Author), Schneider, Jerusa (Author), Bhattacharya, Prosun (Author), Khan, Nasreen Islam (Author), Hamawand, Ihsan (Author), Guilherme, Luiz R. G. (Author), Reardon-Smith, Kathryn (Author), Parvez, Faruque (Author), Morales-Simfors, Nury (Author), Ghaze, Sara (Author), Pudmenzky, Christa (Author), Kouadio, Louis (Author) and Chen, Chien-Yen (Author) |
Journal Title | Science of the Total Environment |
Journal Citation | 581-582, pp. 87-104 |
Number of Pages | 18 |
Year | 2017 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 0048-9697 |
1879-1026 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.208 |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969716326766 |
Abstract | Exposure to geogenic contaminants (GCs) such as metal(loid)s, radioactive metals and isotopes as well as transuraniums occurring naturally in geogenic sources (rocks, minerals) can negatively impact on environmental and human health. The GCs are released into the environment by natural biogeochemical processes within the near-surface environments and/or by anthropogenic activities such as mining and hydrocarbon exploitation as well as exploitation of geothermal resources. They can contaminate soil, water, air and biota and subsequently enter the food chain with often serious health impacts which are mostly underestimated and poorly recognized. Global population explosion and economic growth and the associated increase in demand for water, energy, food, and mineral resources result in accelerated release of GCs globally. The emerging science of “medical geology” assesses the complex relationships between geo-environmental factors and their impacts on humans and environments and is related to the majority of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations for Sustainable Development. In this paper, we identify multiple lines of evidence for the role of GCs in the incidence of diseases with as yet unknown etiology (causation). Integrated medical geology promises a more holistic understanding of the occurrence, mobility, bioavailability, bio-accessibility, exposure and transfer mechanisms of GCs to the food-chain and humans, and the related ecotoxicological impacts and health effects. Scientific evidence based on this approach will support adaptive solutions for prevention, preparedness and response regarding human and environmental health impacts originating from exposure to GCs. |
Keywords | Medical geology; Geogenic contaminants; Toxic trace elements; Public health; Water resources; Food chain |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 410604. Soil chemistry and soil carbon sequestration (excl. carbon sequestration science) |
370508. Resource geoscience | |
410605. Soil physics | |
370509. Sedimentology | |
340502. Natural products and bioactive compounds | |
370304. Organic geochemistry | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Deputy Vice-Chancellor's Office (Research and Innovation) |
International Centre for Applied Climate Science | |
National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka | |
Centre for Crop Health | |
State University of Campinas, Brazil | |
Australian National University | |
Federal University of Lavras, Brazil | |
Swedish Defence University, Sweden | |
Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences | |
National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q3w52/medical-geology-in-the-framework-of-the-sustainable-development-goals
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