Dispersion of Contaminants from Mining Waste toward a Residential Area
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24054/aaas.v5i2.2006Keywords:
Dispersión, metales, metaloide, residuos mineros, sueloAbstract
Mining industry waste (tailings) is an environmental problem due to the dispersion and contamination of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The characterization of a contaminated site allows for understanding the distribution of the present PTEs.
The objective of the study was to determine the dispersion and contamination of PTEs — arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) — in a town adjacent to mining waste accumulated from the operation of a mineral processing plant over 50 years. Concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb were evaluated in surface soil and dust, along with physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, organic matter). The results indicate the presence of PTEs in soil, exceeding the reference concentrations (RC) established by Mexican regulations (NOM-147) for residential soil use by up to 66, 5.2, and 10.3 times for As, Cd, and Pb, respectively. Meteorological conditions indicate high dispersion toward the inhabited area, resulting in subsequent environmental and health risks due to population exposure.
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