The environmental impact of Aguilar mine on the heavy metal concentrations of the Yacoraite River,Jujuy Province,NW Argentina |
| |
| Authors: | Alicia Kirschbaum Jesica Murray Emilce López Ahinoam Equiza Marcelo Arnosio Geraldo Boaventura |
| |
| Institution: | 1.Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA,Universidad Nacional de Salta,Salta,Argentina;2.Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA,Salta,Argentina;3.Ingeniería Sin Fronteras,Salta,Argentina;4.Universidad Nacional de Salta,Salta,Argentina;5.Instituto de Geociencias,Universidad Nacional de Brasilia,Brasília,Brazil |
| |
| Abstract: | The Yacoraite River and its tributaries run down the eastern slope of the Aguilar Range. It is one of the tributaries of the
Rio Grande, located in Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Aguilar underground mine (Pb–Ag–Zn) is located
in the upper reaches of the Yacoraite River drainage basin. The aim of this work is to characterize the presence of heavy
metals in water and sediments of the Yacoraite River and to identify their sources. The analysis shows the seasonal variation
of heavy metals concentration in water and their relation with the World Health Organization (WHO) limits established for
human consumption. The Yacoraite basin is naturally anomalous in some metals and some elements, such as As which is controlled
by the chemical composition of regional lithology. During the wet season, Al, Co, Mo and Pb concentrations in water samples
are higher than during the dry season; in addition, these metals are also higher than WHO limit values. High enrichment factors
for Ba, Mo, Pb, Zn and Cd were found in Casa Grande stream, indicating the direct influence of the mining activities. Cd,
Pb and Zn are present in the Aguilar ore minerals, such as sphalerite and galena. Sediments collected during the dry season
show a drastic increase in the concentration of As, Pb, Ba, Zn, Cd and Mn. The Müller geo-accumulation index in Casa Grande
indicates that it is a highly polluted stream. The concentrations of As, Pb, Ba, Zn, Cd are also high in Yacoraite River: Security Quality Guidelines indicates
toxicity. A decrease in enrichment factors and geo-accumulation indices observed in sediments indicates the occurrence of precipitation/adsorption
processes in the river to restore the equilibrium composition. Strict environmental controls in Aguilar Mine are necessary
to avoid the uncontrolled input of toxic metals in Casa Grande stream and Yacoraite River. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
