Mineralogy and heavy metal content in sediments from Rio Gato,Carelmapu and Cucao,Southern Chile |
| |
| Authors: | I González M M Jordán T Sanfeliu M Quiroz C de la Fuente |
| |
| Institution: | 1.Laboratorio de Recursos Naturales y Procesos, Departamento de Industria, Facultad de Ingeniería,Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana,Santiago,Chile;2.Departamento de Agroquímica y Medio Ambiente, Grupo de Edafología Ambiental,Universidad Miguel Hernández,Elche,Spain;3.Unidad de Mineralogía Aplicada y Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias Experimentales,Universidad Jaume I,Castellón,Spain;4.Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Depósitos Minerales, Faculty of Geologia,Universitat de Barcleona,Barcelona,Spain |
| |
| Abstract: | In southern Chile, with a mild and rainy climate, high levels of heavy metals have been detected in many gold placer deposits.
Many of the contaminants pose risks to human life, and consequently damage the trofic chain in this environment. The study
zones selected correspond to the handicraft gold-bearing sands of Rio Gato (Los Muermos), Carelmapu and Cucao. These are all
located in the X Region of “Los Lagos” in Chile. The type of methodology used in the characterization of the associated mineralization
consists of testing each representative sample with a grain size distribution, statistical parameter analysis and a mineralogical
analysis, using a binocular magnifying glass, a petrographic microscope, XRD and SEM/EDX. The chemical composition was defined
by means of X ray fluorescence and micro-chemical analysis. The results of the study about sediments in southern Chile are
presented. The major concentrations of heavy minerals are generally located in areas of dynamic river energy. In the samples,
more than 70% of the heavy minerals were distributed among grain sizes corresponding to thin sand with good grain selection
(meshes of 0.25–0.06 mm). The main mineral phases present in the analysed samples were gold, zircon, olivine, ilmenite, hornblende,
hypersthene, hematite, garnet, chromite, chlorite, augite, amphibolitic-epidote, etc. The main heavy metals found as a result
of the study were mercury, lead, cadmium, chrome, tellurium, indium, zinc, cobalt, copper, platinum, gold, etc., and as well
some less common elements like cerium, praseodymium, gadolinium, neodymium, samarium and lanthanum. This research work is
only a starting point for carrying out a risk probability mapping of heavy metals and the mineralogy of the Cucao, Carelmapu
and Rio Gato gold-bearing sands. |
| |
| Keywords: | Gold Heavy metals Mineral classification Sediment contamination Mining activities |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
