Atmospheric Monitoring at Abandoned Mercury Mine Sites in Asturias (NW Spain)

Abstract

Mercury concentrations are usually significant in historic Hg mining districts all over the world, so the atmospheric environment is potentially affected. In Asturias, northern Spain, past mining operations have left a legacy of ruins and Hg-rich wastes, soils and sediments in abandoned sites. Total Hg concentrations in the ambient air of these abandoned mine sites have been investigated to evaluate the impact of the Hg emissions. This paper presents the synthesis of current knowledge about atmospheric Hg contents in the area of the abandoned Hg mining and smelting works at 'La Peña-El Terronal' and La Soterraña, located in Mieres and Pola de Lena districts, respectively, both within the Caudal River basin. It was found that average atmospheric Hg concentrations are higher than the background level in the area (0.1 microg Nm(-3)), reaching up to 203.7 microg Nm(-3) at 0.2 m above the ground level, close to the old smelting chimney at El Terronal mine site. Data suggest that past Hg mining activities have big influences on the increased Hg concentrations around abandoned sites and that atmospheric transfer is a major pathway for Hg cycling in these environments.

Monitoring of Mercury in Air from the Abandoned Mercury Mine Area using Direct Mercury Analyzer

“…Abandoned and operational Hg mines are considered major source of Hg pollution in the environment because it releases mine wastes, tailings and vapor with high concentration of Hg as reported from several Hg mines around the world [9], [10]. In the Philippines, the only Hg mine site is in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan Island.…”

Combined toxicity of amorphous silica nanoparticles and methylmercury to human lung epithelial cells

“…The power plants, mining and metallurgical industry also release mercury to the ambient atmosphere, increasing the occupational exposure risk (Loredo et al, 2007;Gonzalez-Carrasco et al, 2011;Wang et al, 2011). Mercury in the air is easily taken up through the lungs, and about 74% of inhaled mercury is retained in human body (Syversen and Kaur, 2012).…”

Analysis of the airborne mercury and particulate arsenic levels close to an abandoned waste dump and buildings of a mercury mine and the potential risk of atmospheric pollution

“…In Spain, mercury mining was very productive during the sixties and seventies [3]. In Asturias, there were more than 20 mercury exploitations; the main two were Soterraña in Pola de Lena and La Peña-El Terronal in Mieres [4].…”

“…There are also arsenopyrite, marcasite, and pyrite hosted in fractured limestones and shales [6]. The gangue is composed of carbonates, quartz, and argillaceous minerals (kaolinite and dickite) [7].…”