Evaluación de condiciones ambientales: aire, agua y suelos en áreas de actividad minera en Boyacá, Colombia.

Abstract

Objectives To determine concentrations of PM10, mercury and lead in indoor air of homes, water sources and soil in municipalities near mining operations. Method 6 points were evaluated in areas of influence and 2 in control areas. For measurements of indoor air, we used the NIOSH 600 method (PM10), NIOSH 6009 (mercury) and NIOSH 7300 (lead). For water analysis we used the IDEAM Guide for monitoring discharges. For soil analysis, we used the cold vapor technique (mercury) and atomic absorption (lead). Results In almost all selected households, the average PM10 and mercury concentrations in indoor air exceeded applicable air quality standards. Concentrations of lead were below standard levels. In all water sources, high concentrations of lead were found and in some places within the mining areas, high levels of iron, aluminum and mercury were also found. In soil, mercury concentrations were below the detection level and for lead, differences between the monitored points were observed. Conclusions The results do not establish causal relationships between mining and concentration of these pollutants in the evaluated areas because of the multiplicity of sources in the area. However, such studies provide important information, useful to agents of the environmental health system and researchers. Installation of networks for environmental monitoring to obtain continuous reports is suggested.

Paramos in Peril: case study on a blue gold hotspot of central Colombia

“…Mining activities, including underground extraction, waste dumping, coal transport, and coking-related emissions, have indirect impacts on paramos as they mobilize pollutants, including heavy metals from coal deposits [51]. Detection of contaminants surpassing acceptable limits near mining sites, coupled with mining licenses covering all of Rabanal and parts of Guerrero, underscores the inadequacy of environmental regulations [51,105,143]. Remote sensing provides a tool for detecting compound pollution sources and monitoring environmental degradation due to mining, which could support evidence-based decision-making and targeted interventions to safeguard ecological integrity.…”

Reported Lead Levels in Different Environmental Matrices in Colombia

“…Also, lead was reported in samples of water bodies associated with the mining activity of the department of Boyacá, with a range between 0.013-0.21 mg/L [103], exceeding the maximum limit of 0.01 mg/L established for water for human consumption [50]. Likewise, in the Las Torres stream, in the municipality of Sogamoso, there were Pb concentrations between 0.698-0.750 mg/L [104], exceeding the 0.1 mg/L limit for livestock use defined in Decree 1076 of 2015 [105].…”

A Framework for Assessing the Impacts of Mining Development on Regional Water Resources in Colombia

“…In the mining region of Boyacá, it was found that watercourses were polluted with mercury, lead, iron, magnesium, manganese and aluminium, with concentrations not meeting water quality standards [41]. Similarly, near the border of Boyacá and Cundinamarca, high concentrations of sulphates, sodium, potassium, magnesium and manganese have been measured [42].…”