Evaluation of particle dispersal from mining and milling operations using lead isotopic fingerprinting techniques, Rio Pilcomayo Basin, Bolivia

Miller, Jerry R.; Lechler, Paul J.; Mackin, Gail; Germanoski, Dru; Villarroel, Lionel F.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.05.029

Cited by 49 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In studies involving Pb and its isotopic signature, correlations have been established using both the total concentration (Ferrand et al 1999, Bindler et al 2001, Moraes et al 2004, Miller et al 2007, Gioia et al 2006, Dong et al 2010 and the exchangeable Pb fraction (Bird et al 2010;Gioia et al 2006). For the hydrographic system of Belém, results have been presented using either the total Pb (Santos et al 2012) or exchangeable Pb concentrations (Moura et al 2004).…”

Section: Total and Partial Concentration Of Pb (Exchangeable)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and isotopic composition of lead in bottom sediments from the hydrographic system of Belém, Pará (western margin of Guajará Bay and Carnapijó River)

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study first aimed to evaluate the effect of human activities on the distribution of lead within the estuarine system of Belém, Pará. This was achieved by studying the concentration and isotopic signature of Pb in bottom sediments from the western margin of Guajará Bay and from Carnapijó River, an area removed from the influence of the city of Belém. Secondly, the contribution of suspended matter in the transportation of anthropogenic Pb in Guajará Bay was evaluated. Third, the content and background isotopic signature of Pb in the hydrographic system of Belém was determined. Isotopic signatures of sediments from the western margin of Guajará Bay confirm an anthropogenic contribution of Pb throughout the entire bay. The Pb accumulation process has become more efficient over the last 10 years, and this can be attributed to the rapid population growth of Belém city. Sediments in Carnapijó River are not affected by human activities, and the average concentration values (Pb = 19.6 ± 3.7 mg kg -1 ) and isotopic signatures ( 206 Pb/ 207 Pb = 1.196 ± 0.004) confirm the background Pb values previously proposed for the river system in the Belém region. The isotopic signatures of suspended matter on the eastern ( 206 Pb/ 207 Pb = 1.188) and western ( 206 Pb/ 207 Pb = 1.174) margins of Guajará Bay show that suspended matter is an efficient Pb transportation mechanism of domestic and industrial wastewater from Belém to the western margin of the Bay due to tidal effects at the confluence with Guamá River.

show abstract

Section: Total and Partial Concentration Of Pb (Exchangeable)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and isotopic composition of lead in bottom sediments from the hydrographic system of Belém, Pará (western margin of Guajará Bay and Carnapijó River)

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the case of alluvial sediments, one end-member (Pb source) is typically anthropogenic, whereas the other represents Pb from the underlying bedrock or the soils developed from it [29,171]. The signature of the latter "geogenic" Pb may be determined by analyzing a number of different materials including the underlying bedrock [172], channel bed materials from uncontaminated tributaries or areas upstream of the contaminant influx [145], uncontaminated alluvial terraces [64,172,173], or old alluvial sediment found at depth within a sediment core [32].…”

Section: Pb/ 206mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Miller et al [64,172] Pb to assess the sources and contaminant transport processes along the Rio Pilcomayo downstream of the Cerro Rico de Potosi precious metal-polymetallic tin deposits of Bolivia. Mining of the deposits has continuously occurred since 1545 and the river is severely contaminated by a wide-range of trace metals [172,174].…”

Section: Pb/ 206mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mining of the deposits has continuously occurred since 1545 and the river is severely contaminated by a wide-range of trace metals [172,174]. Miller et al [172] found that (1) Pb ratios differed between bedrock units within the catchment, and (2) alluvial sediments collected from pre-mining terrace deposits formed a mixing line defined by the isotopic ratios of Ordovician and Mesozoic rocks. In contrast, samples collected in 2000 from the highly contaminated channel bed exhibited a significantly different trend (Figure 9) in which the isotopic end members were formed by the Ordovician rocks and mine/mill processing waste from the operations at Cerro Rico.…”

Section: Pb/ 206mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The estimates are typically based on a simple binary model [29,168,175] Pb are the average ratios in the sample (S), end-member for source 1 (A) and end-member for source 2 (B). In the case of the Rio Pilcomayo, Miller et al [172] were able to use the approach to estimate that the contribution of Pb from the upstream mining operations in the samples collected in 2000 ranged from >99% to about 56% of the total Pb present (note that these values were recalculated from Miller et al [65] on the basis of a more accurate understanding of the isotopic signatures of the ore deposits).…”

Section: Pb/ 206mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Forensic Assessment of Metal Contaminated Rivers in the 21st Century Using Geochemical and Isotopic Tracers

Miller

2013

Minerals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Documentation of contaminant source and dispersal pathways in riverine environments is essential to mitigate the potentially harmful effects of contaminants on human and ecosystem health, and is required from a legal perspective (particularly where the polluter pays principle is in effect) in assessing site liability. Where multiple natural and/or anthropogenic sources exist, identification of contaminant provenance has proven problematic, and estimated contributions from a specific source are often the subject of judicial debate. The past, current, and future use of geochemical and isotopic tracers in environmental forensic investigations of contaminant provenance, transport, and fate are analyzed herein for sediment-associated trace metals in riverine environments, particularly trace metals derived from mining and refining operations. The utilized methods have evolved significantly over the past four decades. Of primary significance has been the growing integration of geomorphic and stratigraphic techniques with the use of an increasing number of geochemical tracers including stable isotopes. The isotopes of Pb have been particularly well studied, and have been applied to a wide range of environmental media. Advances in analytical chemistry since the early 1990s have allowed for the precise characterization of other non-traditional stable isotopic systems within geological materials. The potential for using these non-traditional isotopes as tracers in river systems has yet to be adequately explored, but a number of these isotopes (e.g., Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Sb, and Zn) show considerable promise. Moreover, some of these isotopes (e.g., those of Cu, Cr, and Hg) may provide important insights into biogeochemical cycling processes within aquatic environments. This review suggests that future environmental forensic investigations will be characterized by an interdisciplinary approach that combines the use of multiple geochemical tracers with detailed stratigraphic, geomorphic, and hydrologic data, thereby yielding results that are likely to withstand the scrutiny of judicial review.

show abstract

Trace metals distribution pattern in floodplain sediments of a lowland river in relation to contemporary valley bottom morphodynamics

Falkowska

Falkowski

2014

Earth Surf Processes Landf

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The distribution of trace metals in alluvial sediments depends on their natural background concentrations, and on the dynamics of contemporary depositional and erosional (mainly flood-induced) processes. Geological and geochemical investigations were carried out in the valley of Vistula River near Magnuszew (central Poland). Sediment samples were collected from a depth of 35 cm and comprise sediments of all defined geomorphological features. Identification and geological interpretation of the morphodynamic sediment features was supported by aerial photographs and high-resolution satellite images. These studies revealed that the distribution of trace metals is closely linked to the morphogenesis of the alluvial floodplain. The highest concentrations of Cu, Co, Zn, V, Cr and Ni were observed in crevasse-splays deposits. By contrast, Sr, Pb and As were concentrated in deposits which fill oxbow lakes (partly infilled with organic deposits). The lowest concentrations of trace metals were detected in flood sediments deposited within erosional troughs. The geomorphological and sedimentological history of the fluvial features explains the pattern of heavy metal distribution on the current floodplain surface.

show abstract

Evaluation of particle dispersal from mining and milling operations using lead isotopic fingerprinting techniques, Rio Pilcomayo Basin, Bolivia

Cited by 49 publications

References 41 publications

Distribution and isotopic composition of lead in bottom sediments from the hydrographic system of Belém, Pará (western margin of Guajará Bay and Carnapijó River)

Distribution and isotopic composition of lead in bottom sediments from the hydrographic system of Belém, Pará (western margin of Guajará Bay and Carnapijó River)

Forensic Assessment of Metal Contaminated Rivers in the 21st Century Using Geochemical and Isotopic Tracers

Trace metals distribution pattern in floodplain sediments of a lowland river in relation to contemporary valley bottom morphodynamics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About