Lead, zinc, and antimony contamination of the Rio Chilco-Rio Tupiza drainage system, Southern Bolivia

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

doi:10.1007/s00254-006-0326-x

Cited by 44 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The formation of the approximately 3-km-long and 200-m-wide floodplain section between Trhové Dušníky and Bratkovice, containing approximately 700,000 m 3 of contaminated sediments, was caused by disturbance of the river equilibrium during partial deforestation of the Brdy Highlands and/or to the influx of fine-grained material from upstream processing of ores (in the twentieth century mostly from ruptured flotation settling ponds; major failures occurred in 1932 and 1952). Failure of settling pond integrity has been shown to be one of the most significant processes in heavy metal dispersal from various ore districts (e.g., Villarroel et al 2006;Macklin et al 2006). The section between river km 37 and 33 is slightly less steep compared to the overall longitudinal river slope (see Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Fluxes of Heavy Metals from a Highly Polluted Watershed During Flood Events: A Case Study of the Litavka River, Czech Republic

Žák

Rohovec

Navrátil

2009

Water Air Soil Pollut

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The Litavka River (length 56 km, watershed area 630 km 2 , average flow at the outlet to the Berounka River 2.57 m 3 s −1 ) drains the historical mining, ore processing, and smelting region of Příbram. This Ag-Pb-Zn±Sb ore district (production from the thirteenth century to 1978, locally to 1980) is known for extensive heavy metal contamination. Recent contamination of the Litavka River system is mostly related to the erosion of contaminated soils and fluvial floodplains sediments, especially from a low-gradient river section located immediately below the ore district, where the fine-grained floodplain sediments are from 1.0 to 1.7 m thick. Radiocarbon accelerator mass spectrometry dating of charcoal fragments separated from one floodplain profile showed calibrated 14 C age in the range AD 1220-1284 at a depth of 1.2 m below the surface, while depths of 0.4 and 0.8 m yielded ages in the range AD 1680-1939. Formation of this floodplain was related to disturbance of the river equilibrium resulting from deforestation and the influx of fine-grained material from ore processing, including historical failures of settling ponds. Fluxes of heavy metals during flood events in the Litavka River were studied 35 km downstream below the ore district. Metals are transported here mostly (more than 99% for Pb) in the form of suspended particulate matter (SPM), which at the outlet of the Litavka River contains 2,016 mg kg −1 Zn, 918 mg kg −1 Pb, and 25.5 mg kg −1 Cd on average. During a snowmelt-related minor flood event between March 25 and 29, 2006 (peak flow 36.6 m 3 s −1 ), the river transported 2,400 tonnes of SPM during 4 days, containing 74 kg of Cd, 2,954 kg of Pb, and 5,811 kg of Zn. During larger floods (water flows above 55 m 3 s −1 have occurred here 27 times during the last 77 years), the contamination is more diluted by material eroded in the floodplain along the middle and lower river course.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Fluxes of Heavy Metals from a Highly Polluted Watershed During Flood Events: A Case Study of the Litavka River, Czech Republic

Žák

Rohovec

Navrátil

2009

Water Air Soil Pollut

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“…Concentrations abruptly increase at the tributary mouth and then decline downstream. Villarroel et al [45] showed that the downstream declines could be attributed to a combination of hydraulic sorting of sulfide minerals from the mines, dilution, and sediment storage associated with channel bed aggradation. The downstream declines in concentration are abruptly altered at RTU-3 where Zn, and to a much lesser degree, Pb concentrations increase downstream of the Rio Tatasi.…”

Section: Identifying Contaminant Sources Using Spatial Patterns In Gementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pb isotopic data also have been combined with bulk concentration data to differentiate changes in contaminant provenance within floodplain deposits through time [45,170]. Villarroel et al [45], for example, used a combination of bulk Pb concentrations and 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratios to assess the source of Pb and other correlated trace metals contaminants to floodplains used for agriculture along the Rio Chilco-Rio Tatasi River system of southern Bolivia.…”

Section: Pb/ 206mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Polymetallic tin deposits containing limited Sb are located within Rio Tatasi. Point sources of contamination are indicated by abrupt increases in element concentration followed by downstream declines [45].…”

Section: Identifying Contaminant Sources Using Spatial Patterns In Gementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Villarroel et al [45], for example, used a combination of bulk Pb concentrations and 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratios to assess the source of Pb and other correlated trace metals contaminants to floodplains used for agriculture along the Rio Chilco-Rio Tatasi River system of southern Bolivia. Figure 12 shows, as described earlier, that Pb and Zn were delivered to the axial drainage system from Sb mines located along the Rio Chilco and Pb/Zn mines located within the Rio Tatasi basin.…”

Section: Pb/ 206mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Miller

2013

Minerals

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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.

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The Impact of Metal-Rich Sediments Derived from Mining on Freshwater Stream Life

Jones

Murphy

Collins

et al. 2018

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

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Lead, zinc, and antimony contamination of the Rio Chilco-Rio Tupiza drainage system, Southern Bolivia

Cited by 44 publications

References 43 publications

Fluxes of Heavy Metals from a Highly Polluted Watershed During Flood Events: A Case Study of the Litavka River, Czech Republic

Fluxes of Heavy Metals from a Highly Polluted Watershed During Flood Events: A Case Study of the Litavka River, Czech Republic

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

The Impact of Metal-Rich Sediments Derived from Mining on Freshwater Stream Life

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