Lead, Zinc, Arsenic and Copper Pollution in the Alluvial Plain of a Mining Wadi: The Beal Case (Cartagena–La Union Mining District, SE Spain)

Abstract

The distribution and mobility of heavy metals in the non-saturated zone of the alluvial plain of a wadi in the Cartagena-La Union mining district was investigated. The elemental chemistry of soils, indepth sediments and different plant species (namely Hirsfeldia incana, Ditrichia viscosa and Piptatherum miliaceum) was carried out by using X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction techniques. Potential mobility of metals was assessed by using lixiviation test runs (DIN 38414-S4). Concentrations detected in soils and sediments were higher than the acceptable limits reported in official regulations. Regarding metals mobility, values obtained for Pb, Zn and As exceed the limits established by European Union for DIN 38414-S4 leachates. Whilst the obtained leaching percentages for Pb, Cu and As were not especially high (<2%), Zn exhibit a very high leaching potential (up to 60% of the total metal content), involving potential risk of pollution events.

Role of rhizosphere and soil properties for the phytomanagement of a salt marsh polluted by mining wastes

“…In general, AF values were below 1, except D. viscosa which showed AF of around 2 for Cd and Mn; A. halimus, with AF values of 6 for Cd, 3 for Mn, and 4 for Zn; and finally, H. portulacoides which showed AF of around 6 for Mn, 3 for Pb, and 2 for Zn. Similar to the results showed in this study, Gonzalez-Fernandez et al (2011) obtained AF of 2 for Zn and 1.5 for Pb in shoots of D. viscosa from the nearby mining area.…”

Influence of Soil Chemistry and Plant Physiology in the Phytoremediation of Cu, Mn, and Zn

“…Water pollution by Zn is more notable near industry zones due to waste discharges. Leaching of Zn can occur due to its mobility in soil, increasing water contamination (Gonzalez-Fernandez et al, 2011;Yi et al, 2011).…”

Alleviation of environmental risks associated with severely contaminated mine tailings using amendments: Modeling of trace element speciation, solubility, and plant accumulation

“…The untreated tailings had elevated dissolved and extractable trace element concentrations compared with the results reported in other studies done with mine soils from the same mining Combination of amendments in mine tailings phytoremediation Environ Toxicol Chem 35, 2016 district [9,21,22]. These tailings come from the processing of sulfide-bearing minerals, and their gradual oxidation occurs through natural weathering processes that cause acidification and formation of soluble sulfates, increasing electrical conductivity and trace element solubility [5,23]. The presence of plumbojarosite (Fe and Pb sulfate), a common mineral in tailings from the mining area of the present study, shows that this supergenic alteration process occurred in this mine pond [5,21].…”

“…These tailings come from the processing of sulphide-bearing minerals, and their gradual oxidation has occurred through natural weathering processes provoking acidification and formation of soluble sulphates, increasing EC and TEs solubility [5,23]. The presence of plumbojarosite (Fe/Pb sulphate), a…”