Trace Metal Content of Sediments Close to Mine Sites in the Andean Region

Abstract

This study is a preliminary examination of heavy metal pollution in sediments close to two mine sites in the upper part of the Jequetepeque River Basin, Peru. Sediment concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn were analyzed. A comparative study of the trace metal content of sediments shows that the highest concentrations are found at the closest points to the mine sites in both cases. The sediment quality analysis was performed using the threshold effect level of the Canadian guidelines (TEL). The sediment samples analyzed show that potential ecological risk is caused frequently at both sites by As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn. The long-term influence of sediment metals in the environment is also assessed by sequential extraction scheme analysis (SES). The availability of metals in sediments is assessed, and it is considered a significant threat to the environment for As, Cd, and Sb close to one mine site and Cr and Hg close to the other mine site. Statistical analysis of sediment samples provides a characterization of both subbasins, showing low concentrations of a specific set of metals and identifies the main characteristics of the different pollution sources. A tentative relationship between pollution sources and possible ecological risk is established.

Contamination assessment and the risk associated with the accumulation of trace metals in sediments of the Mitidja plain, Algeria

“…In the aquatic environment, sediments have been widely used as environmental indicators in the evaluation of the water contamination by metals [2]. Trace metals are continuously introduced into fluvial system through atmospheric deposition, agricultural leaching, mining activities, and industrial and domestic waste effluents [4][5][6]. Trace metals are continuously introduced into fluvial system through atmospheric deposition, agricultural leaching, mining activities, and industrial and domestic waste effluents [4][5][6].…”

Contaminación de suelos agrícolas por metales pesados, zona minera El Alacrán, Colombia

“…En el caso del TCu, las concentraciones anormalmente altas reportadas en este estudio (59,84 -1453,58 mg kg -1 ), en comparación con los valores medios de cobre en rocas y suelos de la corteza terrestre de 2 -100 mg kg -1 (Oyarzun et al 2011), sugieren una fuente que difiere de la natural y es más cercana a un origen antropogénico (Yacoub et al 2012;Diatta et al 2015 Para el caso del hierro, valores altos se han encontrado cerca de la zona minera de la provincia de Guangdong en China, reportando para suelos naturales entre 78 y 97 g kg -1…”

Experimental Study of Mobility and Kinetic Characterization of Trace Elements in Contaminated Sediments from a River Basin in Northern Peru

“…Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guidelines (USEPA 1991(USEPA , 1994(USEPA , 1998(USEPA , 2001(USEPA , and 2002; ii) proximity to the main mining activities; iii) hydrology, geology, geomorphology, erosion, and topography (CARE 2007;CAO 2007;DIGESA 2008;PEJEZA 2005); iv) previous evidence of toxicology or spillage; v) available data from studies of water quality (CAO 2007;DIGESA 2008;Stratus 2003); and vi) feasibility of monitoring activities, particularly regarding physical access to sites and approval of local residents (Yacoub et al 2012). Sampling points M1 and M2 were located near the Sipán SL mine (closed in 2005), and M3 and M4 were located near the Minera Yanacocha SRL mine (active since 1993).…”

“…Three sediment subsamples were collected and mixed at each site to ensure homogeneity (Yacoub et al 2012). The sediment samples were dried at 105˚C until a constant weight and stored in polyethylene bottles (Yacoub et al 2014).…”

“…It was evaluated using classical chemical monitoring methods for trace-level pollutants present in water and sediment (Yacoub et al 2012;Yacoub et al 2013;Yacoub et al 2014). From these findings, the present study seeks to deepen the knowledge about the most polluted sites in environmental terms by an accurate estimation of metal bioavailability and potential risk.…”