Trace elements contamination of agricultural soils affected by sulphide exploitation (Iberian Pyrite Belt,Sw Spain) |
| |
Authors: | María López Isabel González Antonio Romero |
| |
Institution: | (1) Dpto. Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola. Facultad de Química, Universidad de Sevilla, Apdo. 553, 41071 Sevilla, Spain |
| |
Abstract: | Agricultural soils of the Riotinto mining area (Iberian Pyrite Belt) have been studied to assess the degree of pollution by
trace elements as a consequence of the extraction and treatment of sulphides. Fifteen soil samples were collected and analysed
by ICP-OES and INAA for 51 elements. Chemical analyses showed an As–Cu–Pb–Zn association related with the mineralisation of
the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Concentrations were 19–994 mg kg−1 for As, 41–4,890 mg kg−1 for Pb, 95–897 mg kg−1 for Zn and of 27–1,160 mg kg−1 for Cu. Most of the samples displayed concentrations of these elements higher than the 90th percentile of the corresponding
geological dominium, which suggests an anthropogenic input besides the bedrock influence. Samples collected from sediments
were more contaminated than leptosols because they were polluted by leachates or by mining spills coming from the waste rock
piles. The weathering of the bedrock is responsible for high concentrations in Co, Cr and Ni, but an anthropogenic input,
such as wind-blown dust, seems to be indicative of the high content of As, Cu, Pb and Zn in leptosols. The metal partitioning
patterns show that most trace elements are associated with Fe amorphous oxy-hydroxides, or take part of the residual fraction.
According to the results obtained, the following mobility sequence is proposed for major and minor elements: Mn, Pb, Cd, > Zn,
Cu > Ni > As > Fe > Cr. The high mobility of Pb, Cu and Zn involve an environmental risk in this area, even in soils where
the concentrations are not so high. |
| |
Keywords: | Trace elements Agricultural soils Sulphide exploitation Iberian Pyrite Belt Spain |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|