Marine environmental impact due to mining activities of El Salvador copper mine,Chile |
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Authors: | J.C. Castilla E. Nealler |
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Affiliation: | Laboratorio de Zoología, Departamento de Biología Ambiental y de Poblaciones, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago, Chile |
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Abstract: | Marine environmental impact as a result of copper mine tailing dumping in the sea is studied at Chañaral (North of Chile). These dumpings, from the copper mine El Salvador, have hindered harbour activities, caused geomorphological coastal modifications and affected seriously marine coastal ecosystems and recreational activities. At the old dumping site, Chañaral Bay (1938–1974), nearly 150 million tons of fine sediments were accumulated. Tailing discharges at the new dumping site, Caleta Palito, about 8 km north of Chañaral Bay are accumulating approximately at the rate of 25 000 tons of fine sediments per day, plus unknown quantities of chemicals (Cu, As, CN?). From January 1975 to July 1976, this site has received over 13 million tons of sediments which has caused deterioration of the marine coastal environment, reduction in light penetration and high mortalities among marine invertebrates, fishes and algae. |
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