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Remediation of As-Contaminated Soils in the Guadiamar River Basin (SW, Spain)

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Abstract

In 1998, the pond containing the ore wastes from a pyrite mine in Aznalcóllar (SW, Spain) broke open, spilling some 36×105 m3 of acidic waters and 9 × 105 m3 of tailings containing high concentrations of As and heavy metals. The affected area was around 55 km2 of predominantly agricultural soils. After the clean-up of the tailings, many remediation actions were undertaken and the use of blocking agents to immobilize the As was one of the most extended measure. The first experiment performed was to determine the most important soil components in As adsorption under acidic conditions. A second experiment was conducted to neutralize the acidity caused by the solution coming from the tailings undergoing oxidation; an adequate liming material (sugar-refinery scum) was selected and the application rates were established. After the remediation measures, the zone was monitored for three years. A detailed study in four experimental plots located in the most polluted sector was carried out to test the influence of iron oxides in the As immobilization. The use of red soils of the area (rich in free-iron oxides Fed) was established as an appropriate material in the remediation of the area.

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Acknowledgments

This study has been made possible by the research contract no. 1437 of the Regional Environmental Department of the Andalusian Government. Also thanks to Mr. David Nesbitt for correcting the English of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil Science Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18002, Granada, Spain

    J. Aguilar, C. Dorronsoro, E. Fernández, J. Fernández, F. Martín & M. Sierra

  2. Soil Science Department, CITE IIB, University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento s/n, 04120, Almería, Spain

    I. García & M. Simón

Authors
  1. J. Aguilar
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  2. C. Dorronsoro
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  3. E. Fernández
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  4. J. Fernández
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  5. I. García
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  6. F. Martín
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  7. M. Sierra
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  8. M. Simón
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Correspondence to F. Martín.

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Aguilar, J., Dorronsoro, C., Fernández, E. et al. Remediation of As-Contaminated Soils in the Guadiamar River Basin (SW, Spain). Water Air Soil Pollut 180, 109–118 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-006-9254-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-006-9254-3

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