Abstract
Artisanal mining is intensely carried out in developing countries, including Brazil and especially in the Amazon. This method of mineral exploration generally does not employ mitigation techniques for potential damages and can lead to various environmental problems and risks to human health. The objectives of this study were to quantify the concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) and estimate the environmental and human health risks in cassiterite and monazite artisanal mining areas in the southeastern Amazon, as well as to understand the dynamics of this risk over time after exploitation. A total of 35 samples of wastes classified as overburden and tailings in active areas, as well as in areas deactivated for one and ten years were collected. Samples were also collected in a forest area considered as a reference site. The concentrations of REEs were quantified using alkaline fusion and ICP-MS. The results were used to calculate pollution indices and environmental and human health risks. REEs showed higher concentrations in anthropized areas. Pollution and environmental risk levels were higher in areas deactivated for one year, with considerable contamination factors for Gd and Sm and significant to extreme enrichment factors for Sc. Human health risks were low (< 1) in all studied areas. The results indicate that artisanal mining of cassiterite and monazite has the potential to promote contamination and enrichment by REEs.
Highlights
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REEs were first assessed in artisanal mines of monazite and cassiterite in the Brazilian Amazon.
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All anthropized areas showed higher concentrations of REEs.
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The gratest risk occurred in areas exploited a year ago.
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REEs pose risks to the environment and human health.
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References
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PPdCAF: conceptualization, formal analysis, investigation, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing, data curation. WVdSP: conceptualization, formal analysis, writing—review and editing, data curation. YND: conceptualization, formal analysis, writing—review and editing. ADFdM: investigation, data curation. FHSR: investigation, formal analysis, data curation. SJR: conceptualization, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing. ESdS: investigation. AMFdA: investigation. ARF: conceptualization, formal analysis, investigation, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing, data curation, project administration.
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da Costa Alves Filho, P.P., da Silveira Pereira, W.V., Dias, Y.N. et al. Artisanal mining of monazite and cassiterite in the Amazon: Potential risks of rare earth elements for the environment and human health. Environmental Management (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-024-01964-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-024-01964-8