Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Metal enrichment of soils following the April 2012–2013 eruptive activity of the Popocatépetl volcano, Puebla, Mexico

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We analyzed the total (Zn, Pb, Ni, Hg, Cr, Cd, Cu, As) and partially leachable metals (PLMs) in 25 ash and soil samples from recent (2012–2013) eruptions of the Popocatépetl Volcano in Central Mexico. More recent ash and soil samples from volcanic activity in 2012–2013 had higher metal concentrations than older samples from eruptions in 1997 suggesting that the naturally highly volatile and mobile metals leach into nearby fresh water sources. The higher proportions of As (74.72 %), Zn (44.64 %), Cu (42.50 %), and Hg (32.86 %) reflect not only their considerable mobility but also the fact that they are dissolved and accumulated quickly following an eruption. Comparison of our concentration patterns with sediment quality guidelines indicates that the Cu, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, and Pb concentrations are higher than permissible limits; this situation must be monitored closely as these concentrations may reach lethal levels in the future.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Africano, F., Van-Rompaey, G., Bernard, A., & Le-Guern, F. (2002). Deposition of trace elements from high temperature gases of Satsuma-Iwojima volcano. Earth, Planets and Space, 54, 275–286.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Armienta, M. A., Martin-Del-Pozzo, A. L., Espinasa, R., Cruz, O., Ceniceros, N., Aguayo, A., & Butron, M. A. (1998). Geochemistry of ash leachates during the 1994–1996 activity of Popocatepetl volcano. Applied Geochemistry, 13, 841–850.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Armienta, M. A., De La Cruz-Reyna, S., Morton, O., Cruz, O., & Ceniceros, N. (2002). Chemical variations of tephra-fall deposit lechates for three eruptions from Popocatépetl volcano. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 113, 61–80.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carrasco, G., Silva, L., Delgado, H., Urrutia, J. (1985). Geología y Paleomagnetismo del Popocateápetl, Memorias Unión Geofísica Mexicana, A.C. UGM Meeting, Oaxaca, Oax., Mexico, pp. 205–225.

  • Cimino, G., & Toscano, G. (1998). Dissolution of trace metals from lava ash: influence on the composition of rain water in the Mount Etna volcanic area. Environmental Pollution, 99, 389–393.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delmelle, P., Lambert, M., Dufrene, Y., Gerin, P., & Oskarsson, N. (2007). Gas/aerosol—ash interaction in volcanic plumes: new insights from surface analyses of fine ash particles. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 259, 159–170.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De La Cruz-Reyna, S., & Tilling, R. I. (2008). Scientific and public responses to the ongoing volcanic crisis at Popocatépetl volcano, Mexico: importance of an effective hazards-warning system. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 170(1–2), 121–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EC, MENVIQ (Environment Canada and Ministere de l’Environnement du Quebec) (1992). Interim criteria for sediment quality assessment of St. Lawrence river sediment. Environment Canada, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Frogner, P., Gislason, S. R., & Óskarsson, N. (2001). Fertilizing potential of volcanic ash in ocean surface water. Geology, 29(6), 487–490.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hinkley, T., Wilson, S. J., Lamothe, P. J., Landis, G. P., Finnegan, D. L., Gerlach, T. M., & Thornber, C. R. (1997). Metal emissions from Kilauea-proportions, source strength, and contribution to current estimates of volcanic injection to the atmosphere. EOS, Transactions, 78(46), F803.

  • Horwell, C., Fenoglio, I., Ragnarsdottir, K. V., Sparks, K. S. J., & Fubini, B. (2003). Surface reactivity of volcanic ash from the eruption of Soufriére hills volcano, Montserrat, West Indies with implications for health hazards. Environmental Research, 93, 20–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, M. T., & Gislason, S. R. (2008). Rapid releases of metal salts and nutrients following the deposition of volcanic ash into aqueous environments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72(15), 3661–3680.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loring, D. H., & Rantala, R. T. T. (1992). Manual for the geochemical analyses of marine sediments and suspended particulate matter. Earth-Science Reviews, 32, 235–283.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, D. D., Ingersol, C. G., & Berger, T. A. (2000). Development and evaluation of consensus based sediment quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems. Archives of Environmental Contamination, 39, 20–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin-Del-Pozzo, A. L., Espinasa, R., Armienta, M. A., Aguayo, A., Reyes, M., Sanchez, G., Cruz, O., & Ceniceros, N. (1995). Recent eruptions at Popocatepetl and their effect on the heavily populated areas nearby. Per Mineral, 64, 223–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin-Del-Pozzo, A. L., Cordova, C., & Lopez, J. (1997). Volcanic impact on the southern basin of Mexico during the Holocene. Quaternary International, 43-44, 181–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, R. S., Mather, T. A., Pyle, D. M., Watt, S. F. L., Day, L., Collins, S. J., Wright, T. E., Aiuppa, A., & Calabrese, S. (2009a). Sweet chestnut Castanea sativa leaves as a bio-indicator of volcanic gas, aerosol and ash deposition onto the flanks of Mt. Etna in 2005–2007. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 179(1–2), 107–119.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, R. S., Watt, S. F. L., Pyle, D. M., Mather, T. A., Matthews, N. E., Georg, R. B., Day, J. A., Fairhead, T., Witt, M. L. I., & Quayle, B. M. (2009b). Environmental effects of ash fall in Argentina from the 2008 Chaitén volcanic eruption. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 184, 462–472.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morales-García, S. S., Rodríguez-Espinosa, P. F., Jonathan, M. P., Navarrete-López, M., Herrera-García, M. A., & Muñoz-Sevilla, N. P. (2014). Characterization of As and trace metals embedded in PM10 particles in Puebla city, México. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 186, 55–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moune, S., Gauthier, P.-J., & Delmelle, P. (2010). Trace elements in the particulate phase of the plume of Masaya volcano. Nicragua Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 193, 232–244.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM-147) (2007). Secretaria de medio ambiente y recursos naturales, 69p.

  • Nriagu, J. O., & Becker, C. (2003). Volcanic emissions of mercury to the atmosphere: global and regional inventories. Science of the Total Environment, 304, 3–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Obenholzner, J. H., Schrottner, H., Golob, P., & Delgado, H. (2003). Particles from the plume of Popocatépetl volcano, Mexico—the FESEM/EDS approach. Geology Society of London Spl Publication., 213, 123–148.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Persaud, D., Jaagumagi, R., & Hayton, A. (1993). Guidelines for the protection and management of aquatic sediment quality in Ontario (p. 27). Ontario, Canada: Ministry of Env. & Energy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pyle, D., & Mather, T. A. (2003). The importance of volcanic emissions for the global atmospheric mercury cycle. Atmospheric Environment, 37(36), 5115–5124.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruggieri, F., Fernandez-Turiel, J. L., Saavedra, J., Gimeno, D., Polanco, E., Amigo, A., Galindo, G., & Caselli, A. (2012). Contribution of volcanic ashes to the regional geochemical balance: the 2008 eruption of Chaitén volcano, southern Chile. Science of the Total Environment, 425, 75–88.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sandra-Soledad, M.C. (2013). Estudio de los metals contenidos en aire, agua y sedimentos en un área urbano-rural con influencia industrial ubicada en la zona metropolitana de Puebla, México. Ph.D thesis (Unpublished), Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México D.F., México, pp. 220.

  • Schaaf, P., Stimac, J., Siebe, C., & Macias, J. L. (2005). Geochemical evidence for mantle origin and crustal processes in volcanic rocks from Popocatépetl and surrounding monogenetic volcanoes, Central Mexico. Journal of Petrology, 46(6), 1243–1282.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. L., MacDonald, D. D., Keenleyside, K. A., Ingersoll, C. G., & Field, J. (1996). A preliminary evaluation of sediment quality assessment values for freshwater ecosystems. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 22, 624–638.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wardell, L. J., Kyle, P. R., & Counce, D. (2008). Volcanic emissions of metals and halogens from White island (New Zealand) and Erebus volcano (Antartica) determined with chemical traps. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 177, 734–742.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watt, S. F. L., Pyle, D. M., Mathev, T. A., Day, J. A., & Aiuppa, A. (2007). The use of tree rings and foliage as an archive of volcanogenic cation deposition. Environmental Pollution, 148(1), 48–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, M. R., Stone, V., Cullen, R. T., Searl, A., Maynard, R. L., & Donaldson, K. (2000). In vitro toxicology of respirable Montserrat volcanic ash. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 57, 727–733.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Witter, J. B., Kress, V. C., & Newhall, C. G. (2005). Volcán Popocatépetl Mexico. Petrology, magma mixing and immediate sources of volatiles for 1994-present eruption. Journal of Petrology, 46(11), 2337–2366.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for financial support provided by the Estimulos al Desempeño de los Investigadores (EDI) and the Comisión de Operacion y Fomento de Actividades (COFAA) of the Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN) in Mexico. MPJ is grateful for financial support from the Sistema Nacional de Investigadores (SNI), CONACyT, México. This article also forms part of the project SIP 20131892.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna, Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, 07340, México, DF, Mexico

    P. F. Rodriguez-Espinosa, M. P. Jonathan, Lorena Elizabeth Campos Villegas, E. Martínez-Tavera, N. P. Muñoz-Sevilla & Miguel Alvarado Cardona

  2. Centro Mexicano para la Producción más Limpia (CMPL), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Av. Acueducto s/n, Col. Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del Gustavo A. Madero, C.P. 07340, México, D.F., Mexico

    S. S. Morales-García

Authors
  1. P. F. Rodriguez-Espinosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. P. Jonathan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. S. Morales-García
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lorena Elizabeth Campos Villegas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. Martínez-Tavera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. N. P. Muñoz-Sevilla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Miguel Alvarado Cardona
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. P. Jonathan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rodriguez-Espinosa, P.F., Jonathan, M.P., Morales-García, S.S. et al. Metal enrichment of soils following the April 2012–2013 eruptive activity of the Popocatépetl volcano, Puebla, Mexico. Environ Monit Assess 187, 717 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4938-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4938-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation