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Geographical distribution of arsenic in sediments within the Rio Conchos Basin, Mexico

Environmental Geology volume 57, pages 929–935 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Arsenic (As) content of sediments from the Rio Conchos and Rio San Pedro in northern Mexico were measured to determine if this toxic metalloid had accumulated to unsafe levels to humans and aquatic life. The spatial distribution of As in each of the six clusters of river and arroyo sediments was analyzed to determine variations with respect to background levels and to infer about potential As sources and sinks. In the northern part of the study area, background concentrations varied little throughout the area and concentrations in river sediments were close to background levels. In the southern part, however, the content of As in arroyo sediment contained a wider range of values and anomalous concentrations. The latter could be traced in part to the presence of mine tailings. As concentrations were below the limit in all studied river stretches and thus do not pose an immediate threat to the river environment, but As content in reservoir sediments exceeded the guideline values. Reservoirs seem to act as a sink for As, warranting closer observation and monitoring.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Geology and Planning, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO, 65897, USA

    Melida Gutierrez

  2. Department of Environment and Energy, Advanced Materials Research Center CIMAV, Chihuahua, Mexico

    M. Teresa Alarcón-Herrera

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA

    Lucy M. Camacho

Authors
  1. Melida Gutierrez
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  2. M. Teresa Alarcón-Herrera
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  3. Lucy M. Camacho
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Correspondence to Melida Gutierrez.

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Gutierrez, M., Alarcón-Herrera, M.T. & Camacho, L.M. Geographical distribution of arsenic in sediments within the Rio Conchos Basin, Mexico. Environ Geol 57, 929–935 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1371-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1371-4

Keywords

  • Arroyo
  • Arsenic
  • Geochemical databases
  • Chihuahua
  • Rio Conchos
  • River sediment