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Heavy metal pollution index calculation in geochemistry assessment: a case study on Playa Las Petroleras

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Abstract

This work is aimed to assess potential risk associated with the presence of metals and metalloids in soil at “Playa Las Petroleras” sector, located in Antofagasta (Chile). The zone under study has been affected by four oil spill events. This sector is located in an urban area by the sea. So, it has a great social and environmental relevance. The concentrations of 15 elements in soil samples were assessed, four of them presenting potential ecological risk: As, Co, Cu, and Pb. Nine pollution indices were applied to data: four single pollution indices and five integrated pollution indices to assess soil pollution. The single pollution indices show that the site bears potential ecological and environmental risk due to the presence of Cu, the site being classified as highly contaminated owing to a severe enrichment of this metal. For Co, all the indices allow classifying the site as little or uncontaminated, while the level of As and Pb pollution could be considered as ranging from uncontaminated to moderately contaminated. The integrated pollution indices show that average concentrations are highly contaminated mainly owing to the presence of Cu.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, 1270709, Antofagasta, Chile

    Elizabeth J. Lam

  2. Soil Sicence Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Jaume Bech

  3. Center for Research and Development of Water Ecosystems, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile

    Javier Urrutia & Christian Herrera

  4. Mining Business School, ENM, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile

    Ítalo L. Montofré & Fernando A. Álvarez

  5. Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, 1270709, Antofagasta, Chile

    Ítalo L. Montofré & Manuel Cánovas

  6. Construction Management Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, C.P. 1270709, Antofagasta, Chile

    Vicente Zetola

  7. Administration Department, Universidad Católica del Norte, C.P. 1270709, Antofagasta, Chile

    Fernando A. Álvarez

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EJL was involved in conception/research design/data acquisition/data analysis and interpretation/manuscript draft. JU was involved in conception/ research design/data acquisition/data analysis and interpretation/manuscript draft. JB was involved in data analysis and interpretation/manuscript draft. CH was involved in conception/research design/acquisition of data/drafting the manuscript. ÍLM was involved in conception/research design/data acquisition/manuscript draft. VZ was involved in conception/ research design/data acquisition/manuscript draft. Fernando ÁÁ was involved in data analysis and interpretation/manuscript draft. MC was involved in data analysis and interpretation/manuscript draft. All the authors approved the final version to be submitted.

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Lam, E.J., Urrutia, J., Bech, J. et al. Heavy metal pollution index calculation in geochemistry assessment: a case study on Playa Las Petroleras. Environ Geochem Health 45, 409–426 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01272-2

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