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Geochemical and Mineralogical Features of Overbank and Stream Sediments of the Beal Wadi (Cartagena-La Union Mining District, SE Spain): Relation to Former Lead–Zinc Mining Activities and Its Environmental Risk

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Abstract

Heavy metals and some major element concentrations were investigated in overbank sediments and stream bed sediments of the ephemeral Beal wadi creek in the Cartagena-La Union mining district (SE Spain). Two vertical sediment profiles were extracted and the chemical and mineralogical compositions were both investigated by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. Geochemical variations in vertical profiles of these two kinds of sediments allow observing noticeable heavy metals pollution (especially Fe, Pb, and Zn) in both kind of sediments but especially in the overbank sediments (reaching values of approximately 13% Fe, 6% Pb, and 6% Zn). A single extraction (DIN 38414-S4 leaching test) was made to observe the transfer of metals from solids to liquid phase. Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd contents surpass the leaching values established by the DIN 38414-S4 limits established by Spanish legislation to consider these wastes as hazardous wastes. Geochemical comparison between leaching behavior of the two types of sediments reveals a major ability of overbank sediments in transferring heavy metals to the water flow.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financed by the Spanish National Research Programme (CGL2007-66861-C04) and by CONSOLIDER Research Programme (CSD2006-00044). O. Gonzalez-Fernandez gratefully acknowledges a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (Ref. BES2005-6810).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of X-Ray Analytical Applications, Institute of Earth Sciences “Jaume Almera”, CSIC, Sole Sabaris s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Oscar Gonzalez-Fernandez, Antonio M. Jurado-Roldan & Ignacio Queralt

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  1. Oscar Gonzalez-Fernandez
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  2. Antonio M. Jurado-Roldan
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  3. Ignacio Queralt
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Correspondence to Oscar Gonzalez-Fernandez.

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Gonzalez-Fernandez, O., Jurado-Roldan, A.M. & Queralt, I. Geochemical and Mineralogical Features of Overbank and Stream Sediments of the Beal Wadi (Cartagena-La Union Mining District, SE Spain): Relation to Former Lead–Zinc Mining Activities and Its Environmental Risk. Water Air Soil Pollut 215, 55–65 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-010-0458-1

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