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Lead, Zinc, Arsenic and Copper Pollution in the Alluvial Plain of a Mining Wadi: The Beal Case (Cartagena–La Union Mining District, SE Spain)

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Abstract

The distribution and mobility of heavy metals in the non-saturated zone of the alluvial plain of a wadi in the Cartagena–La Union mining district was investigated. The elemental chemistry of soils, in-depth sediments and different plant species (namely Hirsfeldia incana, Ditrichia viscosa and Piptatherum miliaceum) was carried out by using X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction techniques. Potential mobility of metals was assessed by using lixiviation test runs (DIN 38414-S4). Concentrations detected in soils and sediments were higher than the acceptable limits reported in official regulations. Regarding metals mobility, values obtained for Pb, Zn and As exceed the limits established by European Union for DIN 38414-S4 leachates. Whilst the obtained leaching percentages for Pb, Cu and As were not especially high (<2%), Zn exhibit a very high leaching potential (up to 60% of the total metal content), involving potential risk of pollution events.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financed by the Spanish National Research Programme (CGL2007-66861-C04). O. Gonzalez-Fernandez gratefully acknowledges a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (Ref. BES2005-6810). J. A. Montiel is acknowledged for his kind language revision of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Oscar Gonzalez-Fernandez & Ignacio Queralt

  2. Centro de Física Atómica, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 2, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal

    Maria Luisa Carvalho

  3. Área Edafología y Química Agrícola, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agraria, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 48, 30203, Cartagena, Spain

    Gregorio Garcia

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  1. Oscar Gonzalez-Fernandez
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  3. Maria Luisa Carvalho
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  4. Gregorio Garcia
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Correspondence to Oscar Gonzalez-Fernandez.

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Gonzalez-Fernandez, O., Queralt, I., Carvalho, M.L. et al. Lead, Zinc, Arsenic and Copper Pollution in the Alluvial Plain of a Mining Wadi: The Beal Case (Cartagena–La Union Mining District, SE Spain). Water Air Soil Pollut 220, 279–291 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-011-0753-5

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