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Water–Rock Interaction and Geochemical Processes in Surface Waters Influenced by Tailings Impoundments: Impact and Threats to the Ecosystems and Human Health in Rural Communities (Panasqueira Mine, central Portugal)

2015-02-05Journal article Restricted access
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dc.contributor.authorCandeias, Carla
dc.contributor.authorÁvila, Paula Freire
dc.contributor.authorda Silva, Eduardo Ferreira
dc.contributor.authorDurães, Nuno
dc.contributor.authorTeixeira, João Paulo
dc.date.accessioned2016-02-16T17:30:37Z
dc.date.available2016-02-16T17:30:37Z
dc.date.issued2015-02-05
dc.description.abstractThe present and past mining activity left several abandoned tailings and dams in the Panasqueira tin– tungsten mining area. Seasonal water samples and stream sediments were collected during two different periods (rainy and dry seasons) and analyzed for a wide range of major and trace elements, in order to define the present hydrochemical situation. Rain waters interact with the altered sulfides stored in the tailings which generate runoff waters with high metal concentrations. The waste material derived from the exploitation enhanced acidification and metal-releasing processes, due to the increase in the specific surface, which favors the oxidation of sulfide minerals. Acid drainage and high metal(loid)s (Cd, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, As) concentrations in solution were observed in waters leaching the Panasqueira tailing deposits. In dry season, generally the acidic waters, enriched in metals, evaporate progressively depositing sulfate efflorescences characteristic of acidic environments. The elements distribution in precipitated minerals helps in the interpretation of aqueous geochemical data. Aqueous concentrations may be attenuated by goethite, gibbsite, and/or ferrihydrite precipitation in the oxidation zone through adsorption processes. The use of these waters for human consumption and for irrigation represents a threat to humans as they have a potential carcinogenic risk, especially due to the As concentrations. The acid water precipitation is present on the stream sediments, with concentrations exceeding the toxicity limits. Stream sediments are good receptors of metals and metalloids transported by waters. The enrichment factor values, of heavy metal(loid)s from Casinhas stream and Zêzere river sediments, are extremely high in Ag, As, Cd, and Cu revealing enrichments for these potential toxic elements. Igeo values shows that samples are strongly to very strongly polluted for Ag, As, Bi, Cd, and Cu. According to the consensus-based SQGs, 80 % of the samples were classified at the level of great concern and adverse biological effects are to be expected frequently in this area.pt_PT
dc.description.sponsorshipThis study was funded by a grant from FCT (Science and Technology Foundation, Portugal)—SFRH/BD/ 63349/2009. The authors wish also to thank the local authorities and population of S. Francisco de Assis villages who participated in this research. Moreover, we would like to express gratitude to LNEG (National Laboratory of Energy and Geology—Portugal) and Sojitz Beralt Tin & Wolfram (Portugal) SA for the support.pt_PT
dc.identifier.citationWater Air Soil Pollut. 2015; 226:23. doi:10.1007/s11270-014-2255-8. Epub 2015 Fev 5.pt_PT
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s11270-014-2255-8pt_PT
dc.identifier.issn0049-6979
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/3348
dc.language.isoengpt_PT
dc.peerreviewedyespt_PT
dc.publisherSpringer Verlagpt_PT
dc.relationFCT - SFRH/BD/63349/2009pt_PT
dc.relation.publisherversionhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11270-014-2255-8pt_PT
dc.subjectEcosystems and Human Healthpt_PT
dc.subjectMining Activitiespt_PT
dc.subjectMine Waterpt_PT
dc.subjectStream Sedimentspt_PT
dc.subjectMetals Carcinogenic riskpt_PT
dc.subjectÁgua e Solopt_PT
dc.subjectAvaliação do Riscopt_PT
dc.subjectFerreira, Adelaide
dc.titleWater–Rock Interaction and Geochemical Processes in Surface Waters Influenced by Tailings Impoundments: Impact and Threats to the Ecosystems and Human Health in Rural Communities (Panasqueira Mine, central Portugal)pt_PT
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.endPage23pt_PT
oaire.citation.startPage1pt_PT
oaire.citation.titleWater, Air, and Soil Pollutionpt_PT
oaire.citation.volume226pt_PT
rcaap.rightsembargoedAccesspt_PT
rcaap.typearticlept_PT

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