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. 2023 Dec;45(12):9157-9173.
doi: 10.1007/s10653-022-01469-5. Epub 2023 Jan 16.

Spatial distribution and pollution evaluation in dry riverbeds affected by mine tailings

J G Cuevas  1 , A Faz  2 , S Martínez-Martínez  2 , M Gabarrón  2 , J C Beltrá  2 , J Martínez  2 , J A Acosta  2
Affiliations

Spatial distribution and pollution evaluation in dry riverbeds affected by mine tailings

J G Cuevas et al. Environ Geochem Health. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of pollution, sources and potential risk of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe and Pb) and arsenic (As) in four dry riverbeds affected by mine tailing, which drain into one of the biggest coastal lagoon of Europe (Mar Menor). El Beal, La Carrasquilla, Las Matildes and Ponce dry riverbeds sediments were sampled along its course (20, 18, 13, 19 samples were collected, respectively), and total/soluble metal(loid)s, water soluble ions, nitrogen, and organic/inorganic carbon contents were analyzed. Spatial distribution, principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), contamination factor (Cf), pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk index (RI) were used to identify the possible sources of metal(loid)s and to assess the sediment pollution status. The results showed that the mean total concentrations of As, Cu, Cd, Mn, Zn and Pb exceeded the natural background levels of the study area, with the highest values located close to the mining areas. Correlation and cluster analysis identified that Cd and Zn were associated mainly with anthropogenic activities for all riverbeds, while Cr and Ni come from parent. PLI graded the four riverbeds as contaminated by heavy metals, while RI manifested that 100% of samples located in El Beal, La Carrasquilla and Las Matildes had a significantly high ecological risk. Therefore, this study suggests that mine wastes are the main source of metal(loids) contamination in the dry riverbeds, which results can be used to design actions and measures to reduce the environmental impact of metal(loid)s in the Mar Menor coastal lagoon.

Keywords: Mar Menor lagoon; Metals; Multivariate statistical analysis; Pollution index; Sediments.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors whose names are listed immediately below certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Sampling points in dry riverbeds located in the Cartagena-La Unión mining district
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
pH spatial distribution in soil samples from dry riverbeds
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Zinc (Zn) spatial distribution in soil samples from dry riverbeds
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Contamination factor, pollution load and ecological risk indices in the four dry riverbeds
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Dendrogram obtained by cluster analysis for metal(loid)s contents in soil samples from the riverbeds
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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