Pollution of soils by the toxic spill of a pyrite mine (Aznalcollar, Spain)

被引:155
作者
Simón, M [1 ]
Ortiz, I [1 ]
García, I [1 ]
Fernández, E [1 ]
Fernández, J [1 ]
Dorronsoro, C [1 ]
Aguilar, J [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Granada, Fac Ciencias, Dept Edafol & Quim Agr, E-18071 Granada, Spain
关键词
pyrite mine; toxic spill; heavy metals; soil pollution;
D O I
10.1016/S0048-9697(99)00378-2
中图分类号
X [环境科学、安全科学];
学科分类号
08 ; 0830 ;
摘要
On 25 April 1998 the retention walls broke open in a pond containing the residues from a pyrite mine of Aznalcollar (southern Spain), spilling some 45 x 10(5) m(3) of polluted water and toxic tailings into the Agrio and Guadiamar River basin, affecting some 55 km(2). On 5 May, seven sectors in the affected area were studied, analysing tailings, polluted water, and contaminated as well as uncontaminated soils. The principal pollutants were: Zn, Pb, Cu, As, Sb, Bi, Cd and Tl. The range of total contamination of each element was extremely broad, as penetration of the tailings depended on the soil characteristics. Most of the Cu, Zn and Cd penetrated the soil in the solution phase of the spill, while the other elements penetrated mostly as part of the solid phase. Zn exceeded the maximum concentrations permitted by the international community in four of the seven sectors studied, As in three, and the other elements only in one sector. Drying and consequent aeration of the tailings rapidly oxidized sulphides to sulphates, lowered the pH and solubilized the pollutants. Therefore, future rains could aggravate the pollution problem, if the tailings are not quickly removed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:105 / 115
页数:11
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