IJERPH, Vol. 17, Pages 5117: Modelling the Transference of Trace Elements between Environmental Compartments in Abandoned Mining Areas

IJERPH, Vol. 17, Pages 5117: Modelling the Transference of Trace Elements between Environmental Compartments in Abandoned Mining Areas International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph17145117 Authors: Fernando Barrio-Parra Miguel Izquierdo-Díaz Luis Jesús Fernández-Gutiérrez del Álamo Bárbara Biosca Eduardo De Miguel An openly accessible cellular automaton has been developed to predict the preferential migration pathways of contaminants by surface runoff in abandoned mining areas. The site where the validation of the results of the Contaminant Mass Transfer Cellular Automaton (CMTCA) has been carried out is situated on the steep flank of a valley in the Spanish northwestern region of Asturias, at the foot of which there is a village with 400 inhabitants, bordered by a stream that flows into a larger river just outside the village. Soil samples were collected from the steep valley flank where the mine adits and spoil heaps are situated, at the foot of the valley, and in the village, including private orchards. Water and sediment samples were also collected from both surface water courses. The concentration of 12 elements, including those associated with the Cu-Co-Ni ore, were analyzed by ICP-OES (Perkin Elmer Optima 3300DV, Waltham, MA, USA) and ICP-MS (Perkin Elmer NexION 2000, Waltham, MA, USA). The spatial representation of the model’s results revealed that those areas most likely to be crossed by soil...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research