1. 3D Spatial Distribution of Arsenic in an Abandoned Mining Area: A Combined Geophysical and Geochemical Approach
- Author
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Alfonso Muñoz-Martín, Jesús Ruiz-Roso, Pedro Castiñeiras, Elena Crespo-Feo, Mari Luz García-Lorenzo, and Comunidad de Madrid
- Subjects
lcsh:QE351-399.2 ,Geodinámica ,Environmental remediation ,010501 environmental sciences ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,Spatial distribution ,01 natural sciences ,Arsenic ,Geología ,Electrical resistivity tomography ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,geochemical characterization ,lcsh:Mineralogy ,Potential risk ,arsenic ,Petrología ,risk assessment ,Sampling (statistics) ,Geology ,Geophysics ,Geofísica ,Contamination ,Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology ,Acid mine drainage ,Soil contamination ,electromagnetic conductivity ,electrical resistivity tomography ,Environmental science ,Geoquímica ,soil contamination - Abstract
Abandoned mine wastes, containing high sulfide contents, are of particular concern because of the formation of acid mine drainage (AMD), becoming an active and harmful point source of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) to the environment. A detailed evaluation of the chemical and mineralogical composition of mining wastes is necessary to determine effective remediation actions. Due to the high amount of generated wastes as a result of mining and processing activities, the cost and time consumed for this characterization are limiting. Hence, efficient tools could be applied to predict the composition of these wastes and their spatial distribution. This study aims to determine the physico-chemical characterization of wastes from mining activities using geochemical and geophysical techniques. The obtained results, both geochemical and geophysical, allow us to locate areas with a high potential risk of contamination by As in an economic and simple way, and enable us to design detailed geochemical sampling campaigns. In addition, the fact that there are conductive fractures in depth suggests the possible circulation of contaminants through them as well as the preferential lines of circulation., Comunidad de Madrid, CARESOIL-CM (S2013/MAE-2739).
- Published
- 2020
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