Spatial distribution and sources of trace elements in sediments affected by old mining activities.
The distribution of trace elements throughout mining areas is an important issue because abandoned tailings could be a major source of environmental pollution. In order to analyze the spatial variation of trace elements in a zone where mining activities took place and to identify pollution sources in the study area, a three-step study was carried out at a regional, at a local, and a detailed scale. In addition, a conceptual model of trace elements dispersion was established and confirmed by a geographic information system. The results obtained allowed to establish points affected by primary, secondary, and tertiary contamination, according to their proximity to contamination sources and as a function of attenuation processes which could take place in the studied area.
Department of Petrology and Geochemistry, Faculty of Geology, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain. mglorenzo@geo.ucm.es
Mari Luz
ML
García-Lorenzo
Carmen
C
Pérez-Sirvent
María José
MJ
Martínez-Sánchez
José
J
Molina-Ruiz
Mari Luz
ML
Tudela
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008906:Mining; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements