title: Distribution of trace elements in particle size fractions for contaminated soils by a copper smelting from different zones of the Puchuncaví Valley (Chile).
abstract: Metal contents in soil samples are commonly used to evaluate contamination levels. However, the distribution of metals is dependent on particle size. We investigated the distribution of metals in various particle size fractions of the soil from four sites of the Puchuncaví Valley (Central Chile). The soil samples were segregated into size fractions ranging from 0.3 to 20μm and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results of the statistical analysis of the total metal concentrations indicated that the soil samples from Greda and Maitenes, the sites nearest the industrial sources, are the most contaminated. For these sites, the size-fractionated samples containing higher concentrations of Cu, Zn, As, and Pb were found in the finer fractions, suggesting anthropogenic depositions from smelter facilities. In addition, a high Ca concentration was observed in the finer fractions, which could be attributed to the technological approaches used to reduce the SO2 emissions from the roasting process of copper sulfide. The mineral composition of fine particles permitted the identification of Tenorite and Calcium oxide, which are most likely associated with smelting activities, confirming emission of enriched particulate matter from the copper smelter.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Química Analítica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Avenida Brasil 2950, Valparaíso, Chile. Electronic address: sonnia.parra@ucv.cl.
authors.forename: Sonnia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parra
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Química Analítica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Avenida Brasil 2950, Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Manuel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bravo
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Química Analítica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Avenida Brasil 2950, Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Waldo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Quiroz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Studies ''IDAEA", CSIC, C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Studies ''IDAEA", CSIC, C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Angeliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karanasiou
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Studies ''IDAEA", CSIC, C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Oriol
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Font
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Center for Environmental Technology. Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Center for Environmental Technology. Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cereceda
mesh_terms: D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D002677:Chile; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D010087:Oxides / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D008670:Metals; D010087:Oxides; D052638:Particulate Matter; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D003300:Copper; C016538:lime
keywords: Principal component analysis; Size fractionation; Soil characterization; Trace element