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Publication
Heavy metal pollution in mine-soil-plant system in S. Francisco de Assis - Panasqueira mine (Portugal)
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The active Panasqueira mine is a tin–tungsten (Sn–W) mineralization hosted by metasediments with quartz veins rich
in ferberite. The economic exploitation has been focused on wolframite, cassiterite and chalcopyrite. The
mineralization also comprises several sulphides, carbonates and silver sulphosalts. The mining and beneficiation
processes produces arsenic-rich mine wastes laid up in huge tailings and open air impoundments that are the main
source of pollution in the surrounding area, once the oxidation of sulphides can result in the mobilization and
migration of trace metals/metalloids from the mining wastes into the environment, releasing contaminants into the
ecosystem.
A geochemical survey was undertaken, in order to investigate the environmental contamination impact on agricultural
and residential soils in S. Francisco de Assis village due to the mining activities. Rhizosphere samples, vegetables
(Solanum tubersum sava and Brassica olerácea L.) which constitute an important part of the local human diet),
irrigation waters and road dusts were collected in private residences in S. Francisco de Assis village. According to the
Ontario guidelines ( Ministry of Environment, 2011), the Arsenic contents in the rhizosphere soils exceed 20 times the
reference value for agricultural soils (11 mg kg-1). The result obtained showed that some edible plants frequently
used in the region could be enriched in these metals/metalloids and may represent a serious hazard if consumed. The
potatoes tend to have a preferential accumulation in the leaves and roots while in cabbages most elements have a
preferential accumulation in the roots. An index of the risk for residents, due to ingesting of these metals/metalloids,
by consuming vegetables grown around the sampling area, was calculated and the result indicates that the
inhabitants of S. Francisco de Assis village are probably exposed to some potential health risks through the intake of
arsenic, cadmium and also lead via consuming their vegetables.
Description
Available online 29 July 2013
Keywords
Contaminação do ambiente Poluição do ambiente Metais pesados Aldeia de S. Francisco de Assis (concelho da Covilhã) Minas da Panasqueira (Portugal)
Citation
Candeias, Carla... [et al.] - Heavy metal pollution in mine-soil-plant system in S. Francisco de Assis - Panasqueira mine (Portugal). In: Applied Geochemistry, Vol. 44 (2014), p. 12-26