Heavy metals in northern Chilean rivers: Spatial variation and temporal trends

Pìzarro, Jaime; Vergara, Pablo M.; Rodríguez, José Ángel Sigala; Valenzuela, Alejandra M.

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.05.076

Cited by 77 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The Elqui watershed (northern Chile) constitutes a highly contaminated system, associated with the regional geology and hydrothermal (mineralizing) processes, and mining activities at high altitude (>4000 m above sea level) (Oyarzún et al, 2003;Pizarro et al, 2010). In fact, monthly monitoring of water quality conducted by the National Water Directorate (DGA) evidenced high concentrations of Fe, Al and As in upstream rivers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These rocks host hydrothermal ore deposits of a number of metals, although only copper, gold, silver, and to a lesser extent manganese, have had economic importance, representing 36% and 60% of the country's total production (Oyarzún et al, 2003;Cepeda and Novoa, 2006). The Elqui basin concentrates more than 25% of all the large mines (annual production => 3 million ton yr −1 ) of gold and copper in the central-northern region of Chile (Pizarro et al, 2010). El Indio mining district was a large mine located above Vacas Heladas and Malo Rivers, that began a closure plan in 2002.…”

Section: > Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…high mineralization) in determining acidic waters and metals dissolved in the waters of these rivers. Arsenic is an element that can be closely associated with hydrothermal systems of the acid-sulfate type leading to the formation of precious metal epithermal deposits (Pizarro et al, 2010). However, studies performed in streams that originate from the Vacas Heladas River in the altitudinal range from 3920 to 3970 m above El Indio mining district reported the presence of mayflies and caddisflies (Cepeda and Morales, 2006).…”

Section: > Relationship Between Mining Activities and Macroinvertebramentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the Elqui basin, two centuries of intensive mining and metallurgical operations have left a heritage of abandoned mines and piles of mineral wastes, and consequently a strong impact on water quality (Oyarzún et al, 2003). The mining and geothermal activity in the Elqui Valley has contributed to an increase in heavy metals such as As, Cu and Pb in the waters of the Elqui River (Pizarro et al, 2010;Espejo et al, 2012). Because of these aforementioned impacts, the vulnerability of these rivers to climatic fluctuations and their importance as water supply for human needs make it essential to implement monitoring plans for the protection of water resources in rivers of northern Chile (Vila and Molina, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates and biotic indices to evaluate water quality in rivers impacted by mining activities in northern Chile

Alvial¹,

Tapia

Castro³

et al. 2012

Knowl. Managt. Aquatic Ecosyst.

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Key-words: macroinvertebrates, biotic indices, multivariate analysis, semiarid regionCatchments in the semiarid regions are especially susceptible to environmental perturbation associated with water scarcity, hydrological variations and overuse by anthropogenic activities. Using multivariate analysis to relate environmental and biological data, and diversity and biotic indices (ChBMWP, ChIBF), we analyzed the macroinvertebrate composition of 12 rivers of the semiarid region of northern Chile. A non-metric multidimensional scaling for macroinvertebrate taxa and a principal component analysis for environmental variables strongly separated upstream sites (e.g. Vacas Heladas and Malo Rivers), which presented low pH and high dissolved metal concentrations, from other sites. Effectively, CCA showed that metals and low pH, associated with the altitudinal gradient, determined the distributional patterns of macroinvertebrates in the Elqui catchment. The causes of these particular conditions could be related to geological processes and human impact. The biotic indices applied to the sampling sites corroborated and reflected these characteristics, with La Laguna and Turbio Rivers showing a diverse macroinvertebrate community and moderate to good water quality, and the Claro River showing favorable conditions for the development of aquatic biota, indicating its better quality relative to other stations. To the middle and low part of the basin, a change in the composition of the community was observed, with species that suggest an impact by an increase in organic matter, due to agricultural activities and urban settlements concentrated in this area. Our results suggest that macroinvertebrate taxa in northern Chile may be exceptional species, adapted to unfavorable geochemical conditions, and emphasize the need for protection of the semiarid basins of the region. RÉSUMÉ L'analyse des macroinvertébrés benthiques et indices biotiques pour évaluer la qualité de l'eau dans les rivières touchées par les activités minières dans le nord du Chili Mots-clés : macroinvertébrés, indicesLes bassins versants des régions semi-arides sont particulièrement sensibles aux perturbations de l'environnement associées à la rareté de l'eau, aux variations hydrologiques et à la surexploitation par les activités anthropiques. Utilisant une analyse multivariée pour relier les données environnementales et biologiques, la diversité et des indices biotiques (ChBMWP, ChIBF), nous avons analysé la biotiques, analyse multivariée, région semi-aride composition des macroinvertébrés des 12 rivières de la région semi-aride du nord du Chili. Une mise à l'échelle multidimensionnelle non métrique pour des taxons de macroinvertébrés et une analyse en composantes principales des variables environnementales, séparent fortement les sites amont (par exemple Vacas Heladas et rivières Malo), qui présentent un pH faible et des concentrations élevées de mé-taux dissous, issus d'autres sites. En effet, la CCA a montré que les métaux et le pH faible associés au grad...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: > Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: > Relationship Between Mining Activities and Macroinvertebramentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates and biotic indices to evaluate water quality in rivers impacted by mining activities in northern Chile

Alvial¹,

Tapia

Castro³

et al. 2012

Knowl. Managt. Aquatic Ecosyst.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The quality of surface water within a region is governed by both natural processes such as precipitation rate, weathering processes and manmade activities such as urban, industrial and agricultural activities and the human exploitation of water resources. Many Studies have indicated that many rivers/streams particularly in developing countries are heavily polluted due to industrial, municipal waste water discharges, as well as agricultural runoff [7][8][9][10] and impair their use for drinking, industrial, agricultural and recreational purposes [11]. Mining activity is not excluded from these.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Water Quality of Local Streams at Gandhamardan Iron Mines, Suakati, Keonjhar District of Odisha, India

Harichandan¹,

Patra²,

Sethy³

2017

J Pollut Eff Cont

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The present study focused on assessing the water quality by using water quality index (WQI) of six streams located surrounding iron ore mine of Suakati area of Keonjhar District of Odisha, which includes the physicochemical analysis of fourteen parameters: pH, colour, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolve oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total hardness (TH), chloride (Cl -), nitrate (NO 3 -), oil & grease (O&G), sulphate (SO 4 2-), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), fluoride (F -) and arsenic(As). The WQI of these streams ranges from 4.47 to 244 indicating bad water quality of few streams. The high value of WQI has been found to be mainly from the higher values of TDS, TH, NO 3 -, O&G, Mn, SO 4 2-, As, Fe and F -in different stream water. Correlation analysis shows a strongest value of positive Correlation coefficient (r) exist between O&G and WQI (r=0.979) at SW1, between as and WQI (r=0.985) at SW2, between O&G and WQI (r=0.99) at SW3, between O&G and WQI (r = 0.995) at SW4, between as and WQI (r=0.948) at SW5 and between TDS and WQI (r=0.753) at SW6. The analysis reveals average WQI score for water sample from locations SW1 (126.4), SW2 (222.6), SW3 (105.2) and SW6 (156.6) are in higher sides and quality is very poor. The study shows the quality of water is fit to use in irrigation but not fit for domestic purpose. It also proofs that anthropogenic activity like mining activity is putting deleterious impact on the surrounding water bodies.

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Response of suspended sediment particle size distributions to changes in water chemistry at an Andean mountain stream confluence receiving arsenic rich acid drainage

Abarca

Guerra

Arce

et al. 2016

Hydrological Processes

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Acid drainage is an important water quality issue in Andean watersheds, affecting the sustainability of urban, agricultural, and industrial activities. Mixing zones receiving acid drainage are critical sites where changes in pH and chemical environment promote the formation and dissolution of iron and aluminum oxy/hydroxides. These particles can significantly change the speciation of toxic metals and metalloids throughout drainage networks via sorption, desorption, and settling processes. However, little is known about the behavior of particle size distributions (PSDs) in streams affected by acid drainage and their relationship to metal speciation. This work studied: (a) the PSDs for a wide range of mixing ratios found at a fluvial confluence affected by acid drainage, and (b) the response of PSDs and arsenic speciation to environmental changes found when the particles approach complete mixing conditions. The confluence between the Azufre River (pH ~ 2, high concentration of dissolved metals) and Caracarani River (pH = 8.6, low concentration of dissolved metals) was used as a representative model for study. Field measurements show a bimodal PSD with modal diameters of ~50 and 300 μm. At shorter distances from the junction, the smaller modes with smaller particle volumes were dominant across the stream cross‐sections. A systematic shift towards larger particle sizes and larger particle volumes occurred downstream. The analysis of laboratory PSDs for Azufre/Caracarani mixing ratios between 0.01 and 0.5 (pH from 6.2 to 2.3) showed a bimodal trend with ~15 and 50 μm characteristic diameters; larger particles formed at pH>4. When particle suspensions were transferred in laboratory experiments from very low pH to full mixing conditions (pH ~ 2.8 and mixing ratio ~ 0.25) particle sizes varied, and the dissolved arsenic concentration decreased. The observed reaction kinetics were slow compared to the time scale of advective transport, creating opportunities for engineered controls for arsenic. This work contributes to a better understanding of the chemical‐hydrodynamic interactions in watersheds affected by mining, and identifying opportunities to improve water quality at points of use.

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Heavy metals in northern Chilean rivers: Spatial variation and temporal trends

Cited by 77 publications

References 33 publications

Analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates and biotic indices to evaluate water quality in rivers impacted by mining activities in northern Chile

Analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates and biotic indices to evaluate water quality in rivers impacted by mining activities in northern Chile

Evaluation of Water Quality of Local Streams at Gandhamardan Iron Mines, Suakati, Keonjhar District of Odisha, India

Response of suspended sediment particle size distributions to changes in water chemistry at an Andean mountain stream confluence receiving arsenic rich acid drainage

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