Quality evaluation of the surface waters entering the Doñana National Park (SW Spain)

Arambarri, Pablo de; Cabrera, Francisco; González-Quesada, R.

doi:10.1016/s0048-9697(96)05258-8

Cited by 50 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…At longer times-scales, even poorly soluble elements could be transported downstream. Studies on metal content in soils of this area conducted before the mining accident showed that waters of Guadiamar River had comparatively high heavy metal contents, due to the transport of heavy metal-rich solids precipitated upstream in distant mining sites (Arambarri et al, 1996;Cabrera et al, 1987). The analysis of some plant species from the marshes in Doñana National Park, where the Guadiamar River drains, indicated residual As contamination derived from historic mining activities in distant locations within the region (Madejón et al, 2006).…”

Section: Zonementioning

confidence: 97%

River banks and channels as hotspots of soil pollution after large-scale remediation of a river basin

et al. 2016

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Riparian areas are highly dynamic systems where the control of soil pollution might be particularly challenging. Limited accessibility to river banks and bed sediments makes reclamation operations particularly difficult in these topographical positions, in comparison to floodplains. This usually leads to the large-scale spread of pollutants following pollution episodes in riparian areas. Here, we aimed to evaluate the persistence of traceelement pollution in the soils of Guadiamar River Valley (SW Spain), a large-scale remediation after a minespill. We monitored topsoil along the river basin, and in different topographical positions across the river section (river channel, river banks and floodplain), 16 years after a pollution episode and subsequent remediation program. River channels and banks were identified as hotspots of soil pollution, where soluble concentrations of As, Cd and Zn were significantly higher than in floodplains. Along the basin, soil pH and carbonate content was highly variable as a result of contrasted geological background, differential loads of sulfide deposition after the accident and irregular effectiveness of the applied amendments. Cadmium and Zn showed the highest levels of long-term re-distribution from the pollution source. The results suggests that the stabilization and remediation of soil pollution in river banks and channels, often overlooked when achieving remediation works, should be a priority for land managers.

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Section: Zonementioning

confidence: 97%

River banks and channels as hotspots of soil pollution after large-scale remediation of a river basin

et al. 2016

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“…Earlier studies show that there was already heavy pollution of the Agrio River before the 1998 spill (Cabrera et al, 1984(Cabrera et al, , 1987Arambarri et al, 1996).…”

Section: Background and Aimsmentioning

confidence: 99%

State of Contamination of the Waters in the Guadiamar Valley Five Years after the AznalcÓllar Spill

Álvarez

Cerón

Fernández

et al. 2005

Water Air Soil Pollut

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In April 1998, the Aznalcóllar mine tailings dam spilled 2 hm 3 of slurry and 4 hm 3 of acid waters into the Agrio River (affluent of the Guadiamar River). The pollutants reached the proximity of the Doñana National Park, 60 km downstream. The state of contamination of groundwaters and surface waters, from several samplings made subsequent to the spill, is described. Although the Guadiamar valley groundwaters remain contaminated, this situation cannot be attributed to the mining spill, but to the long history of pollution from mining activity at Aznalcóllar. Three zones can be distinguished: the most polluted zone, with pH values close to 4 and very high concentrations of metals (up to 18 mg/l of Al and 7 mg/l of Mn) and sulfates (up to 1263 mg/l); a second zone where pH values are higher (close to neutral) and, as a result, the concentration of metals is significantly lower; and a third zone, with pH exceeding 7, in which the concentration of metals has already fallen to normal levels but sulfate concentrations remain high (above 500 mg/l). The waters of the Agrio River present characteristics similar to those of the most-polluted groundwaters; on mixing with the waters of the Guadiamar River they are neutralized, precipitating firstly Al and then the rest of the metals. These metals remain deposited on the river-bed, where they are readily remobilized in later spates. Analysis of changes in groundwater quality shows a trend toward a lower content of Zn and the other metals in most wells.

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“…For example, the Partido Stream drains intensive agricultural areas and receives the waste generated by local industries and sewage from several small communities (with a total population of 35,000; Arambarri et al, 1996). The Guadiamar River also receives sewage from small villages located within its watershed (w40,000 inhabitants), and the waste generated by industries processing oil, wine and fruits (Arambarri et al, 1996).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the Guadiamar River also drains through the Iberian Pyrite Belt, eroding old mine tailings, and leaching important quantities of trace metals in the process (Arambarri et al, 1996). Furthermore, while the mine tailings from the Aznalcóllar accident contaminated the Guadiamar River (Grimalt et al, 1999), the Partido Stream was not affected by the spill.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metal contamination in interstitial waters of Doñana Park

Tovar-Sánchez

Huerta-Díaz²,

Negro

et al. 2006

Journal of Environmental Management

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The composition of interstitial waters in Spain's Doñana National Park was assessed 4 years after a major pyrite slurry spill occurred from the Aznalcollar Mine. Metal and nutrient concentrations in pore waters from two of the most important watercourses traversing Doñana Park were measured: Guadiamar River (affected by the accident) and Partido Stream (unimpacted by the accident). Concentrations of dissolved constituents in interstitial waters varied according to land use in the two watersheds and to the effects of the mine spill. Levels of dissolved Co, Cu, Mo, Ti, and Zn were higher in pore waters from the Guadiamar River than in the Partido Stream, suggesting that concentrations of trace elements are still influenced by the spill. In contrast, concentrations of dissolved nutrients (NH4+, NO2-, NO3-, PO4(-3)) and some trace metals used in fertilizers (e.g. Al and Cr) were higher in the Partido Stream. Levels of dissolved As, Cs, DOC, Ge, Hg, Rb and V in the interstitial waters were equal in both watercourses. Metal concentrations in interstitial waters of the Guadiamar River floodplain were between 0.3 (As) and 16,000 (Zn) times lower than those previously reported in the river and groundwater a few weeks after the mine spill. Although metals in pore water appear to have reached levels characteristic of the area before the accident, concentrations are 60-150 times higher than those in pore waters from other regions. Metal:Al ratios in Doñana's pore waters suggest a transport of contaminants from the Iberian Pyrite Belt into Doñana Park.

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Quality evaluation of the surface waters entering the Doñana National Park (SW Spain)

Cited by 50 publications

References 25 publications

River banks and channels as hotspots of soil pollution after large-scale remediation of a river basin

River banks and channels as hotspots of soil pollution after large-scale remediation of a river basin

State of Contamination of the Waters in the Guadiamar Valley Five Years after the AznalcÓllar Spill

Metal contamination in interstitial waters of Doñana Park

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