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IStudy of Heavy Metal Pollution in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions Due to Mining Activity: Sonora and Bacanuchi Rivers

Author

Listed:
  • GJ Leon-Garcia
  • JL Valenzuela-Garcia
  • MA Encinas-Romero
  • KK Encinas-Soto
  • A Gomez-Alvarez

    (Department of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy, University of Sonora, Blvd. Luis Encinas and Rosales, Hermosillo, Mexico)

  • DM Meza-Figueroa

    (Department of Geology, University of Sonora, Luıs Encinas and Rosales, Hermosillo, México)

  • AI Villalba-Atondo

    (Department of Scientific and Technological Research, University of Sonora, Luis Encinas and Rosales, Hermosillo, Mexico)

Abstract

A study of the Sonora and Bacanuchi rivers was conducted to assess the mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals. These rivers were affected by a spill caused by the mining activity of the region, which is considered the most important ecological disaster in the modern history of Mexico. BCR sequential extraction was performed to determine geochemical phases in which metals are found. The evaluation of heavy metal contamination was performed using Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geoaccumulation index (Igeo). Sediments showed high concentrations (mg/kg) of Cu (8-716), Cr (8-90), Fe (7,300-52,400), Mn (80-938), Ni (6-48), Pb (14-210) and Zn (41-470). Metal concentrations in geochemical phases exhibited the following order: residual>Fe/Mn oxides> exchangeable>organic matter. The order of mobility and/or bioavailability of metals was: Mn>Cu>Ni>Pb>Zn>Fe>Cr. EF showed an anthropogenic enrichment in both rivers for Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, mainly derived from the mining activity. Values of Igeo were classified as non-contaminated to moderately contaminated. The Bacanuchi river showed moderate to strong contamination of Cu and Pb. The quality criteria comparisons (LEL and SEL) indicate both rivers are contaminated by metals and represent a danger to biota, due to the high metal mobility and bioavailability.

Suggested Citation

  • GJ Leon-Garcia & JL Valenzuela-Garcia & MA Encinas-Romero & KK Encinas-Soto & A Gomez-Alvarez & DM Meza-Figueroa & AI Villalba-Atondo, 2018. "IStudy of Heavy Metal Pollution in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions Due to Mining Activity: Sonora and Bacanuchi Rivers," International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 11(1), pages 14-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:adp:ijesnr:v:11:y:2018:i:1:p:14-24
    DOI: 10.19080/IJESNR.2018.11.555804
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    Keywords

    earth and environment journals; environment journals; open access environment journals; peer reviewed environmental journals; open access; juniper publishers; ournal of Environmental Sciences; juniper publishers journals ; juniper publishers reivew;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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