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Ecological and Health Risk Assessments of an Abandoned Gold Mine (Remance, Panama): Complex Scenarios Need a Combination of Indices

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Cristina González-Valoys

    (Centro Experimental de Ingeniería, Technological University of Panama, Vía Tocumen, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
    Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Castilla-La Mancha University, EIMI Almadén, Plaza Manuel Meca 1, Almadén, 13400 Ciudad Real, Spain
    Department of Geology & Geochemistry, Autonomous University of Madrid, University City of Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain)

  • José María Esbrí

    (Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Castilla-La Mancha University, EIMI Almadén, Plaza Manuel Meca 1, Almadén, 13400 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Juan Antonio Campos

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos de Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha University, Ronda de Calatrava 7, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Jonatha Arrocha

    (Centro Experimental de Ingeniería, Technological University of Panama, Vía Tocumen, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama)

  • Eva María García-Noguero

    (Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Castilla-La Mancha University, EIMI Almadén, Plaza Manuel Meca 1, Almadén, 13400 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Tisla Monteza-Destro

    (Departamento de Geotecnia, Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Technological University of Panama, Ricardo J. Alfaro Avenue, Dr. Víctor Levi Sasso University Campus, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama)

  • Ernesto Martínez

    (Dirección de Investigación, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Postgrado y Extensión, Technological University of Panama, Ricardo J. Alfaro Avenue, Dr. Víctor Levi Sasso University Campus, Panamá City 0819-07289, Panama)

  • Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta

    (Department of Geology & Geochemistry, Autonomous University of Madrid, University City of Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain)

  • Eric Gutiérrez

    (Departamento de Geotecnia, Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Technological University of Panama, Ricardo J. Alfaro Avenue, Dr. Víctor Levi Sasso University Campus, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama)

  • Miguel Vargas-Lombardo

    (Facultad de Ingeniería de Sistemas Computacionales, Technological University of Panama, Ricardo J. Alfaro Avenue, Dr. Víctor Levi Sasso University Campus, Panamá City 0819-07289, Panama
    SNI-SENACYT Sistema Nacional de Investigación-Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, Clayton, Ciudad del Saber Edif.205, Panama City 0816-02852, Panama)

  • Efrén Garcia-Ordiales

    (Mining Exploration and Prospecting Department, University of Oviedo, Independencia Street, 13, 33004 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Rosario García-Giménez

    (Department of Geology & Geochemistry, Autonomous University of Madrid, University City of Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain)

  • Francisco Jesús García-Navarro

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos de Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha University, Ronda de Calatrava 7, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Pablo Higueras

    (Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Castilla-La Mancha University, EIMI Almadén, Plaza Manuel Meca 1, Almadén, 13400 Ciudad Real, Spain)

Abstract

The derelict Remance gold mine is a possible source of pollution with potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In the study area, diverse mine waste has been left behind and exposed to weather conditions, and poses risks for soil, plants and water bodies, and also for the health of local inhabitants. This study sought to perform an ecological and health risk assessment of derelict gold mining areas with incomplete remediation, including: (i) characterizing the geochemical distribution of PTEs; (ii) assessing ecological risk by estimating the pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk index (RI); (iii) assessing soil health by dehydrogenase activity; and iv) establishing non-carcinogenic (HI) and carcinogenic risks (CR) for local inhabitants. Soil health seems to depend on not only PTE concentrations, but also on organic matter (OM). Both indexes (PLI and RI) ranged from high to extreme near mining and waste accumulation sites. As indicated by both the HI and CR results, the mining area poses a health risk for local inhabitants and particularly for children. For this reason, it will be necessary to set up environmental management programs in the areas that are most affected (tailings and surrounding areas) and accordingly establish the best remediation strategies to minimize risks for the local population.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Cristina González-Valoys & José María Esbrí & Juan Antonio Campos & Jonatha Arrocha & Eva María García-Noguero & Tisla Monteza-Destro & Ernesto Martínez & Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta & Eric Gutiérre, 2021. "Ecological and Health Risk Assessments of an Abandoned Gold Mine (Remance, Panama): Complex Scenarios Need a Combination of Indices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-22, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9369-:d:629436
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Meagan J. Harris & Jonah Stinson & Wayne G. Landis, 2017. "A Bayesian Approach to Integrated Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment for the South River, Virginia Mercury‐Contaminated Site," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(7), pages 1341-1357, July.
    2. Zheng Sun & Jiajun Chen, 2018. "Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) Pollution at a Rural Industrial Wasteland in an Abandoned Metallurgy Factory in North China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Yujie Pan & Hongxia Peng & Shuyun Xie & Min Zeng & Changsheng Huang, 2019. "Eight Elements in Soils from a Typical Light Industrial City, China: Spatial Distribution, Ecological Assessment, and the Source Apportionment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-17, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tingyu Fan & Jinhong Pan & Xingming Wang & Shun Wang & Akang Lu, 2022. "Ecological Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals in the Soil of an Opencast Mine in Xinjiang," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-14, November.

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