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Multi-Scale Spectroscopy and In Situ X-Ray Fluorescence Data Applied to Geoenvironmental Models: Assessing Contamination at the Trimpancho Mining Site (Iberian Pyrite Belt)

Author

Listed:
  • Marcelo Godinho Silva

    (GEO-DS Laboratory, Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, University of Évora, 7002-516 Évora, Portugal
    Institute for Advanced Research and Advanced Training (IIFA), University of Évora, Palácio do Vimioso, Largo Marquês de Marialva, Apart. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • José Roseiro

    (GEO-DS Laboratory, Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, University of Évora, 7002-516 Évora, Portugal
    Institute for Advanced Research and Advanced Training (IIFA), University of Évora, Palácio do Vimioso, Largo Marquês de Marialva, Apart. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Diogo São Pedro

    (GEO-DS Laboratory, Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, University of Évora, 7002-516 Évora, Portugal
    Institute for Advanced Research and Advanced Training (IIFA), University of Évora, Palácio do Vimioso, Largo Marquês de Marialva, Apart. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Douglas Santos

    (Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Porto Pole, Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal)

  • Pedro Nogueira

    (GEO-DS Laboratory, Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, University of Évora, 7002-516 Évora, Portugal
    Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, Department of Geosciences, University of Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal)

  • Joana Fonseca Araújo

    (Institute for Advanced Research and Advanced Training (IIFA), University of Évora, Palácio do Vimioso, Largo Marquês de Marialva, Apart. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
    Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, Department of Geosciences, University of Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
    AmbiTerra Laboratory, Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, University of Évora, 7002-516 Évora, Portugal)

  • Roberto da Silva

    (Institute for Advanced Research and Advanced Training (IIFA), University of Évora, Palácio do Vimioso, Largo Marquês de Marialva, Apart. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
    Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, Department of Geosciences, University of Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
    AmbiTerra Laboratory, Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, University of Évora, 7002-516 Évora, Portugal)

  • Ana Cláudia Teodoro

    (Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Porto Pole, Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal)

  • Mário Abel Gonçalves

    (Department of Earth Sciences and Energy, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, C6, 4th Floor, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
    IDL—Instituto D. Luiz, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, C1, 1st Floor, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Renato Henriques

    (Institute of Earth Sciences, Minho Pole, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Rita Fonseca

    (Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, Department of Geosciences, University of Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
    AmbiTerra Laboratory, Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), Évora Pole, University of Évora, 7002-516 Évora, Portugal)

Abstract

In the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), long-term persistence of mine waste piles poses environmental challenges. The present work studies the Trimpancho Mining Complex in northern IPB with exposed mine waste and acidic waters in the proximity to the Chança River, a tributary of the Guadiana international river. A multidisciplinary approach is proposed, using hyperspectral reflectance spectroscopy, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), multispectral Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Sentinel-2 images. Spectroscopic, geochemical and remote sensing methods were applied to characterise the mining area. Comparison of hyperspectral data with spectral libraries were used to validate mineralogy. Multispectral UAV data is used for custom band-ratios and adapted to Sentinel-2 images. Results grouped the samples into four groups. Spectroscopy is indicative of clays (white mica and smectite group), hematite/goethite, jarosite, and arsenopyrite and pyrite (exclusive to the Group 2); iron-rich samples reach maximum reflectance earlier than iron-poor samples. Geochemical studies show an increase in content of heavy metal such as As, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn from Group 1 < Group 3 ≈ Group 4 < Group 2, but Group 4 showed elevated Pb and Zn. Custom false colour composition highlighted the groups in UAV and satellite, thus constituting cost-effective tools for finding contamination sources.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcelo Godinho Silva & José Roseiro & Diogo São Pedro & Douglas Santos & Pedro Nogueira & Joana Fonseca Araújo & Roberto da Silva & Ana Cláudia Teodoro & Mário Abel Gonçalves & Renato Henriques & Rit, 2026. "Multi-Scale Spectroscopy and In Situ X-Ray Fluorescence Data Applied to Geoenvironmental Models: Assessing Contamination at the Trimpancho Mining Site (Iberian Pyrite Belt)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:12:p:6038-:d:1965785
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