Impact of copper mining wastes in the Amazon: Properties and risks to environment and human health.
J Hazard Mater
; 421: 126688, 2022 01 05.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34315634
ABSTRACT
Improper disposal of copper mining wastes can threaten the ecosystem and human health due to the high levels of potentially toxic elements released into the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the properties of Cu mining wastes generated in the eastern Amazon and their potential risks to environment and human health. Samples of forest soil and artisanal/industrial Cu mining wastes were collected and subjected to characterization of properties and pseudo-total concentrations of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn, in addition to chemical fractionation of Cu. The pH ranged from near neutrality to alkaline. Pseudo-total concentrations of Cu were high in all wastes, mainly in the artisanal rock waste, with 19,034 mg kg-1, of which 61% is concentrated in the most reactive fractions. Pollution indices indicated that the wastes are highly contaminated by Cu and moderately contaminated by Cr and Ni. However, only the artisanal rock waste is associated with environmental risk. Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic human health risks were detected, especially from exposure to Cr in the artisanal rock waste. Prevention actions and monitoring of the artisanal mining area are necessary to avoid impacts to the local population.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Contexto en salud:
2_ODS3
Problema de salud:
2_quimicos_contaminacion
Asunto principal:
Contaminantes del Suelo
/
Metales Pesados
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Hazard Mater
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article