The chemo-morphological properties of soils on ancient landforms (quarzitic pliocene alluvial fans, pleistocene terraces), namely "rañizos", on middle-high mountains (Eastern-Central System, Iberian Peninsula, Rio Negro, Cogolludo) were investigated. Several properties were analyzed by standard procedures. A detailed soil diagnostics and classification on "rañizos" were done, unlike those widely studied on "rañas" (similar landform), by identifying parallel pedogenetic processes in both formations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSoil is the basis for almost all global agriculture and the medium in which most terrestrial biological activity occurs. Viticulture represents an important agricultural practice in the Castilla-La Mancha (CLM) community. In this region, there are several protected denominations of origin (PDO), the largest being Valdepeñas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMine tailings are a potential source of environmental pollution because they typically contain potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and the residue of chemical compounds used during extraction processes. The Remance gold mine (NW Panama) is a decommissioned mine with mining activity records dating from the 1800s and several periods of abandonment. Very little remediation work has been performed, and waste is exposed to climatic conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Geochem Health
January 2023
Mining affects the environment, particularly through the persistence of accumulation of tailings materials; this is aggravated under tropical climatic conditions, which favours the release of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) bioavailable to the local flora and fauna and supposing a risk to human health. The Remance gold mine (Panamá), exploited intermittently for more than 100 years, and has remained derelict for over 20 years. Within the area live farmers who carry out subsistence agriculture and livestock activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe 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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF