Sequential chemical extraction of heavy metals in a study of the chemical alteration of mine tailings at Ticapampa (Huaraz, Peru)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.122.2.007Keywords:
drainage, heavy metals, microscopy, mining, mobility and bioavailability, Perú, tailingsAbstract
The upper reaches of the Río Santa (Huaraz, Perú) are highly affected by the mining activities of generally small and very small mining companies located in two specific areas, Cordillera Blanca, and Cordillera Negra, with the largest mining claims located in the districts of Recuay and Ticapampa. To assess the mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals in the abandoned tailings pond belonging to the Alianza mining company in the district of Ticapampa, and to identify the fractions to which they are associated we applied a sequential chemical extraction. The results were compared with studies into their mineralogical characterization, a quantitative chemical analysis and a determination of potential acidity and potential neutralization by the ABA (acid-base accounting) method applied to samples of tailings. The sequential extraction procedure confirmed the mode of general alteration observed in the area through mineralogical studies: a relatively easy mobility of Pb, and Cd, and considerable immobility with regard to Ag, Cr and Co, as well as an intermediate mobility of Cu, Zn, and As. Significant cadmium and lead contents found in the most mobile fractions of the tailings may represent an environmental threat, bearing in mind the toxic nature of these elements. Despite the low mobility of arsenic, the total quantities of this element are so high that the waters of the Río Santa are being affected.
Downloads
References
ASGMI. 2010. Pasivos Ambientales Mineros. Manual para el inventario de minas abandonadas o paralizadas.
Asociación de Servicios de Geología y Minería Iberoamericanos. 42 p. IGME/AGSMI. 02/02/10. http://www.igme.es/internet/ASGMI/asambleas/
Blowes, D.W., Ptacek, C.J. and Jurjovec, J. 2003. Mill Tailings: Hidrogeology and geochemistry. In: Jambor, J.L. Blowes, D.W. and Ritchie, A.I.M. (Eds.) Environmental Aspects of Mine-Wastes. Mineralogical Association of Canada Short Course series, Volume 31.
Chao, T.T. 1984. Use of partial dissolution techniques in geochemical exploration. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 20, 101-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6742(84)90078-5
Chao, T.T. and Zhou, L. 1983. Extraction techniques for selective dissolution of amorphous iron oxides from soils and sediments. Journal of Soil Science Society of American Proceedings, 47, 225-232. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1983.03615995004700020010x
Congreso de la República del Perú. 2004. Ley N° 28271, Ley que regula los pasivos ambientales de la actividad minera. 03/02/10. http://www.congreso.gob.pe/ntley/Imagenes/Leyes/28271.pdf
Diaby, N. Dold, B., Pfeifer, H-R. Holliger, C., Johnson, D.B. and Hallberg, K.B. 2007. Microbial communities in a porphyry copper tailings impoundment and their impact on the geochemical dynamics of the mine waste. Environmental microbiology, 9(2), 298-307. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-2920.2006.01138.x
Dold, B. 2003. Speciation of the most soluble phases in a sequential extraction procedure adapted for geochemical studies of copper sulfide mine waste. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 80, 55-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0375-6742(03)00182-1
Fanfani, L., Zuddas, P. and Chessa A. 1997. Heavy metals speciation analysis as a tool for studying mine tailings weathering. Journal Geochemical Exploration, 58, 241-248. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0375-6742(96)00059-3
Ferguson, K. and Morin, K. 1991. The prediction of acid rock drainage-lessons from the data base. Second International Conference on the Abatement of Acidic Drainage, Vol. 3, CANMET, Ottawa, Ontario. pp. 83-106
Jara M. 2003. Distribución de Metales Pesados en Agua y Sedimentos y sus Efectos sobre la Vida Acuática en la Cuenca Superior del Río Santa. Tesis de Maestría, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Facultad de Geología, Minas y Metalurgia. Inédita.166 p.
McGregor, R.G., Blowes, D.W. and Robertson, W.D. 1995. The application of chemical extractions to sulphide tailings at the Copper Cliff tailings area, Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury '95 Proceedings 3, 1133- 1142.
McLaren, R. and Crawford, D. 1973. Studies on soil. The fractionation of copper in soils. Soil Science, 24 (2), 172-181. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.1973.tb00753.x
Ministerio de Energía y Minas (Dirección de Asuntos ambientales) 1998. Estudio de Evaluación Ambiental Territorial y de Planeamiento para Reducción o Eliminación de la contaminación de origen minero en la cuenca del Río Santa. Lima - Perú.
Perin, G., Craboledda, L., Lucchese, M., Cirillo, R., Dotta, L., Zanetta, M.L. and Oro, A.A. 1985. Heavy metal speciation in the sediments of northern Adriatic Sea. A new approach for environmental toxicity determination. In: Lakkas, T.D. (Ed.), Heavy Metals in the Environment, Vol. 2, CEP Consultants, Edinburg.
Price, W.A., Morin, K. and Hutt, N. 1997. Guidelines for the Prediction of Acid Rock Drainage and Metal Leaching for Mines in British Columbia: Part II. Recommended Procedures for Static and Kinetic Testing. 4th International Conference on Acid Mine Drainage, Vancouver, BC, 15-30.
Ribet, I., Ptacek, C.J., Blowes, D.W. and Jambor, J.L. 1995. The potential for metal release by reductive dissolution of weathered mine tailings. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 17 (3), 239-273. https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-7722(94)00010-F
Schultz, L.G. 1964. Quantitative interpretation of mineralogical composition from X-ray and chemical data for the Pierre Shale. US. Geological Survey Profesional Paper, 391-C, C1-C31. United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. https://doi.org/10.3133/pp391C
Sobek, A.A., Schuller, W.A., Freeman, J.R. and Smith, R.M. 1978. Field and laboratory methods applicable to overburdens and minesoils (EPA-600/2-78-054). U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. 203 pp.
Sondag, F., 1981. Selective extraction procedures applied to geochemical prospecting in an area contaminated by old mine workings. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 15, 645-652. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-42012-1.50047-7
Strömberg, B. and Banwart, S. 1994. Kinetic modelling of geochemical processes at Aitik mining waste rock site in northern Sweden. Applied Geochemistry, 9, 583-595. https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-2927(94)90020-5
Tessier, A.P., Campbell, G.C. and Bisson, M. 1979. Sequential Extraction Procedure for the speciation of Particulate Trace Metals. Analytical Chemistry, 51(7), 844-850. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac50043a017
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
© CSIC. Manuscripts published in both the print and online versions of this journal are the property of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and quoting this source is a requirement for any partial or full reproduction.
All contents of this electronic edition, except where otherwise noted, are distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. You may read the basic information and the legal text of the licence. The indication of the CC BY 4.0 licence must be expressly stated in this way when necessary.
Self-archiving in repositories, personal webpages or similar, of any version other than the final version of the work produced by the publisher, is not allowed.
