Abstract

BREMER BREMER, Martin H.; LOZANO GARCIA, Diego Fabián; RODRIGUEZ GARCIA, Mucio  and  HORI OCHOA, María del Consuelo. Characterization of the pollution levels in a sulfur mine using high resolution satellite imagery to optimize the sampling plan. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2016, vol.32, n.2, pp.165-176. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/RICA.2016.32.02.03.

Industrial activities in developing countries have left a legacy of environmental impacts that represent a long-term risk to human beings living in and around polluted areas. Fortunately, pressure from NGOs and social organizations is creating a trend of remediation projects that can be used as showcases in other areas, and stimulate both governments and private companies to initiate cleanup activities in polluted areas all over the world. The study was conducted in a former sulfur mine in the city of Jaltipan, Veracruz, Mexico. This mine operated from the early 50s to early 90s, first as a private company and later as a government company. As common in many mining companies during this period, there was virtually no concern for the environmental aspects of the mine operations, from mineral extraction to final product shipment. Thus, in an area of roughly 400 hectares, close to 20 % of the area was affected by some kind of sulfur residues. This project involved two aspects. First, the determination of the polluted areas in and around the property of the mining company, using high-resolution imagery and GIS technologies in combination with extensive field surveys. Second, based upon the results of the diagnostic phase, the determination of the volume of polluted material, its three dimensional distribution and the selection of the best strategy for site remediation.

Keywords : soil pollution; site assessment; sulfur; Jaltipan; Ikonos.

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