Resumo

GAVILAN-GARCIA, Irma C.; LADINO, Luis A.; FRANCO, Eliacim  e  JUAREZ, Javier. DETERMINATION OF FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL RISK OF ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION AND INGESTION OF MINING TAILINGS. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2020, vol.36, n.1, pp.127-138.  Epub 22-Dez-2020. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/rica.2020.36.53384.

Even though the mining industry is a prosperous activity that offers economic benefits and important job opportunities in the states where it is developed, it generates negative and cumulative environmental impacts. The waste generated, i.e. mining tails, is the biggest concern due to the risk of wind dispersion and the release of chemical species by leaching effects and their consequent damage to the population and ecosystems. The main objective of this work was: a) to evaluate the in vitro bioavailability of arsenic by ingestion of mine tailings dust using a method that simulates the gastric and intestinal conditions of the human body in the mining district of Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico, and b) to determine the concentration of arsenic by its particle size using atomic absorption spectrometry coupled to hydride generator. The results of this study are intended to provide information to determine the risk that mine tailings represent to the studied area. The results show that As is released in greater proportion when the pH of the medium is acid in gastric conditions. However, when the pH levels tend to neutrality in intestinal conditions there is a decrease in the release of As. Regarding the generation of an aerosol from mining waste, the results show that the highest concentration of As was present in particles of 1.0 μm. This represents a high risk to the population, given these particles are in the breathable fraction (i.e., PM2.5).

Palavras-chave : mining; arsenic; bioavailability; aerosol particles.

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