Use of multivariable and redundancy analysis to assess the behavior of metals and arsenic in urban soil and road dust affected by metallic mining as a base for risk assessment

Abstract

The vicinity of abandoned mining ponds to populated areas may suppose a high environmental and health risk being necessary evaluate unreclaimed ponds as source of metal(loid)s. In order to evaluate the behaviour of metals and arsenic from tailing ponds and their effects in urban areas, 10 mine wastes samples, 10 urban soil and 10 urban road dust samples were collected from two mining districts (La Unión and Mazarrón, SE Spain). Physicochemical properties and total, available and water-soluble concentration of metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb, Zn) and As were analyzed. Results suggest enrichment in Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn of urban soil and road dust in both studied towns. Multivariable analysis indicated that Cd, Mn, Pb and Zn in La Unión urban soil, and As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in soil and Fe in road dust of Mazarrón come from mining districts. In addition, redundancy analysis showed that mobility of metal(loid)s related to mining sources were more influenced by their total concentration, while metals with a lithogeny origin were more affected by physicochemical properties.

Keywords: Mining ponds; Multivariate analysis; Redundancy analysis; Road dust; Urban soil.