Proposal for a framework for environmental zoning of areas near gold mines based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements, pollution indices, and bioindicators: a case study in Antioquia, Colombia
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Gold mining, even under strict environmental regulations, inevitably causes environmental impacts and liabilities. To address this, the study proposes a framework for environmental zoning around gold mines based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), pollution indices, and bioindicators. Soil samples were collected from municipalities affected by gold mining projects, and concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Cr were measured. Then, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) was calculated. A plant model was used for the biomonitoring of PTEs, and the Plant Vigor Index (PVI) was determined. Finally, environmental zoning was proposed through geospatial analysis combining PTEs, PLI, and PVI values. The concentrations of PTEs were as follows: As ranged from 1.7 to 892, Cd from 0.1 to 65.2, Pb from 18.5 to 2345, and Cr from 5.4 to 118.4. Spearman’s rank correlation showed significant relations (ρ > 0.76) between bioindicators and PTE concentrations and PLI. The PVI correlated significantly with PTE concentrations (ρ − 0.41 to − 0.67) and PLI (ρ − 0.65). The municipalities were categorized into three zones: highly contaminated, moderately contaminated, and minimally contaminated. Overall, the environmental zoning maps serve as a management tool for environmental monitoring. © The Author(s) 2024.
Palabras clave
Biomonitoring, Environmental risk indicators, Hazardous waste, Heavy metals, Cadmium, Colombia, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Pollution, Gold, Metals, Heavy, Mining, Soil Pollutants, Environmental regulations, Gold mines, Groundwater pollution, Platinum mines, Soil pollution, environmental marker, heavy metal, nickel, zinc sulfide, cadmium, gold, heavy metal, Biomonitoring, Environmental risk indicator, Environmental risks, Hazardous wastes, Plant vigor, Pollution index, Pollution load indices, Potentially toxic elements, Risk indicators, Vigor indices, Article, biological monitoring, conceptual framework, environmental factor, genotoxicity, geographic distribution, germination, gold mining, heavy metal poisoning, human, municipal solid waste, nonhuman, particle size, phytotoxicity, plant growth, plant height, pollution, soil analysis, soil pollution, Colombia, environmental monitoring, mining, pollution, procedures, soil pollutant, Environmental monitoring