Contaminación por metales pesados en la rambla de El Gorguel (SE Península Ibérica)
- Federico G. Pavetti
- Héctor M. Conesa-Alcaraz
- Ángel Faz-Cano
- Raquel Arnaldos
- Gregorio García
ISSN: 0187-5779
Year of publication: 2006
Volume: 24
Pages: 171-178
Type: Article
More publications in: TERRA Latinoamericana
Abstract
The intensive mining activity that has taken place inthe mining district of Cartagena-La Unión (SE IberianPeninsula) for more than 2500 years, until the end of the20th century, has had important consequences for localenvironment.Among these, the presence of heavy metalsin high concentrations can be highlighted. These miningwastes, located in pyramidal structures called "balsas",are unprotected against erosion processes. Importantamounts of material from "balsas" are transported toother zones through fluvial intermittent characteristicMediterranean riverbeds called "ramblas", taking thepollution problem to a higher level. The "GorguelRambla" is a representative example of this problem dueto the fact that its headwater presents six sterile mine"balsas". The goal of this study was to determine theheavy metal levels in the riverbed, using soil samplestaken from headwater to mouth. After analysing somesamples we can assume that the GorguelRambla is highlyaffected by an elevated presence of heavy metals.