Determination of mining activity of river sediments of three Chilean basins by particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE)
Author
dc.contributor.author
Copaja, S. V.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Díaz, G.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Toro, R.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Tessada, R.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Miranda, P.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Morales, J. R.
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2018-12-20T14:13:55Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2018-12-20T14:13:55Z
Publication date
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2012
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
Journal of the Chilean Chemical Society, Volumen 57, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 1400-1403
Identifier
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07179707
Identifier
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07179324
Identifier
dc.identifier.other
10.4067/S0717-97072012000400014
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/155022
Abstract
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Mining is one of the most important industrial activities in Chile and there is growing concern on pollution by some mining and metallurgical processes. We have studied the contents of heavy metals in sediments from three river basins in Chile. Samples were collected based on hydrologic criteria in six sites along the rivers in their path from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean. Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), was used to determine elemental concentrations, and enrichment factors were used to evaluate the significance of anthropogenic sources. The results indicate the presence of Si, Al and Fe as major components. Cu, Cr, Mn, Pb and Zn are the main trace elements. In the Aconcagua river basin, which has less mining activity, the elemental concentrations are within the range of normal crust. Instead, samples from Choapa and Cachapoal river basins present high enrichment factors, mainly in copper. This is consistent with the fact that copper mines operate in the area. A correlation o