Analysis of Mine Indicator Metals in the Biomonitor Punctelia Hypoleucites Transplanted to Bajo de la Alumbrera and Nearby Towns, Catamarca, Argentina

HERNÁNDEZ, JUAN MARTÍN; RODRÍGUEZ BRIZUELA, GERMÁN; RODRIGUEZ, JUAN MANUEL; CAÑAS, MARTHA SUSANA

Valdivia

Congreso; SETAC Latin America 14th Biennial Meeting; 2021

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)

In Bajo de la Alumbrera (open pit mine of Cu, Au and Mo, located inCatamarca, Argentina) and in three nearby towns, studies were carriedout with Punctelia hypoleucites (Nyl.) Krog (lichenized Ascomycete),using a transplant technique in order to evaluate the metal contentrelated to the mining activity exposure and thus evaluate thebiomonitory accumulation capacity of this species. Lichenic materialwas collected from a site considered pristine (control site) anddistributed in 30 polyester mesh bags, and 3 samples were separateddirectly as a basal sample. The lichen bags were transplanted to 10 sites:6 sites inside the mine (E1, E3, E4, E8, E9, E10) and 4 sites outside thecompany limits in the three nearby towns (E5-Amanao, E6-LosNacimientos and E7-Hualfín) and the control site (SC). After 3 monthsof exposure they were transported to the laboratory, where theconcentrations of some mine indicator elements (Cu, Fe, Mo, Sr, Pb, Zn,Mn, Cd) were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-OpticalEmission Spectrometry (ICP-OES ). The ratio between theconcentration of each element after exposure and the basal sample(exposed / basal - EC ratio) was used to investigate the lichenaccumulation rates, as well as to compare between sites. A 5-classinterpretive scale (severe loss, loss, normal, accumulation and severeaccumulation) was used based on the deviation of EC ratio from"normal" conditions, which is assumed to be ± 25% from 1. Based onthese ratios, severe accumulation of Cu and Mo was observed at the inmine sites, mainly at E1 and E8. These sites are close to emission pointsources (primary material crushing and stock pile sector). Accumulationof Fe, Pb, Zn, Mn and Cd were found in the control site. In addition, Pband Zn showed severe accumulation only at off-mine sites. Since thehigher Cu and Mo content in the in-mine sites corresponds to thegeochemical characteristics of the deposit, it could be concluded thatthis species reflects the composition of the particulate matter generatedby the mining operations and, therefore, could be used as a biomonitorof air quality related to open-pit mining.