Abstract

ESCOBAR-FLORES, Jonathan Gabriel  and  SANDOVAL, Sarahi. Geospatial detection of mine tailings using high resolution images and determination of heavy metals in the Tejamen, Durango, México. Invest. Geog [online]. 2023, n.112, e60744.  Epub Apr 22, 2024. ISSN 2448-7279.  https://doi.org/10.14350/rig.60744.

In this investigation, three abandoned mine tailings were detected with Worldview2 imagery. The location of these tailings was confirmed with multispectral images obtained by an unmanned aerial vehicle. Quantification of heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), as well as the metalloid arsenic (As) was performed on these tailings and 13 other sites where mining activity was reported by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. To analyze the spatial distribution of these elements, a database was generated with measurements of the tailings found plus 22 sites reported by the Mexican Geological Service experimentation centers. With this information, spatial interpolation maps were generated for each element, and it was found that the Pb values located in the town are greater than 2,000 ppm, a similar pattern was presented with As with values greater than 1,500 ppm. Cd values were less than 30 ppm. It is concluded that both Pb and As values are above the NOM-147-SEMARNAT/ SSA1-2004, therefore, a soil remediation plan is urgently needed, especially in the sites located within the town and in the vicinity of the dam. We recommend phytoremediation with Dodonaea viscosa, which has recently been reported to be effective in retaining heavy metals contained in the soils of abandoned mines.

Keywords : phytoremediation; photogrammetry; geostatistics; heavy metals; contaminated soils.