Examinando por Materia "Mining"

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Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Mining-Affected River Sediments in the Peruvian Central Highlands
(MDPI, 2025-09-16) Custodio, María; Pizarro Carcausto, Samuel Edwin; Huarcaya, Javier; Ortega Quispe, Kevin Abner; Ccopi Trucios, Dennis
Heavy metal contamination in rivers is a serious environmental and public health concern, especially in areas affected by mining. This study evaluated the levels of contamination and the associated ecological and carcinogenic risks in the sediments of the Cunas River, located in the central highlands of Peru. Sediment samples were collected from upstream and downstream sections. Several metals and metalloids were analyzed, including copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd). The ecological risk assessment focused on ten of these elements, while carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were assessed for seven metals selected based on their toxicological importance. The results showed that Cd and Pb concentrations were higher in the downstream section. Cd and As exceeded ecological risk thresholds. Regarding human health, As and Pb surpassed the acceptable limits for both the Hazard Index (HI) and the Potential Carcinogenic Risk (PCR). According to EPA guidelines, these values indicate a potentially significant lifetime cancer risk. The main exposure routes include direct contact with sediments and the consumption of aquatic organisms. Continuous monitoring, phytoremediation actions, and restrictions on the use of contaminated water are strongly recommended to reduce ecological and health risks.
Potential of extremophilic and native microbial consortia in the bioleaching of heavy metals on mining process
(CRC Press, 2024-04-12) Hualpa Cutipa, Edwin; Solórzano Acosta, Richard Andi; Huayllacayan Mallqui, Jorge Johnny; Aguirre Catalan, Heidy Mishey; León Chacón, Andrea; Castro Tena, Lucero Katherine
Mining is a significant economic activity in many countries, resulting in the release of wastewater with high concentrations of heavy metals and other harmful compounds. Leaching is a treatment technique for these effluents, allowing the recovery of precious metals through solubilization, but it generates large amounts of tailings and waste effluents. Microbial leaching (bioleaching) is a biological strategy where microbes are used to solubilize precious metals in insoluble substrates through microbial metabolism or metabolic products. Extremophilic microorganisms, particularly those formed by indigenous consortia (bacteria and fungi), have versatile metabolic traits that are highly valued. Some heterotrophic bacteria adapt to acid environments and high concentrations of heavy metals as a defense mechanism against heavy metals. The pH is a fundamental parameter of bioleaching, and for efficient bioleaching, microbial consortia composed of mixed cultures, mainly extremophilic microbes, are proposed due to their poly-resistance to a reduced pH, likely to favor the recovery of metal. This chapter addresses the main characteristics of extremophilic microorganisms forming native microbial consortia and their biotechnological potential in the bioleaching of heavy metal-rich mining effluents. The aim is to highlight advanced strategies or methods for studying this group of microorganisms, considering their enormous potential as a priceless source of compounds of interest for various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and mining.