SHS - Soil health surrounding former mining areas: characterization, risk analysis, and intervention

Completed
About

The residues resulting from coal mining activities, Sb-Au and W (N Portugal) deposited in heaps, represent a source of pollution in the surrounding soils and aquifers. Environmental pollution will be assessed to determine mitigation measures to restore the health of these resources. The sociological impact associated with the exploration of geological resources and the perception of risks and dangers for the population will be addressed. Two main areas in Northern Portugal were selected where metallic and non-metallic mineral mines operated: (i) the Sb-Au mines ( mineralizations on the western flank of the Valongo Anticline) and W (Regoufe mining area); and, (ii) the Fojo heap, located near the Pejão coal mine, which was under self-combustion in 2017. In this framework, it is intended to carry out an integrated characterization of mining waste, soil and water affected by these mining structures , to identify environmental impacts, and contribute to their mitigation by assessing the health of soils and water. This integrated study, based on data from advanced methodologies and petrographic, geochemical, physical, geophysical and environmental techniques, allows the assessment of changes that occur in materials and residual soils, providing a view of potential environmental impacts. On the other hand, the leachates from these rejects reach ecosystems promoting ecotoxicological effects on aquatic species and plants where bioavailable compounds represent significant stress for these species, as well as soil toxicity affecting plant growth, visible through their morphological parameters and pollen quality.

Keywords:
Environmental Modelling, Mitigation and Remediation
Start Date:
End Date:
CERENA Role:
Partner

Coordinator/Local PI

CERENA Team

Proponent Institution

Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), Portugal

Partners

Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), Portugal
Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto (FLUP), Portugal
Faculdade de Belas Artes da Universidade do Porto (FBAUP), Portugal

Funding Programme

NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000056-SHS

Total Funding
599 112,92 €
CERENA Funding
140 358,11 €

Funding Entities