Arsenic in Latin America: a critical overview on the geochemistry of arsenic originating from geothermal features and volcanic emissions for solving its environmental consequences
Article
Article Title | Arsenic in Latin America: a critical overview on the geochemistry of arsenic originating from geothermal features and volcanic emissions for solving its environmental consequences |
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ERA Journal ID | 3551 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Morales-Simfors, Nury (Author), Bundschuh, Jochen (Author), Herath, Indika (Author), Inguaggiato, Claudio (Author), Caselli, Alberto T. (Author), Tapia, Joseline (Author), Apaza Choquehuayta, Fredy Erlingtton (Author), Armienta, Maria Aurora (Author), Ormachea, Mauricio (Author), Joseph, Erouscilla (Author) and Lopez, Dina L. (Author) |
Journal Title | Science of the Total Environment |
Journal Citation | 716, pp. 1-32 |
Article Number | 135564 |
Number of Pages | 32 |
Year | 2020 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 0048-9697 |
1879-1026 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135564 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969719355597 |
Abstract | Geothermal fluids and volcanic emissions are important sources of arsenic (As), resulting in elevated concentrations of As in ground-, surface-water and soil, which may adversely affect the environment. Arsenic originating from geothermal features and volcanic activities is common in Latin America forming a serious threat to the livelihoods of millions of people. This review attempts to provide a critical overview of the geochemistry of As originating from these sources in Latin America to understand what information exists about and what future research needs to be undertaken. This study evaluated 15 countries in Latin America. In total, 423 sites were characterized with As originating from geothermal sources, mostly related to present volcanic activity (0.001 < As<73 mg/L, mean: 36.5 mg/L) and the transboundary Guarani Aquifer System (0.001 < As<0.114 mg/L, mean: 0.06 mg/L). Many of the geothermal systems and volcanoes discussed in this study are close to densely populated cities, including Bogota, Managua, San José, Guatemala City and Mexico City, where total As concentrations in natural ground- and surface- water exceed the safe drinking water guideline of 0.01 mg/L, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the wide geographical occurrence of As in geothermal fluids and volcanic emissions of this region is by far not fully understood, so that development of geographical maps based on geographic information system (GIS) is an urgent necessity to understand the real nature of the problem. The assessment of environmental risks and the potential impacts on human health both inadequate and scarce and hence, these gaps need to be addressed by future research. The present holistic assessment of As originating from geothermal features and volcanic emissions would be a driving force to formulate a plan for establishing a sustainable As mitigation in vulnerable areas of Latin America in the near future. An assessment of the geochemistry, mobility and distribution of As would augment the effectiveness of the plan. |
Keywords | geothermal systems; volcanic emissions; geogenic contaminants; environmental impacts; water resources |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 410402. Environmental assessment and monitoring |
350505. Occupational and workplace health and safety | |
410404. Environmental management | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | School of Civil Engineering and Surveying |
Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education, Mexico | |
National University of Rio Negro, Argentina | |
Saint Thomas University, Chile | |
Geological Mining and Metallurgical Institute, Peru | |
National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico | |
Higher University of San Andreas, Bolivia | |
University of the West Indies | |
Ohio University, United States | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q5992/arsenic-in-latin-america-a-critical-overview-on-the-geochemistry-of-arsenic-originating-from-geothermal-features-and-volcanic-emissions-for-solving-its-environmental-consequences
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