Implications of several physicochemical parameters in the arsenic speciation in mine waters from Asturias mercury mining district (Spain)

摘要

The present study is focused in the stablishment of the arsenic species present in waters close to three abandoned mercury mines located in the mercury metallogenetic province of Asturias, Northern Spain (La Soterrana, La Pena-El Terronal and Los Rueldos, within the Caudal River catchment) and the understanding of the factors that control arsenic speciation in their waters. Several parameters, such as pH, Eh, dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic carbon, sulphate, Fe, Mn, Al, Ca and dissolved heavy metals concentrations were determined and their influence was estimated for each mine site. Results showed that arsenate is the dominant species in all collected samples.