Evaluation of the impact of lithium exploitation at the C57 mine (Goncalo, Portugal) on water, soil and air quality

摘要

Concerns for the environment and sustainability are a priority to modern societies and one of the reasons for the emergence of movements against mining exploration. To avoid the opposition of local populations to mining activity, especially open-pit mining, there is a need to proceed with both best practices and technical knowledge that involve the local population and also carry out systematic environmental monitoring. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of C57 lithium mine exploration in the village of Goncalo, district of Guarda, Portugal, on water, soil and atmospheric air quality. Determining the concentration of cations, anions, pH and conductivity for water and soil quality evaluation was performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion chromatography and potentiometric methods. For the evaluation of atmospheric air quality, beta radiation absorption, chemiluminescence, UV absorption photometric and infrared radiation methods were used. The results lead to the conclusion that there is no evidence of soil and water quality degradation due to mine exploration. However, there is a perception of the existence of environmental impact on air quality, especially on nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10), although the emissions of air pollutants are below the limits established by Portuguese legislation.