Geochemistry of arsenic (As) in spring and stream waters from San Antonio de los Cobres, NW Argentina

摘要

Spring and stream waters from the San Antonio de los Cobres area in NW Argentina have high concentrations of arsenic (As) (151-9490 mu g 1~(-1)), of which AsV varies widely (6-approx 100 percent of total As). Arsenic concentrations correlate with Na, K, Cl, HCO_3, B and Li, which are high in the spring waters and are typical of geothermal areas world-wide. Springs near San Antonio supply large amounts of As to the Rio San Antonio de los Cobres (up to 1180 mu g 1~(-1)), but these concentrations decline to 400 mu g 1~(-1) within 10 km of the spring inputs, due to dilution and mineral precipitation.