A quick methodology for the evaluation of preliminary toxicity levels in soil samples associated to a potentially heavy-metal pollution in an abandoned ore mining site

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 222; pp. 345 - 354
• Main Authors: Morales Ruano, S., Martín-Peinado, F.J., Estepa Molina, C.M., Bagur-González, M.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2019
• Subjects: Chemometric study; Lactuca sativa s. bioassay; Pattern recognition techniques; Polluted soil; Portable x-ray fluorescence analyzer; Lactuca sativa s. bioassay; Portable x-ray fluorescence analyzer; Polluted soil; Chemometric study; Pattern recognition techniques
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.01.123

The risk assessment of pollution associated with metal extraction process is a social responsibility. The initial goal of this type of assessment should be the use of a methodology able to combine the use of easy application, low cost and high efficiency-techniques to provide the necessary information with the least amount of investment in time and money as possible. A suitable option maybe a combination of a simple, quick and reliable analytical technique such as PXRF with bioassays and chemometric tools like HCA, PCA or LDA as a viable approach to carrying out a preliminary estimation of phytotoxicity levels associated to the soil sampled in a metal-contaminated area. The method we propose has been shown to be a quick, economical and reliable tool for use in the first stages of environmental risk characterization in mining areas. Particularly, the use of root elongation (RE) as the classification criteria provides a viable approach for selecting the final samples (or zones) in which an “in-depth” investigation plan will be designed as part of a future remediation strategy. •Quick/reliable methodology for initial environmental risk characterization.•PXRF-quantification of metal (oid)s associated to soil samples in mining areas.•Preliminary phytotoxicity estimation of soil samples in a metal-contaminated area.•HCA/PCA/LDA as a viable approach to carry out an estimation of contaminated soils.