Heavy metals (Cd, Cu, V, Pb) in rainwater in the most influence area of the coal mine in La Guajira, Colombia

Abstract

To measure the influence of coal mining activities on air quality in northern Colombia, a first approach was made to assess pollution by measuring the levels of the heavy metals Cu, Cd, V and Pb in 21 samples of rainfall over a one year period, by the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The average concentrations of metals in the study area in wet precipitation were: Cu 23.47 ± 13.97µg/L, Cd 4.72 ± 3.29µg/L y V 11.25 ± 6.75µg/L. The results suggest that the atmosphere is not polluted by Pb, but mining activities (excavation and blasting, combustion of fossil fuels, crude oil and gas oil, and vehicular traffic sources) may significantly affect the presence and the levels of the other studied metals. Contamination in the area makes rain water infringe the quality standards, both nationally and internationally, since the parameters of pH and Cd exceed the permissible limits, therefore it is not suitable for human consumption.

Keywords

• Actividades mineras
• agua de lluvia
• espectroscopia de absorción atómica
• metales pesados.