Abstract
The contamination of aquatic systems due to mining activities constitutes a great concern of the global mining industry, but only a few studies have specifically addressed the impact of Li-pegmatite mining on water quality. In order to provide data on this type of systems, we assessed the impact of mining activities carried out in a lithium-rich pegmatite of the Sierras Pampeanas, central Argentina, on the chemical composition of stream waters draining the site. In addition, we evaluated the occurrence of Li background anomalies in stream waters at basin scale. To achieve these goals, we analyzed the dissolved major and trace element composition of water samples collected upstream and downstream of the mine, characterized spatial trends, and identified elemental anomalies in comparison with the background chemical composition of stream waters in nearby watersheds. The obtained results reveal that mining activities in the study area do not represent a source of pollution to stream waters draining the mine, while dissolved Li concentrations higher than those measured in nearby basins may be a useful mineralization indicator in the early stages of this type of Li ores exploration, as it points to potentially fertile protoliths for the generation of Li-enriched magma.
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Acknowledgements
The authors want to thank Mariana Correa for her collaboration in the fieldwork. M. Marqués acknowledges a doctoral fellowship from CONICET. AIP, MGG, VAC, FC, DMG, and KLL are members of CICyT, CONICET. We are thankful to two anonymous referees for their suggestions, and to Jim Lamoreaux for the editorial handling.
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This work was funded by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET, Argentina, PIP 112-201701-00088), the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT, PICT-2017-2026, PICT 2018-2502, PICT-2018-4206, PICT 2020-2891), and the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (PRIMAR UNC 32520170100163CB, SECyT-UNC 33620180100385CB).
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Conceptualization was contributed by AIP, MGG, VAC, FC, and KLL. Methodology was contributed by MM, AIP, and KLL. Formal analysis and investigation were contributed by MM, AIP, MGG, VAC, FC, and KLL. Writing—original draft preparation, was contributed by MM, AIP, MGG, VAC, FC, and KLL. Writing—review and editing, was contributed by AIP, MGG, VAC, FC, DMG, and KLL. Funding acquisition was contributed by AIP, MGG, VAC, FC, DMG, and KLL. Supervision was contributed by AIP, MGG, VAC, FC, DMG, and KLL.
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Marqués, M., Pasquini, A.I., García, M.G. et al. The impact of Li-bearing pegmatite mining on the dissolved geochemical signature of a mountain stream in the Pampean ranges, Central Argentina. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 9, 101 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-023-00878-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-023-00878-3