Threats of metal mining on ecosystem services. Conservation proposals

Abstract

We have studied, in a protected area with intense hunting activity, the consequences of the abandonment of facilities and tailings of a metal mine. The area studied has the peculiarity of having a steep slope and containing a water reservoir for irrigation and human consumption.Soil, sludge, vegetation, and water samples were analyzed, in which many metal(loid)s exceeded the generic reference levels (NGR) established for the health of the ecosystem.The concentration of Tl in the soils ranged between 300 and 700 mg kg−1, because of continuous diffuse pollution, produced both by the alteration of sphalerite and the combustion products of a coal-fired power plant near the study area. Soil concentrations of Pb (250–1500 mg kg−1) and Zn (350–700 mg kg−1) from the tailings indicate extreme contamination in the areas adjacent to them and in the reservoir.The contamination affects the water quality of the stream running through the study area, with 64 μg L−1 of Tl and 9.1 μg L−1 of Zn having been detected in the reservoir water.To ensure protection of human and ecosystem health, the following is proposed: (i) soil stabilization for erosion control and reduction of diffuse pollution, (ii) monitoring of soils for agricultural use and water quality, and (iii) study the impact of contamination on wildlife, both hunting and non-game species. Given their capacity to accumulate heavy metals it is proposed to use Cistus ladanifer, Lavandula stoechas and Retama sphaerocarpa as phytoremedial species.The novelty of this research lies in two considerations. First, a proposal for the analysis of environmental compartments as an interconnected and interdependent network in terms of impacts and their repercussions on the ES. Secondly, the application of the model DPSIR, which assumes that anthropogenic activities have an impact on the environment.