J. Molina

Flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of diclofenac sodium in pharmaceuticals and urine samples.

A sensitive and fast flow-injection spectrophotometric method for the determination of diclofenac sodium based on the formation of coloured compound with Ce(IV)-3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) in H2SO4 3 x 10(-2) M medium is proposed. Using the peak height as a quantitative parameter diclofenac was determined at 580 nm over the range 0.20-8.0 micrograms ml-1. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of diclofenac in pharmaceuticals and urine samples.

Ecotoxicological evaluation for the screening of areas polluted by mining activities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of three bioassays representing multiple trophic levels, for the preliminary ecotoxicological screening of sediments from sites contaminated by mining activities. Of the bioassays used in this study, the ostracod test was the most responsive. Vibrio fischeri luminiscence inhibition assay was less sensitive to the toxicants in the sediments than the phytotoxicity assays. The general trend observed was an increase in toxicity values measured by the bioassays with increasing metal mobilization in sediment samples. Therefore, the test battery can be used as a rapid and sensitive tool to evaluate the heavy metal contamination in sediments.

Heavy metal immobilisation by limestone filler in soils contaminated by mining activities: Effects on metal leaching and ecotoxicity

The leachability and ecotoxicity of potentially toxic elements (PTE) eluting from technosols formed of soils affected by mining activities and limestone filler were evaluated. A total of four contaminated soils affected by opencast mining were selected and mixed with limestone filler at three percentages: 10, 20 and 30 %, providing 12 stabilised samples. Total and soluble PTE content (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) was determined in all the samples and the Microtox® bioassay was applied to determine the ecotoxicological effect. The stabilised material had a neutral pH and low soluble PTE concentration. Moreover, the ecotoxicological assay indicated the presence of low toxicity levels in the stabilised samples. The applied bioassay can be considered a good tool for the screening of PTE contamination in areas affected by mining activities, while providing information about possible attenuation processes.

Proposals for the Remediation of Soils Affected by Mining Activities in Southeast Spain

Abstract The zones affected by long-term mining activities are currently of special interest since they represent a contamination focus influencing large areas. These particular sites are usually abbreviated as CAMAs (critical abandoned mining areas). Sierra Minera of Cartagena-La Union is a CAMA with an interesting and valuable ecosystem that needs adequate management tools. Suitable management should be based on the results of a risk assessment procedure, based on proximity to populations or the use that a specific space may have. The risk assessment needs to consider human health and/or ecosystems. The most serious concern in this respect is the behavior and fate of potentially toxic elements such as lead, cadmium, zinc and arsenic, which were present in the raw materials and may be bioavailable. Remediation measures would be based on the natural attenuation of impacts that have occurred in this area and would include neutralization of the acid mine drainage, increase of the natural vegetation favoring the growth of tolerant species (even with low transference factors), and gully regulation in order to avoid spills on crops or at sea.

Ecoefficient In Situ Technologies for the Remediation of Sites Affected by Old Mining Activities: The Case of Portman Bay

Abstract A review of the historical events that caused a serious environmental impact in a zone affected by mining activities was carried out. Portman Bay, located in southeast Spain, is one of the greatest points of mining-metallurgical contamination of the Mediterranean Sea. After an intense mining exploitation, starting in Roman times, the activity ended in 1991, with more than 60 MT of steriles filling the bay. The decision to recover the bay started in 2007, and studies characterizing and analyzing the risks of materials in surface and depth were carried out. At the same time, a pilot project was designed with two experimental areas using Technosols as an in situ recuperation technology, considering both urban and residential use. In addition, an experimental center for the optimization of proposed technology was constructed, and different analyses, such as marine ecotoxicity techniques or artificial wetland experiences, were carried out. Currently the environmental recovery work is being carried out by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment.