Avaliação da qualidade ambiental da envolvente das Minas da Panasqueira. Vertente solo-água-Arbutus unedo. Um caso de estudo com orientação ambiental e social

Mestrado em Engenharia do Ambiente - Tecnologias Ambientais - Instituto Superior de Agronomia

Panasqueira mine is one of the last three mines actually in labour. Tungsten, copper
and tin are explored for over a century. The visual and chemical impact of the exploration is
due to active and old huge tailings and due to draining from mine, water plant treatment and
seepage water. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biogeochemical impact of the
mine activity in soil, water and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.).
Soil is contaminated with copper, zinc, arsenic, tungsten and lead and the
consequent impact was observed in microbial soil enzymes. Selective chemical extraction of
trace elements allows to assess elements in soils and their absorption in plant roots and
translocation to branches, leaves and fruits. Arbutus unedo is a manganese and zinc
tolerant, and is not accumulator of trace elements. However, this species presented high
concentration of cadmium in the aerial parts. The analysis of sediments and water from
Ribeira of Bodelhão indicate that trace elements are dispersed from the primary
contaminated area, to Zêzere River, where the dilution drastically eliminates the
contamination effects.
The strawberry tree fruits can be used to produce alcohol as they are not
contaminated. A. unedo can be used in phytostabilisation programs of contaminated soils
and tailings.