Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12666/584
Title: Recent and historical pollution legacy in high altitude Lake Marboré (Central Pyrenees): A record of mining and smelting since pre-Roman times in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Corella, J. P.
Sierra, M. J.
Garralón, A.
Millán, R.
Rodríguez Alonso, J.
Mata, M. P.
Vicente de Vera, A.
Moreno, A.
González Sampériz, P.
Duval, B.
Amouroux, D.
Vivez, P.
Cuevas, C. A.
Adame, J. A.
Wilhelm, B.
Valero Garcés, B. L.
Keywords: Atmospheric pollution;Lakes;Trace metals;Historical mining;Pyrenees
Issue Date: 10-Jan-2021
Publisher: Elsevier
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141557
Published version: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969720350865
Citation: Science of the Total Environment 751: 141557(2021)
Abstract: We have analyzed potential harmful trace elements (PHTE; Pb, Hg, Zn, As and Cu) on sediment cores retrieved from lake Marboré (LM) (2612 m a.s.l, 42°41′N; 0° 2′E). PHTE variability allowed us to reconstruct the timing and magnitude of trace metal pollutants fluxes over the last 3000 years in the Central Pyrenees. A statistical treatment of the dataset (PCA) enabled us to discern the depositional processes of PHTE, that reach the lake via direct atmospheric deposition. Indeed, the location of LM above the atmospheric boundary layer makes this lake an exceptional site to record the long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants in the free troposphere. Air masses back-trajectories analyses enabled us to understand the transport pathways of atmospheric pollutants while lead isotopic analyses contributed to evaluate the source areas of metal pollution in SW Europe during the Late Holocene. PHTE variability, shows a clear agreement with the main exploitation phases of metal resources in Southern Europe during the Pre-Industrial Period. We observed an abrupt lead enrichment from 20 to 375 yrs CE mostly associated to silver and lead mining and smelting practices in Southern Iberia during the Roman Empire. This geochemical data suggests that regional atmospheric metal pollution during the Roman times rivalled the Industrial Period. PHTE also increased during the High and Late Middle Ages (10–15th centuries) associated to a reactivation of mining and metallurgy activities in high altitude Pyrenean mining sites during climate amelioration phases. Atmospheric mercury deposition in the Lake Marboré record mostly reflects global emissions, particularly from Almadén mines (central Spain) and slightly fluctuates during the last three millennia with a significant increase during the last five centuries. Our findings reveal a strong mining-related pollution legacy in alpine lakes and watersheds that needs to be considered in management plans for mountain ecosystems as global warming and human pressure effects may contribute to their future degradation.
Description: Highlights Aspheric Hg deposition in Central Pyrenees mostly reflects emissions from Almadén mine (central Spain). Roman silver and lead mining in Iberian Peninsula is recorded in the Pyrenean summit. Regional atmospheric pollution during the Roman times rivalled the Industrial Period. Complex interplay between local and regional trace metal pollution sources. The pollution legacy in alpine lakes needs to be considered in management plans.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12666/584
E-ISSN: 1879-1026
ISSN: 0048-9697
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