Source patterns of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and mining activity contamination level in soils of Taltal city (northern Chile)

Mining activities are among the main sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the environment which constitute a real concern worldwide, especially in developing countries. These activities have been carried out for more than a century in Chile, South America, where, as evidence of incorrect waste disposal practices, several abandoned mining waste deposits were left behind. This study aimed to understand multi-elements geochemistry, source patterns and mobility of PTEs in soils of the Taltal urban area (northern Chile). Topsoil samples (n = 125) were collected in the urban area of Taltal city (6 km2) where physicochemical properties (redox potential, electric conductivity and pH) as well as chemical concentrations for 35 elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. Data were treated following a robust workflow, which included factor analysis (based on ilr-transformed data), a new robust compositional contamination index (RCCI), and fractal/multi-fractal interpolation in GIS environment. This approach allowed to generate significant elemental associations, identifying pool of elements related either to the geological background, pedogenic processes accompanying soil formation or to anthropogenic activities. In particular, the study eventually focused on a pool of 6 PTEs (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn), their spatial distribution in the Taltal city, and the potential sources and mechanisms controlling their concentrations. Results showed generally low baseline values of PTEs in most sites of the surveyed area. On a smaller number of sites, however, higher values concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb were found. These corresponded to very high RCCI contamination level and were correlated to potential anthropogenic sources, such as the abandoned mining waste deposits in the north-eastern part of the Taltal city. This study highlighted new and significant insight on the contamination levels of Taltal city, and its links with anthropogenic activities. Further research is considered to be crucial to extend this assessment to the entire region. This would provide a comprehensive overview and vital information for the development of intervention limits and guide environmental legislation for these pollutants in Chilean soils

Platinum-group elements and gold determination NiS fire assay buttons by UV laser ablation ICP-MS

The direct analysis of nickel sulfide fire assay buttons by UV laser ablation ICP-MS was used to determine the platinum-group elements and gold in the following reference materials: UMT-1, WPR-1, WMG-1, GPt-4, GPt-6 and CHR-Bkg. The instrument was calibrated with buttons prepared using quartz doped with the appropriate standard solutions. Analytical precision (RSD) was generally better than 10%, although occasional higher RSDs may infer local heterogeneities within nickel sulfide buttons. Good or excellent agreement was observed between analysed and reference material values except Ph in UMT-1 and WMG-1, which suffered an interference from copper. Detection limits calculated as 10s quantitation limits were Au (1.7 ng g(-1)), Pd (3.3 ng g(-1)), Pt (8.3 ng g(-1)), Os (1.3 ng g(-1)), Ph (1 ng g(-1)), Ru (5 ng g(-1)) and Ir (0.7 ng g(-1)).221475

Cartografia do cuidado na saúde da gestante Cartography of healthcare for pregnant women

Utilizou-se a cartografia como método para mapear a trajetória do cuidado à gestante no serviço da atenção básica. O campo de estudo foram nove Unidades Básicas de Saúde do Município de Juazeiro do Norte (CE). Participaram 15 mulheres que estavam entre 37 e 39 semanas de gestação, com as quais foram realizadas entrevistas nos meses de janeiro a junho de 2010. Os achados da cartografia foram descritos em etapas no fluxograma e revelaram lacunas no serviço do pré-natal, tais como o número reduzido da realização do exame da citologia oncótica e o déficit de atividades educativas. Observou-se, entretanto, certa resolubilidade na assistência à gestante, pois vários depoimentos demonstraram satisfação em relação ao serviço. A boa relação desenvolvida com o profissional foi o principal motivo que as levou a continuar o tratamento. Este fato reforça a importância do vínculo e do diálogo entre profissionais e gestantes para a adesão e sucesso do pré-natal.<br>This work uses cartography as a method for mapping the trajectory of primary healthcare provided to pregnant women. The scope of the study comprises 9 Basic Healthcare Units located in the city of Juazeiro do Norte in the State of Ceará. In all, fifteen women in the 37th to 39th week of pregnancy were selected. Interviews were conducted with these women during the period from January to June 2010. The cartographic findings were depicted in stages in the flowchart, which exposed lacunas in prenatal healthcare, such as the low number of oncotic cytology exams conducted and the lack of educational counseling. Nevertheless, in the interviews, a significant number of pregnant women expressed satisfaction with the prenatal care provided. The good relationships developed between the healthcare professionals and the pregnant women were the main reason that led them to continue the treatment. This fact reinforces the importance of dialogue between these two actors for the success of prenatal healthcare