Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mineral deposits and Cu–Zn–As dispersion–contamination in stream sediments from the semiarid Coquimbo Region, Chile

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

This paper presents Cu–Zn–As geochemical data from stream sediment surveys carried out in the three main watersheds of the Coquimbo Region of Chile. This mountainous semiarid realm occupies an area of 40,656 km2 between 29° and 32°S. Given that the area has a long historical record of mining activities, important environmental disturbances were expected. However, despite the detection of three major geochemical anomalies for Cu, Zn, or As, only one can be unmistakably linked to the development of mining–metal recovery procedures (Andacollo–Panulcillo). An investigation of the other two anomalies (Elqui and Hurtado) reveals three major causes that fully or partially account for them: (1) the type of ore deposit and associated hydrothermal alteration; (2) the regional structural setting (intensity of fracturing); and (3) climate–landscape. Cu–Au–As epithermal deposits/prospects along the so-called El Indio belt are here regarded as the sources of both the Elqui and Hurtado anomalies. The strong advanced argillic alteration present in some of the epithermal deposits/prospects of the El Indio belt may have induced the loss of the buffering capacity of rocks, and therefore favoured metal dispersion during later oxidation–leaching of sulphides. This applies to the Elqui and Hurtado anomalies. Conversely, given that the potassic, propylitic and phyllic alterations do not affect the buffering capacity of rocks, only minor metal dispersion is observed in relation to the Los Pelambres porphyry copper deposit. Besides, the epithermal belt is located within a highly fractured Andean domain (3,000–4,000 m of altitude), which may have conditioned the fast unroofing of ore deposits, contributed to enhanced circulation of meteoric waters, and eventually, to strong oxidation, and leaching of metals. Metal dispersion is aggravated during rainy years in response to strong El Niño episodes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguirre L, Egert E (1965) Cuadrángulo Quebrada Marquesa, Provincia de Coquimbo: Instituto de Investigaciones Geológicas (Chile), escala 1: 50,000, 92 p

  • Araneda R (1985) Nuevos aportes al conocimiento de la geología de El Indio, yacimiento de oro, plata y cobre. Coquimbo, Chile. Rev Miner 168:27–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Bissig T, Clark AH, Lee JKW, Hodgson CJ (2002) Miocene landscape evolution and geomorphologic controls on epithermal processes in the El Indio-Pascua Au–Ag–Cu belt, Chile and Argentina. Econ Geol 97:971–996

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boric R (1985) Geología y yacimientos del distrito Talcuna, IV Región de Coquimbo. Rev Geol Chile 25–26:57–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Callender E (2004) Heavy metals in the environment—historical trends. In: Lollar BS (ed) Treatise on geochemistry. Environmental geochemistry, vol 9. Elsevier, Amsterdam pp 67–105

  • Cande SC, Leslie RB (1986) Late Cenozoic tectonics of the southern Chile trench. J Geophys Res 91:471–496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cruzat A (1984) Prospección geoquímica aplicada a yacimientos de oro. Rev Geol Chile 21:53–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Dill HG (2003) A comparative study of APS minerals of the Pacific rim fold belts with special reference to South American argillaceous deposits. J S Am Earth Sci 16:301–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frutos J (1986) Mapa tectónico de Chile. In: Frutos J, Oyarzun R, Pincheira M (eds) Geología y recursos minerales de Chile. University of Concepción Press, Concepción, 3 (map sheets)

  • Guzmán R (1986) Reseña geológica de algunos de los más importantes yacimientos chilenos de cobre del tipo diseminado. In: Frutos J, Oyarzun R, Pincheira M (eds) Geología y recursos minerales de Chile, vol 2. University of Concepción Press, Concepción, pp 509–545

  • Heald P, Foley NK, Hayba D (1987) Comparative anatomy of volcanic-hosted epithermal deposits: acid sulfate and adularia-sericite types. Econ Geol 82:1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Higueras P, Oyarzun R, Oyarzún J, Maturana H, Lillo J, Morata D (2004) Environmental assessment of copper–gold–mercury mining in the Andacollo and Punitaqui districts, northern Chile. Appl Geochem 19:1855–1864

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenny B, Valero-Garcés BL, Urrutia R, Kelts K, Veit H, Appleby PG, Geyh M (2002) Moisture changes and fluctuations of the Westerlies in mediterranean Central Chile during the last 2000 years: the Laguna Aculeo record (33°50′S). Quat Int 87:3–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kay SM, Mpodozis C (2002) Magmatism as a probe to the Neogene shallowing of the Nazca plate beneath the modern Chilean flat-slab. J S Am Earth Sci 15:39–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley DL, Kelley KD, Coker WB, Caughlin B, Doherty ME (2006) Beyond the obvious limits of ore deposits: the use of mineralogical, geochemical, and biological features for the remote detection of mineralization. Econ Geol 101:729–752

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lagos G, Velasco P (1998) Environmental policies and practices in Chilean Mining. In: Warhurst A (ed) Mining and the environment. Case studies from the Americas. IDRC, Ottawa http://www.pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/ofr-95-0831/

  • Le Roux JP, Olivares DM, Nielsen SN, Smith ND, Middleton H, Fenner J, Ishman S (2006) Bay sedimentation as controlled by regional crustal behaviour, local tectonics and eustatic sea-level changes: Coquimbo Formation (Miocene–Pliocene), Bay of Tongoy, central Chile. Sediment Geol 184:133–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maksaev V, Moscoso R, Mpodozis C, Nasi C (1984) Las unidades volcánicas y plutónicas del Cenozoico Superior en la alta cordillera del Norte Chico (29°–31°S): geología, alteración hidrotermal y mineralización. Rev Geol Chile 21:11–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Montoya JW Hemley JJ (1975) Activity relations and stabilities in alkali feldspar and mica alteration reactions. Econ Geol 70:577–583

    Google Scholar 

  • Oyarzún J (1971) Contribution à l’étude geochimique des roches volcaniques et plutoniques du Chili. PhD, Université de Paris-Sud, France

  • Oyarzún J, Levi B, Nystrom JO (1993) A within-plate geochemical signature and continental margin setting for the Mesozoic-Cenozoic lavas of central Chile. Paper presented at the 2nd international symposium on Andean geodynamics, ORSTOM-Oxford University, Oxford, 21–23 September 1993

  • Oyarzún J, Oyarzun R, Pavicic S (2001) Estudio prospectivo en un distrito de Cu–Au–Hg asociado a zona de cizalla: Punitaqui, Chile. Bol Geol Min España 112:75–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Oyarzún J, Maturana H, Paulo A, Pasieczna A (2003) Heavy metals in stream sediments from the Coquimbo region (Chile): effects of sustained mining and natural processes in a semi-arid Andean basin. Mine Water Environ 22:155–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyarzun R (1986) Mapa geológico de Chile: síntesis a la escala 1: 2,500,000. In: Frutos J, Oyarzun R, Pincheira M (eds) Geología y recursos minerales de Chile. University of Concepción Press, Concepción, 3 (map sheets)

  • Oyarzun R, Ortega L, Sierra J, Lunar R, Oyarzún J (1996) The manto-type gold deposits of Andacollo (Chile) revisited: a model based on fluid inclusion and geological evidence. Econ Geol 91:1298–1309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyarzun R, Ortega L, Sierra J, Lunar R, Oyarzún J (1998) Cu, Mn, and Ag mineralization in the Quebrada Marquesa Quadrangle, Chile: the Talcuna and Arqueros districts. Miner Depos 33:547–559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyarzun R, Oyarzún J, Ménard JJ, Lillo J (2003) The Cretaceous iron belt of northern Chile: role of oceanic plates, a superplume event, and a major shear zone. Miner Depos38:640–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyarzun R, Lillo J, Higueras P, Oyarzún J, Maturana H (2004) Strong arsenic enrichment in sediments from the Elqui watershed, Northern Chile: industrial (gold mining at El Indio–Tambo district) vs. Geologic process. J Geochem Explor 84:53–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyarzun R, Lillo J, Oyarzún J, Higueras P, Maturana H (2006) Strong metal anomalies in stream sediments from semiarid watersheds in northern Chile: when geological and structural analyses contribute to understanding environmental disturbances. Int Geol Rev 48:1133–1144

    Google Scholar 

  • Plumlee GS (1999) The environmental geology of mineral deposits. In: Plumlee GS, Logsdon MJ (eds) The environmental geochemistry of mineral deposits. Part A: processes, techniques, and health issues. Rev Econ Geol 6A:71–116

  • Plumlee GS, Nash JT (2004) Geoenvironmental models of mineral deposits—fundamentals and applications. In: du Bray EA (ed) Preliminary compilation of descriptive geoenvironmental mineral deposit models. USGS Open-File Report 95-0831:1-9 http://www.pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/ofr-95-0831/

  • Plumlee GS, Smith KS, Montour MR, Ficklin WH, Mosier EL (1999) Geological controls on the composition of natural waters and mine waters draining diverse mineral-deposits types. In: Plumlee GS, Logsdon MJ (eds) The environmental geochemistry of mineral deposits. Part B: case studies and research topics. Rev Econ Geol 6B:373–432

  • Plumlee GS, Smith KS, Gray JE, Hoover DB (2004) Epithermal quartz-alunite Au deposits. In: du Bray EA (ed) Preliminary compilation of descriptive geoenvironmental mineral deposit models. USGS Open-File Report 95-0831:162-169 http://www.pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/ofr-95-0831/

  • Reich M, Parada MA, Palacios C, Dietrich A, Schultz F, Lehmann B (2003) Adakite-like signature of Late Miocene intrusions at the Los Pelambres giant porphyry copper deposit in the Andes of central Chile: metallogenic implications. Miner Depos 38:876–885

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivano S, Sepúlveda P (1991) Hoja Illapel, Carta Geológica de Chile 69, escala 1: 250,000. SERNAGEOMIN (Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Santiago de Chile) 132p

  • Romero L, Alonso H, Campano P, Fanfani L, Cidu R, Dadea C, Keegan T, Thornton I, Farago M (2003) Arsenic enrichment in waters and sediments of the Rio Loa (Second Region, Chile). Appl Geochem 18:1399–1416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rojas A (2004) Contenido en metales pesados en sedimentos del estero El Ingenio, en un tramo de 6 km aguas abajo de la planta Ovalle de la compañía minera Panulcillo S.A., Región de Coquimbo. BSc graduation project, Universidad de La Serena (Chile)

  • Salfity JA (1985) Lineamientos transversales al rumbo andino en el noroeste argentino. Paper presented at the 4th Chilean geological congress, Universidad del Norte, Antofagasta, 19–24 August 1985

  • Sibson RH (2001) Seismogenic framework for hydrothermal transport and ore deposition. Rev Econ Geol 14:25–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Siddeley G, Araneda R (1986) The El Indio-Tambo gold deposits. In: Macdonald AJ (ed) Gold’ 86 international symposium on the geology of gold. Balkema, Amsterdam, pp 3–22

  • Smedley PL, Kinniburgh DG (2002) A review of the source, behaviour and distribution of arsenic in natural waters. Appl Geochem 17:517–568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tebbens SF, Cande SC (1997) Southeast Pacific tectonic evolution from early Oligocene to present. J Geophys Res 102:12061–12084

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yáñez G, Cembrano J, Pardo M, Ranero C, Selles D (2002) The Challenger–Juan Fernández–Maipo major tectonic transition of the Nazca–Andean subduction system at 33–34°S: geodynamic evidence and implications: J S Am Earth Sci 15:23–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veit H (1996) Southern Westerlies during Holocene deduced from geomorphological and pedological studies in Norte Chico, northern Chile. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 123:107–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams TM, Dunkley PN, Cruz E, Acitimbay V, Gaibor A, López E, Baez N, Aspden JA (2000) Regional geochemical reconnaissance of the Cordillera Occidental of Ecuador: economic and environmental applications. Appl Geochem 15:531–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by Grant PPQ2003-01902 (Spanish Ministry of Education and Science). The field study was supported by the Research Office (Dirección de Investigación) of University of La Serena (Chile). We also want to thank the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI), and the Bureau of International Cooperation of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, for their encouragement and continuous support during this investigation. Additional funding was obtained from Grant 910386 (Universidad Complutense; Grupos de Investigación). This work benefited from the comments of an anonymous reviewer.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Cristalografía y Mineralogía, Facultad de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    R. Oyarzun

  2. Departamento de Minas, Facultad de Ingeniería and CEAZA, Universidad de La Serena, Casilla 554, La Serena, Chile

    J. Oyarzún

  3. Departamento de Minas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de La Serena, Casilla 554, La Serena, Chile

    H. Maturana

  4. Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles (Madrid), Spain

    J. Lillo

  5. Departamento de Ingeniería Geológica y Minera, Escuela Universitaria Politécnica de Almadén, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza M. Meca 1, 13400, Almadén, Spain

    P. Higueras

Authors
  1. R. Oyarzun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Oyarzún
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Lillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. H. Maturana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. P. Higueras
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Oyarzun.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Oyarzun, R., Oyarzún, J., Lillo, J. et al. Mineral deposits and Cu–Zn–As dispersion–contamination in stream sediments from the semiarid Coquimbo Region, Chile. Environ Geol 53, 283–294 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0643-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0643-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation