Remediation of the Pio Pata environmental liability by bioleaching

Abstract

The presence of a metallurgical environmental liability in the urban area of Huancayo-Junín, in the Yauris neighborhood of the Pio Pata urbanization for several decades is undoubtedly a source of contamination and environmental risk to human health and the ecosystem. These tailings contain heavy metals and residues of reagents used in the flotation of minerals from the former Yauris Concentrator. The impacts generated by the tailings are diverse, but they include the generation of atmospheric dust in the summer, generation of acidic water and infiltration into the subsoil during the rainy season, which in turn mobilize the heavy metals and other contents of the tailings. At present, unfortunately, the lower level of the liability has been precariously covered by construction waste and others, and then it has been lotized for housing purposes with the obvious consequent risks. The present study sought to select a technological procedure to remedy this situation: three fundamental criteria were considered: site characteristics, technological characteristics and the location of the methodology. As a result, bioleaching with native microorganisms is the best remediation option. It is important that the technological details are endorsed with tests and trials to design an adequate methodology to ensure the effectiveness and performance necessary to perform a remediation that benefits human health, ecosystem health and the socioeconomics of the environment.