TY - JOUR
T1 - Naturally elevated arsenic in the Altiplano-Puna, Chile and the link to recent (Mio-Pliocene to Quaternary) volcanic activity, high crustal thicknesses, and geological structures
AU - Tapia, J.
AU - Schneider, B.
AU - Inostroza, M.
AU - Álvarez-Amado, F.
AU - Luque, J. A.
AU - Aguilera, F.
AU - Parra, S.
AU - BRAVO MERCADO, MANUEL ANDRES
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/1
Y1 - 2021/1
N2 - The compilation of water, sediment, rock, and condensed gas data of arsenic (As) in the Altiplano-Puna of Chile reveals a link between its natural enrichment and volcanic activity, high crustal thicknesses, and regional structures. Two zones were studied which encompass the Altiplano-Puna and western lowlands of Chile: the Northern Zone (including Los Pintados, Surire, and Huasco) and Southern Zone (including Pedernales, Grande, and Laguna Verde). A positive correlation was found between average As concentrations in saline and brackish water of salt flats and crustal thicknesses of the two studied zones with heightened values to the east (up to 25 mg∙L−1 of dissolved As in water and a 64 km depth to the Mohorovicic discontinuity). Furthermore, in the studied Altiplano-Puna salt flats, surrounding Mio-Pliocene to Quaternary felsic and intermediate volcanic outcrops are abundant and As is well correlated with other dissolved components (e.g. Li and B). Sediments show extreme As values at punctual locations within the Altiplano-Puna, where the crust is thick, recent volcanic and hydrothermal activity is present, and regional faults are found. Volcanic rocks and condensed gas in the Altiplano-Puna are also enriched with As (up to 221 and 1234 mg∙kg−1 respectively). In this tectonic environment, it is hypothesized that volcanism represents an important source of As and the thick continental crust can provide a large reservoir of As that can be leached by rising thermal fluids. Regional scale fault systems also can allow for preferential upwelling and the heightened concentration of As in fractures. Hydrological processes at the surface transport dissolved As to lower elevation regions through groundwater in aquifers and surface water in perennial rivers, creeks, and gorges, diluting element concentrations where significant evapoconcentration is not present.
AB - The compilation of water, sediment, rock, and condensed gas data of arsenic (As) in the Altiplano-Puna of Chile reveals a link between its natural enrichment and volcanic activity, high crustal thicknesses, and regional structures. Two zones were studied which encompass the Altiplano-Puna and western lowlands of Chile: the Northern Zone (including Los Pintados, Surire, and Huasco) and Southern Zone (including Pedernales, Grande, and Laguna Verde). A positive correlation was found between average As concentrations in saline and brackish water of salt flats and crustal thicknesses of the two studied zones with heightened values to the east (up to 25 mg∙L−1 of dissolved As in water and a 64 km depth to the Mohorovicic discontinuity). Furthermore, in the studied Altiplano-Puna salt flats, surrounding Mio-Pliocene to Quaternary felsic and intermediate volcanic outcrops are abundant and As is well correlated with other dissolved components (e.g. Li and B). Sediments show extreme As values at punctual locations within the Altiplano-Puna, where the crust is thick, recent volcanic and hydrothermal activity is present, and regional faults are found. Volcanic rocks and condensed gas in the Altiplano-Puna are also enriched with As (up to 221 and 1234 mg∙kg−1 respectively). In this tectonic environment, it is hypothesized that volcanism represents an important source of As and the thick continental crust can provide a large reservoir of As that can be leached by rising thermal fluids. Regional scale fault systems also can allow for preferential upwelling and the heightened concentration of As in fractures. Hydrological processes at the surface transport dissolved As to lower elevation regions through groundwater in aquifers and surface water in perennial rivers, creeks, and gorges, diluting element concentrations where significant evapoconcentration is not present.
KW - Altiplano-Puna plateau
KW - Amuyo ponds
KW - Arsenic
KW - Hydrothermal fluids
KW - Salt flats
KW - Volcanic activity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85092478158&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jsames.2020.102905
DO - 10.1016/j.jsames.2020.102905
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85092478158
VL - 105
JO - Journal of South American Earth Sciences
JF - Journal of South American Earth Sciences
SN - 0895-9811
M1 - 102905
ER -