Soil ecotoxicology: Chilean studies with soils polluted by copper mining

Chile has had a long mining history and is currently considered the most important copper (Cu) producer in the world. The environmental problems historically associated with Cu mining are widely known in north and central areas of the country, particularly in relation to the contamination of agricultural soils by metals and metalloids. Copper is the dominant contaminant in polluted soils of Cu mining areas in Chile. Arsenic is also present in polluted soils as it is a common secondary element found in Cu ores. In this chapter, we discuss the importance of using field-contaminated soils, instead of metalspiked soils, in ecotoxicological studies. We also derive thresholds of Cu toxicity to ryegrass and arsenic toxicity to Eisenia fetida. Finally, we discuss the necessity of future studies using toxicity tests with microbial properties/processes.