ABSTRACT
Heavy-metal pollution of an area near a copper smelter in Chile. Catemu, V Region

Sergio P. González M.1, Enrique Bergqvist A.1 y Regina Ite D.1
 

A research to determine the influence of a copper smelter on heavy metal content in soils, vineyard leaves, and particulate matter, within the Catemu area, y Region of Chile, was conducted, from September 1981 te March 1982. It was concluded that the smelter has greatly influenced the surrounding area. The data obtained showed an extremely high copper content in soils, leaves and particulate matter, with a pattern of distribution inversely related to the distance from the ndustry. High cadmium, lead and molibdenum content in soils was also detected, though their accumulation was lower, when compared with that of copper. High concentrations of zinc and lead were also found in the particulate samples.

Keywords:
1 Estación Experimental La Platina (INIA), Casilla 5427, Santiago, Chile.