Estimating historical atmospheric mercury concentrations from silver mining and their legacies in present-day surface soil in Potosí, Bolivia

摘要: Abstract Detailed Spanish records of mercury use and silver production during the colonial period in Potosi, Bolivia were evaluated to estimate atmospheric emissions from smelting. Mercury was used process Potosi nearly 32,000 metric tons released environment. AERMOD combination with estimated approximate historical air concentrations mining operations 1715, a year relatively low production. Source characteristics selected archival documents, maps images smelters base case input parameters selected. Input varied understand sensitivity model each parameter. Modeled maximum 1-h most sensitive stack height diameter, whereas an index community exposure insensitive uncertainty parameters. long-term compared inhalation reference values for elemental vapor. Estimated within 500 m consistently exceeded present-day occupational values. Additionally, entire have been exposed levels vapor that exceed acute general public. predicted substantially EPA Reference Concentration areas 600 m smelters. A concentration gradient by select soil sampling locations along transects Potosi. Total soils ranged 0.105 155 mg kg −1 , among highest reported surface scientific literature. The correlation between measured will guide future research determine extent which current vicinity is at risk adverse health effects contamination.