Influence of Phosphogypsum Waste on Rainwater Chemistry in a Highly Polluted Area with High Mortality Rates in Huelva Metropolitan Area, Spain

Manuel Contreras-Llanes, Vanessa Santos-Sánchez, Juan Alguacil () and Roberto Rodríguez-Pacheco
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Manuel Contreras-Llanes: Research Group in Clinical, Environmental and Epidemiology Social Transformation (EPICAS), Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
Vanessa Santos-Sánchez: Research Group in Clinical, Environmental and Epidemiology Social Transformation (EPICAS), Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
Juan Alguacil: Research Group in Clinical, Environmental and Epidemiology Social Transformation (EPICAS), Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
Roberto Rodríguez-Pacheco: The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Spanish Geological and Miner Institute National Center (CN IGME), Ríos Rosas 23, 28003 Madrid, Spain

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-24

Abstract: This study evaluates the impact of phosphogypsum stacks on the chemical composition of rainwater in the Huelva metropolitan area, a metal-polluted area with high cancer and heart disease mortality rates. A total of 612 rainwater samples were collected using 17 rain gauges located around the study area between January 2021 and December 2022. The pH, conductivity, major ions, and trace metals were detected in the soluble fraction of rainwater. The results revealed spatial variability in the rainwater quality. The highest values of As, Ca 2+ , Cr, F − , NH 4 + , Ni, PO 4 3− , SO 4 2− , Sr, and V were detected in rain-gauges near phosphogypsum stacks, exceeding the levels of pH, F − , and Ni according to the guideline values for drinking water quality from the WHO. Additionally, other pollution sources also contributed: a regional source (marine factors: Ca 2+ , Cl − , K + , Mg 2+ , and Na + ) and a local source (chemical complexes emissions: Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn). A downward trend of most toxic metal(loid) concentrations in wet depositions was detected as the distance to the affected area increased. The findings revealed that phosphogypsum stacks are a relevant source of metal(loid)s with potentially adverse environmental and public health effects that, if replicated, could be relevant for environmental monitoring and policy making.

Keywords: Huelva; rainwater pollution; phosphogypsum; spatial variation; short-range transport; particle soluble fraction; wet deposition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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