Erosión y desertificación.-The role of secondary minerals in the control of erosion processes under a Mediterranean mining landcape

Abstract

ABSTRACT The result of mining activity is the presence of several silt ponds and mining tailings spread all over the Sierra Minera (Cartagena-La Union Mountains, SE Spain). These ponds, joint to other wastes deposits constitute the main source of heavy metals to the environment. Besides, these metal sources areas act as dispersion focus towards the surrounding and subsidiary areas due to the erosion processes. Interaction between metal and salts present in these environments, provoke an secondary effect on the landscape modeling. The major o minor strength of the erosion processes is controlled by the presence of salts in soil and mining wastes (silt ponds and mining tailings). The aim of this work concerns the relation between the salt-metal compounds and the erosion and landscape modeling processes.