TRACE-ELEMENTS IN SUSPENDED PARTICLES IN A CITY NEAR THE LARGE-SCALE COPPER MINE IN THE NORTH OF CHILE

The purpose of this paper is to perform a gravitational and multieleme ntal analysis by the PIXE technique (Particle Induced X-Ray Emission) on particles inhaled in Calama city, located 16 km south of Chuquicama ta, a locality in the North of chile, where the largest open pit coppe r mine in the world is located. The inhaled particles were collected b y separating them into a coarse and fine fraction with an SFU low volu me type sampler (Stacked Filter Unit) between November 1990 and May 19 91. The inhaled concentration of particles exceeds by an average of 32 % the standard given by EPA, being the coarse aerosols being 75% highe r than the fine aerosols. The concentrations of elements K, Fe and As, in both the fine and coarse fractions are higher in relation to those found in Antofagasta, a city located 200 km south-west of Calama, on the coast. There is a remarkable enrichment of S in comparison with th e ground source. As opposed to the ground source, Cu, As, Zn and Ti ar e also present.