Search

[EN] The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) is a volcanic- and shale-hosted massive sulfides world-class province of the Upper Paleozoic age that includes some supergiant ore deposits with a unique mining operations history. An extensive soil (multi-element) geochemical survey in the IPB has been performed to create a geochemical database to increase the knowledge of the studied area. Both univariate and multivariate treatments have been done to manage a large amount of new data. The studied area shows higher background concentrations of several elements (e.b. Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Sn, In, Bi, As, or Sb) than in other terrains in Spain due to the IPB volcano-sedimentary ore deposits and their associated mining wastes. Mapping chemical elements help understand their behavior, controls and associations in natural environments. According to this, the mono-elemental contour maps show single-element distributions with geological control (e.g., Na), ore deposit control (e.g., Cu) or a mixture of both. On the other hand, multivariate analysis has been applied to reduce the large geochemical database maintaining the same information. We have chosen Factorial Analysis (FA) and obtained six factors that explain approximately 70% of the variability. Four of these factors (F1, F2, F4 and F5) show an intense geological control that improves the geological information of the IPB, while the other two (F3 and F5) show an ore deposit control. These factors allow distinguishing between different types of deposits in the IPB and help discover new possible exploration targets for future studies., [ES] La Faja Pirítica Ibérica (FPI) es una provincia metalogenética de clase mundial de sulfuros masivos volcanosedimentarios de edad Paleozoico superior que incluye algunos yacimientos supergigantes que han sido explotado a lo largo de la historia. En este trabajo se ha llevado a cabo una campaña de geoquímica de suelos multielemental para crear una base de datos geoquímica que permita incrementar el conocimiento de la zona de estudio. Se han realizado tratamientos univariantes y multivariantes para interpretar la gran cantidad de nuevos datos generados. La zona muestra backgrounds más elevados para varios elementos (Ej: Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Sn, In, Bi, As o Sb) que en el resto de España debido a los yacimientos y a los residuos generados por su explotación. El mapeo de los elementos químicos ayuda a entender su comportamiento, su control y sus asociaciones en el medio natural. De acuerdo a esto, los mapas de contornos monoelementales muestran distribuciones de algunos elementos que presentan un control geológico (ej: Na), otros un monoelementales muestran distribuciones de algunos elementos que presentan un control geológico (ej: Na), otros un control metalogenético (ej: Cu) y otros una mezcla de ambos. Por otro lado, se han aplicado tratamientos multivariantes para reducir la gran cantidad de variables geoquímicas manteniendo la misma información. Hemos elegido el Análisis Factorial (AF) obteniendo 6 factores que explican aproximadamente el 70% de la varianza. Cuatro de esos factores (F1, F2, F4 y F5) muestran un claro control geológico que mejora la información geológica de la FPI, mientras que otros dos (F3 y F5) muestran un control metalogénico. Estos dos factores permites distinguir entre los diferentes tipos de yacimientos de la FPI y ayudan en el descubrimiento de posibles objetivos de exploración en futuros estudios.

[EN] PLANAGEO is an international Project developed by the Spanish Geological Survey (IGME), Portugal Geological Survey (LNEG) and Asturian company (IMPULSO) for 8 years (2014-2022) in the south part of Angola (476.500 Km2). This project has four main activities: 1) Aerogeophysical surveys, 2) Geological mapping, 3) Geochemical exploration and 4) Specific studies (Mineral resources exploration, hydrogeological studies and ornamental rock and industrial mineral exploration).

[EN] The IGME has an extensive experience in the field of mineral resources and the main source of information is the Mineral Resources Database (BDMIN) that integrates the geological‐mining information on occurrences, mines and exploitations (active and inactive) of metallic, nonmetallic and industrial minerals, and rocks in Spain. In addition, since 1981, the Panorama Minero has been carried out with the aim of providing reliable data on Spanish mining production, based on the Spanish Mining Statistics (MITERD). This information includes data on the national production of minerals, in tonnage and value, metallurgical production, foreign trade, etc. Other sources include the National Mining Cadastre and Foreign Trade statistics from the Tax Agency.

[EN] The study of mineral resources of our country was, and still is, one of the foundational objectives of Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), that began to carry out studies on them and to elaborate maps of occurrences and ore deposits. Since the 70’s of the 20th century, the metallogenic map has been the main tool for the transmission of knowledge in this field. In the European context in which we work, the present place us in front of the great challenge of identifying the supply potential of critical and strategic raw materials for the energy transition, in order to comply with the Green Deal promoted by the European Commission. The Economic Geology of Mineral Resources research group (GI-GECOMIN) is made up of 17 members including researcher, specialized senior technician and higher graduate of technical and professional activities, with extensive experience in the study of geological resources. This work aims to describe the main objectives, the accredited experience, and the most relevant scientific-technical activities carried out by the GI-GECOMIN, grouped in four research lines.

[EN] Geochemical mapping represents an application of conventional geochemical methods to the knowledge of the natural environment. This is the most useful way to determine the current levels of geochemical amounts -geochemical baselines- to comprehend the spatial distribution and variability of the different elements, and to document variations in their levels in natural materials at the Earth surface. Those changes, usually are shown in geochemical distribution maps produced by geochemical mapping projects, can often indicate areas affected by possible anthropic pollution activities or even anomalies related to known or to unsuspected mineralizations. Nowadays, geochemical mapping is one of the main activities performed in the national geological surveys and organizations for several research fields. Following the recommendations included in the Final Report of the Project 259 for the International and National Geochemical Programs.

[EN] One of the main concerns of the European Commission is critical raw materials (CRM), necessary for daily life in a wide range of goods and applications. The EU's industry and economy depend on international markets for many important raw materials, which are produced and supplied by third countries. These CRMs are closely linked to clean technologies, technological progress and quality of life. Concern about access to CRMs led the European Commission to draw up a first list of critical raw materials (CRM) in 2011, and to schedule its review and update every three years, the last being in 2020.

Residential radon exposure is a serious public health concern, and as such appears in the recommendations of European Code Against Cancer. The objective of this study was to assess the association between residential radon levels and mortality due to different types of cancer, using misaligned data analysis techniques. Mortality data (observed cases) for each of the 313 Galician municipalities were drawn from the records of the National Statistics Institute for the study period (1999–2008). Expected cases were computed using Galician mortality rates for 14 types of malignant tumors as reference, with a total of 56,385 deaths due to the tumors analyzed. The effect estimates of indoor radon (3371 sampling points) were adjusted for sociodemographic variables, altitude, and arsenic topsoil levels (1069 sampling points), using spatial/geostatistical models fitted with stochastic partial differential equations and integrated nested Laplace approximations. These models are capable of processing misaligned data. The results showed a statistical association between indoor radon and lung, stomach and brain cancer in women in Galicia. Apart from lung cancer (relative risk (RR) = 1.09), in which a twofold increase in radon exposure led to a 9% rise in mortality, the association was particularly relevant in stomach (RR = 1.17) and brain cancer (RR = 1.28). Further analytical epidemiologic studies are needed to confirm these results, and an assessment should be made of the advisability of implementing interventions targeting such exposure in higher-risk areas.

Residential radon exposure is a serious public health concern, and as such appears in the recommendations of European Code Against Cancer. The objective of this study was to assess the association between residential radon levels and mortality due to different types of cancer, using misaligned data analysis techniques. Mortality data (observed cases) for each of the 313 Galician municipalities were drawn from the records of the National Statistics Institute for the study period (1999–2008). Expected cases were computed using Galician mortality rates for 14 types of malignant tumors as reference, with a total of 56,385 deaths due to the tumors analyzed. The effect estimates of indoor radon (3371 sampling points) were adjusted for sociodemographic variables, altitude, and arsenic topsoil levels (1069 sampling points), using spatial/geostatistical models fitted with stochastic partial differential equations and integrated nested Laplace approximations. These models are capable of processing misaligned data. The results showed a statistical association between indoor radon and lung, stomach and brain cancer in women in Galicia. Apart from lung cancer (relative risk (RR) = 1.09), in which a twofold increase in radon exposure led to a 9% rise in mortality, the association was particularly relevant in stomach (RR = 1.17) and brain cancer (RR = 1.28). Further analytical epidemiologic studies are needed to confirm these results, and an assessment should be made of the advisability of implementing interventions targeting such exposure in higher-risk areas.

Spatio-temporal cancer mortality studies in Spain have revealed patterns for some tumours which display a distribution that is similar across the sexes and persists over time. Such characteristics would be common to tumours that shared risk factors, including the geochemical composition of the soil. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between heavy metal and metalloid levels in topsoil (upper soil horizon) and cancer mortality in mainland Spain. Ecological cancer mortality study at a municipal level, covering 861,440 cancer deaths (27 different tumour locations) in 7917 Spanish mainland towns, from 1999 to 2008. The elements included in this analysis were Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Topsoil levels (partial extraction) were determined by ICP-MS at 13,317 sampling points. For the analysis, the data on the topsoil composition have been transformed by the centred logratio (clr-transformation). Principal factor analysis was performed to obtain independent latent factors for the transformed variables. To estimate the effect of heavy metal levels in topsoil composition on mortality, we fitted Besag, York and Mollié models, which included each town’s factor scores as the explanatory variable. Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) was used as a tool for Bayesian inference. All results were adjusted for sociodemographic variables. The results showed an association between trace contents of heavy metals and metalloids in topsoil and mortality due to tumours of the digestive system in mainland Spain. This association was observed in both sexes, something that would support the hypothesis that the incorporation of heavy metals into the trophic chain might be playing a role in the aetiology of some types of cancer. Topsoil composition and the presence of potentially toxic elements in trace concentrations might be an additional component in the aetiology of some types of cancer, and go some way to determine the ensuing geographic di

Spatio-temporal cancer mortality studies in Spain have revealed patterns for some tumours which display a distribution that is similar across the sexes and persists over time. Such characteristics would be common to tumours that shared risk factors, including the geochemical composition of the soil. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between heavy metal and metalloid levels in topsoil (upper soil horizon) and cancer mortality in mainland Spain. Ecological cancer mortality study at a municipal level, covering 861,440 cancer deaths (27 different tumour locations) in 7917 Spanish mainland towns, from 1999 to 2008. The elements included in this analysis were Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Topsoil levels (partial extraction) were determined by ICP-MS at 13,317 sampling points. For the analysis, the data on the topsoil composition have been transformed by the centred logratio (clr-transformation). Principal factor analysis was performed to obtain independent latent factors for the transformed variables. To estimate the effect of heavy metal levels in topsoil composition on mortality, we fitted Besag, York and Mollié models, which included each town’s factor scores as the explanatory variable. Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) was used as a tool for Bayesian inference. All results were adjusted for sociodemographic variables. The results showed an association between trace contents of heavy metals and metalloids in topsoil and mortality due to tumours of the digestive system in mainland Spain. This association was observed in both sexes, something that would support the hypothesis that the incorporation of heavy metals into the trophic chain might be playing a role in the aetiology of some types of cancer. Topsoil composition and the presence of potentially toxic elements in trace concentrations might be an additional component in the aetiology of some types of cancer, and go some way to determine the ensuing geographic di

The presence of toxic metals in soil per se, and in soil impacted by mining, industry, agriculture and urbanisation in particular, is a major concern for both human health and ecotoxicology. The dual aim of this study was: to ascertain whether topsoil composition could influence the spatial distribution of mortality due to different types of cancer and to identify possible errors committed by epidemiological studies which analyse soil composition data as a closed number system. We conducted an ecological cancer mortality study, covering 861,440 cancer deaths (27 cancer sites) in 7917 Spanish mainland towns, from 1999 to 2008. Topsoil levels of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined by ICP-MS at 13,317 sampling points. We transformed the topsoil data in two ways, i.e. log transformation and centred logratio transformation. Principal factor analysis was performed to obtain independent latent factors for the transformed variables. To estimate the effect on mortality of topsoil factor loadings, we fitted Besag, York and Mollié models embedded in geostatistical-spatial models. This model included soil sample locations and town centroids (non-aligned data), fitted using the integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) as a tool for Bayesian inference and stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE). All results were adjusted for socio-demographic variables. The results indicated that soil composition could have an influence on the spatial distribution and mortality patterns of cancer. The analysis adjusted for socio-demographic variables showed excess male mortality due to digestive system tumours in areas with soils containing higher Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations, bladder cancer in areas with soils containing higher Cd concentrations, and brain cancer in areas with soils containing As. In both sexes, cancer of oesophagus was associated with soils containing a higher lead content, while lung cancer was associated with soils containing a hig