Catastrophe Vulnerability and Risk Mapping in the Iron Quadrangle, Brazil – Preliminary Results in the Rio das Velhas Watershed

Abstract

The geochemistry of fluvial deposits is one of the most used proxies for contamination assessment in mined areas. A river sediment survey was carried out in Iron Quadrangle (IQ), Brazil, between 2013 and 2015. Subsequently, in the last four years, two dam failures happened, causing great environmental damage. Geostatistical modelling was used to model Potentially Toxic Elements’ spatial patterns and the definition of hot/ cold clusters for Arsenic contamination risk concerning catastrophic scenarios, such as dam failure. and so used as a tool for vulnerability and risk assessment. The preliminary results for Arsenic spatial distribution are introduced and discussed.