Table 1.
Main description of studied sites.
| Sites | Localization (altitude) | Climate | Sample type | Soil typea | Mining operation/ closure date/ operative status | Vegetation (spontaneous colonization by pioneer plants)b |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tambillos (Coquimbo) |
30° 12′ 06" S 71° 14′ 27" W (204 m.a.s.l) |
Coastal steppe Semi-arid |
Soil (waste materials resulting from the extraction of copper and gold) | Technosolsa |
Copper and gold 1987 Abandoned mining tailings |
High |
| Huana (Ovalle) |
30° 42′ 24" S 70° 57′ 20" W (454 m.a.s.l) |
Dessert | Soil (waste materials resulting from the extraction of copper) | Technosols |
Copper 1998 Abandoned mining tailings |
Moderate |
| Tambillos fresh tailing (Coquimbo) |
30° 12′ 06" S 71° 14′ 27" W (204 m.a.s.l) |
Coastal steppe Semi-arid |
Soil (waste materials resulting from the extraction of copper and gold) | Technosols |
Copper and ore – Active mine operation |
No |
| Surrounding soil (Ovalle) |
30° 42′ 24" S 70° 57′ 20" W (454 m.a.s.l.) |
Dessert | Non-perturbed soil in the area of Huana mine | Aridisols | No mining activities | High |
aAlso classified as Thionic-Technosols due to their high levels of sulphidic materials.
bTwo of the most abundant native species found in both tailings were Baccharis linearis (Romerillo, 19% cover) and Haplopappus parvifolius (Bailahuén, 1% cover)17. Neither forestation nor direct vegetation managements have been applied in the sites.