Characterization of pollution levels in a sulfur extraction plant using high-resolution satellite imagery to optimize the sampling plan Caracterización de nieveles de contaminación en una planta extractora de azufre utilizando imágenes de satélite de alta resolución para optimizar el plan de muestreo

© 2016, Centro de Ciencias de la Atmosfera, UNAM. All rights reserved. Industrial activities in developing countries have left a legacy of environmental impacts that represent a long-term risk to human beings living in and around polluted areas. Fortunately, pressure from NGOs and social organizations is creating a trend of remediation projects that can be used as showcases in other areas, and stimulate both governments and private companies to initiate cleanup activities in polluted areas all over the world. The study was conducted in a former sulfur mine in the city of Jaltipan, Veracruz, Mexico. This mine operated from the early 50s to early 90s, first as a private company and later as a government company. As common in many mining companies during this period, there was virtually no concern for the environmental aspects of the mine operations, from mineral extraction to final product shipment. Thus, in an area of roughly 400 hectares, close to 20[%] of the area was affected by some kind of sulfur residues. This project involved two aspects. First, the determination of the polluted areas in and around the property of the mining company, using high-resolution imagery and GIS technologies in combination with extensive field surveys. Second, based upon the results of the diagnostic phase, the determination of the volume of polluted material, its three dimensional distribution and the selection of the best strategy for site remediation.

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