Potentially Toxic Elements’ Contamination of Soils Affected by Mining Activities in the Portuguese Sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt and Optional Remediation Actions: A Review

Both sectors of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portuguese and Spanish, have been exploited since ancient times, but more intensively during after second half 19th century. Large volumes polymetallic sulfide ore were extracted in open pits or underground works, processed without environmental concerns, generated waste rocks tailings simply deposited area. Many these mining sites abandoned for years under action erosive agents, leading to spread trace elements contamination soils, waters sediments. Some mine submitted rehabilitation actions, mostly using constructive techniques dig contain contaminated other materials, remaining soil still needs be treated with best available recover its ecosystem functions. Besides degraded physical structure poor nutritional status they common characteristics, as a consequence pyrite oxidation acid drainage produced, such high concentration low pH, which must considered remediation plans. This manuscript aims review results from studies already covered topics especially sector, considering: (i) soils’ physicochemical characteristics; (ii) potentially toxic elements’ concentration; (iii) sustainable technologies cope this type contamination. Phytostabilization, amelioration soil’s properties organic inorganic amendments, was investigated at lab field scale by several authors, their also considered.