Changes in the Concentration of Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in El Chichon Crater Lake Active Volcano

The crater lake of El Chichon active volcano represents one of the most important extreme ecosystems in the world due to its high temperatures, low pH and the appearance of high concentrations of heavy metals because of volcanic activity. The latter is of great importance in nearby volcano sites due to heavy metal pollution, which is one of the worst types of environmental problems in the world. In this study, the concentration of heavy metals was evaluated in soils and sediments from different sections in the crater lake of El Chichon volcano. Representative samples were collected from four sediments and soils in 2015 and 2017. These samples were analyzed for 20 metals by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The most abundant elements in sediments of the crater lake of El Chichon volcano were Fe, Na, Si, Ca, K and Al and not found in soil samples. Be and Tl were more abundant in the soil, but the concentration of Se was higher in soil without showing statistically significant differences. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the abundance of metals was influenced by sample type. That is, a higher concentration of heavy metals and trace elements was found in volcanic sediments as compared to soil samples. This difference may be related to metals originating from the magma, which is partially transported in the water stream that gives way to the volcano lake. The most toxic heavy metals identified and quantified in high concentrations in crater soils and sediments were As and Cd. This study suggests that sediments and soils of El Chichon crater lake could be an important source of heavy metals and toxic elements such as As and Cd.

Automated summary

The crater lake of El Chichon active volcano is one of the most important extreme ecosystems in the world due to its high temperatures, low pH, and high concentrations of heavy metals. The volcanic sediments have higher levels of heavy metals and trace elements compared to soil samples, possibly originating from magma transported in water streams to the volcano lake. The most toxic heavy metals identified in high concentrations in crater soils and sediments were arsenic and cadmium.