Besaury, L., Ouddane, B., Pavissich, J. P., Dubrulle-Brunaud, C., Gonzalez, B., & Quillet, L. (2012). Impact of copper on the abundance and diversity of sulfate-reducing prokaryotes in two chilean marine sediments. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 64(10), 2135–2145.
Abstract: We studied the abundance and diversity of the sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRPs) in two 30-cm marine chilean sediment cores, one with a long-term exposure to copper-mining residues, the other being a non-exposed reference sediment. The abundance of SRPs was quantified by qPCR of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase gene beta-subunit (dsrB) and showed that SRPs are sensitive to high copper concentrations, as the mean number of SRPs all along the contaminated sediment was two orders of magnitude lower than in the reference sediment. SRP diversity was analyzed by using the dsrB-sequences-based PCR-DGGE method and constructing gene libraries for dsrB-sequences. Surprisingly, the diversity was comparable in both sediments, with dsrB sequences belonging to Desulfobacteraceae, Syntrophobacteraceae, and Desulfobulbaceae, SRP families previously described in marine sediments, and to a deep branching dsrAB lineage. The hypothesis of the presence of horizontal transfer of copper resistance genes in the microbial population of the polluted sediment is discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Caceres-Vasquez, J., Jara, D. H., Costamagna, J., Martinez-Gomez, F., Silva, C. P., Lemus, L., et al. (2023). Effect of non-covalent self-dimerization on the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of mixed Cu(i) complexes. RSC Advances, 13(2), 825–838.
Abstract: A series of six new Cu(i) complexes with ([Cu(N-{4-R}pyridine-2-yl-methanimine)(PPh3)Br]) formulation, where R corresponds to a donor or acceptor p-substituent, have been synthesized and were used to study self-association effects on their structural and electrochemical properties. X-ray diffraction results showed that in all complexes the packing is organized from a dimer generated by supramolecular pi stacking and hydrogen bonding. H-1-NMR experiments at several concentrations showed that all complexes undergo a fast-self-association monomer-dimer equilibrium in solution, while changes in resonance frequency towards the high or low field in specific protons of the imine ligand allow establishing that dimers have similar structures to those found in the crystal. The thermodynamic parameters for this self-association process were calculated from dimerization constants determined by VT-H-1-NMR experiments for several concentrations at different temperatures. The values for K-D (4.0 to 70.0 M-1 range), Delta H (-1.4 to -2.6 kcal mol(-1) range), Delta S (-0.2 to 2.1 cal mol(-1) K-1 range), and Delta G(298) (-0.8 to -2.0 kcal mol(-1) range) are of the same order and indicate that the self-dimerization process is enthalpically driven for all complexes. The electrochemical profile of the complexes shows two redox Cu(ii)/Cu(i) processes whose relative intensities are sensitive to concentration changes, indicating that both species are in chemical equilibrium, with the monomer and the dimer having different electrochemical characteristics. We associate this behaviour with the structural lability of the Cu(i) centre that allows the monomeric molecules to reorder conformationally to achieve a more adequate assembly in the non-covalent dimer. As expected, structural properties in the solid and in solution, as well as their electrochemical properties, are not correlated with the electronic parameters usually used to evaluate R substituent effects. This confirms that the properties of the Cu(i) complexes are usually more influenced by steric effects than by the inductive effects of substituents of the ligands. In fact, the results obtained showed the importance of non-covalent inte
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De la Iglesia, R., Valenzuela-Heredia, D., Andrade, S., Correa, J., & Gonzalez, B. (2012). Composition dynamics of epilithic intertidal bacterial communities exposed to high copper levels. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol., 79(3), 720–727.
Abstract: Copper has a dual role for organisms, both as micronutrient and toxic element. Copper mining activities have an enormous ecological impact because of the extraction process and the consequent release of copper-containing waste materials to the environment. In northern Chile, mainly in the Chanaral coastal area, this phenomenon is clearly evident. The released waste material has caused a strong modification of the area, and copper enrichment of beaches and rocky shores has provoked a decrease in the richness and diversity of many species of macroorganisms. However, the effects that copper enrichment has on microbial (e.g. bacterial epilithic) communities associated with the rocky shore environment are poorly understood. Using a culture-independent molecular approach, field sampling and laboratory microcosm experiments, we determined the effects of copper enrichment on bacterial communities inhabiting the rocky shore environment. Field samples showed a strong effect of copper on the structure of the natural bacterial epilithic communities, and microcosm experiments demonstrated rapid changes in bacterial community when copper is added, and reversibility of this effect within 48 h after copper is removed.
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De la Iglesia, R., Valenzuela-Heredia, D., Pavissich, J. P., Freyhoffer, S., Andrade, S., Correa, J. A., et al. (2010). Novel polymerase chain reaction primers for the specific detection of bacterial copper P-type ATPases gene sequences in environmental isolates and metagenomic DNA. Lett. Appl. Microbiol., 50(6), 552–562.
Abstract: Aims: In the last decades, the worldwide increase in copper wastes release by industrial activities like mining has driven environmental metal contents to toxic levels. For this reason, the study of the biological copper-resistance mechanisms in natural environments is important. Therefore, an appropriate molecular tool for the detection and tracking of copper-resistance genes was developed. Methods and Results: In this work, we designed a PCR primer pair to specifically detect copper P-type ATPases gene sequences. These PCR primers were tested in bacterial isolates and metagenomic DNA from intertidal marine environments impacted by copper pollution. As well, T-RFLP fingerprinting of these gene sequences was used to compare the genetic composition of such genes in microbial communities, in normal and copper-polluted coastal environments. New copper P-type ATPases gene sequences were found, and a high degree of change in the genetic composition because of copper exposure was also determined. Conclusions: This PCR based method is useful to track bacterial copper-resistance gene sequences in the environment. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study is the first to report the design and use of a PCR primer pair as a molecular marker to track bacterial copper-resistance determinants, providing an excellent tool for long-term analysis of environmental communities exposed to metal pollution.
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Herrera, M. N. (2023). The contribution of the Chilean mining industry to the achievement of the 17 sustainable development goals. Geosystem Eng., 25(3-4), 64–82.
Abstract: Chile is a world leader in copper production and is expected to reach production of around 6,237,000 tons of fine copper by 2022. On the other hand, in 2021 the production of copper by the hydrometallurgical route reached 1,509,000 tons and that of the smelting and refining route was 4,606,000 tons. Considering this production scenario, this article describes in a general way the contributions that the Chilean mining industry has made to the fulfillment of the 17 sustainable development goals, SDGs. The main advances are highlighted, besides discussing the main pending tasks to comply with the commitments made by Chile towards the international community.
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Parrado, C., Caceres, G., Bize, F., Bubnovich, V., Baeyens, J., Degreve, J., et al. (2015). Thermo-mechanical analysis of copper-encapsulated NaNO3-KNO3. Chem. Eng. Res. Des., 93, 224–231.
Abstract: The present paper presents a numerical study to investigate and assess the heat transfer behavior of a copper and salt composite. A mixture of nitrates, KNO3-NaNO3, within a deformable spherical shell coating of copper will be used as an encapsulated phase change material, E-PCM. In the context of a thermo-mechanical analysis of this E-PCM, a simulation is proposed to determine its storage capacity and properties The melting, or solidification of the encapsulated PCM particles do not provoke cracking of the deformable shell. (C) 2014 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Pavissich, J. P., Silva, M., & Gonzalez, B. (2010). Sulfate Reduction, Molecular Diversity, And Copper Amendment Effects In Bacterial Communities Enriched From Sediments Exposed To Copper Mining Residues. Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 29(2), 256–264.
Abstract: Sulfate-reducing bacterial communities from coastal sediments with a long-term exposure to copper (Cu)-mining residues were studied in lactate enrichments. The toxicity of excess copper may affect sulfate-reducing bacterial communities. Sulfate reduction was monitored by sulfate and organic acid measurements. Molecular diversity was analyzed by 16S rRNA, dissimilatory sulfate reduction dsrAB, and Cu translocating phospho-type adenosine triphosphatases (P-ATPases) cop-like gene sequence profiling. The influence of Cu amendment was tested in these enrichments. Results showed fast sulfate reduction mostly coupled to incomplete organic carbon oxidation and partial sulfate reduction inhibition due to copper amendment. The 16S rRNA clonal libraries analysis indicated that delta- and gamma-Proteobacteria and Cytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides dominated the enrichments. The dsrAB libraries revealed the presence of Desulfobacteraceae and Desulfovibrionaceae families-related sequences. Copper produced significant shifts (i.e., a decrease in the relative abundance of sulfate-reducing microorganisms) in the enriched bacterial community structure as determined by terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) profiling and multivariate analyses. Clonal libraries of cop-like sequences showed low richness in the enriched microbial communities, and a strong effect of copper on its relative abundance. Novel Cu-P-IB-ATPase sequences encoding Cu resistance were detected. The present study indicates that Cu does not significantly affect sulfate reduction and genetic diversity of taxonomic and dissimilatory sulfate-reduction molecular markers. However, the diversity of Cu resistance genetic determinants was strongly modified by this toxic metal. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:256-264. (C) 2009 SETAC
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Pavissich, J. P., Vargas, I. T., Gonzalez, B., Pasten, P. A., & Pizarro, G. E. (2010). Culture dependent and independent analyses of bacterial communities involved in copper plumbing corrosion. J. Appl. Microbiol., 109(3), 771–782.
Abstract: Aims: This study used culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches to characterize bacterial communities in copper plumbing corrosion and to assess biofilm formation and copper resistance of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from copper pipes. Methods and Results: Water and copper pipes were collected from a cold-water household distribution system affected by 'blue water' corrosion and presenting biofilm formation. Corrosion-promoting ageing experiments were performed with conditioned unused copper pipes filled with unfiltered and filtered sampled water as nonsterile and sterile treatments, respectively. During 8 weeks, stagnant water within the pipes was replaced with aerated fresh water every 2 or 3 days. Total copper and pH were determined in sampled water, and copper pipe coupons were cut for microscopic analyses. Biofilms were extracted from field and laboratory pipes, and total DNA was isolated. Bacterial communities' composition was analysed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and clonal libraries of 16S rRNA genes. Heterotrophic bacterial isolates were obtained from water and biofilm extracts and characterized in terms of biofilm formation capacity and copper minimum inhibitory concentration. The results indicated that copper concentration in stagnant water from nonsterile treatments was much higher than in sterile treatments and corrosion by-products structure in coupon surfaces was different. Multivariate analysis of T-RFLP profiles and clone sequencing showed significant dissimilarity between field and laboratory biofilm communities, and a low richness and the dominant presence of Gamma- and Betaproteobacteria in both cases. Several bacterial isolates formed biofilm and tolerated high copper concentrations. Conclusions: The study demonstrates microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) in copper plumbing. Gamma- and Betaproteobacteria dominated the corroded copper piping bacterial community, whose ability to form biofilms may be important for bacterial corrosion promotion and survival in MIC events. Significance and Impact of the Study: The characterization of micro-organisms that influence copper plumbing corrosion has significant implications for distribution system management and copper corrosion control.
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Rosado-Tamariz, E., Genco, F., Campos-Amezcua, A., Markou, G., & Batres, R. (2021). Enhanced dynamic simulation approach towards the efficient mining thermal energy supply with improved operational flexibility. Int. J. Energy Res., 45, 4265–4284.
Abstract: This paper presents a thermal power plant retrofitting approach focused on improvements in the operational flexibility of existing combined cycle power plants dedicated to providing thermal energy for medium and low-temperature processes in copper mining facilities. The main motivation for this research was aimed at evaluating the operational flexibility of the electrical industry through sector coupling and its effect on solving the energy sector decarbonization issues. The research evaluates the advantages of hybridization systems for supporting the electrical and mining industries to better predict operations. The proposed approach is based on a dynamic simulation scheme that finds the optimal operating parameters of the combined heat and power (CHP) system, such as location, type, and arrangement of each component of the CHP system. The power plant dynamic simulation model was validated against data available in the literature; it was also characterized by real operational data of the San Isidro II power plant installed in Chile. Several alternatives for the cogeneration plant location, as well as the splitter system design, were investigated and then compared. A cogeneration plant design with two heating modules was selected based on the comparative study performed in this work and its CHP system was evaluated for a load reduction case study. The results were compared against a reference model. The proposed CHP system exhibited improved performance: a minimum of 15% of the exhaust gases are required to supply the thermal energy demand of the electrowinning process when a full load is considered. It was also found that an average decrease of 5% of the mechanical power at each steam turbine stage noted. Finally, the proposed CHP system's average thermodynamic efficiency is found to be 19% greater than the power plant average efficiency. Consequently, an average decrease of 32 500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year is predicted.
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Vargas, I. T., Fischer, D. A., Alsina, M. A., Pavissich, J. P., Pasten, P. A., & Pizarro, G. E. (2017). Copper Corrosion and Biocorrosion Events in Premise Plumbing. Materials, 10(9), 30 pp.
Abstract: Corrosion of copper pipes may release high amounts of copper into the water, exceeding the maximum concentration of copper for drinking water standards. Typically, the events with the highest release of copper into drinking water are related to the presence of biofilms. This article reviews this phenomenon, focusing on copper ingestion and its health impacts, the physicochemical mechanisms and the microbial involvement on copper release, the techniques used to describe and understand this phenomenon, and the hydrodynamic effects. A conceptual model is proposed and the mathematical models are reviewed.
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Vera, R., Araya, R., Garin, C., Ossandon, S., & Rojas, P. (2019). Study on the effect of atmospheric corrosion on mechanical properties with impact test: Carbon steel and Galvanized steel. Mater. Corros., 70(7), 1151–1161.
Abstract: The present work presents the behavior of carbon steel and galvanized steel against atmospheric corrosion after 3 years of exposure at seven locations around the region of Valparaiso, Chile. Results show a relation between corrosion rates and environmental and meteorological conditions, categorized as CX for the Quintero zone, and C3 and C2 in the remaining six zones. Corrosion rate behaviors and material toughness losses were modeled using power functions and neural networks, found to be a function of environmental exposure time. Losses were greater for carbon steel in coastal and industrial environments, reaching 70 to 80%. This effect was reduced in galvanized steel, not exceeding 15% over the same period of exposure. The relationship between corrosion rate and loss of toughness of both materials was modeled using neural networks.
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Vera, R., Valverde, B., Olave, E., Diaz-Gomez, A., Sanchez-Gonzalez, R., Munoz, L., et al. (2022). Corrosion Behavior of Copper Exposed in Marine Tropical Atmosphere in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Chile 20 Years after MICAT. Metals, 12(12), 2082.
Abstract: Atmospheric corrosion of copper, exposed on a tropical island in the South-Central Pacific Ocean, was reported and compared with those of a very similar study at the same site conducted 20 years earlier. The new measurements-taken over three years of exposure, from 2010 to 2013-quantified corrosion by mass loss, characterized corrosion products by X-ray diffraction (DRX) and Raman techniques, observed the attack morphology by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and evaluated the patina resistance using electrochemical techniques. The results showed a copper corrosivity category of C4, and the main copper patina compound, cuprite, was porous, nonhomogeneous, and thin. Electrochemical measurements showed cuprite layer growth as a function of the exposure time, and the morphology did not favor corrosion protection. Finally, when comparing the results to those of a study 22 years previous, the copper corrosion rates increased only slightly, even with increased contaminants associated with growing local populations and continuous tourism on the island.
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Villena, M., & Greve, F. (2018). On resource depletion and productivity: The case of the Chilean copper industry. Resour. Policy, 59, 553–562.
Abstract: How resource depletion affects productivity is a crucial question for several industries. In fact, several natural resource-exporting countries have seen their productivity levels affected by resource depletion. Nevertheless, usually, it is not clear what the real productivity growth is, without discarding the effects of resource depletion in the production structure. The main aim of the paper is to empirically answer a relevant issue regarding the Chilean copper mining industry, which is, the slowdown of its productivity in the last decade, considering in the analysis the role of resource depletion. In particular, we consider resource depletion to be an exogenous and unpaid force that opposes technological change and hence increases costs through time, capturing in this way some stylized facts of, for example, the mining and fishing industries. The decomposition framework was applied to the Chilean copper mining industry, one of the most important in the world, using data from the period of 1985-2015. The econometric results were robust and pointed to the fact that the productivity fell sharply during the period; however, it did not fall as much as the traditional estimation methods pointed out. Our model showed that as much as 15% of this decline was due to the increase of the resource depletion variable (copper ore grade).
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