Publications
Atmospheric Black Carbon Evaluation in Two Sites of San Luis Potosí City During the Years 2018–2020
Black carbon (BC) concentrations in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, exhibit significant seasonal and spatial variations, with fossil fuel combustion as the dominant source. Annual average BC levels were 1.11 µg/m³ in the northern part of the city and 1.96 µg/m³ in the southern area, both peaking during dry seasons. The study, conducted over two years (2018–2020), used aethalometer AE-33 to measure BC and its fractions, alongside data from the local monitoring network. Findings highlight higher BC contributions from fossil fuels (97% in the north, 91% in the south) despite biomass burning events. This research provides critical insights into air pollutant interactions in a rapidly growing Mexican city, offering potential indicators for mitigating health risks and emissions.
Transmission Vector of E. Coli in Different Areas of the City of Potosí and Its Impact on the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda
A concerning environmental health threat has been identified in the City of Potosí, where the transmission of E. coli poses significant risks to public health and well-being. The study reveals that many areas lack adequate prevention mechanisms, exacerbating a pressing epidemiological issue. Using a descriptive methodology with a cross-sectional approach, researchers assessed the incidence of E. coli across different regions, highlighting its potential impact on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the UN's 2030 Agenda. The findings underscore the need for urgent action to mitigate or eradicate the spread of this bacterium, which not only affects health outcomes but also threatens regional sustainability efforts.
Mining City: Potosí - Potosí: The Silver City That Changed the World. By Kris Lane. Oakland: University of California Press, 2019. Pp. 272. Illustrations. Maps. Appendix. Glossary. Notes. Bibliographical essay. Select bibliography. Index. $32.95 cloth.
Potosí, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as a testament to the profound impact of silver mining on global history. Kris Lane's 'Mining City: Potosí' reveals how this Bolivian city, once the world's largest silver producer, reshaped economies and societies from the 16th to 20th centuries. The book highlights Potosí's role in fueling European wealth, driving inflation through the influx of American silver, and creating a complex social structure that reflected colonial power dynamics. Lane employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating historical records, economic data, and archaeological evidence to unravel the city's layered narratives. This comprehensive analysis underscores Potosí's significance not only as an industrial marvel but also as a microcosm of global interconnectedness during the early modern period.
Potosí: the silver city that changed the world
Potosí, the historic silver city in Bolivia, stands as a pivotal case study in global economic and social transformation. Kris Lane's work reveals how Potosí's vast silver deposits, discovered in 1545, fueled the Spanish Empire's economy, reshaping global trade networks and labor systems. The research employs a 'longue durée' approach, tracing Potosí's evolution from its founding to the wars of independence, highlighting its role as a microcosm of colonial exploitation and indigenous resilience. This study underscores Potosí's enduring legacy in shaping world history through its economic dominance and complex social dynamics.
Potosí: The Silver City That Changed the World
Potosí is recognized as one of the most significant historical subjects due to its extraordinary silver mines, which played a pivotal role in global trade, colonial society, and environmental degradation. Kris Lane's comprehensive study, 'Potosí: The Silver City That Changed the World,' highlights the city's dual nature—innovation and creation alongside archetypal violence against humans and their environment. The research meticulously uses primary sources, including colonial writings, notary records, and judicial cases from Bolivian archives, along with images and photographs, to present a nuanced narrative of Potosí's history from its discovery in 1545 through the mid-twentieth century. This approach challenges readers to confront the moral ambiguities embedded in Potosí's complex history, offering insights relevant to global historical settings.
Human health risks associated with heavy metals in soil in different areas of San Luis Potosí, México
A probabilistic health risk assessment reveals that soil contamination with arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and lead poses significant non-carcinogenic risks to children living in various areas of San Luis Potosí, México. The study found varying concentrations of these heavy metals across different locations, with the highest mean levels of arsenic (51.85 mg/kg) and lead (219–227 mg/kg) detected in urban and rural areas, respectively. Ingestion emerged as the primary exposure pathway for all metals, with cumulative hazard index values exceeding 1.0 in all sampled sites, indicating potential health risks. The research underscores the urgent need for a biomonitoring program to monitor child populations in these high-risk areas.
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