Arsenic and uranium transport in sediments near abandoned uranium mines in Harding County,South Dakota

Sediment samples were analyzed as part of ongoing environmental investigations of historical U mining impacts within Custer National Forest in Harding County, South Dakota. Correlations between As and U content, grain size and soil mineralogy were determined to identify contaminant fate and transport mechanisms. Soil samples collected near the mining source zone and up to 61 km downgradient of the minesites were analyzed. Samples were homogenized and wet sieved through polymer screens, and metal(loid) concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis identified quartz as the primary mineral for all size fractions, with varying amounts of analcime, indicative of volcanic origin. Selected samples were examined for trace mineral composition using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of Fe sulfides and Fe (hydr)oxides indicate heterogeneity in redox potentials on a microscopic scale. Elevated metal(loid) concentrations were associated with trace concentrations of Fe sulfide, indicating an influence on metal transport during weathering. Sequential chemical extractions (SCE) performed on source sediment fractions demonstrated that most As and U was adsorbed to Fe- and Mn-oxides and carbonates with lesser amounts bound by ion exchange, organics and Fe sulfides. Large changes in U/Th and As/Th ratios were observed to coincide with geochemical changes in the watershed, suggesting that metal(loid)–Th ratios may be used in environmental investigations to identify geochemically-significant watershed conditions.     

Selective chemical extraction of heavy metals in tailings and soils contaminated by mining activity: Environmental implications

Total concentrations of chemical elements in soils may not be enough to understand the mobility and bioavailability of the elements. It is important to characterise the degree of association of chemical elements in different physical and chemical phases of soil. Another geochemical characterisation methodology is to apply sequential selective chemical extraction techniques. A seven-step sequential extraction procedure was used to investigate the mobility and retention behaviour of Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Mo, Cd, Bi, Sn, W, Ag, As and U in specific physical–chemical and mineral phases in mine tailings and soils in the surroundings of the abandoned Ervedosa mine. The soil geochemical data show anomalies associated with mineralised veins or influenced by mining. Beyond the tailings, the highest recorded concentrations for most elements are in soils situated in mineralised areas or under the influence of tailings. The application of principal components analysis allowed recognition of (a) element associations according to their geochemical behaviour and (b) distinction between samples representing local geochemical background and samples representing contamination. Some metal cations (Mn, Cd, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni) showed important enrichment in the most mobilisable and bioavailable (i.e., water-soluble and exchangeable) fractions due likely to the acidic conditions in the area. In contrast, oxy-anions such as Mo and As showed lower mobility because of adsorption to Fe oxy-hydroxides. The residual fraction comprised largest proportions of Sn and Al and to a lesser extent Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, Bi, W, and Ag, which are also present at low concentrations in the bioavailable fractions. The elements in secondary mineral phases (mainly Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, W, Bi, Mo, Cr, Ni, Co, As and U) as well as in organic matter and sulphides are temporarily withheld, suggesting that they may be released to the environment by changes in physico-chemical conditions.     

Mesoscale experimental study on chemical composition,pore size distribution,and permeability of tailings

To study the seepage characteristics of tailing sand, an indoor sand column test was performed with three kinds of tailing sand obtained from Henan and Shaanxi provinces, China. River sand, quartz sand, and glass beads were also employed for comparison. Using the nuclear magnetic resonance, the researchers studied pore size distribution and permeability under different hydraulic gradients. The chemical composition and particle morphology were analyzed by energy-dispersive spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. The results were as follows. (1) The three kinds of tailings sand are small in diameter, mainly in the range from 0.15 to 0.5 mm. Their diameter distribution is more concentrated than river sand. The surface of tailing sand is rough. As for chemical composition, tailing sand contains many kinds of metal elements. (2) With hydraulic gradient increasing, the micropores in the tailings samples become fewer, the larger pores grow in number, and the peak of the pore size distribution changes to the left; blocking is more obvious. (3) The small pores gradually decrease during the test. Under the influence of groundwater pressure, the smaller gravel could migrate and block tiny pores. The structure of particle arrangement becomes denser. Therefore, it would prevent the seepage liquid from passing through the medium. The permeability coefficient K decreases.     

Environmental Geochemistry of Mining Activities in Panzhihua Region, Southwestern China

INTRODUCTIONMining activlties have significant envi ronmenta1 inll)ac'l ssuch as visual intrusions, dust, noise, blasting, trafflc and h}'drology (Kwolek, l999; Ripley et al., l996 ). The l)rot'csst'sof mineral extraction, processing, smelting and refinlng;1rt'never approximate to the environmental neutrality, but tht' affected areas can be ameliorated (KwoIek, l999; Klukanov;1;llltlRapant, 1999). The regions, where mining activities are I,r('sent or continuous for a long tlme, are pote…     

Geochemical characteristics of ores and surface waters for environmental risk assessment in the Pinpet iron deposit,southern Shan State,Myanmar

Mining operations in the Pinpet Fe deposit, which is the second‐largest Fe deposit in Myanmar, are currently suspended, in part because of possible contamination of heavy metals and hazardous elements (e.g., Fe, As, Cu, Zn, and U) into the surrounding aquatic environment and associated public concern. However, a scientific investigation of the source and degree of contamination in streams near the deposit has not yet been conducted. Therefore, we quantified heavy‐metal and hazardous‐element concentrations of stream waters and sediments in stream beds, and measured the speciation and concentration of these metals in deposit Fe ores using the sequential extraction method, to better understand the influence of mining activities on the surrounding environment. Geochemical results for Nan‐tank‐pauk stream and its tributaries indicate that the chemical compositions of their waters are controlled by carbonate bedrock and that no detectable contamination has occurred as a result of mining activity or hematite and limonite ore beneficiation processes in either the wet or dry seasons. All measured heavy‐metal and hazardous‐element concentrations were below the World Health Organization standards for drinking water and the proposed national drinking water quality standards in Myanmar. Bulk chemical compositions of stream‐bed and tailings dam sediments show that As, Zn, and Cu concentrations are similar to those in uncontaminated sediments. Results of bulk mineralogical and chemical analyses of ore samples reveal that some limonite ore samples contain substantial amounts of As (up to 2 wt%). However, sequential extraction results indicate that most (>90%) of the As in these As‐rich ores is hosted in insoluble fractions (e.g., crystalline Fe hydroxides and clays). Therefore, arsenic is unlikely to be released into the aquatic environment by interacting with water during ore beneficiation processes should the mine resume operations.     

Geochemical investigations on fluvial sediments contaminated by tin-mine tailings,Cornwall, England

Tin-mine tailings containing high concentrations of Sn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, As, and W are discharged into the Red River of cornwall, England and are then transported into St. Ives Bay under normal flow conditions. Most of the tin-bearing particles in the fluvial sediments are smaller than 170 μm, but tin-bearing composite grains or mineral grains with tin interspersed in the crystal lattices also occur in coarser size fractions. Tin distribution in the sediments is controlledby: (1) the distance from the source of the tailings, and (2) the concentration processes operating on the river bed. Suspended sediment and sediment transported by saltation filtered from river water samples also showed high concentrations of metals although, in contrast to the bottom sediments, they vary within a narrow range. Distributions of Cu, Zn, Fe, As, and Pb in the filtered sediments probably are related to the physical and chemical behavior of their sulphide minerals during fluvial transportation. A regional stream-sediment geochemical reconnaissance survey for tin did not show the highest concentration in the Red River; this indicated that in other rivers and streams tin reconcentration by selective removal of light minerals had taken place in the bottom sediments after mining operations had ceased. These rivers and streams also can transport large quantitiies of land-derived sediment including tin-mine tailings discharged into them when mines were operating. The minimum distance of tin transported by the Red River is at least 10 km; however, most of the tin was derived from mine tailings and is considered to be unnatural.     

Geochemistry and mineralogy of surface pyritic tailings impoundments at two mining sites of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain)

Two pyritic tailings impoundments located in two mining areas of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (Cueva de la Mora and Minas de Ríotinto-Zarandas) were selected to asses their potential environmental impact. Mineralogical (XRD diffraction study), physico-chemical characterization (colour, particle size, pH, acid–base account, total Fe, As, Cu, Pb and Zn) as well as a speciation study (by means of a seven-step sequential extraction procedure) were performed in superficial (0–20 cm) tailings samples. Arsenic and metal contents in soils around the tailings impoundments were also studied. Zarandas dam, a reclaimed impoundment, which has been limed, partially topsoiled and planted, has supported and allowed the growth of pine trees and other plants for many years. The surface of this impoundment can be considered very acid but nonacid forming. Although total As and metal concentrations were relatively high, it is not possible to conclude that the Zarandas tailings have polluted the surrounding soils. Tailings in Cueva de la Mora showed high total and easily mobilizable concentration of toxic elements. The net neutralization potential was strongly negative as a consequence of the acid generation caused by the sulphide oxidation, the presence of secondary acid-generating minerals and the absence of neutralizing materials. Coquimbite and rhomboclase efflorescences formed during the Mediterranean dry summers on the surface of this impoundment contained very high levels of soluble As, Cu and Zn that were easily dissolved and released to the running water in the first rains of autumn.     

Toxic metal(loid) speciation during weathering of iron sulfide mine tailings under semi-arid climate

Toxic metalliferous mine-tailings pose a significant health risk to ecosystems and neighboring communities from wind and water dispersion of particulates containing high concentrations of toxic metal(loid)s (e.g., Pb, As, Zn). Tailings are particularly vulnerable to erosion before vegetative cover can be reestablished, i.e., decades or longer in semi-arid environments without intervention. Metal(loid) speciation, linked directly to bioaccessibility and lability, is controlled by mineral weathering and is a key consideration when assessing human and environmental health risks associated with mine sites. At the semi-arid Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter Superfund site in central Arizona, the mineral assemblage of the top 2 m of tailings has been previously characterized. A distinct redox gradient was observed in the top 0.5 m of the tailings and the mineral assemblage indicates progressive transformation of ferrous iron sulfides to ferrihydrite and gypsum, which, in turn weather to form schwertmannite and then jarosite accompanied by a progressive decrease in pH (7.3–2.3).Within the geochemical context of this reaction front, we examined enriched toxic metal(loid)s As, Pb, and Zn with surficial concentrations 41.1, 10.7, 39.3 mmol kg⁻¹ (3080, 2200, and 2570 mg kg⁻¹), respectively. The highest bulk concentrations of As and Zn occur at the redox boundary representing a 1.7 and 4.2-fold enrichment relative to surficial concentrations, respectively, indicating the translocation of toxic elements from the gossan zone to either the underlying redox boundary or the surface crust. Metal speciation was also examined as a function of depth using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The deepest sample (180 cm) contains sulfides (e.g., pyrite, arsenopyrite, galena, and sphalerite). Samples from the redox transition zone (25–54 cm) contain a mixture of sulfides, carbonates (siderite, ankerite, cerrusite, and smithsonite) and metal(loid)s sorbed to neoformed secondary Fe phases, principally ferrihydrite. In surface samples (0–35 cm), metal(loid)s are found as sorbed species or incorporated into secondary Fe hydroxysulfate phases, such as schwertmannite and jarosites. Metal-bearing efflorescent salts (e.g., ZnSO₄·nH₂O) were detected in the surficial sample. Taken together, these data suggest the bioaccessibility and lability of metal(loid)s are altered by mineral weathering, which results in both the downward migration of metal(loid)s to the redox boundary, as well as the precipitation of metal salts at the surface.     

内蒙古废弃钨钼矿区周围土壤重金属污染生态环境评价及成因分析

为研究内蒙古赤峰市废弃钨钼矿区周围土壤重金属污染特征、潜在生态风险及成因分析，共采集83份表层土壤样品和6个土壤钻孔。采用ArcGIS空间插值分析方法研究As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Mo和Zn的空间分布，构建重金属扰动指数函数研究重金属受人类活动的污染程度，利用地累积指数法验证矿区周围土壤重金属污染程度，通过相关性分析判断重金属来源并讨论污染成因。结果表明：矿区周围土壤As、Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn和Mo平均含量明显高于矿区周边背景值，高含量主要分布尾矿库周围，主要来源为矿山采选活动；Cr和Ni基本无污染，主要来源为母岩风化。通过重金属扰动指数函数计算发现：采用区域背景值对矿区周围进行重金属污染评价夸大了矿山采选活动对矿区周围土壤重金属的污染，矿区周围土壤重金属污染是由于天然重金属富集和采矿活动共同作用下的“双驱动模式”导致，尾矿库周围土壤重金属污染程度随着与尾矿库水平距离的增加和深度的加大而逐渐降低。降水量丰富程度是影响重金属迁移能力的关键因素，该矿处于降水量匮乏地区，尾矿库对周围土壤重金属污染范围有限，对生态环境影响轻微。     

Hydrothermal alterations of the chemical composition in grain size fractions of sediments in the Guaymas Basin,Gulf of California

The paper presents data on the contents of macro- and microelements (rare earth elements included) determined in grain size fractions of the Upper Pleistocene hydrothermally altered and unaltered sediments from the Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California). Sediments subjected to high-temperature hydrothermal alteration were recovered by DSDP Hole 477A. In the finely dispersed fractions, which are mainly composed of clay minerals, alteration of the chemical composition was provoked by the hydrothermal transformation of terrigenous clay minerals. The concentration of microelements in these fractions takes place primarily at the cost of the hydrothermal finely dispersed ore minerals. Alteration of the chemical composition of the coarse-grained fractions is related to the replacement of clastogenic minerals by the secondary varieties and the formation of new minerals (including ore minerals and native metals) from the solutions. Hydrothermal alterations of the chemical composition of bulk samples depend on the degree of chemical element concentration in fractions and their content in samples.     

Sequential extractions on mine tailings samples after and before bioassays: implications on the speciation of metals during microbial re-colonization

Mine tailings may be remediated using metal tolerant microorganisms as they may solve the limiting conditions for healthy development of plants (i.e., low organic mater content and poor physical conditions). The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of microbial colonization on the chemical speciation of trace metals. Surface samples from the Valenciana mine tailings (Guanajuato, Mexico) were used for long-term bioassays (BA), which consisted in the promotion of microorganisms, development on tailings material under stable laboratory conditions (humidity, temperature, and light exposure). A five-step sequential extraction method (exchangeable, carbonate/specifically adsorbed, Fe–Mn oxides, organic matter (OM)/sulfide, and residual fractions) was performed before and after BA. Extraction solutions and leachates were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. OM content, cationic exchange capacity, and pH values were also assessed before and after BA. The results indicate that trace elements are generally present in nonresidual fractions, mainly in the Fe–Mn oxides fraction. The concentration of total Zn, As, Se, Pb, and exchangeable Cu and Pb is above the recommendable limits for soils. Despite the high bioavailability of the former elements, biofilms successfully colonized the tailing samples during the BA. Cyanobacteria and green algae, heterotrophic fungi, aerobic bacteria, and anaerobic bacteria composed the developed biofilms. Chemical controls of trace elements could be attributed to absorption onto inorganic complexes (carbonates, metal oxides), while biofilm occurrence seems to enhance complexation and immobilization of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb. The biofilm developed does not increase the bioavailable forms and the leaching of the trace elements, but significantly improves the OM contents (natural fertilization). The results suggest that biofilms are useful during the first steps of the mine tailings remediation.     

黔西南Au-As-Hg-Tl矿化区毒害金属元素的水地球化学

研究了黔西南典型Ａｕ－Ａｓ－Ｈｇ－Ｔｌ矿化区内毒害金属元素在采矿活动和自然状态影响下的水地球化学特征及其环境效应。结果表明,已开采的Ｈｇ－Ｔｌ矿区地下水和地表水中均有很高的毒害金属元素,煤采区地下水中亦表现出类似的特征,而Ｈｇ－Ｔｌ矿区外围地下水中金属元素保持在较低的水平。Ｈｇ－Ｔｌ矿区地素水中Ａｓ和Ｔｌ的分布模式表明,其含量的变化受矿区地下水排泄和尾矿淋滤作用的控制。在尚未开采的金矿区,浅层地下     

Grain size and geochemical partitioning of heavy metals in sediments of the Damodar River – a tributary of the lower Ganga, India

 The distribution of Si, Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr in different grain-size fractions and geochemical association of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn with <63-μm size fraction of bed sediments of Damodar River has been studied. In general, concentrations of heavy metals tend to increase as the size fractions get finer. However at two sites, near mining areas, the coarser particles show similar or even higher heavy metal concentrations than finer ones. The higher residence time and/or presence of coarser particles from mining wastes are possibly responsible for higher metal content in the coarser size fractions. The chemical fractionation study shows that lithogenic is the major chemical phase for heavy metals. Fe and Mn are the major elements of the lithogenic lattice, constituting 34–63% and 22–59%, respectively, of total concentrations. Fe-Mn oxide and organic bound fractions are significant phases in the non-lithogenic fraction. The carbonate fraction is less significant for heavy metal scavenging in the present environment and shows the following order of abundance Zn>Cu>Mn>Fe. The exchangeable fraction of the Damodar sediments contains very low amounts of heavy metals suggesting poor bioavailability of metals. Received: 18 August 1998 · Accepted: 1 December 1998     

Elemental chemistry and geochemical partitioning of heavy metals in road dust from Dhanbad and Bokaro regions,India

Road dust collected from India’s richest and oldest coal mining belt of Dhanbad and Bokaro regions was analysed for particle size characteristics and elemental composition. The particle size distribution pattern shows dominance of 500–250 μm and 250–125 μm size fractions, constituting 45–58% of the mass size spectrum. Si is the most dominant element and its concentration varied between 29.3 and 36.4% with the average value 34.3%. Fe, Ti and Mn are the dominant heavy metals followed by Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni and Co. No significant differences concentration of metals between sampling sites was apparent; however, some sites tend to accommodate relatively higher metals due to its proximity to industrial and mining sites. In general, finer fraction (<63 μm) tend to contain 1–3 times higher metals as compared with the bulk composition. Except Pb and Mn all the measured metals are generally lie below grade zero, suggesting that there is no pollution threat with respect to these metals in roadway dust from the studied sites. Geochemical speciation study shows that the lithogenic phase is the major sink for heavy metals. Fe–Mn oxide and organic are the major non-lithogenic phases and Pb and Zn are the major elements of the non-lithogenic phase.     

Mineralogical characterization of mine waste

The application of mineralogical characterization to mine waste has the potential to improve risk assessment, guide appropriate mine planning for planned and active mines and optimize remediation design at closed or abandoned mines. Characterization of minerals, especially sulphide and carbonate phases, is particularly important for predicting the potential for acidic drainage and metal(loid) leaching. Another valuable outcome from mineralogical studies of mine waste is an understanding of the stability of reactive and metal(loid)-bearing minerals under various redox conditions. This paper reviews analytical methods that have been used to study mine waste mineralogy, including conventional methods such as X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, and advanced methods such as synchrotron-based microanalysis and automated mineralogy. We recommend direct collaboration between researchers and mining companies to choose the optimal mineralogical techniques to solve complex problems, to co-publish the results, and to ensure that mineralogical knowledge is used to inform mine waste management at all stages of the mining life cycle. A case study of arsenic-bearing gold mine tailings from Nova Scotia is presented to demonstrate the application of mineralogical techniques to improve human health risk assessment and the long-term management of historical mine wastes.     

温庄尾矿库堆坝模型试验及坝体稳定性分析

以温庄尾矿库为工程背景,通过室内堆坝模型试验,获得到了在坝体堆积过程中尾矿颗粒在库内沉积分布特征、浸润线的变化规律等基础资料。在此基础上,以多孔介质有效应力理论为依据,建立了多孔介质流-固耦合数学模型,利用有限元软件ABAQUS对该库尾矿坝的应力场与渗流场进行了分析,获得了坝体内的应力场及孔隙压力的分布规律,研究成果可为尾矿库的设计、施工和安全生产提供技术支撑。     

The effect of grain size on the Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd speciation and distribution in sediments: a case study of Dongping Lake, China

This paper examines the surface sediments collected from Dongping Lake in China for speciation and distribution of toxic heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd) in different grain size fractions, and for the factors that need to be considered in potential hazard of metals to the environment. Four grain size fractions (<63, 63–78, 78–163 and 163–280 μm), divided in wet condition, and bulk samples less than 280 μm in diameter were analyzed for their distribution, density and appearance. A three-stage extraction procedure following the BCR protocol was used to chemically fractionate metals into “acid soluble”, “reducible”, “oxidizable” and “residual” fractions. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the datasets. The results showed that <63 μm grain size part constitutes the major proportion of the sediments, but its density is the smallest among the four grain size fractions. In general, the metal content curve against grain size presents “S” distribution, and the highest concentrations do not exist in <63 μm grain size. Appearance observation indicates that the adsorbed substance increases gradually along with the decreasing grain size. The dominant speciation of elements and the extent of pollution are responsible for the metal distribution in different grain size sediments. While studying bioavailability and mobilization of metals, it is advisable to take metal speciation, grain size distribution and density into consideration.     

Potentially harmful elements in rice paddy fields in mercury hot spots in Guizhou, China

Levels of the chalcophile metals Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn and the metalloid As in soils from rice paddy fields were assessed in two regions impacted by different industrial activities in Guizhou province, China. The two study areas (Wanshan and Qingzhen) have previously received attention in the international literature due to heavy Hg pollution, though levels of other potentially harmful elements have not previously been reported. The regions were selected as representing two important, but categorically different metal(loid) contaminated areas in China: Wanshan has been a major region for Hg production while Qingzhen is an important region for a large range of various heavy industries based on coal as an energy source.Within a limited distance of the Hg mine tailings in Wanshan the rice paddy fields are heavily contaminated by Hg (median concentration 25 μg g⁻¹, maximum 119 μg g⁻¹) and moderately contaminated by Zn and Cd (median concentrations of 86 and 0.9 μg g⁻¹, respectively). Zinc and Cd levels correlate well with Hg contamination, which indicates a similar source and mechanism of transport and accumulation. Other studies have concluded that the main sources of Hg contamination in Wanshan are the numerous Hg mine tailings. This is likely as these metals are all geochemically associated with the mineral cinnabar (HgS). The other chalcophile elements (Pb, Cu and As) are nevertheless found at background levels only. In Qingzhen the soils were found to contain elevated levels of As and Hg (median concentrations of 38 and 0.3 μg g⁻¹, respectively). These are elements that are known to be more associated with coal and released during coal combustion.     

不同氧化还原条件下铅锌矿尾砂中重金属元素活化迁移规律

以广西大厂镇鲁塘铅锌矿尾砂为研究对象,通过淋滤实验研究了不同氧化还原条件下尾砂中Cu、Cd、Zn、Pb和As等元素的活化和迁移规律。结果表明：经高浓度氧化、高浓度还原条件处理的尾矿表现为pH<7的酸性环境,经低浓度氧化环境条件处理的尾砂呈现pH>7的弱酸性至弱碱性环境;尾砂中Cu、Cd元素活化迁移受pH值的影响明显,即高浓度还原和高浓度氧化条件可以促进Cu和Cd元素的迁移,酸性条件对Cu和Cd元素的迁移起到促进作用;Zn与Cd元素存在竞争吸附关系,但二者仍有明显差别;Pb和As元素受到还原条件的影响,能有效促进Pb和As元素的释放迁移。在淋滤实验前期,铅锌矿的表面阻力较小,由于环境酸碱性的改变,初始尾砂对重金属元素的吸附位能发生变化,重金属元素初期迁移能力得到加强;淋滤后期,矿物颗粒表面由于发生氧化还原反应,促使颗粒表面的阻力增加,重金属元素的溶出量减少,迁移能力受到抑制。     

Geochemical background of potentially toxic trace elements in reclaimed soils of the abandoned pyrite–uranium mine (south-central Poland)

Spatial distribution patterns of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn were determined in topsoil samples collected after 40 years of chemical remediation conducted in the inoperative “Staszic” pyrite–uranium mine in the Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland. Soil samples were taken from 58 sites using a systematic random sampling design. Selected samples were subjected to an X-ray diffractometry analysis on bulk soils and separated clay fractions. Hematite, goethite and gypsum are common mineral phases in soil samples. Technogenic soils developed on reclaimed mine spoils show uniform spatial element distribution patterns and additionally a distinct enrichment in As, Pb, Mn, U and Zn. Mineral and chemical composition of soils vs. rocks points to the lithogenic source of the determined elements. The results of chemical analysis have been used for evaluation of geochemical background of trace elements in the study area with the iterative 2σ-technique. This investigation shows that using mean crustal element concentrations (Clarke values) as proxies of threshold values in soils are not useful for determination of strongly positive geochemical anomalies. A modified enrichment factor, i.e. a local enrichment factor, is proposed for identification of sites where soils are contaminated.