Contamination of soil and grass in the Tsumeb smelter area,Namibia: Modeling of contaminants dispersion and ground geochemical verification

The area of the city of Tsumeb in northern Namibia is strongly affected by gaseous emissions and by dust fallout from the local smelter. This is also reflected in increased concentrations of lead and arsenic in blood and urine of the residents. Consequently, modeling of the dispersion of dust and SO₂ emissions from the smelter was used in this study to delineate the contaminated area and to assess the health risks. The modeling results were verified by ground-based geochemical survey of soil and grass in the area. The results of modeling revealed that the concentrations of SO₂ in the Tsumeb town were relatively low, whereas the highest dust fallout concentrations were found around the Tsumeb smelter. The Tsumeb town residential area was less affected due to favorable landscape morphology between the smelter and the city (the Tsumeb Hills).The results of modeling of dust fallout and geochemical survey coincided very well. Since the anthropogenic contamination was bound only to the surface layer of soil, the local soils were sampled at two depth horizons: topsoil and the deeper soil horizon. This enabled us to distinguish between the anthropogenic contamination of soil surface from natural (geogenic) concentrations of studied metals in the deeper part of the soil profile. Concentrations of metals in grass correlated with the concentration of metals in topsoil.In contrast to a good conformity with the modeling of dust fallout from the smelter and geochemical survey, the results of modeling of SO₂ contents in the air, and total sulfur content in soils were different. Differences can be explained by additional sources of contamination, as for example a sulfate-rich dust fallout from local tailings ponds and slag dumps that were not considered in the SO₂ dispersion model.The results of the present investigation can be used by the mining companies in the management of air quality, assessment of the efficacy of applied remediation measures, and in reducing the impact of dust fallout on the local ecosystem. The Municipal Administration may use these results to plan further development of the city of Tsumeb, especially in terms of further expansion of housing construction.     

A simulation-based approach for estimating premining water quality: Red Mountain Creek,Colorado

Regulatory agencies are often charged with the task of setting site-specific numeric water quality standards for impaired streams. This task is particularly difficult for streams draining highly mineralized watersheds with past mining activity. Baseline water quality data obtained prior to mining are often non-existent and application of generic water quality standards developed for unmineralized watersheds is suspect given the geology of most watersheds affected by mining. Various approaches have been used to estimate premining conditions, but none of the existing approaches rigorously consider the physical and geochemical processes that ultimately determine instream water quality. An approach based on simulation modeling is therefore proposed herein. The approach utilizes synoptic data that provide spatially-detailed profiles of concentration, streamflow, and constituent load along the study reach. This field data set is used to calibrate a reactive stream transport model that considers the suite of physical and geochemical processes that affect constituent concentrations during instream transport. A key input to the model is the quality and quantity of waters entering the study reach. This input is based on chemical analyses available from synoptic sampling and observed increases in streamflow along the study reach. Given the calibrated model, additional simulations are conducted to estimate premining conditions. In these simulations, the chemistry of mining-affected sources is replaced with the chemistry of waters that are thought to be unaffected by mining (proximal, premining analogues). The resultant simulations provide estimates of premining water quality that reflect both the reduced loads that were present prior to mining and the processes that affect these loads as they are transported downstream. This simulation-based approach is demonstrated using data from Red Mountain Creek, Colorado, a small stream draining a heavily-mined watershed. Model application to the premining problem for Red Mountain Creek is based on limited field reconnaissance and chemical analyses; additional field work and analyses may be needed to develop definitive, quantitative estimates of premining water quality.     

Major ion chemistry,weathering processes and water quality assessment in upper catchment of Damodar River basin,India

The chemical characteristics of surface, groundwater and mine water of the upper catchment of the Damodar River basin were studied to evaluate the major ion chemistry, geochemical processes controlling water composition and suitability of water for domestic, industrial and irrigation uses. Water samples from ponds, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and groundwater were collected and analysed for pH, EC, TDS, F, Cl, HCO₃, SO₄, NO_3, Ca, Mg, Na and K. In general, Ca, Na, Mg, HCO₃ and Cl dominate, except in samples from mining areas which have higher concentration of SO₄. Water chemistry of the area reflects continental weathering, aided by mining and other anthropogenic impacts. Limiting groundwater use for domestic purposes are contents of TDS, F, Cl, SO₄, NO₃ and TH that exceed the desirable limits in water collected from mining and urban areas. The calculated values of SAR, RSC and %Na indicate good to permissible use of water for irrigation. High salinity, %Na, Mg-hazard and RSC values at some sites limit use for agricultural purposes.     

Selenium attenuation via reductive precipitation in unsaturated waste rock as a control on groundwater impacts in the Idaho phosphate patch

Phosphate mining in southeastern Idaho has historically resulted in the release of dissolved metals and inorganics to groundwater and surface water, primarily due to leachate from waste rock in backfilled pits and overburden storage piles. Selenium (Se) is of particular concern due to its high concentration in leachate and its limited attenuation downgradient of source zones under oxic conditions. Assessments of potential groundwater/surface water impacts from waste rock typically involve laboratory characterization using saturated and unsaturated flow columns packed with waste rock. In this study, we compare the results of saturated and unsaturated column tests with groundwater quality data from the Mountain Fuel, Champ, South and Central Rasmussen Ridge Area (SCRRA), Smoky Canyon, Ballard, Henry, and Enoch Valley Mines, to understand the release and attenuation of Se in different geochemical environments. Column studies and field results demonstrate that the ratio of aqueous Se to aqueous sulfate (Se:SO₄ ratio) is a useful metric for understanding Se release and attenuation, where the extent of sulfate reduction is much less than Se reduction. Comparison of dissolved Se and sulfate results suggests that the net leachability of Se from unsaturated waste rock is variable. Overall, Se concentrations in groundwater directly beneath waste rock dumps is not as high as would be predicted from unsaturated columns. Lower Se:SO₄ ratios are observed immediately beneath waste rock dumps and backfilled pits relative to areas receiving shallow waste rock runoff. It is hypothesized that Se released in the oxic upper portions of the waste rock is subsequently attenuated via reductive precipitation at depth in unsaturated, low-oxygen portions of the waste rock. This highlights an important mechanism by which Se may be naturally attenuated within waste rock piles prior to discharge to groundwater and surface water. These results have important implications for mining practices in the region. A better understanding of Se dynamics can help drive waste rock management during active mining and capping/water management options during post-mining reclamation.     

陕西省华阴、潼关渭河滩区地下水特征及动态研究

华阴、潼关渭河滩区地下水丰富,水位埋藏浅,地表水渭河和它的补排关系,地下自身补给、排泄和径流规律、多年动态特征以及水质状况,是本篇论文研究的重点。摸清以上地下水的特征和规律,对华阴、潼关渭河滩地区地下水开发利用前景,分析对当地的经济发展具有现实意义。     

Geochemistry and stable isotope composition of the Berkeley pit lake and surrounding mine waters,Butte, Montana

Samples of mine water from Butte, Montana were collected for paired geochemical and stable isotopic analysis. The samples included two sets of depth profiles from the acidic Berkeley pit lake, deep groundwater from several mine shafts in the adjacent flooded underground mine workings, and the acidic Horseshoe Bend Spring. Beginning in July-2000, the spring was a major surface water input into the Berkeley pit lake. Vertical trends in major ions and heavy metals in the pit lake show major changes across a chemocline at 10–20 m depth. The chemocline most likely represents the boundary between pre-2000 and post-2000 lake water, with lower salinity, modified Horseshoe Bend Spring water on top of higher salinity lake water below. Based on stable isotope results, the deep pit lake has lost approximately 12% of its initial water to evaporation, while the shallow lake is up to 25% evaporated. The stable isotopic composition of SO₄ in the pit lake is similar to that of Horseshoe Bend Spring, but differs markedly from SO₄ in the surrounding flooded mine shafts. The latter is heavier in both δ³⁴S and δ¹⁸O, which may be due to dissolution of hypogene SO₄ minerals (anhydrite, gypsum, barite) in the ore deposit. The isotopic and geochemical evidence suggests that much of the SO₄ and dissolved heavy metals in the deep Berkeley pit lake were generated in situ, either by leaching of soluble salts from the weathered pit walls as the lake waters rose, or by subaqueous oxidation of pyrite on the submerged mine walls by dissolved Fe(III). Laboratory experiments were performed to contrast the isotopic composition of SO₄ formed by aerobic leaching of weathered wallrock vs. SO₄ from anaerobic pyrite oxidation. The results suggest that both processes were likely important in the evolution of the Berkeley pit lake.     

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of acid mine drainage and water pollution at Makum Coalfield,India

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the severe environmental problems that coal mines are facing. Generation of AMD in the northeastern part of India due to the coal mining activities has long been reported. However detailed geochemical characterization of AMD and its impact on water quality of various creeks, river and groundwater in the area has never been reported. Coal and coal measure rocks in the study area show finely disseminated pyrite crystals. Secondary solid phases, resulted due to oxidation of pyrite, occur on the surface of coal, and are mainly consisting of hydrated sulphate complexes of Fe and Mg (copiapite group of minerals). The direct mine discharges are highly acidic (up to pH 2.3) to alkaline (up to pH 7.6) in nature with high concentration of SO₄²⁻. Acidic discharges are highly enriched with Fe, Al, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd, while Cr, Cu, Zn and Co are below their maximum permissible limit in most mine discharges. Creeks that carrying the direct mine discharges are highly contaminated; whereas major rivers are not much impacted by AMD. Ground water close to the collieries and AMD affected creeks are highly contaminated by Mn, Fe and Pb. Through geochemical modeling, it is inferred that jarosite is stable at pH less than 2.5, schwertmannite at pH less than 4.5, ferrihydrite above 5.8 and goethite is stable over wide range of pH, from highly acidic to alkaline condition.     

Environmental geochemistry and quality assessment of mine water of Jharia coalfield,India

A long mining history and unscientific exploitation of Jharia coalfield caused many environmental problems including water resource depletion and contamination. A geochemical study of mine water in the Jharia coalfield has been undertaken to assess its quality and suitability for domestic, industrial and irrigation uses. For this purpose, 92 mine water samples collected from different mining areas of Jharia coalfield were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺), anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, NO₃ ⁻), dissolved silica (H₄SiO₄) and trace metals. The pH of the analysed mine water samples varied from 6.2 to 8.6, indicating mildly acidic to alkaline nature. Concentration of TDS varied from 437 to 1,593 mg L⁻¹ and spatial differences in TDS values reflect the variation in lithology, surface activities and hydrological regime prevailing in the region. SO₄ ²⁻ and HCO₃ ⁻ are dominant in the anion and Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the cation chemistry of mine water. High concentrations of SO₄ ²⁻ in the mine water of the area are attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrites. Ca–Mg–SO₄ and Ca–Mg–HCO₃ are the dominant hydrochemical facies. The drinking water quality assessment indicates that number of mine water samples have high TDS, total hardness and SO₄ ²⁻ concentrations and needs treatment before its utilization. Concentrations of some trace metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb) were also found to be above the desirable levels recommended for drinking water. The mine water is good to permissible quality and suitable for irrigation in most cases. However, higher salinity, residual sodium carbonate and Mg-ratio restrict its suitability for irrigation at some sites.     

Coal mining impacts on water environs around the Barapukuria coal mining area, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

The present research makes an effort towards awareness of the impact of underground coal mining on water environment around the Barapukuria coal mining area, Dinajpur by direct field investigation, questionnaire survey and laboratory analysis. For this research, the three foremost errands have been mulled over which are the water level data analysis for 10 years from 2001 to 2011, ground water major parametric analysis and the questionnaire survey on the availability of ground water before and after coal mining operation. The results of field and laboratory analysis show that the characteristics and concentrations of all the major physical and chemical parameters such as pH, EC, Temperature, HCO₃ ^?, NO₃ ^?, SO₄ ^2?, Cl^?, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Fe^(total) are still tolerable for all purposes and also within the standard limit. On the other hand, the questionnaire survey and water level data analysis confirm almost similar results regarding the depletion of water level. The water level has depleted more than 5 m from 2001 to 2011. Therefore, currently the availability of ground water is normal in the rainy and winter seasons but is slight problematic in the dry season where ground water was available at all times prior to coal mining in the area. From these scenarios, it is comprehensible that the ground water level moves downwards than earlier because of the excess pumping of water from the mine area. Besides the natural recharge condition is not enough and somewhere breaks off while some of the mines out areas are subsided, consequently the upper part of the water bearing formations (aquifer) loses its porous and permeable properties resulting water recharging problem which is directly responsible for depleting the ground water level over the area. Moreover, the water levels will also decline relative to the location, depth, recharge, and discharge conditions of the mine both aerially and vertically while there is a typical relationship between the depth of mining and static water level which is water levels will decline more as the mine goes deeper. Therefore, taking into account the current ground water condition and the depth of Barapukuria coal mine, this research implied that the water level will deplete more in day coming and the water crisis will be more for future. Thus, this research recommends a sustainable guideline for long-term planning and also suggests that regular monitoring with time to time more detail qualitative and quantitative assessments of water bodies in the area.     

Dynamics of the Niumiangou Creek rock avalanche triggered by 2008 Ms 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake, Sichuan, China

The Niumiangou Creek rock avalanche was triggered by an M_s 8.0 earthquake that happened on 12 May 2008 in the Sichuan Province, China. The rock avalanche traveled a horizontal distance of 3.0 km over a vertical elevation difference of 0.89 km, equivalent to a coefficient of friction of only 0.29. The travel path of the rock avalanche can be divided into three segments: (1) failing and disintegrating, (2) flying, (3) flowing. In the failing and disintegrating segment, the rock slope failed because of the coupled action of horizontal and vertical force of the earthquake, then smashed into the opposite mountain and disintegrated. In the flying segment, the disintegrating rock mass changed direction and flew into the Lianhuaxin Creek, which was different from the previous research results that concluded rock debris flowed in Lianhuaxin Creek. A great amount of air trapped and compressed under the rock debris acted as air cushion and supported the rock debris to fly a further distance. In the flowing segment, the rock debris flowed on the ground surface in Niumiangou Creek. The flowing velocity has been estimated from the maximum elevation and runup according to the damaged trimlines of the debris. The saturated fine material in Niumiangou Creek entrained by the failed debris mass is thought to have contributed to the long runout of the debris. The Niumiangou Creek rock avalanche is one of the three longest rock avalanches triggered by Wenchuan earthquake. The conclusions of the paper have implications for hazard assessment of potential rock avalanches in the earthquake area and the other similar mountainous area in west China.     

地下水位下降对采矿覆岩下沉影响探析

地下采煤会导致地表下沉盆地的形成。然而地下水尤其是承压水的流失即水位降低对地表下沉盆地的形成存在不可忽视的影响，而对两者之间的关系及其过程的力学机理是岩移领域亟待研究的课题之一。矿区地下水位降低的主要原因为承压水通过采动裂隙向下渗流、煤层开采前顶板岩溶含水岩层的疏干以及地面人为钻井取水。根据对一具体矿区地下水位下降对地表沉陷影响实测数据的分析得出，在以采煤为主导条件导致地表下沉的过程中，几乎全部的开采沉陷量中均包含有由于含水层释水而造成的沉陷量。通过对上覆岩层力学机理分析，指出水位降低对覆岩移动、地表下沉的影响是由于一定地质条件下可渗水性岩石的物理力学特性、渗水对其它岩石的软化、释水后原冲积层的压密固结以及水渗透过程中的水岩耦合作用等因素综合作用所致。同时，在以上理论的基础上还探讨性地建立了地下水位下降对地表下沉贡献模型，在此模型基础上可以建立2个或2个以上影响因素对地表下沉的贡献模型。最后以框图形式概括了地下水位下降及其对地表下沉影响的综合过程。     

Influence of hydrogeology,microbiology and landscape history on the geochemistry of acid hypersaline waters,N.W. Victoria

There is now evidence that naturally occurring acid–water is more abundant than previously thought and that it has been important in the geologic past. Understanding the processes leading to the formation of such systems is required to appreciate the role of acid systems in geologic processes and to develop indicators for recognizing the geologic/environmental importance of these systems in the past. This paper characterizes the hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry, microbial biogeochemistry and landscape attributes of acid–groundwater surface water systems in Australia with an emphasis on a well studied playa-lake system, Lake Tyrrell, Murray Valley. A model for the origin of these acid brines is presented and the importance of acid-brine producing systems is speculated upon. Data include porewater and groundwater geochemical measurements (collected during a 10 day field campaign) and results from geochemical modeling and graphics (e.g., Piper diagrams and x–y plots of seawater evaporation trajectories). Key characteristics of the system are (1) aquifer materials have low acid buffering capacities, (2) saline groundwater flowing onto playa surfaces is an oxic, H₂SO₄ solution, (3) authigenic minerals include combinations of jarosite [KFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆], alunite [KAl₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆] and Fe oxides that can form as evaporite minerals, (4) a source for solutes can be marine aerosols and (5) the formation of ironstones. Groundwater acidification by various processes including sulfide oxidation and ferrolysis, and at many different times, are the unique aspects for evolution of these acid brines and they can be considered another end member of the Eugster–Jones–Hardie model for the evolution of brines in closed basins. Acid–hypersaline groundwater and playa systems such as Lake Tyrrell may be an example of expected changes in the hydrogeochemistry of terrestrial water during late-stage continental denudation under arid conditions. Historically these systems may have been integral to the formation of opal, bauxite, some low temperature ore deposits, of authigenic K-feldspars, and continental redbeds. Natural acid saline systems, such as those in Australia, may also be representative of acid saline systems on Mars.     

Hydrochemical investigation and quality assessment of ground water in rural areas of Delhi,India

The suitability of groundwater quality for drinking and agricultural purposes was assessed in the rural areas of Delhi based on the various water quality parameters. A total of 50 ground water samples were collected randomly from different sources viz. hand pump, tube well, boring and analyzed for major ion chemistry to understand the operating mechanism of geochemical processes for ground water quality. The quality analysis is performed through the estimation of pH, EC, TDS, total hardness, total alkalinity, Na, K, Cl, NO₃, SO₄, DO, BOD, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn and Pb. Hydrochemical facies were identified using Piper, Durov and Chadha diagram. Chemical data were also used for mathematical calculations (SAR, %Na, RSC, PI, KI, and chloroalkaline indices) for better understanding the suitability of ground water for irrigation purposes. The results of saturation index shows that all the water samples were supersaturated to undersaturated with respect to carbonate minerals and undersaturated with respect to sulphate and chloride minerals. According to USSL diagram, most of the samples fall in the field of C₃S₁, indicating medium salinity and low sodium water which can be used for almost all types of soil with little danger of exchangeable sodium. Assessment of water samples from various methods indicated that majority of the ground water in the study area is chemically suitable for drinking and agricultural uses.     

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of acid mine drainage in the vicinity of an abandoned mine, Daduk Creek, Korea

Acid mine drainage discharged from the abandoned Daduk mine towards the Daduk creek has a pH of 3.3, and concentrations of Al, Mn, Fe, Zn and SO₄ of 18, 41, 45, 38 and 1940 mg/L, respectively. In particular, As concentration in acid mine drainage is 1000 μg/L. Removing order of metal ions normalized by SO₄ concentration downstream from discharge point is Fe > As > Al > Cu > Zn > Mn > Cd > Pb. In the Daduk creek, Fe and As are the most rapidly depleted downstream from acid mine drainage because As adsorbs, coprecipitates and forms compounds with ferric oxyhydroxide. From the results of geochemical modeling using the Phreeq C program, goethite (FeOOH) is oversaturated, and schwertmannite (Fe₈O₈(OH)_4.5(SO₄)_1.75) is the most stable solid phase at low pH in the Daduk creek. Yellowish red (orange ochre) precipitates that occurred in the study area are probably composed of goethite or schwertmannite.     

Heavy metal pollution in the surrounding ore deposits and mining activity: a case study from Koyulhisar (Sivas-Turkey)

The oxidation of sulfide minerals generates acidic waters containing high levels of SO₄ and Fe. The study area has active Pb?CZn?CCu mining. It is thought that the surface/subsurface/underground sulfide minerals in the region generally contribute to the acidification of groundwater. Low pH values are also responsible for dissolved metals (Al, Fe, Mn, SO₄, Pb, Zn) in the groundwater and river. Furthermore, current mining wastes have affected concentrations of trace elements in the water. High Fe and Mn concentrations are generally found in the spring which has acidic and low Eh values, while Al, Fe and Mn concentrations in the acidic waters show notable increases with the maximum values reaching 8,829, 19,084 and 1,708?ppb, respectively. These values exceed the Turkish drinking water standard of 200, 200 and 50?ppb, respectively.     

Some petrological aspects of the Prairie Creek diamond-bearing kimberlite diatreme,Arkansas

Based on modal and chemical composition, the rocks of the Prairie Creek diatreme situated 4 km SSE of Murfreesboro, Pike County, Arkansas, are classified as micaceous kimberlite. The K-Ar isotopic analysis of phlogopite from this diatreme yielded an age of 106 ± 3 m.y. (Albian) which is in agreement with stratigraphic relations. Electron beam probe data on minerals from kimberlite breccia, one of the three textural types, are presented. The breccia is considered as the potential source of the diamonds that have been mined at the diatreme. It contains phenocrysts of olivine (Fo_90–92) and serpentine pseudomorphs after olivine embedded in a groundmass of serpentine, minor calcite, chrome-diopside, phlogopite (Mg/Mg+Fe = 84.15%), perovskite, spinels, and pentlandite. Xenoliths of shales, sandstones, and mantle-derived ultramafic material are also present. Spinels are rich in Cr, Ti, and Fe and generally low in Al. Zoned spinels show enrichments in Ti and Fe towards their rims. A positive correlation between 100(Fe³⁺+Ti)/(Cr+Al+Fe³⁺+Ti) and 100 Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺) ratios exists in these spinels and probably reflects an oxygen fugacity increase during magma crystallization. Occluded gases in diamonds and kimberlites corroborate the hypothesis that the parent magma of the Prairie Creek kimberlite was derived by partial melting of upper-mantle garnet lherzolite under volatile-rich conditions, primarily enriched in H₂O and CO₂.     

鄂尔多斯盆地北部深埋煤层工作面涌水量预测方法

鄂尔多斯盆地北部侏罗纪深埋区中生代地层以河流相沉积为主,呈分阶段的多旋回演化特点,导致煤层顶板含隔水层交替分布;由于地表大部分为毛乌素沙漠,降水入渗补给系数大,第四系松散层储水能力强,充足的补给水源造成煤层顶板直接充水含水层富水性较强,其中最主要的充水含水层为七里镇砂岩,以七里镇砂岩为关键层,将煤层至七里镇砂岩概化为一个直接充水含水层。承压水井大降深抽水时,当井中水位低于含水层顶板,井附近的含水层会出现无压水流区,形成承压–无压水井,采用分段法计算流向井的流量,包括无压水区和承压水区。实际工作面回采过程中,井中水位已降低至煤层底板;传统的承压–无压水井公式假设条件为井径较小(≤m级),而实际工作面回采过程中,随着覆岩导水裂隙带对七里镇砂岩关键充水含水层的破坏,导致整个煤层顶板形成巨大的采空区疏水井(102~103 m级),且该采空区疏水井半径逐渐增大,传统公式适用性不高。基于《地下水动力学》中的承压–无压水井公式,结合鄂尔多斯盆地北部深埋煤炭开采过程中采空区疏水井演化过程,建立适合于深埋区开采扰动下的采空区疏水井承压–无压水公式;以葫芦素煤矿首采工作面为研究对象,利用地质勘探和井下揭露获得的相关水文地质参数,计算葫芦素煤矿首采工作面回采过程中涌水量。结果表明:工作面回采初期,由于导水裂隙带未充分发育,尚未沟通七里镇砂岩,此阶段实际涌水量偏小;中后期导水裂隙带发育至七里镇砂岩,涌水量计算值与实际值较为接近,证明深埋煤层工作面涌水量计算公式可较准确地预测研究区工作面回采过程中的涌水量。本次建立的深埋工作面涌水量计算公式,广泛适用于我国西部侏罗纪煤田区,可为深埋煤田区煤炭资源安全开采提供科学的水害防治依据。      

Geochemical evolution and quality assessment of water resources in the Sarcheshmeh copper mine area (Iran) using multivariate statistical techniques

Hydrochemical data were gathered throughout the last 12 years from 57 sampling stations in the drainage basin of the Sarcheshmeh copper mine, Kerman Province, Iran. The mean values of these data for each sampling station were used to evaluate water quality and to determine processes that control water chemistry. Principal component analyses specified the oxidation of sulfide minerals, dissolution of carbonate and sulfate minerals and weathering of silicate minerals as the principal processes responsible for the chemical composition of water in the study area. Q-mode cluster analysis revealed three main water groups. The first group had a Ca-HCO₃–SO₄ composition whereas the second and third groups had Ca–SO₄ and Ca–Mg–SO₄ composition, respectively. The results of this study clearly indicated the role of sulfide minerals oxidation and the buffering processes in the geochemical evolution of water in the Sarcheshmeh area. Due to these processes, extensive changes occurred in the chemical composition of water by passage through the mining area or waste and low-grade dumps, so that the fresh water of the peripheral area of the pit evolved to an acid water rich in sulfate and heavy metals at the outlet of the pit and in the seepages of waste and low-grade dumps.     

Formation and stability of schwertmannite in acidic mining lakes

Schwertmannite (ideal formula: Fe₈O₈(OH)₆SO₄) is typically found as a secondary iron mineral in pyrite oxidizing environments. In this study, geochemical constraints upon its formation are established and its role in the geochemical cycling of iron between reducing and oxidizing conditions are discussed. The composition of surface waters was analyzed and sediments characterized by X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy and determination of the Fe:S ratio in the oxalate extractable fraction from 18 acidic mining lakes. The lakes are exposed to a permanent supply of pyritegenous ferrous iron from adjacent ground water. In 3 of the lakes the suspended matter was fractionated using ultra filtration and analyzed with respect to their mineral composition. In addition, stability experiments with synthetic schwertmannite were performed. The examined lake surface waters were O₂-saturated and have sulfate concentrations (10.3 ± 5.5 mM) and pH values (3.0 ± 0.6) that are characteristic for the stability window of schwertmannite. Geochemical modeling implied that i) the waters were saturated with respect to schwertmannite, which controlled the activity of Fe³⁺ and sulfate, and ii) a redox equilibrium exists between Fe²⁺ and schwertmannite. In the uppermost sediment layers (1 to 5 cm depth), schwertmannite was detectable in 16 lakes—in 5 of them by all three methods. FTIR spectroscopy also proved its occurrence in the colloidal fraction (1-10 kDa) in all of the 3 investigated lake surface waters. The stability of synthetic schwertmannite was examined as a function of pH (2-7) by a 1-yr experiment. The transformation rate into goethite increased with increasing pH. Our study suggests that schwertmannite is the first mineral formed after oxidation and hydrolysis of a slightly acidic (pH 5-6), Fe(II)-SO₄ solution, a process that directly affects the pH of the receiving water. Its occurrence is transient and restricted to environments, such as acidic mining lakes, where the coordination chemistry of Fe³⁺ is controlled by the competition between sulfate and hydroxy ions (i.e. mildly acidic).