Subsurface variations in arsenic mineralogy and geochemistry following long-term weathering of gold mine tailings

Variations in arsenic (As) mineralogy and geochemical controls on its mobility were evaluated in subsurface tailings at the historical Montague and Goldenville mine sites in Nova Scotia, Canada. Tailings at these sites contain some of the highest As concentrations in Nova Scotia and are located in close proximity to local communities. Pore water in the subsurface tailings is characterized by circumneutral to alkaline pH (6.2 to 8.7) and mildly reducing to oxidizing redox conditions (+130 mV to +347 mV). Bulk chemistry, scanning electron microscopy, and synchrotron micro-X-ray diffraction analyses showed As mineral hosts differ with depth. The deepest tailings (max. 2 m) are in direct contact with partially decomposed vegetation, which supports reducing conditions and the precipitation of authigenic As and Fe sulfides. Under reducing conditions, dissolved As concentrations are also controlled by desorption of As from dissolution of Fe and Mn oxides and the sorption or co-precipitation of As with carbonates. These geochemical controls differ from those influencing dissolved As concentrations under oxidizing conditions. In the near surface, As mobility is controlled by oxidative dissolution of primary arsenopyrite, precipitation of secondary Fe arsenates, Fe oxyhydroxides and Mn oxides, secondary Ca-Fe arsenates, and sorption onto Fe oxyhydroxides and gangue minerals. Some of these mineral species are stable under different conditions yet occur in close association, indicating the importance of microenvironments. The results of this study show that the weathering characteristics of these tailings vary with depth, leading to the formation of new As hosts that are distinct from those observed in the near surface. Identification of these As hosts provides an understanding of current controls on As mobility and has implications for future reprocessing and/or remediation efforts.     

The effect of mineralogy on the mobility of heavy metals in mine tailings: a case study in the Samsanjeil mine,Korea

This study examined the chemical speciation and mobility of As and heavy metals in a tailings impoundment in Samsanjeil mine located in Gosung, Korea, as well as the factors affecting them. XRD, SEM, and 5-step sequential extraction were used to examine the samples at two sampling sites (NN and SN sites). The pH of the tailings decreased with increasing depth at the NN site (from 7.2 to 2.8), whereas no significant differences were observed at the SN site (8.1–8.8). The samples at the SN site showed a larger amount of calcite than those at the NN site, indicating that calcite plays an important role buffering the pH in the study sites. Jarosite was found only at the lower part of the NN site, where calcite was not found. The mineralogical observation of jarosite and calcite was also confirmed by SEM. The concentrations of As and heavy metals in the tailings were as follows: Cu > As > Zn > > Pb > Co > Cr > Ni > Cd. The total concentrations of Ni, Zn, Co, and Cd were higher at the SN site than those at the NN site. On the other hand, the concentrations of As and Cr existing as oxyanions were higher at the NN site, which can be explained by the mobility changes of those elements affected by pH variations. At the NN site, the fractions of heavy metals bound to the Fe/Mn oxides, except for As and Cr, decreased, and Cu, Zn, and Co showed an increasing fraction of exchangeable metals with increasing depth. This suggests that the pH and resulting surface charge of minerals, such as goethite and jarosite, are the dominant factors controlling the chemical speciation of metals. These results highlight the importance of mineralogy in controlling the mobility and possible bioavailability of heavy metals in tailings.     

The mineralogy of arsenic in uranium mine tailings at the Rabbit Lake In-pit Facility, northern Saskatchewan, Canada

 A detailed investigation of the mineralogy of As in the tailings of the Rabbit Lake uranium ore processing facility was conducted. The milling/ore extraction process was sampled at three different locations to obtain information about when, where and under what condition secondary As phases form. These samples were compared with four samples of varying As content from the Rabbit Lake in-pit tailings management facility (TMF). Up to 20% As in the tailings are present in primary minerals that reach the tailings directly because they are not dissolved during the uranium extraction. The remaining 80% constitute As that was dissolved during ore extraction and then re-precipitated before being discharged into the tailings pond. It was not possible to conclusively identify any individual re-precipitated (secondary) As minerals in the Rabbit Lake TMF. Indirect evidence from sequential extraction analyses suggests the presence of an amorphous Ca-As phase and a possible, but unlikely, minor amount of an amorphous Fe-As phase. However, the close association between hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) and As could be clearly demonstrated. HFO was identified to be 2-line ferrihydrite and its XRD pattern geometry indicates a substantial amount of adsorbed As. This is in good agreement with SEM, TEM and sequential extraction analyses that all showed the close association of HFO and As. Received: 14 February 2000 · Accepted: 9 May 2000     

Hydrochemistry, mineralogy and chemical fractionation of mine and processing wastes associated with porphyry copper mines: A case study from the Sarcheshmeh mine, SE Iran

The Sarcheshmeh is one of the largest Oligo-Miocene porphyry Cu deposits in the world. Comparative hydrochemical, mineralogical and chemical fractionation associated with mining efflorescence salts and processing wastes of this mine are discussed. Hydrochemical results showed that rock waste dumps, reject wastes and old impoundments of tailings are the main sources of acid mine drainage waters (AMD) that contain potentially toxic metals such as Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn as well as Al. Episodic fluxes of highly contaminated acidic waters were produced in a tailings dam over a short period of time. Secondary soluble minerals provide important controls on the quality of AMD produced, especially in old, dry tailings impoundments. Secondary sulfate minerals such as gypsum, magnesiocopiapite, hydronium jarosite, kornelite and coquimbite were found in rock waste drainages and in old weathered reject wastes. Highly soluble secondary minerals such as gypsum, eriochalcite, and bonattite are also observed in an evaporative layer on old tailings impoundments. Chemical fractionation patterns of potentially toxic elements showed that the geochemical behavior of metals is primarily controlled by the mineralogical composition of waste samples. Elements such as Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn are readily released into the water soluble fraction from efflorescence salts associated with rock waste drainages, as well as from the evaporative layer of old tailings. Potentially toxic elements, such as As, Mo and Pb, are principally adsorbed or co-precipitated with amorphous and crystalline Fe oxides, but they may also be associated with oxidizing, primary sulfides and residual fractions. Following the development of the dammed tailings pond, the secondary minerals were dissolved, producing acidic waters contaminated by Al (154 mg L⁻¹), Cu (150 mg L⁻¹), Cd (0.31 m gL⁻¹), Co (2.13 mg L⁻¹), Mn (73.7 mg L⁻¹), Ni (1.74 mg L⁻¹), Zn (20.3 mg L⁻¹) and Cl (1690 mg L⁻¹). Therefore, the potential use of recycled water from the Sarcheshmenh dammed tailings pond is diminished by the presence of corrosive ions like Cl⁻ in highly acidic fluids that promote corrosion of pipes and pumps in the water recycling system.     

Influence of climate, mineralogy and mineral processing on the weathering behaviour within two, low-sulfide, high-carbonate, gold mine tailings in the Eastern Desert of Egypt

Despite its importance within environmental management strategies, little concern is shown to sulfide oxidation and/or hardpan formation at neutral pH where dry condition prevails. Two gold mine tailings in Egypt, El Sid and Barramiya, were studied for their geochemical/mineralogical properties, and climate influence on hardpan formation. The tailings are characterised by homogeneous silt-sized sediments (>42%), have high carbonate, predominantly as calcite for El Sid and dolomite-ankerite for Barramiya, and low-sulfide contents, chiefly as pyrite, galena and sphalerite for El Sid, and arsenopyrite–pyrite for Barramiya. El Sid is characterised by high average concentrations of Pb (2,758 mg/Kg) and Zn (2,314 mg/Kg), its lower part dominated by mafics, overlaid by granitoids. Barramiya has higher As (average 2,836 mg/Kg) content and represents a mixture of mica-schists/mafics-ultramafics. During field investigations, no hardpans were identified, only bassanite and gypsum were found at the surface of El Sid tailings, forming thin layers and desiccation crack fillings. Column experiments showed a thin crust consisting of gypsum, halite and sodium sulfate formed at the top of the column of El Sid tailings after 2 weeks, this was not recognized in the column from Barramiya. The homogenous thickened tailings deposition in both areas did not favour hardpan formation, since the critical amounts of reacting sulfides were never achieved in individual lamina, due to missing mineral/grain size fractionation. The high-temperature/low-water availability, characteristic for desert climate regions did not allow significant sulfides oxidation. Therefore, both tailings will suffer from continuous erosion and spreading out of contaminants to the environment for a prolonged period of time by sporadic flash floods.     

Distribution, characterization, and geochemical controls of elements of concern in uranium mine tailings, Key Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

The distribution of As, Mo, Ni and Se in the aqueous and solid phases of U mine tailings in the Deilmann Tailings Management Facility (DTMF), located at the Key Lake mine in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, was defined using as-discharged tailings samples collected monthly starting in 1996 and core samples collected from the DTMF from 3 locations on 3 occasions between 2004 and 2009. These data indicated that the DTMF can be divided into two geochemical zones; tailings generated from the Deilmann ore body between 1996 and 2000 and tailings from the McArthur River ore body, mined after July 2000. The Deilmann tailings solids are generally characterized by greater elemental concentrations than those in the McArthur River tailings, particularly for As, Co and Ni. These elevated concentrations are attributed to the abundance of Ni–Co–As–S minerals in this ore. The mean aqueous concentrations of As, Mo, Ni, and Se are 3.7, 23.2, 0.14, and 0.02 mg L⁻¹, respectively, in the Deilmann porewaters and 0.20, 4.16, 0.06, and 0.03 mg L⁻¹, respectively, in the McArthur River porewaters. Similarly, the mean As, Mo, Ni, and Se solid phase concentrations are 5.89 × 10³, 69.9, 3.20 × 10³, and 17.4 μg g⁻¹, respectively, for the Deilmann tailings and 440, 13.6, 551, and 3.03 μg g⁻¹ in the McArthur River tailings. Statistically, pH remained unchanged from the time of discharge while Eh values have remained oxic with no significant change between the two tailings types over 15 a of residence time. Results from sequential extractions, thermodynamic modeling, and results of complimentary research indicated that ferrihydrite solubility is the dominant control on aqueous As concentrations and also plays a role in controlling dissolved Mo, Ni and Se.     

Identification and characterization of secondary minerals formed in tungsten mine tailings using transmission electron microscopy

Secondary minerals formed in tailings derived from a W-rich deposit were investigated in detail using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study focused on secondary minerals that formed in the vicinity of oxidized sphalerite [ZnS] and tennantite [Cu₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂As₄S₁₃] grains. Samples for TEM analysis were prepared directly from petrographic thin sections using a focused ion beam instrument. This method insured that spatial relationships among primary grains, secondary minerals and the pore spaces were maintained. The results from this study indicate that the secondary coatings associated with sphalerite and tennantite are composed of several discrete phases. The phases identified in this study include an Fe–Zn–As–O phase, secondary sulfides, native Cu, an Fe–Si–O phase, an In–O phase, and wulfenite [PbMoO₄]. The Fe–Zn–As–O phase precipitates directly from the pore water and the nearby primary mineral grains act as a source for some of the elements (e.g., Zn from sphalerite, As from tennantite). Secondary Cu sulfides were found at the outer margins of sphalerite and roquesite [CuInS₂] grains. It is likely that these Cu sulfides form as a result of interactions between the primary grain and aqueous Cu(II) present in the pore water, similar to what occurs in supergene environments. A secondary sulfide that was composed of variable amounts of Cu, Zn, As, Fe and S was also identified along the outer margins of tennantite. Native Cu was found in association with chalcopyrite [CuFeS₂] inclusions that were present in one of the sphalerite grains and probably represents a low-temperature secondary phase. The oxidation of chalcopyrite in the presence of aqueous Si leads to the formation of a nanocrystalline or amorphous Fe–Si–O phase. Roquesite oxidation leads to the formation of a crystalline In–O phase, which is likely dzhalindite [In(OH)₃]. Wulfenite was found in the interstitial voids present in the Fe–Zn–As–O phase suggesting that it forms by direct precipitation from the local pore water. The results from this study indicate that secondary coatings consist of complex secondary phases that may only be distinguished at the nanoscale. The TEM investigations reveal details regarding mineralogical sinks and sources for aqueous components that may otherwise be overlooked.     

Mineralogical and geochemical investigation of clay-rich mine tailings from a closed phosphate mine, Bartow Florida, USA

Clay-rich mine tailings from phosphate mine operations in Florida are a major environmental and economic problem. Options for reclamation and restoration for these tailings are very limited and are fundamentally restricted by poor physical properties such as low mechanical strength, low hydraulic conductivity, and heavy metal content. The major control on these bulk physical properties is the mineralogy of the materials. Eight continuous push borings were obtained to investigate stratigraphy, mineralogy, aspects of geochemistry, and bulk properties of a deposit of clay-rich mine tailings from a phosphate mine near Bartow, Florida that ceased operations in the early 1970s. Stratigraphy is dominated by laminated clay-rich sediment with minor units of silt and sand. An intact kaolinite liner occurs near the impoundment walls and the impoundment floor has approximately 4 m of relief. Moisture content varies from 4.35 to 57.40 wt% and organic content varies from 0.41 to 9.53 wt%. Bulk XRF investigation indicates that the P₂O₅ concentrations vary from approximately 4 to 21 wt%. A very strong correlation (r ² = 0.92) between CaO and P₂O₅ indicates that apatite is a major control on the phosphate. The strong correlation (r ² = 0.77) of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ suggests that the source materials for this deposit are comparatively uniform. A number of heavy metal elements and trace elements occur. Cr, V, Ni, Cu are interpreted to be in phosphate minerals, largely apatite. Sr and Pb are interpreted to be in both phyllosilicates and phosphate minerals. Two populations of apatite were observed in the clay-sized fraction, one that was Fe and Si- bearing and another that was only Si-bearing. Fe-bearing apatite had Fe₂O₃ contents that varied from 0.38 to 5.32 wt% and SiO₂ contents that varied from 0.90 to 3.32 wt%. The other apatite population had a wider range of SiO₂ contents that varied from 0.77 to 8.80 wt%. TEM imaging shows that apatite grains are dominantly single crystals with lesser amounts of aggregates. Wavellite commonly occurs as individual or clusters of lath-like crystals and the chemical composition differs from the pure aluminium phosphate end member with average concentrations of components being that of CaO (1.57 wt%), Fe₂O₃ (1.98 wt%), SiO₂ (5.94 wt%). In the clay-sized phosphate minerals investigated no fluorine was found above detection limit (approximately 0.15 wt%), nor was any uranium, radium, heavy metal, or REE element detected. The phyllosilicate mineralogy of the deposit is dominated by smectite (montmorillonite with lesser amounts of nontronite), palygorskite, illite and kaolinite. No systematic variation in the relative proportions of phyllosilicates was observed in the clay deposit. Energy dispersive spectroscopy EDS analysis indicates that chemical compositions of phyllosilicates are somewhat typical but overall are enriched with respect to Fe compared to theoretical end members. The relative enrichment of Fe is interpreted to be a primary sedimentary feature. Ca content in smectite minerals is high and may inhibit stabilization using lime or similar methods. The high percentages of montmorillonite and palygorskite explain the high bulk water contents observed. This investigation provides fundamentally new details regarding clay tailing deposits from closed phosphate mines in central Florida which can be used in restoration and reclamation efforts.     

Particle size and mineralogical composition of inorganic colloids in waters draining the adit of an abandoned mine,Goesdorf, Luxembourg

Particle size distributions and the mineralogy of inorganic colloids in waters draining the adit of an abandoned mine (Goesdorf, Luxembourg) were quantified by single particle counting based on light scattering (100 nm–2 μm) combined with transmission electronic microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction. This water system was chosen as a surrogate for groundwaters. The dependence of the colloid number concentration on colloid diameters can be described by a power-law distribution in all cases. Power-law slopes ranged from −3.30 to −4.44, depending on water ionic strength and flow conditions. The same main mineral types were found in the different samples: 2:1 phyllosilicates (illite and mica), chlorite, feldspars (albite and orthoclase), calcite and quartz; with a variable number of Fe oxide particles. The colloid mineralogical composition closely resembles the composition of the parent rock. Spatial variations in the structure and composition of the rock in contact with the waters, i.e. fissured rock versus shear joints, are reflected in the colloid composition. The properties of the study colloids, as well as the processes influencing them, can be considered as representative of the colloids present in groundwaters.     

Aggregate size and density after shearing,implications for dewatering fine tailings with hydrocyclones

Experiments have been conducted in a shear cell in order to provide insight into the separation of flocs by size and density in a hydrocyclone. The size of the aggregates was measured after shearing at a rate comparable to that found within a typical hydrocyclone. Two types of coal tailings from the Hunter Valley, NSW Australia with average sizes of about 0.4 μm and 10 μm were investigated. The size of aggregates after shearing was measured for a range of different polymeric flocculants of varying molecular weight and charge density. Under certain conditions 90% of the aggregates from the submicron tailings have size greater than 38 μm after shear at 1200 s^− 1 for 30 s. The aggregates produced from the 10 μm tailings had over 90% larger than 82 μm with the flocculants tested. The size of the aggregates remained sufficiently large after shearing to be suitable for hydrocyclone dewatering. The density of the aggregates was calculated from the aggregate size and mass fractal dimension. The small difference between the density of the aggregates and water was found to be the factor limiting their velocity under the applied centrifugal acceleration.     

Hydrochemistry,mineralogy and sulfur isotope geochemistry of acid mine drainage at the Mt. Morgan mine environment,Queensland, Australia

Mineralogical, hydrochemical and S isotope data were used to constrain hydrogeochemical processes that produce acid mine drainage from sulfidic waste at the historic Mount Morgan Au–Cu mine, and the factors controlling the concentration of SO₄ and environmentally hazardous metals in the nearby Dee River in Queensland, Australia. Some highly contaminated acid waters, with metal contents up to hundreds of orders of magnitude greater than the Australia–New Zealand environmental standards, by-pass the water management system at the site and drain into the adjacent Dee River.Mine drainage precipitates at Mt. Morgan were classified into 4 major groups and were identified as hydrous sulfates and hydroxides of Fe and Al with various contents of other metals. These minerals contain adsorbed or mineralogically bound metals that are released into the water system after rainfall events. Sulfate in open pit water and collection sumps generally has a narrow range of S isotope compositions (δ³⁴S = 1.8–3.7‰) that is comparable to the orebody sulfides and makes S isotopes useful for tracing SO₄ back to its source. The higher δ³⁴S values for No. 2 Mill Diesel sump may be attributed to a difference in the source. Dissolved SO₄ in the river above the mine influence and 20 km downstream show distinctive heavier isotope compositions (δ³⁴S = 5.4–6.8‰). The Dee River downstream of the mine is enriched in ³⁴S (δ³⁴S = 2.8–5.4‰) compared with mine drainage possibly as a result of bacterial SO₄ reduction in the weir pools, and in the water bodies within the river channel. The SO₄ and metals attenuate downstream by a combination of dilution with the receiving waters, SO₄ reduction, and the precipitation of Fe and Al sulfates and hydroxides. It is suggested here that in subtropical Queensland, with distinct wet and dry seasons, temporary reducing environments in the river play an important role in S isotope systematics.     

Biochar application to hardrock mine tailings: Soil quality,microbial activity,and toxic element sorption

Waste rock piles from historic mining activities remain unvegetated as a result of metal toxicity and high acidity. Biochar has been proposed as a low-cost remediation strategy to increase soil pH and reduce leaching of toxic elements, and improve plant establishment. In this laboratory column study, biochar made from beetle-killed pine wood was assessed for utility as a soil amendment by mixing soil material from two mine sites collected near Silverton, Colorado, USA with four application rates of biochar (0%, 10%, 20%, 30% vol:vol). Columns were leached seven times over 65 days and leachate pH and concentration of toxic elements and base cations were measured at each leaching. Nutrient availability and soil physical and biological parameters were determined following the incubation period. We investigated the hypotheses that biochar incorporation into acidic mine materials will (1) reduce toxic element concentrations in leaching solution, (2) improve soil parameters (i.e. increase nutrient and water holding capacity and pH, and decrease compaction), and (3) increase microbial populations and activity. Biochar directly increased soil pH (from 3.33 to 3.63 and from 4.07 to 4.77 in the two materials) and organic matter content, and decreased bulk density and extractable salt content in both mine materials, and increased nitrate availability in one material. No changes in microbial population or activity were detected in either mine material upon biochar application. In leachate solution, biochar increased base cations from both materials and reduced the concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in leachate solution from one material. However, in the material with greater toxic element content, biochar did not reduce concentrations of any measured dissolved toxic elements in leachate and resulted in a potentially detrimental release of Cd and Zn into solution at concentrations above that of the pure mine material. The length of time of effectiveness and specific sorption by biochar is variable by element and the toxic element concentration and acidity of the initial mine material.     

Grain size and mineralogy of Al Batinah beach sediments,Sultanate of Oman

The nature of Al Batinah coast beach sediments in the Sultanate of Oman was investigated by the analysis of grain size and mineralogy. The beach sediments, mostly light-medium gray green, were predominantly fine sands, with the average grain size of all samples about 200 μm. Some of the particles were gravel (2–16 mm), and some were even larger pebble-size particles (16–256 mm). Some mud (sediment <63 μm) was present, mostly in the sub-tidal sediments. The majority of the samples were skewed to the coarse size with coarse tail partly due to the presence of shell fragments. Approximately 50 % of the beach sediments were quartz with different varieties based on shape and size. The second major component of beach sediment was calcium carbonate which varied from 10 to 65 %. The other components in decreasing order consisted of microbreccia, feldspar, pyroxene, igneous rock fragments, biotite flakes, and heavy minerals. The levels of carbonate were lower in NW Al Batinah coast from Harmul to Al Khaburah but were higher in the SE from Al Khaburah to Al Ghubrah. This could be attributed to either lower carbonate production or more sediment input by wadis along the north-western part of Al Batinah coast. The unique and complex nature of these sediments is largely due to the geology of the terrestrial source area in the Hajar Mountains which contains the famous Samail ophiolite complex and the weak sorting along the shoreline in these tide-modified beaches.     

铜镍尾矿砂微波加热硫酸溶解实验研究

通过尾矿砂微波加热硫酸溶解新方法的实验,研究了硫酸浓度、液固比及反应时间等因素对尾矿砂酸蚀率的影响。结果显示,在无需搅拌的情况下,微波加热实验的最佳条件酸浓度5mol/L、液固比5.0mL/g都较传统水热法有优势,在反应时间上,微波加热15min就能达到传统水热法2～3h的效果。在酸蚀率相同的情况下,微波加热所用时间仅为传统水热法的1/6,而所用的酸浓度、液固比都较传统水热法小很多。先对尾矿砂直接微波辐照一段时间,然后再加入硫酸进行微波辐照加热溶解,能够促进尾矿砂的溶解,提高尾矿砂的酸蚀率。微波加热条件下,尾矿砂在硫酸浓度8mol/L、液固比5.0mL/g条件下无需搅拌,反应1h后,除透闪石没有完全溶解外,绝大部分的矿物被溶解。与传统加热方式相比,微波加热可显著提高尾矿砂酸溶解速率。     

Formation and composition of cemented layers in low-sulphide mine tailings, Laver, northern Sweden

Cemented layers (hardpans) are common in carbonate or sulphide-rich mine tailings and where pyrrhotite is the predominating Fe-sulphide. Laver, northern Sweden, is an abandoned Cu-mine where the tailings have low pyrrhotite content, almost no pyrite and no carbonates. Two cemented layers at different locations in the Laver tailings impoundment were investigated, with the aim to determine their effects on metal mobility. The cementing agents were mainly jarosite and Fe-oxyhydroxides in the layer formed where the tailings have a barren surface, whereas only Fe-oxyhydroxides were identified below grass-covered tailings surface. Arsenic was enriched in both layers which also exhibit high concentrations of Mo, V, Hg and Pb compared to unoxidised tailings. Sequential extraction indicates that these metals and As were mainly retained with crystalline Fe-oxides, and therefore potentially will be remobilised if the oxic conditions become more reducing, for instance as a result of remediation of the tailings impoundment.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Consolidation and incipient oxidation of alkaline arsenopyrite-bearing mine tailings,Macraes Mine,New Zealand

Fine grained (ca. 15 μm), arsenopyrite-bearing mine tailings have been exposed to drying and oxidation for 4 a pending relocation. The tailings are still partly covered by a pond of decanted pore waters. The water table in drying tailings has lowered by 1–3 m and desiccation cracks up to 2 cm wide have formed on the 1 m scale, extending through the unsaturated zone. Tailings in the unsaturated zone have similar pore water contents to saturated tailings: typically 16–32 wt% water. Saturated tailings retain alkaline pH (ca. 10) from the mine cyanidation plant, but pH lowers progressively towards ca. 7 near the surface, or near desiccation cracks, in the unsaturated zone. The redox state of the tailings changes in parallel with pH, with an empirical relationship: Eh(mV)=−55 pH+290. Water in the remnant decant pond reflects this relationship also. Unsaturated tailings have variable but low permeabilities, typically 10⁻³ to 10⁻⁴ m/day, and more permeable horizons have allowed incursion of oxygenated air and/or rain water from desiccation cracks. Sulphide grains in all tailings examined are unaltered. Sulphides and solutions in the tailings are out of thermodynamic equilibrium predicted from the redox–pH conditions, due to kinetic constraints. Incursion of rain water locally facilitates deposition from pore waters of insoluble Fe oxide and arsenate minerals, thus fixing As in the dry unsaturated tailings.     

Asbestos in lake and reservoir waters of Staten Island,New York: Source,concentration, mineralogy,and size distribution

There is strong evidence indicating that the six commonly recognized varieties of asbestos are cancer-producing agents Epidemiological and experimental data indicate that, although response to inhalation exposure is most marked, exposure by ingestion probably also entails a risk of excess tumor incidence. The toxicity of mineral fibers can be related to fiber dimensions, mineralogy, chemistry, and surface-active properties. In the Silver Lake Reservoir in Staten Island, New York, where chrysotile from serpentinite bedrock exposures is a potential source of contamination, chrysotile asbestos levels of 15 to 86 million fibers per liter (MFL) were measured, with an average of 53 MFL Much lower levels (average 0 3 MFL) were observed in small lakes and ponds with clayey bottoms on the Staten Island Serpentinite.