Sediment trace metals and PCB input history in Lake Anna, Virginia, USA

Damming of the North Anna River in 1972 created Lake Anna, a cooling water source for the Dominion nuclear power plant as well as a popular recreation site in Spotsylvania and Orange counties, Virginia, USA. Previously dated (210-Pb) sediment cores from seven locations within the lake and three locations in the adjoining Waste Heat Treatment Facilities (WHTF) were analyzed for trace metals (Al, Ba, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to examine the environmental evolution of the reservoir system. The reservoir has a history of mining activities in its watershed and unusually elevated concentrations of PCBs were found in fish tissues from previous studies. Therefore, dated sediment cores provided the framework for both the temporal and spatial analysis of possible sources and flux histories for both trace metals and PCBs. The trace metals results suggest that, though the upper reaches are relatively less impacted, the old mine tailings from the now ceased mining activities in the watershed of Contrary Creek tributary continue to dominate the sediment chemistry of the lower portion of the lake basin, signified by sediment enrichment of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn. Lagoon-2 of the WHTF also seems to be receiving unusually high loadings of Cd (12.5 ± 1.07 μg/g) that is probably associated with waste materials from the nuclear power plant that maintains the lagoons. PCB sediment concentrations were relatively low in the lower sections of the basins with values typically being <3.5 ng/g. The upper reaches of the basin had several PCB hotspots, with the surface sediments of Terry’s Run tributary having values as high as 53.13 ng/g. The spatial distribution of PCBs seems to suggest the upper reaches of the basin as the probable source, with the unusually high concentrations near bridges suggesting a possible link between the PCBs and old bridge fill materials. The oldest lacustrine sediments also had relatively high trace metals and PCB values signifying a probable role of soil disruption and sediment reconcentration during reservoir construction.     

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.     

Arsenic and metal mobility from Au mine tailings in Rodalquilar (Almería,SE Spain)

In the old mining area of Rodalquilar, mine wastes, soil and sediments were characterized and the results revealed high concentration of Au, Ag, As, Bi, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Se, Sb and Zn in tailings and sediments. The contaminant of greatest environmental concern is As. The mean concentration in the tailings was 679.9, and 345 mg/kg in the sediments of Playazo creek. The groundwater samples from the alluvial aquifer showed high concentration of Al, As, Cd, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sb and Zn and very high concentration of chloride and sulfate, which were above the concentration defined in the European standards for drinking water. The presence of As in groundwater may be caused by the oxidation of arsenian pyrite, the possible As desorption from goethite and ferrihydrite and the jarosite dissolution. Groundwater concentrations of Cd, Fe, Mn, and possibly Cu, were associated with low values of Eh, indicating the possible dissolution of oxy-hydroxides of Fe and Mn. The mobility of metals in the column experiments show the release of Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, V and Zn in significant concentrations but below the detected values in groundwater. However, As, Cd, Sb, Se Pb and Au, are generally mobilized in concentrations above the detected values in groundwater. The possible mass transfer processes that could explain the presence of the contaminants in the aquifer and the leachates was simulated with the PHREEQC numerical code and revealed the possible dissolution of the following mineral phases: jarosite, natrojarosite, arsenian pyrite, alunite, chlorite, kaolinite and calcite.     

Hydrochemistry of superficial waters in the Adoria mine area (Northern Portugal): environmental implications

The purpose of this work is to characterize the hydrochemical behavior of acid mine drainages (AMD) and superficial waters from the Adoria mine area (Northern Portugal). Samples of superficial and mine drainage water were collected for one year, bi-monthly, with pH, temperature, Eh, conductivity and HCO₃ determined in situ with chemical analyses of SO₄, Ca, K, Mg, Na, Cl, Ag, As, Bi, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cd. In the mine, there are acidic waters, with low pH and significant concentrations of SO₄, and metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and Ni), while in the superficial natural stream waters outside the mine, the pH is close to neutral, with low conductivity and lower metal concentrations. The stream waters inside the mine influence are intermediate in composition between AMD and natural stream waters outside the mine influence. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) shows a clear separation between AMD galleries and AMD tailings, with tailings having a greater level of contamination.     

Heavy metal concentrations in soils and plants in the vicinity of Arufu lead-zinc mine,Middle Benue Trough,Nigeria

This study focused on the influence of base metal mining on heavy metal levels in soils and plants in the vicinity of Arufu lead-zinc mine, Nigeria. Soil samples (0-15 cm depth) and plant samples were collected from cul-tivated farmlands in and around the mine, the unmineralized site and a nearby forest (the control site). The samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cr and Cd) by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The physical properties of soils (pH and LOI) were also measured. Results showed that soils from cultivated farm-lands have neutral pH values (6.5-7.5), and low organic matter contents (10%). Levels of Zn, Pb and Cd in culti-vated soils were higher than the concentrations obtained from the control site. These heavy metals are most probably sourced from mining and agricultural activities in the study area. Heavy metal concentrations measured in plant parts decreased in the order of rice leavescassava tuberspeelings. In the same plant species, metal levels decreased in the order of ZnFeMnCuPbCrCd. Most heavy metals were found in plant parts at average concentrations normally observed in plants grown in uncontaminated soil, however, elevated concentrations of Pb and Cd were found in a few cassava samples close to the mine dump. A stepwise linear regression analysis identified soil metal contents, pH and LOI as some of the factors influencing soil-plant metal uptake.     

树木年轮与其根部土壤化学元素含量的相关性

运用树木年轮学方法研究了北京南郊土壤环境中元素含量随时间序列演变的规律。依据吸收系数研究了相同土壤类型上生长的不同树种对12种化学元素的吸收状况,结果表明不同树种对元素的吸收情况不同。Zn、Cd和P3个元素吸收系数较高。对杨树年轮及其根部土壤中9种化学元素(Na、K、Cu、Zn、As、Sr、Cd、Ba、Pb)的相关性研究结果表明,年轮中元素的含量与其根土中对应元素的含量呈正相关。采用对数线性相关模式(lgC'=algC+b),根据逐年年轮中Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Ba、Pb6种化学元素的含量,反演6种元素在土壤中的逐年(1982—2004年)演变状况。本技术方法能为追溯近代城市化几十年以来的环境污染变迁历史、预测未来污染演变趋势提供更为丰富和科学的信息。     

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。     

Selenium and heavy metals content in some Mediterranean soils

The study of metal contents in industrial, agricultural or/and polluted soils compared with natural or unpolluted soils is currently necessary to obtain reference values and to assess soil contamination. Nonetheless, very few works published appear in international journals on elements like Se, Li and Sr in Spanish soils. This study determines the total levels of Se, Li, Sr, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, Fe, Mn and Ba in 14 natural (unpolluted) soils (Gypsisols, Leptosols, Arenosols and Acrisols), 14 agricultural soils (Anthrosols, Fluvisols and Luvisols), and 4 industrial–urban affected-surface soil horizons (Anthrosols and Fluvisols) of Eastern Spain. The geochemical baseline concentrations (GBC) and reference values (RV) have been established, and the relationships among elements and also between soil properties and elemental concentrations have been analysed. The RV obtained in this study were (mg kg⁻¹): Se 2.68, Li 115, Sr 298, Cd 0.97, Co 35, Cr 217, Cu 46, Ni 50, Pb 137, V 120, Zn 246, Fe 124,472, Mn 2691, and Ba 743. The RV for Se and Li were used as a preliminary approach to assess soil contamination in Spanish soils. The results confirm human impact on Sr, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn soil concentrations, but evidence no deviation from natural Se, Li, Co, V, Fe, Mn and Ba concentrations. The results obtained from the statistical analysis reveal significant correlations between some elements and clay and soil organic matter (SOM) contents, indicating that metal concentrations are controlled by soil composition. One particularly interesting finding is the high correlation coefficients obtained between SOM and Se, Cd, Cr, V, Fe, and Mn, and between clay and Cd, Zn, V, Fe and Mn. Once again, these facts confirm the role of SOM and clay minerals in soil functions and that soil is an ecosystem element responsible for maintaining environmental quality.     

Mine tailings influencing soil contamination by potentially toxic elements

The potentially hazardous contents of mine tailings can pose a serious threat to the environment. Tailings dispersed around the abandoned Monica mine (Bustarviejo) in the Autonomous Region of Madrid (Central Spain) were studied to determine the concentration of several potential toxic elements and their geochemical impact in the surrounding soils. A total of 17 surface soil samples were collected from both mixed sulfide mine tailings sites and unmined soils, within a radius of 1900 m from the mine entrance. The processing of minerals (basically arsenopyrite, matildite and sphalerite) produced tailings with a pH as low as 2.9. Elements such as As, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, W, Ag, Fe were found in very high concentrations, contaminating the soil to varying degrees (these elements were sometimes 10- to 20-times higher in the tailings than in the unmined soils). Given its short distance and accessibility from such a large city as Madrid, it is of undeniable environmental and educational interest. Among other factors, there is a need for improvements to tailings management strategies.     

The transfer and fate of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn from two historic metalliferous mine sites in the U.K.

Monitoring of heavy metal transfers, aerial deposition and fluvial transport to soil, stream sediment and vegetation compartments surrounding two former PbZn mines are reported. Results show that 80–100 a after the closure of the mines relatively large amounts of Cd, Pb, Zn and, in once case, Cu are entering the soil and fluvial systems.Aerial deposition of heavy metals within a 300 m radius of the centre of the tailings heaps is shown to be contributing up to 3.3 kg Cd, 71 kg Cu, 373 kg Pb and 1041 kg Zn annually to the surrounding soil and vegetation compartments. It is shown that more than 4.2 kg Cd/a and 1387 kg Zn/a are being transferred from the tailings heaps via the streams in the form of dissolved load. However, the greatest quantities of Cu (38 kg/a) and Pb (74 kg/a) are transported from the heaps as wash load. Transfers calculated as percentages of the total metal quantities in the tailings heaps highlight the greater relative mobility within the fluvial system of Cd and Zn compared to Cu and Pb. Outside of the tailings heaps, the greatest accumulation of metals is in the surrounding soil, while the smallest was observed to occur in the surrounding mixed grassland vegetation.The most important implications of these findings are in the long-term release and partitioning of pollutant metal species from historic metalliferous mine tailings within the terrestrial and fluvial environments. This information is of major ecotoxicological and agronomic importance and is necessary for the effective reclamation and remediation of such contaminated sites.     

小秦岭金矿区土壤重金属生物有效性与影响因素

土壤中重金属生物有效性与影响因素分析是土壤重金属风险管控的关键问题。通过实地调查、现场采样、实验测试、综合分析等方法,分析了研究区100km2内Hg、Pb、Cd、Cr、As、Cu、Zn七种重金属元素的有效态含量特征,研究了这些重金属有效态含量之间、有效态含量与全量、有效态与土壤pH、有机质含量、粒度等基本理化参数之间的相关性,分析了重金属污染来源。结果表明,土壤中Hg、Pb、Cd、Cr、As、Cu、Zn七种重金属有效态的平均含量分别为2.29mg/kg、594mg/kg、2.52mg/kg、6.30mg/kg、2.16mg/kg、48.14mg/kg、50.21mg/kg,其变异系数大小为:HgPbCuZnCdAsCr。Hg的变异系数最大,是由于金矿选矿活动采用混汞法提金排放的尾矿堆(库)分布不均。Hg、Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn有效态量与全量之间均存在显著的相关性;土壤有机质与重金属有效态之间存在显著的相关性;土壤pH与有效态重金属之间存在显著的负相关性;土壤粒度对重金属有效态的累积影响不明显。     

Interaction of organic acids and pH on multi-heavy metal extraction from alkaline and acid mine soils

Vegetation at mining sites can produce increased heavy metal leaching by the organic acids and protons originating from root secretion and litter degradation. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of organic acids and pH on the extraction of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu from an alkaline mine soil (sampled from a mining site of Chenzhou City, Hunan Province) and an acid mine soil (sampled from a mining site of Daxin county, Guangxi Province). The results showed that in the presence of organic acids (acetic, oxalic, malic, fumaric, tartaric and citric acids) at pH 7, the extraction of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu from the acid mine soil was much higher than that from the alkaline mine soil, in which only citric acid with higher concentration was capable of extracting some heavy metals. Citric acid had the strongest ability in extracting heavy metals, followed by oxalic acid. Heavy metal extraction dramatically decreased with increasing pH. Moreover, at low pH, oxalic acid promoted the risk of Cu leaching; at high pH, the leaching of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu was enhanced by both oxalic and citric acids. This indicated that those plants, which can produce substantial citric acid or oxalic acid by root secretion and litter degradation, should not be selected for the revegetation of mining sites.     

青藏高原南部枪勇冰川雪冰中痕量元素的组成特征及其环境意义

为了认识青藏高原南部雪冰中痕量元素的组成特征、背景含量水平以及人为污染的可能影响,利用高分辨电感耦合等离子体质谱仪首次对2009年4月19日采自枪勇冰川一个40 cm 雪坑中 Al、 Fe、 Ba、 Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Li、Ni、Zn、Pb、Sb、Sr、U 和 V 共15个痕量元素的浓度进行了测试和研究.分析表明,不同痕量元素之间浓度变化很大,从 Cd 的0.004 ng/g 变化到 Fe 的8628 ng/g;同一痕量元素的浓度变化范围也较大,最大值/最小值从13(Cd)变化到94(Sr).研究表明,不同痕量元素记录反映了人类活动与自然活动的不同影响.对痕量元素地壳富集系数分析表明,岩石和土壤粉尘是 Ba、Fe、Sr、Co、Cr、V 和 U 的主要来源;而人为污染是枪勇冰川中 Pb、Zn、Cu、Li、Ni、Cd 和 Sb 的一个重要来源.对比研究表明,无论是以粉尘源为主要来源的痕量元素,还是以人为源为主要来源的痕量元素,它们的浓度明显高于中亚有关地区冰川中痕量元素的浓度,更远远地高于格陵兰和南极雪冰中的相应浓度,揭示了该地区大气中痕量元素受到粉尘和人为源污染物带来的显著影响     

Tree ring based Pb and Zn contamination history reconstruction in East China: a case study of Kalopanax septemlobus

To reconstruct trace metal contamination history in the Yangtze River Delta region, annual growth rings of native hardwood species, Kalopanax septemlobus, were studied as the potential archive of the past Pb and Zn pollution events. Wide distribution of K. septemlobus trees in the study area and clear annual tree rings are advantages of this potential geochemical archive. In this research, tree ring increments for 48 years, from 1960 to 2007, were analyzed for Pb and Zn concentrations. Trees were sampled in two sites, Xiaoyingpan, a contaminated area around a mine (Pb, Zn, Ag) in the Yangtze River Delta region, and a reference site 19 km away. The results show that: (1) distinct Pb and Zn concentrations increasing from 1960 to 1974 in the polluted site were coincident with increasing historical open mining activities; (2) from 1974 to 1986, Pb and Zn concentrations dramatically decreased during a conversion from above-ground exploitation to below-ground extraction; and (3) after 1992, the concentration of Zn decreased gradually, but Pb concentrations initially increased with automobile traffic from 1986 to 2004, then decreased when the number of automobiles was controlled from 2004 to 2007. In particular, Pb and Zn concentrations in tree rings had no effect on K. septemlobus growth. Pb and Zn concentrations in tree rings were linearly related with those in soils. Growth rings of K. septemlobus around the Pb, Zn, Ag mine accurately recorded historical changes in Pb and Zn deposition.     

Heavy metal contamination in the vicinity of the Daduk Au–Ag–Pb–Zn mine in Korea

The heavy metal contamination and seasonal variation of the metals in soils, plants and waters in the vicinity of an abandoned metalliferous mine in Korea were studied. Elevated levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in tailings with averages of 8.57, 481, 4,450 and 753 mg/kg, respectively. These metals are continuously dispersed downstream and downslope from the tailings by clastic movement through wind and water. Thus, significant levels of the elements in waters and sediments were found up to 3.3 km downstream from the mining site, especially for Cd and Zn. Enriched concentrations of heavy metals were also found in various plants grown in the vicinity of the mining area, and the metal concentrations in plants increased with those in soils. In a study of seasonal variation on the heavy metals in paddy fields, relatively high concentrations of heavy metals were found in rice leaves and stalks grown under oxidizing conditions rather than a reducing environment (P<0.05).     

硫多金属矿床开采对水环境的影响——以福建大田地区矿产开发为例

闽西大田地区矿床采选冶活动对水土生态环境系统造成了严重的破坏，矿区采选矿废水pH值、SO4^2-浓度远远超过水环境标准，选矿废水和接纳采选矿废水的河流水体中Fe、Mn、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd的含量大部分超过地面5类水标准，少部分超过4类水标准，矿区采选矿业废水是地表水金属污染的重要源头。矿业废水pH值与金属Fe、Mn、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd的含量具有明显的负相关关系，SO4^2-浓度与金属离子Fe、Mn、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd浓度具有较一致的变化规律。提出整治硫多金属矿山环境污染，应坚持因地制宜、矿业资源开发与环境保护并重的方针，用石灰石碱性中和酸性废水，隔离覆盖尾矿矿堆，对废弃矿山植树种草进行生态修复，对效益低下的开采矿山退矿还林，对严重环境污染的矿山实行关闭，对新开矿山要进行科学规划开发。     

Acid neutralization mechanisms and metal release in mine tailings: a laboratory column experiment

Mining and milling of base metal ore deposits can result in the release of metals to the environment. When sulfide minerals contained in mine tailings are exposed to oxygen and water, they oxidize and dissolve. Two principal antagonistic geochemical processes affect the migration of dissolved metals in tailings impoundments: sulfide oxidation and acid neutralization. This study focuses on acid neutralization reactions occurring in the saturated zone of tailings impoundments. To simulate conditions prevailing in many tailings impoundments, 0.1 mol/L sulfuric acid was passed continuously through columns containing fresh, unoxidized tailings, collected at Kidd Creek metallurgical site. The results of this column experiment represent a detailed temporal observation of pH, Eh, and metal concentrations. The results are consistent with previous field observations, which suggest that a series of mineral dissolution-precipitation reactions control pH and metal mobility. Typically, the series consists of carbonate minerals, Al and Fe(III) hydroxides, and aluminosilicates. In the case of Kidd Creek tailings, the dissolution series consists of ankerite-dolomite, siderite, gibbsite, and aluminosilicates. In the column experiment, three distinct pH plateaus were observed: 5.7, 4.0, and 1.3. The releases of trace elements such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were observed to be related to the pH buffering zones. High concentrations of Zn, Ni, and Co were observed at the first pH plateau (pH 5.7), whereas Cd, Cr, Pb, As, V, and Al were released as the pH of the pore water decreased to 4.0 or less.     

Heavy metals pollution of aquatic ecosystems in the vicinity of a recently closed underground lead-zinc mine (Basque Country, Spain)

A presentation is made of the study of an underground polymetallic sulphide mine and the pollution caused by this in the adjoining aquatic ecosystems. Troya Mine is in the Basque Cantabrian region (northern Spain). The annual production of the ore deposit of over 3.7 million tons of Pb (0.9%), Zn (11.2%) and Cu (0.2%) was 300,000 t. It was open and producing from 1986-1993. The mineralization was made up of pyrite, marcasite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite. Only the Zn and the Pb were mined. We studied the distribution and behaviour of the heavy metals Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr and Cd in the water column, dissolved and suspended fractions, and in the sediments of Estanda Stream and of Gezala Creek. Zn, Cd and Mn tend to be found in the water; Fe, Pb, Cu and Cr appear as an adsorbed fractionin the solid phases. Those of the second group are significantly linked to the fluvial sediments and present very high levels. The concentrations of the metals are conditioned by the waters from the mine galleries, by the leached waste, by the surface runoff, and by overflow from the spillway of the tailings pond. Our observations provide knowledge on the extent of the polluting power of the metals, the physico-chemical effects in play and the subsequent chances of recovering these highly affected environments.     

Heavy metal contamination of soils and waters in and around the Imcheon Au–Ag mine,Korea

The heavy metal contamination of soils and waters by metalliferous mining activities in an area of Korea was studied. In the study area of the Imcheon Au–Ag mine, soils and waters were sampled and analyzed using AAS for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Analysis of HCO₃⁻, F⁻, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ in water samples was also undertaken by ion chromatography. Elevated concentrations of the metals were found in tailings. The maximum contents in the tailings were 9.4, 229, 6160 and 1640 mg/kg extracted by aqua regia and 1.35, 26.4, 70.3 and 410 mg/kg extracted by 0.1 N HCl solution for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively. These metals are continuously dispersed downstream and downslope from the tailings by clastic movement through wind and water. Because of the existence of sulfides in the tailings, a water sample taken on the tailings site was very acidic with a pH of 2.2, with high total dissolved solids (TDS) of 1845 mg/l and electric conductivity (EC) of 3820 μS/cm. This sample also contained up to 0.27, 1.90, 2.80, 53.4, 4,700 mg/l of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and SO₄²⁻, respectively. TDS, EC and concentrations of metals in waters decreased with distance from the tailings. The total amount of pulverized limestone needed for neutralizing the acid tailings was estimated to be 46 metric tons, assuming its volume of 45,000 m³ and its bulk density of 1855 kg/m³.