不同酸度淋溶条件下石煤中Cd、Pb释放速率

模拟天然降雨成分在三种酸度(pH 3.5、5.5和7.5)下对浙江省下寒武统荷塘组含钒石煤进行了淋溶作用实验,利用ICP-OES、ICP-MS等技术分析了滤出液中的Cd、Pb含量,研究了它们在不同酸碱度的淋溶条件下的释放特征.结果表明,石煤滤出液中Cd含量高低与淋滤液pH值的大小呈反比关系,在强酸性淋滤条件下滤出率为1...     

Effect of simulated acid rain on soil acidification and rare earth elements leaching loss in soils of rare earth mining area in southern Jiangxi Province of China

Acid rain has long been a great concern because of environmental and ecological problems; however, the effect of acid rain on soil acidification, loss of rare earth elements (REEs) via the leaching process, and transformation are rarely reported in rare earth mining areas. Through a simulated acid rain leaching experience, the effect of acid rain was studied on soil acidification and REEs leaching loss. The results showed that the tested soil had certain buffering capacity against nearly neutral rainwater. However, simulated acid rain of low and very low pH (pH ≤ 3.5) had a greater impact on soil acidification. After eluviating by simulated acid rain of pH 3.5 for 36 h, the pH of tailings, garden soil, paddy soil, and alluvial soil decreased by 20.41, 32.03, 13.60, 16.88, and 15.83 %, respectively, from the original values. For simulated acid rain of pH 2.5, it was 31.89, 44.76, 31.26, 29.87, and 29.15 %, respectively. After simulated acid rain eluviations of low and very low pH (pH ≤ 3.5), the order of the leaching rate of REEs in the tested soil was as follows: garden soil > tailings > paddy soil > alluvial soil. For nearly neutral rainwater (pH 4.5 simulated acid rain and pH 5.6 deionized water), the order was tailings > garden soil > paddy soil > alluvial soil. For simulated acid rain of the same pH, the leaching amounts of REEs in tailings and garden soil were higher than those in paddy soil and alluvial soil. After leaching by low and very low pH-simulated acid rain (pH ≤ 3.5), the peak value of the leaching amount of REEs in all tested soil appeared at 2 h, and then gradually reduced and reached a stable leaching state 20 h after leaching. On leaching by simulated acid rain of pH 2.5, the maximum REEs contents of leachate in tailings, garden soil, paddy soil, and alluvial soil were 156.35, 145.82, 99.88, and 85.97 mg/L, respectively. For pH 3.5 of simulated acid rain, it was 130.49, 110.49, 80.57, and 62.73 mg/L, respectively. On leaching by simulated acid rain of pH 4.5, the maximum contents of REEs in the leachate were 53.46 and 29.82 mg/L, respectively, which were observed after leaching for 6 h in tailings and garden soil that became stable 12 h after leaching. The contents of leached REEs in paddy soil and alluvial soil were always in a lower and stable state. After eluviations with deionized water of pH 5.6, the contents of leached REEs in other soils were lower, except for the slight fluctuations in tailings. The maximum content in the leachate of REEs was in the water-soluble and exchangeable fraction. When bound to carbonate fractions, REEs were not detected in the leachate. REEs bound to iron-manganese (Fe–Mn) oxides fraction and to organic matter fraction in the leachate possibly came from the tested soil or from the REEs transformation during the migration process. The content of residual fraction REEs in the leachate was very low.     

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.     

模拟酸雨及施磷对水稻土中铅的淋溶特性影响

采用pH=3.0、pH=4.5与对照pH=5.6的3种模拟酸雨淋溶土柱的方法,研究酸雨及含磷酸雨淋溶下合肥市郊水稻土中铅的释放特征与规律。结果表明:经过相当于1 980 mm降水量的淋溶后,铅释放量总体上表现为随着酸雨强度增加累积淋溶量也增加的现象。酸雨作用下,施磷量越多土壤中铅的淋失总量越大。在酸雨及施磷条件下,大兴地区黄褐土中Pb较义城地区水稻土中易于淋失。     

陕北矿区煤矸石淋滤试验研究

露天堆积的煤矸石遭雨淋滤后易污染环境。以陕北矿区煤矸石为研究对象,利用自主研制淋滤仪器,模拟降雨工况,尝试不同降雨强度及矸石粒径条件下淋滤试验,结果表明:淋滤液电导率随时间表现为“快降—缓降—趋稳波动”3个阶段,Cr浓度随时间表现为“快降—缓降（或趋稳波动）”2个阶段;降雨强度增大68%时,大、小粒径组的电导率平均值分别降低18.9%、24.6%,Cr浓度平均值分别降低18.8%、22.0%;平均粒径增大50%时,大、小雨强组的电导率平均值分别降低4.0%、10.7%,Cr浓度平均值分别增大34.5%、29.2%。主要结论:矸石可溶元素释放呈指数衰减规律,雨强对可溶元素整体淋出水平更为敏感;Cr淋出过程与其他可溶物相似,遵循淋出浓度分段降低逐渐趋稳的规律,粒径对Cr淋出水平更为敏感;矸石风化面较新鲜面更早达到Cr释放峰值,导致淋滤后期浓度波动;可溶元素的整体释放水平决定于试样总表面积,但Cr主要由矸石风化表面淋出。      

NaCl侵蚀环境下水泥固化铬污染土的强度及淋滤特性

日益严重的环境污染问题导致土壤中的重金属离子越来越多,这不仅使得土的工程性质受到影响,而且有害重金属离子的渗出也会威胁人类的健康。目前常采用水泥固化技术（S/S法）来处理重金属污染土。但当地下水中富含侵蚀性盐离子时,固化后的重金属污染土会受到影响,进而改变其强度及重金属离子的滤出特性。通过系统的室内试验,对水泥固化铬污染土在NaCl溶液浸泡后的强度特性及重金属离子的滤出特性进行了研究。试验结果表明,水泥固化铬污染土的无侧限抗压强度随NaCl溶液浓度的增加而减小,而随浸泡时间的增加呈先减小后增大的趋势,浸泡7 d时最小。毒性特征沥滤试验（TCLP）结果显示,浸出液中Cr3+浓度随NaCl浓度增加而增大,随浸泡时间增加而减小;而浸出液的pH值随NaCl浓度增加而减小,随着浸泡时间的增加呈先减小后增大的趋势,浸泡7 d时最小;浸出液的pH值在4.0～5.5范围内时,Cr3+滤出量随pH值增大而减小。     

An experimental study of heavy metal attenuation and mobility in sandy loam soils

Column flow-through experiments reacting wastewater solutions with sandy loam soil samples were performed to study heavy metal attenuation by two soils with different physical and chemical properties. Reacted soil columns were leached with synthetic acid rain to study the mobility of attenuated heavy metals under leaching conditions. This study demonstrates that cation exchange, surface adsorption, chelation with solid organic material, and precipitation were the important attenuation mechanisms for the heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ph, and Zn). Adsorption on soil hydrous oxide surfaces was the primary attenuation mechanism for Cd and Zn in both soils, and for Cu in a soil with low organic matter content. Wastewater solution pH is also an important factor that influences the retention of heavy metals. Cadmium, Cu, Cr, and Zn became mobile after prolonged application of spiked wastewater solution, either through saturation of soil adsorption sites or due to decreasing pH. Only Cr, Pb, and Mo, which are attenuated primarily through precipitation, show significant net retention by soil. Acid rain water removed heavy metals left in the column residual pore solution and weakly sorbed heavy metals in the soils, and has the ability to mobilize some strongly attenuated heavy metals, especially when the soil organic matter content is high. The results have important applications in predicting heavy metal mobility in contaminated soil, the disposal of acid mine drainage, and assessing the risks of landfall leachate leakage.     

湖南典型地区大气降水与下渗水元素地球化学特征及其影响因素研究

对比了湖南典型地区大气降水与下渗水中阴离子含量、Cd等重金属元素含量特征,并研究了Cd等重金属元素下渗的影响因素。研究表明,郴州市和株洲市大气降水中SO42-含量均比桂东—汝城地区和岳阳市高,郴州市和株洲市大气受到较为严重的污染。郴州市和株洲市大气降水及土壤中Cd等重金属元素含量均明显高于桂东—汝城地区和岳阳市,但下渗水中Cd等重金属元素含量差异不大。用元素浓度下渗比(下渗水中重金属元素含量/大气降水中重金属元素含量)来表征水循环过程中土壤重金属元素的累积性,结果显示郴州市和株洲市降水对土壤Cd等重金属元素累积的贡献大于桂东—汝城地区和岳阳市。综合对比表明郴州市和株洲市表层土壤Cd等重金属元素累积明显。影响Cd等重金属元素下渗的因素非常复杂,其中土壤有机碳和pH是控制As、Cd和Pb下渗的主要因素。     

石灰土盐基离子迁移对模拟酸雨的响应

为揭示酸雨条件下石灰土盐基离子迁移特征及其缓冲性能,对石灰土进行了室内模拟酸雨淋溶试验,探讨酸雨酸度、土层厚度、土表覆被对石灰土酸化/石灰土抗酸性以及盐基离子迁移的影响。结果表明:（1）在pH=3.5、4.5、5.5的酸雨淋溶下,石灰土盐基离子迁移量差异不显著,对酸雨具有极强的缓冲能力。期间,Ca2+与Mg2+释放呈显著线性相关。（2）土壤厚度对石灰土抗酸性有极显著影响,土壤越厚,对酸雨的抗性越大,反之越小。（3）土厚比1∶2.5∶5的石灰土盐基离子淋失状况为K+淋失量1∶1.43∶2.06,Ca2+淋失量为1∶1.63∶3.13,Mg2+淋失量为1∶1.64∶3.15,表明土厚的增加能大大降低酸雨对盐基的淋溶。（4）石灰土土表覆盖不同,其盐基离子迁移淋溶量差异明显,但并不对土壤酸化效应产生显著影响。      

土壤入渗对阜新市北部浅层地下水总硬度影响的淋滤实验

本次室内土柱淋滤实验通过改变Na~+、H~+、NH_4~+浓度来模拟现实生活中不同浓度的生活污水、酸雨及农业施肥灌溉对浅层地下水总硬度的影响过程。实验结果表明淋滤液浓度越高,所对应的淋出液的总硬度峰值就越高。相同浓度的Na~+、H~+、NH_4~+进行土柱淋滤实验时,NH_4~+所对应的淋出液总硬度的峰值最大,H~+次之,Na~+最小且NH_4~+所对应的整个实验用时最短,在相同浓度单一离子作用下NH_4~+对浅层地下水硬度的影响更加明显。     

高强度模拟酸雨量对珠三角地区潮土中重金属元素释放的影响

采用平均离子强度下30年雨量的模拟酸雨淋滤珠江三角洲潮土,电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定重金属元素,研究潮土0~90 cm处各节土壤柱中重金属镉、钴、铜、锌、铅、砷、钛、钒、铬、锰等元素的释放情况。研究表明,在高强度模拟酸雨淋滤下,潮土中重金属元素的释放情况存在较大差异。长期的酸雨淋滤,土壤中的镉、钴、铜、锌和铅在不同深度均有不同程度的淋失;砷、钛、钒、铬、锰等元素不会造成大量的淋失。利用这种差异可以评估重金属元素对环境的潜在影响,为农田生态系统的预警预测提供依据。     

Metal mobility in alum shale from Öland,Sweden

A study was initiated to analyse metal flows from alum shale to the environment in an area in Öland, Sweden. The study was performed by elemental analysis and leaching experiments of alum shale together with analysis of groundwater and surface water samples.The metal concentrations in non-weathered alum shale were much higher than in weathered or burnt shale, especially for cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn), indicating a loss of metals during weathering or burning of the shale. The release of metals through weathering was clearly demonstrated by the leaching tests. A 36-week leaching period of non-weathered shale resulted in a drastic drop in pH and a significant increase in metal concentrations in the leachate. The metal concentrations in groundwater were inversely related to the pH. For surface waters, the concentrations of Cd, copper (Cu), Ni and Zn were generally increased compared to background values.In conclusion, metals are released through weathering or burning of alum shale, as well as from heaps of weathered or burnt shale. The release of metals is strongly related to low pH, especially for Cd, Ni and Zn.     

北京地区不同介质的土柱淋滤水质试验研究

为探讨冲洪积平原地带地下水水质劣变机理及过程,开展了不同的水土样品组合的16组淋滤试验,以期揭示不同源水在土柱入渗过程阴阳离子、硬度和TDS的变化规律以及地下水类型的演化特征。试验结果表明:淋出液中,阴离子浓度的变幅由大到小依次为HCO_3~-、NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)、Cl~-和F~-,阳离子的变幅则依次为Na~++K~+、Ca~(2+)和Mg~(2+)。淋出液的硬度、TDS和水化学类型均呈现出有规律的变化,先期主要受控于源水,尔后则主要受土柱介质的影响。除了以垃圾作为淋滤介质的试验外,其他组合的试验都出现了初期TDS和硬度升高的过程,之后与源水趋于一致,揭示了淋滤中浸泡—水岩相互作用—吸附解析—淋洗等复杂过程。     

土壤中添加生物炭对Cr(Ⅵ)的迁移锁定作用研究

生物炭应用在土壤中具有CO₂减排、改善土壤性质等作用,研究表明生物炭土壤有助于农作物产量和质量的提高,同时对污染物有较好的吸附效果,能控制其迁移,但对于近年关注的土壤中Cr(Ⅵ)和生物炭的作用研究却很少。通过土柱淋滤实验,研究土壤中添加生物炭后对Cr(Ⅵ)的迁移影响,特别是对其进行模拟酸雨淋滤实验,进一步研究了生物炭土壤对Cr(Ⅵ)的锁定效果。结果表明：仅施加1%的生物炭,就能够大幅度提高土壤系统固定Cr(Ⅵ)的能力,小粒径生物炭对Cr(Ⅵ)的吸附固定能力更加明显,在一定条件下是大粒径的固定吸附量的3倍,在酸雨淋滤作用下也不易解吸,说明生物炭的添加能有效抑制Cr(Ⅵ)在土壤中的迁移,起到原位锁定的作用,这对农田土壤开发治理提供了重要手段和依据。     

江苏宜溧富硒稻米产区地质地球化学背景

江苏宜溧地区分布有400 km2多的富硒土壤,并产出天然富硒稻米。通过系统分析研究宜溧富硒稻米产地的稻米、土壤、岩石、水样的Se等元素地球化学数据,探讨了控制宜溧地区富硒稻米产出的主要地质环境及地球化学背景因素,总结了Se等元素在米-土-岩之间的分布迁移特征。结果显示:(1)宜溧地区产出的富硒稻米主要受富硒耕地控制,稻米Se与耕地土壤Se、Corg.之间存在显著正相关性,米Se与土Se的相关系数R=0.81,土壤Se≥0.5 mg/kg的耕地中富硒稻米检出率为100%;(2)二叠系煤系地层中的杂色泥质粉砂岩、页岩是主要富硒原岩,其平均Se含量达到17.22 mg/kg,比当地土壤中Se高出5倍以上。富硒原岩沉积厚度越大,其上覆土壤的Se含量越高;(3)上述富硒岩层中夹杂一层几到几十厘米厚的铁锰结核透镜状沉积物,富集Fe、Mn、Cd、S、P等,其风化形成土壤可能富集Cd,但富硒稻米中未检测到Cd超标;(4)耕地土壤中有效Se小于0.02 mg/kg,有效Se占土壤Se的比例为0.16%~2%。富硒耕地土壤总体偏酸性,其p H一般介于4.6~6.5,富硒原岩更偏酸性,其p H一般介于4.2~5.5;(5)Se从源头向耕地迁移也是一个不断均匀化的过程,地势、气候条件、断层等对富硒耕地的分布有影响,山间盆地、沟谷、山前平原是形成天然富硒耕地的主要场所,特定断层可成为天然富硒耕地的边界。     

Using an integrated method for the determination of environmental TCLP arsenic for sulphide-rich mine tailing remediation in Ghana,West Africa

Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) is a versatile short-term leaching protocol used to estimate the release of toxic metals from waste prior to disposal to a repository. This paper uses the integrated TCLP leachate data from tailings, tailings dam monitoring borehole data, and acidity ratio (AR) range of sulphide-rich ores to simulate the environmental TCLP As in tailings at the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine in Ghana. The aim was to incorporate long-term leaching characteristics of tailings to minimise the risk of TCLP As test failure. The mean As concentration and pH value are 2.26 mg/l and 5.7 in TCLP leachate, 0.35 mg/l and 6.7 in monitoring boreholes, and?<?0.01 mg/l and 5.7 in control boreholes, respectively. The evaluation of the TCLP As data using a one-sample t test performed at 80% confidence interval has the upper confidence limit (UCL) of 2.41 mg/l; this value which constitutes the short-term characterised environmental TCLP As is below the USEPA criterion of 5 mg/l and, therefore, qualifies the waste as safe for disposal. Alternatively, TCLP leachate, borehole and AR data were integrated to simulate the long-term environmental TCLP As of 2.40 mg/l and pH value of 5.7, and As concentration and pH value of 0.01 mg/l and 6.7 in monitoring boreholes, respectively. Such laboratory simulations of TCLP As leaching aimed at achieving 0.01 mg/l in field monitoring data would provide a more robust predictive value for environmental management decision making due to long-term considerations.     

Reducing leachable petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in weathered fuel oil contaminated soil by chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide

Number 6 fuel oil is one of the most used energy sources for electricity generation. However, leaks can contaminate soil and also groundwater due to leaching. At old sites, the oil may have low toxicity but still contaminate groundwater with foul-tasting compounds even at low concentrations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying H₂O₂ to reduce the leaching potential of a fuel oil contaminated soil. A silt-loam soil was collected from a contaminated thermal-electric plant with a hydrocarbon concentration of 3.2% in soil producing 4.3 mg/l in leachate. Hydrogen peroxide was applied (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2% dry weight basis), and petroleum hydrocarbons were measured in soil and leachate pre- and post-treatment (72 h). At first, the soil and leachate concentrations diminished linearly (24.4 and 27.3% in soil and leachate, respectively). This was followed by a phase in which the concentration in leachate diminished greatly (75.8%) although the concentration in soil was reduced only moderately (15.1%). Overall, hydrocarbons in leachates were reduced 82.4% even though concentrations in soil were only reduced 35.8%. Correlation analysis showed that at only 1.0% w/w H₂O₂ a concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in leachate safe for human consumption (≤ 1 mg/l) could be obtained even with a final hydrocarbon concentration in soil > 2%. Thus, this study presents an alternative strategy for remediation of fuel oil contaminated soils in urban environments that protects water sources by focusing on contamination in leachates, without spending extra financial resources to reduce the hydrocarbon concentration in low-toxicity soil.     

The use of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals

Recent research has shown that phytoextraction approaches often require soil amendments, such as the application of EDTA, to increase the bioavailability of heavy metals in soils. However, EDTA and EDTA–heavy metal complexes can be toxic to plants and soil microorganisms and may leach into groundwater, causing further environmental pollution. In the present study, vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) was studied for its potential use in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. In the pot experiment, the uptake and transport of Pb by vetiver from Pb-contaminated soils under EDTA application was investigated. The results showed that vetiver had the capacity to tolerate high Pb concentrations in soils. With the application of EDTA, the translocation ratio of Pb from vetiver roots to shoots was significantly increased. On the 14th day after 5.0 mmol EDTA kg⁻¹ of soil application, the shoot Pb concentration reached 42, 160, 243 mg kg⁻¹ DW and the root Pb concentrations were 266, 951, and 2280 mg kg⁻¹ DW in the 500, 2500 and 5000 mg Pb kg⁻¹ soils, respectively. In the short soil leaching column (9.0-cm diameter, 20-cm height) experiment, about 3.7%, 15.6%, 14.3% and 22.2% of the soil Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd were leached from the artificially contaminated soil profile after 5.0 mmol EDTA kg⁻¹ of soil application and nearly 126 mm of rainfall irrigation. In the long soil leaching experiment, soil columns (9.0-cm diameter, 60-cm height) were packed with uncontaminated soils (mimicking the subsoil under contaminated upper layers) and planted with vetiver. Heavy metal leachate from the short column experiment was applied to the surface of the long soil column, the artificial rainwater was percolated, and the final leachate was collected at the bottom of the soil columns. The results showed that soil matrix with planted vetiver, could re-adsorb 98%, 54%, 41%, and 88% of the initially applied Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd, respectively, which may reduce the risk of heavy metals flowing downwards and entering the groundwater.     

缓冲期碳酸盐型尾矿重金属释放机制——柱淋滤实验研究

碳酸盐型尾矿在缓冲期/中性矿山废水(NMD)释放期的重金属污染问题易被忽视。本文以广西大厂锡石-硫化物尾矿作为研究对象,采用柱淋滤实验方法,探讨碳酸盐型尾矿在缓冲期重金属的释放机制,为此类型尾矿重金属污染的防治提供依据。实验结果表明,大厂尾矿在缓冲期(约7年,pH值为6. 6～8. 0)存在Sb、Zn、Cd、As(Pb)释放污染问题。在尾矿堆放初期(0. 5年,pH值由7. 6降至7. 2),Zn、Sb、Cd快速、大量释出;中期(0. 5～2. 5年,pH值由7. 2波动升高至8. 0),Sb较平稳释出;后期(2. 5～7年,pH值变化范围为8. 0～6. 6,呈降低趋势),受气温及pH值影响,As、Sb(Pb)呈波动或间歇振荡释出,即在夏季高温、pH值较高时,释出元素浓度较高,反之,在冬季低温、pH值较低时,释出元素浓度较低。重金属的释放与尾矿中硫化物的氧化程度高低及氧化先后顺序有关。这些矿物的氧化顺序大致为:闪锌矿(Zn、Cd)、辉锑锡铅矿(Sb)→脆硫锑铅矿(Sb)→毒砂(As)、方铅矿(Pb)。因此,对于(广西大厂)碳酸盐型尾矿在缓冲期的重金属污染应分阶段、季节(夏季),采取有针对性的防治措施;在缓冲期(7年)后应注意尾矿酸性矿山废水(AMD)+重金属(如As、Sb)复合污染的防治。     

The dissolution kinetics of atacamite in the acid range and the stability of atacamite containing soils from Namaqualand,South Africa

The Cu hydroxy mineral, atacamite, is commonly associated with saline environments and is generally thought to dissolve rapidly in the presence of fresh water. A Cu contaminated soil from the arid Namaqualand region, South Africa, shows atacamite as the dominant Cu containing mineral. The stability of the Cu phase in this soil was determined through equilibrium and leaching studies using both deionised water (DI) and a concentrated (0.5 M) NaCl solution. Initially a high concentration of exchangeable Cu was released from the soils leached with NaCl. Continued leaching with NaCl resulted in a substantial decrease in Cu release as atacamite equilibria started to control dissolved Cu. This suggests that an initial spike of Cu laden water will leach from the soils at the onset of a large rainfall event. Further additions of water will result in a lower but sustained release of Cu from the soil. The Cu contaminated soils are exposed to acidic sulphate leachate thus the dissolution kinetics of synthetic atacamite in the acidic range (pH 5.5–4.0) was determined in both NaCl and DI solutions. The kinetic data showed that atacamite dissolution rates are significantly higher in DI than in NaCl but the rates converge at pH 4. In comparison to common acid soluble minerals, atacamite displays a moderate dissolution rate (10^−9.55–10^−7.14 mol m⁻² s⁻¹) within the acid range (pH 5.5–4.0). The atacamite dissolution reaction order with respect to pH is 1.3 and 1.6 in DI and NaCl solutions, respectively, suggesting that dissolution rates of atacamite are highly pH dependent in the acid range. The type of acid used to lower the pH had no effect on the reaction kinetics, with HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ resulting in comparable dissolution rates of atacamite at pH 4.5.