Arsenic and antimony contamination in the vicinity of Yata gold mine, Guizhou, China

The ores of the Yata gold mine in China are rich in arsenic and antimony, so the exploitation of this mine may also lead to the release of As and Sb to adjacent environments, such as stream water, stream sediment, soil, plants, and crops. To understand the environmental impact of mine tailings, samples of water, sediment, soil, plant and crop were collected and analyzed. In summer of 2005, the tailings dump was seriously flushed by a heavy flood, and the mine waste was transported far away. Samples were collected in December of 2004 and January of 2006, respectively, and the impact of the flood on the release of toxic elements was evaluated. The result shows that the Yata creek, which drains the mining area, was severely contaminated by As and Sb. The dissolved As and Sb in water are 86-1140 μg/L and 65-370 μg/L, the particulate As and Sb are 38-2100 μg/L and 25-420 μg/L, whereas As and Sb in the sediment are 190-760 μg/g and 69-210 μg/g, respectively. In water environment, As and Sb show a similar feature to SO4^2- since As and Sb exist dominantly as anions--H2AsO4^-, HAsO4^2- and SbO3^-. In contrast to Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, which migrate mostly in particulate form, As and Sb tend to transport in dissolved form.     

Environmental contamination of trace elements in the vicinity of Okpara coal mine, Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria

Water, sediment, and mine spoil samples were collected within the vicinity of the Okpara coal mine in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria, and analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS to assess the level of environmental contamination by these elements. The results obtained show that the mine spoils and sediments are relatively enriched in Fe, with mean values of 1,307.8(mg/kg) for mine spoils and 94.15% for sediments. As, Cd, Cr, Mn,Ni, Pb, and Zn in the sediments were found to be enriched relative to the mean values obtained from the study area, showing contamination by these elements. The mean values of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Cr in the mine spoils and mean values of Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Mn in sediments, respectively, are above the background values obtained from coal and shale in the study area, indicating enrichment with these elements. The water and sediments are moderately acidic, with mean pH values of 4.22?±?1.06 and 4.66?±?1.35, respectively. With the exception of Fe, Mn, and Ni, all other elements are within the Nigerian water quality standard and WHO limits for drinking water and other domestic purposes. The strong to moderate positive correlation between Fe and Cu (r?=?0.72), Fe and Zn (r?=?0.88), and Fe and As (r?=?0.60) at p?<?0.05 as obtained for the sediments depict the scavenging effect of Fe on these mobile elements. As also shows a strong positive correlation with Mn (r?=?≥ 0.70, p?<?0.05), indicating that Mn plays a major role in scavenging elements that are not co-precipitated with Fe. In water, the strong positive correlation observed between Cr and Cd (r?=?1.00), Cu and Ni (r?=?0.94), Pb and Cu (r?=?0.87) and Zn and Cu (r?=?0.99); Ni and Pb (r?=?0.83) and Zn and Ni (r?=?0.97); and between Pb and Zn (0.84) at p?<?0.05 may indicate similar element–water reaction control on the system due to similarities in chemical properties as well as a common source. Elevated levels of heavy metals in sediments relative to surface water probably imply that sorption and co-precipitation on Al and Fe oxides are more effective in the mobilization and attenuation of heavy metals in the mine area than acid-induced dissolution. The level of concentration of trace elements for the mine spoils will serve as baseline data for future reference in the study area.     

Water contamination downstream from a copper mine in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania

This paper presents the results of a study on stream and mine waters in the area of the largest porphyry copper deposit in the Apuseni Mountains (western Romania), the Rosia Poieni ore deposit. The research was focused on two aspects of environmental impact: (1) evaluation of the release of toxic elements into the environment through studying the mineralogical and chemical composition of the ore deposit; and (2) assessment of the distribution and extent of contamination through studying the chemistry of stream waters. This work proved that the Rosia Poieni mine is an active acid-rock drainage (ARD)-producing site. Waters draining freely from the ore deposit are acidic and transport large amounts of toxic elements (Al, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, Sr, etc.). The weathering of silicate and ore minerals represents an important source of elements. Their release was determined by speciation calculations using an EQ3/6 computer program.     

Copper, nickel and zinc contamination in soils within the precincts of mining and landfilling environments

This study determined copper, nickel and zinc concentrations in soils within the precincts of a copper-nickel mining and urban landfilling environments, and used obtained values to appraise the degree of soil contamination and pollution based on geoaccumulation index, contamination factor and pollution load index. Mean concentrations of copper (252.4?mg/kg), nickel (153.0?mg/kg) and zinc (30.4?mg/kg) in soils around the mining area were considerably higher than those around the landfill (4.3, 0.91, and 13.7?mg/kg, respectively, for copper, nickel and zinc). The mining area was moderate to heavily contaminated with copper, nickel and zinc (1?<?I _geo?<?4), whereas the landfill area was moderately contaminated (1?<?I _geo?<?3). In both areas, the level of copper contamination was higher than that of nickel and zinc. Contamination around the mining environment was attributed to mining activities whereas around the landfill area, migration of leachate from the disposed waste could have been responsible.     

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.     

Farmland mercury contamination in the vicinity of an organic chemical factory in Guizhou,China

This study assesses the level of contamination of Hg in farmland soils along the irrigating channel downstream from Guizhou Organic Chemical Factory （GOCF）, where metallic mercury is used as a catalyst to produce acetic acid. The total input of mercury into the environment, as announced by GOCF, is 140 t in the past 30 years （1971-2000）. Sampling sites were chosen based on the distance from the source of pollution--the chemical factory. A total of 39 samples were collected from the study area and analyzed for total mercury concentrations and methyl mercury concentrations. The characteristics of vertical and horizontal distributions of total mercury and methyl mercury in the study area （farmland） are described in this paper. Much attention was paid to the transformation of inorganic Hg into organic mercury species in soils as well. The results showed that the farmland has been heavily contaminated by Hg. Land cultivation activity, land utilization style and distance from the pollution source could be the dominant factors controlling the distribution of THg and MeHg. It is observed that active transformation of inorganic Hg into organic mercury species （MeHg） usually takes place in paddy soils.     

Arsenic and antimony contamination of waters,stream sediments and soils in the vicinity of abandoned antimony mines in the Western Carpathians,Slovakia

Environmental contamination with As and Sb caused by past mining activities at Sb mines is a significant problem in Slovakia. This study is focused on the environmental effects of the 5 abandoned Sb mines on water, stream sediment and soil since the mines are situated in the close vicinity of residential areas. Samples of mine wastes, various types of waters, stream sediments, soils, and leachates of the mine wastes, stream sediments and selected soils were analyzed for As and Sb to evaluate their geochemical dispersion from the mines. Mine wastes collected at the mine sites contained up to 5166 mg/kg As and 9861 mg/kg Sb. Arsenic in mine wastes was associated mostly with Fe oxides, whereas Sb was present frequently in the form of individual Sb, Sb(Fe) and Fe(Sb) oxides. Waters of different types such as groundwater, surface waters and mine waters, all contained elevated concentrations of As and Sb, reaching up to 2150 μg/L As and 9300 μg/L Sb, and had circum-neutral pH values because of the buffering capacity of abundant Ca- and Mg-carbonates. The concentrations of Sb in several household wells are a cause for concern, exceeding the Sb drinking water limit of 5 μg/L by as much as 25 times. Some attenuation of the As and Sb concentrations in mine and impoundment waters was expected because of the deposition of metalloids onto hydrous ferric oxides built up below adit entrances and impoundment discharges. These HFOs contained >20 wt.% As and 1.5 wt.% Sb. Stream sediments and soils have also been contaminated by As and Sb with the peak concentrations generally found near open adits and mine wastes. In addition to the discharged waters from open adits, the significant source of As and Sb contamination are waste-rock dumps and tailings impoundments. Leachates from mine wastes contained as much as 8400 μg/L As and 4060 μg/L Sb, suggesting that the mine wastes would have a great potential to contaminate the downstream environment. Moreover, the results of water leaching tests showed that Sb was released from the solids more efficiently than As under oxidizing conditions. This might partly explain the predominance of Sb over As in most water samples.     

华东某铀矿区稻米中Pb含量特征及污染研究

对华东某铀矿区及对照区稻米中重金属元素Pb的含量进行了研究。该铀矿区尾矿坝、尾矿堆积区、矿床开采区、矿床开采区上游以及下游、矿石矿渣运输道路沿线稻米中Pb含量与位于铀矿区边缘的某村（受矿区水及大气影响）以及非铀矿区某村（不受矿区水系及大气影响）稻米中的Pb含量接近,均未超过国家食品污染限量标准（GB 2762—2012）中谷类Pb的限量。单因素污染评价结果表明,该铀矿区和非铀矿区的稻米均没有受到重金属铅的污染。在自然界中,铅化合物的溶解度低,这可能是铅不易被水稻吸收的原因。     

江西德兴铜矿区大坞河流域环境介质中Cu含量变化趋势

以2004年和2011年江西德兴铜矿开采区影响的大坞河流域共计140件水、土、底泥及种植物样品中Cu的含量为研究对象,参考国家标准对大坞河流域不同河段Cu污染进行评价,研究不同环境介质中Cu含量随时间变化的规律,并且探讨种植物中Cu元素的来源。研究表明,从空间上看大坞河源区和上游的样品超标率最高,分别达到70.3%和90.9%。7年间研究区环境介质中的Cu元素总体是趋于恶化的,除地表水和土壤中Cu含量有所降低外,其他环境介质中的Cu含量都有所增加,最明显的是2011年小白菜中的Cu元素含量是2004年的11.68倍。与种植物密切相关的地表水和对应土壤中Cu元素的变化规律存在较大差异,据此推断其Cu元素来源与元素形态、大气干湿沉降等因素有关。     

江西德兴铜矿区大坞河流域环境介质中Cu含量变化趋势

以2004年和2011年江西德兴铜矿开采区影响的大坞河流域共计140件水、土、底泥及种植物样品中Cu的含量为研究对象,参考国家标准对大坞河流域不同河段Cu污染进行评价,研究不同环境介质中Cu含量随时间变化的规律,并且探讨种植物中Cu元素的来源。研究表明,从空间上看大坞河源区和上游的样品超标率最高,分别达到70.3%和90.9%。7年间研究区环境介质中的Cu元素总体是趋于恶化的,除地表水和土壤中Cu含量有所降低外,其他环境介质中的Cu含量都有所增加,最明显的是2011年小白菜中的Cu元素含量是2004年的11.68倍。与种植物密切相关的地表水和对应土壤中Cu元素的变化规律存在较大差异,据此推断其Cu元素来源与元素形态、大气干湿沉降等因素有关。     

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.     

Hydrogeology of the vicinity of Homestake mine, South Dakota, USA

The former Homestake mine in South Dakota (USA) cuts fractured metamorphic rock over a region several km² in plan, and plunges to the SE to a depth of 2.4 km. Numerical simulations of the development and dewatering of the mine workings are based on idealizing the mine-workings system as two overlapping continua, one representing the open drifts and the other representing the host rock with hydrologic properties that vary with effective stress. Equating macroscopic hydrologic properties with characteristics of deformable fractures allows the number of parameters to be reduced, and it provides a physically based justification for changes in properties with depth. The simulations explain important observations, including the co-existence of shallow and deep flow systems, the total dewatering flow rate, the spatial distribution of in-flow, and the magnitude of porosity in the mine workings. The analysis indicates that a deep flow system induced by ~125 years of mining is contained within a surface-truncated ellipsoid roughly 8 km by 4 km in plan view and 5.5 km deep with its long-axis aligned to the strike of the workings. Groundwater flow into the southern side of the workings is characterized by short travel times from the ground surface, whereas flow into the northern side and at depth consists of old water removed from storage.     

Assessment of heavy metals contamination in soils of Dexing region, Jiangxi Province, China

Heavy metal contamination has attracted huge concern due to its toxicity, abundance and persistence in the environment, and subsequent accumulation in soil, sediment and water. Mining is one of the most important sources of heavy metals in the environment. Mining-milling operations and disposal of tailings （the finely ground remains of milled ores） in addition to smelting and metal refining provide significant sources of pollution. Mining and mineral processing in the Dexing region of China have been carried out for over forty years and have contaminated the soils with heavy metals, Many studies were conducted to assess and establish the extent of heavy metal contamination in the soils due to mining. The aim of this work was to assess the environmental impact of mining on soils in the Dexing region and to identify the main factors involved in heavy metals dispersion. A 4800 km^2 study area was assessed with respect to its heavy metals on the basis of the current guideline values. In order to assess the extent of heavy metals contamination resulting from past mining activities in the Dexing region, 919 soil samples were collected and analyzed for As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb, Heavy metals levels were determined using inductively couple plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Results of soil samples reported concentrations between 1.790-899 mg/kg for As, 0.034-4.980 mg/kg for Hg, 0.043-8.330 mg/kg for Cd, 10-666 mg/kg for Cr, 25-18500 mg/kg for Zn, 6-1825 mg/kg for Cu, and 16-1312 mg/kg for Pb, respectively. The maximum values of As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb concentration in soils were up to 60, 33, 41, 7, 185, 52 and 37 times higher than the tolerable level, respectively. Meanwhile, the single-factor pollution index and Nemerow pollution index were used to assess the environment quality of heavy metals contamination.     

Metal contamination of agricultural soils in the copper mining areas of Singhbhum shear zone in India

The study was intended to investigate the heavy metal contamination in the agricultural soils of the copper mining areas in Singhbhum shear zone, India. The total concentrations of the metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICPMS). Pollution levels were assessed by calculating enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (\(I_\mathrm{geo}\)), contamination factors (CF), pollution load index (PLI), Nemerow index and ecological risk index (\(R_{I}\)). The metal concentrations in the soil samples exceeded the average shale values for almost all the metals. Principal component analysis resulted in extraction of three factors explaining 82.6% of the data variability and indicated anthropogenic contribution of Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Mn and Pb. The EF and \(I_\mathrm{geo}\) values indicated very high contamination with respect to Cu followed by As and Zn in the agricultural soils. The values of PLI, \(R_{I}\) and Nemerow index, which considered the overall effect of all the studied metals on the soils, revealed that 50% of the locations were highly polluted with respect to metals. The pollution levels varied with the proximity to the copper mining and processing units. Consequently, the results advocate the necessity of periodic monitoring of the agricultural soils of the area and development of proper management strategies to reduce the metal pollution.     

用卫星高光谱数据提取江西德兴铜矿矿山废水的pH值污染指标

在对德兴铜矿矿山废水的光谱特征深入分析研究的基础上,总结了不同类型水体(酸性水、碱性水以及河流水)的特征光谱,并利用地物谱特征开展矿山废水pH值污染指标提取研究。针对水体光谱反射率低、特征光谱不明显的特点,采用矿区卫星Hyperion高光谱数据,应用ISA算法和掩膜技术识别出水体分布并进一步与MNF变换有效结合,根据波段散点图进行不同pH值水体的有效分割。为矿山废水污染的诊断和监测提供了新技术和理论支撑。     

用卫星高光谱数据提取江西德兴铜矿矿山废水的pH值污染指标

在对德兴铜矿矿山废水的光谱特征深入分析研究的基础上,总结了不同类型水体(酸性水、碱性水以及河流水)的特征光谱,并利用地物谱特征开展矿山废水pH值污染指标提取研究。针对水体光谱反射率低、特征光谱不明显的特点,采用矿区卫星Hyperion高光谱数据,应用ISA算法和掩膜技术识别出水体分布并进一步与MNF变换有效结合,根据波段散点图进行不同pH值水体的有效分割。为矿山废水污染的诊断和监测提供了新技术和理论支撑。     

四川瓦基铜矿工艺矿物学与可浮性实验

为了查明四川瓦基铜矿矿石性质,制定合理选冶方案。采用X射线荧光光谱仪(XRF)、化学分析、X射线衍射分析仪(XRD)和光学显微镜等现代分析测试技术研究矿石元素质量分数、矿物组成、主要矿物嵌布特征及嵌布粒度等。结果表明,矿石中主要有价元素为铜,品位为0.84%,伴生元素金品位为0.29×10~(-6)、银品位为7.93×10~(-6),主要金属矿物为黄铁矿和辉铜矿,次要金属矿物有黄铜矿、斑铜矿、蓝辉铜矿、孔雀石、铜蓝和赤铁矿等,属氧化率较低的混合铜矿。脉石矿物主要为石英、白云石、长石和方解石等,含铜矿物嵌布粒度细,大部分嵌布在脉石矿物孔隙处、边缘及表面,呈隐晶质集合体形态。针对矿石性质,采用硫化浮选,经过"一粗一精三扫"闭路流程选别,获得铜精矿产率3.34%、铜品位为21.61%、回收率为85.93%的结果,与现场生产指标相比,铜回收率提高了5.49%。     

矿床地质环境模型及其在江西德兴铜矿中的应用

探讨了矿床地质环境模型的概念、研究方法和研究内容,以德兴铜矿为例开展了矿床地质环境模型的示范研究。详细介绍了德兴铜矿开矿前的地质、微量元素地球化学特征和开矿前对环境释放的重金属元素总量等;通过野外采样和室内的数据分析研究了德兴铜矿开矿过程中的环境特征,以大坞河流域和4#尾砂库为研究对象,分析元素含量,结合元素形态分析、环境矿物学分析、室内污染物迁移模拟,详细论述了开矿过程中重金属元素对环境的影响;以关闭后复垦的1#尾砂库为部分功能区关闭之后环境特征的研究对象,建立了德兴铜矿床地质环境模型。     

Geochemistry of soils derived from black shales in the Ganziping mine area, western Hunan, China

The geochemistry of major and trace elements (including heavy metals and rare earth elements) of the fresh and weathered black shales, and the soils derived from black shales in the Ganziping mine area in western Hunan province (China) were studied using the following techniques: X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the black-shale soils are significantly enriched with Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃, and depleted of mobile elements CaO, Na₂O and K₂O. The soils are also highly enriched with heavy metals U, V, Ni, Ba, Cu, Zn and Pb, that may cause potential heavy-metal contamination of the soils. Composition of the soils is homogeneous compared to the weathered black shales, for which the concentrations of major elements except CaO and Na₂O, and trace elements except heavy metals (U, V, Ni, Ba, Cu, Zn and Pb) as well as the mobile Sr, show lower variations than in the weathered black shales. Ratios of Zr/Hf, Ta/Nb, Y/Ho, Nd/Sm, and Ti/(Ti + Zr), of the soils are also less variable, with values constantly similar to that of the fresh and weathered black shales correspondingly. Thus, components of the soils are believed to be contributed from the parent black shales through weathering and pedogenesis. It is concluded that the soils were formed by at least two stages of geochemical processes: the early stage of chemical differentiation and the later stage of chemical homogenization. The chemical differentiation that was taken during black-shale weathering might have caused the depletion of CaO and Na₂O, and the enrichment of Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃; while the chemical homogenization that was taken during pedogenesis led to the depletion of SiO₂ and K₂O, and to the further enrichment of Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃. The heavy-metal enrichment (contamination) of the soils was then genetically related to the enrichment of Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ in the soils.