Mesocosm-Based Estimation of the Consequences of Complex Contamination of a Freshwater Body by Metal Salts

The dynamics of metal concentrations in the solution, suspension, sediments, and floating plants, as well as functional and structural parameters of phytoplankton and zooplankton were studied. The sorption rate of metals on suspension and the efficiency of their removal into bottom sediments decreased in the series Pb > Cu > Zn > Cd and at increasing proportion of metal aquaions in the solution. The effect of intensive renascence of green algae was recorded from the eighth to tenth day after the metal discharge into the mesocosms. This effect activated a plankton mechanism of metal removal into bottom sediments. The metal discharge led to a strong and stable depression in all groups of zooplankton.     

Authigenic Gold in Stale Tailings of Cyanide Leaching of Gold—Sulfide—Quartz Ores (Komsomol’skii Gold-Extracting Factory,Kemerovo Region)

Doklady Earth Sciences - Based on complex mineralogical and geochemical analysis, high concentrations of dissolved and metallic native forms of Au were registered in the tailing store near-surface...     

Geochemical and geo-electrical study of mud pools at the Mutnovsky volcano (South Kamchatka,Russia): Behavior of elements,structures of feeding channels and a model of origin

This study presents data on the geochemical composition of boiling mud pools at the Mutnovsky volcano. The physicochemical characteristics of the pools and the concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in pool solutions vary widely. A comparison of the geochemical compositions of host rocks and solutions indicates that leaching from rocks is not the only source of chemicals in thermal solutions. Geophysical studies reveal the inner structure of thermal fields, which reflect the shapes of the underground reservoirs and feed channels. Using geophysical methods (electrical resistivity tomography and frequency domain investigations), it was shown that the vertical structure and complex geochemical zonation of the feed channels leads to a high contrast in the compositions of the mud solutions. These findings answer questions about the origin and composition of surface manifestations. To elucidate the mechanisms of solution formation, an attempt was made to describe the magmatic fluid evolution and the resulting mixing of waters by physical and mathematical models. The model illustrates fluid migration from a magma chamber to the surface. It is shown that the formation of brines corresponding to the mud pool composition is possible during secondary boiling.     

Geochemistry of surface waters in the vicinity of open pit mines at the Cay Cham deposit, Thai Nguyen province, northern Vietnam

This study provides an assessment of the environmental impact of open pit mining operations at the Cay Cham titanomagnetite-ilmenite deposit (northern Vietnam). The results of surface water sampling indicate the formation of acid mine drainage and contamination of adjacent areas by heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, and Mn). The acid mine drainage is produced by oxidation leaching of sulfide minerals associated with primary mineralization owing to the low neutralization potential of the natural waters in the humid environment of tropical rainforest. The study showed that alternating dry and wet seasons typical of this climatic region promote the generation of stored acidity leading to a sharp decrease in pH of drainage water during the wet season and result in the negative impacts of this mine on both flowing and stagnant surface waters.