Potential application of oxygen-18 and deuterium in mining effluent and acid rock drainage studies |
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Authors: | M M Ghomshei D M Allen |
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Institution: | (1) Dept. of Mining and Min. Process Eng., 6350 Stores Rd., University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. V6 T 1Z4, Canada, CA;(2) Dept. of Earth Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. V5 A 1S6, Canada email: dallen@sfu.ca, Fax: +604–291–4198), CA |
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Abstract: | Oxygen-18 (18O) and deuterium (D, or 2H) are routinely used in hydrologic, climatologic and geothermal studies. In hydrology, stable isotopes provide information
on the type and topology (altitude and latitude) of the recharge waters and the historical effects on water, related to such
physical processes as evaporation (in ponds), melting (of snow or ice), condensation, evapotranspiration and mixing. In geothermal
studies, stable isotopes provide key information related to recharge and the various temperature-dependent water/rock isotope
exchange reactions. The latter is assessed through the oxygen shift in the 18O/D correlation. At acid rock drainage (ARD) sites, water/rock interactions are primarily controlled by pH and oxidation potential.
Using the isotopic characteristics of the rocks and the recharge waters as a basis, the relative oxygen shift of the ARD effluent
can provide information on: (1) the residence time, (2) the rate of water/rock reactions, and (3) the actual pH at the rock/water
interface. This paper offers a methodology for conducting oxygen and hydrogen isotope studies related to ARD and other mineral
effluent problems. The methodology is based on: (1) comprehensive sampling of regional waters, ARD effluent and major contributing
minerals and rocks, (2) isotopic and elemental analysis, and (3) data interpretation on the basis of a zero-dimensional (mass
balance), multi-component mixing model.
Received: 15 January 1999 · Accepted: 3 May 1999 |
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Keywords: | Stable isotopes Acid rock drainage Mining effluent Geochemical mixing |
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