Use of sequential extraction procedure for assessing the environmental impact at regional scale of the São Domingos Mine (Iberian Pyrite Belt)

São Domingos is one of the most emblematic Portuguese mining districts in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). The beginning of mining exploitation in the area has been dated back to pre-Roman times, remaining in activity until 1966 when it was definitely halted. The intense mining labours are reflected in the presence of a huge amount of sulphide-mining wastes and downstream production of acid mine drainage (AMD). The mining wastes in the area are highly heterogeneous, and numerous different types may be recognized, including slags, iron oxides, smelting ashes, brittle and blocks of pyrite, leaching tank refuses, industrial landfill and other residues coming from ore extraction (gossan wastes and country rocks). The chemical speciation of potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, S, Sb and Zn) in all mine wastes from São Domingos was determined by modified BCR-sequential extraction procedure (European Community Bureau of Reference) and combined with the mass/volume proportions of each waste to quantify the potential risk of this mining district at regional scale. Analytical recoveries by sequential extraction, with respect to a pseudo-total metal content digestion, were generally acceptable (100 ± 17%). The oxidizable fraction corresponds with metals bound to sulphides and released easily under oxidizing conditions in AMD production processes. This is the most polluting fraction for the environment in this type of residues. Part of this fraction is retained by precipitation of soluble secondary minerals in warm periods, moving to the bio-available fraction that is dissolved in rainy periods. Just considering the bio-available fraction, all mine wastes from São Domingos may leach up to 172514 ton of Fe, 10564 ton of S, 6644 ton of Pb, 2610 ton of Zn, 1126 ton of Mn, 1032 ton of Cu, 183 ton of Cr, 109 ton of As, 34 ton of Sb and 0.9 ton of Cd. The process of precipitation and re-dissolution of efflorescent salts formed directly by oxidation of the oxidizable fraction is seasonally repeated, which causes an annual self-feeding and releasing of the bio-available fraction. Thus, the present study shows the pollutant potential of this IPB mining district and explains the spoiled state of the fluvial courses in the region.