A Multidisciplinary Approach for the Assessment of Origin, Fate and Ecotoxicity of Metal(loid)s from Legacy Coal Mine Tailings

Abstract

Over the course of history, the development of human societies implied the exploitation of mineral resources which generated huge amounts of mining wastes leading to substantial environmental contamination by various metal(loid)s. This is especially the case of coal mine tailings which, subjected to weathering reactions, produce acid mine drainage (AMD), a recurring ecological issue related to current and past mining activities. In this study, we aimed to determine the origin, the fate and the ecotoxicity of metal(loid)s leached from a historical coal tailing heap to the Beuveroux river (Franche-Comté, France) using a combination of mineralogical, chemical and biological approaches. In the constitutive materials of the tailings, we identified galena, tetrahedrite and bournonite as metal-rich minerals and their weathering has led to massive contamination of the water and suspended particles of the river bordering the heap. The ecotoxicity of the AMD has been assessed using Chironomus riparius larvae encaged in the field during a one-month biomonitoring campaign. The larvae showed lethal and sub-lethal (growth and emergence inhibition and delay) impairments at the AMD tributary and near downstream stations. Metal bioaccumulation and subcellular fractionation in the larvae tissues revealed a strong bioavailability of, notably, As, Pb and Tl explaining the observed biological responses. Thus, more than 70 years after the end of mining operations, the coal tailings remain a chronic source of contamination and environmental risks in AMD effluent receiving waters.

Hydro-Chemical Characteristics, Genesis Analysis and Risk Assessment of Fuyuan Laochang Ore Concentration Area in Yunnan, China

“…For example, there is condensation of water vapor, resulting in low values of both hydrogen and oxygen isotopes with small slopes [45]. (6) Gibbs plot can be effectively analyzed by Na + / (Na + +Ca 2+ ) and Cl -/(Cl -+HCO 3 -) compared with TDS, respectively (Fig. 7).…”

“…Since the 1990s, with the closure of a large number of mines in Yunnan province, pit mine water may enter the adjacent soil-groundwater system, causing regional soil and groundwater pollution [4,5]. Pit water, washing wastewater and leaching water from waste heap produced during coal mine production are the main sources of soil and water pollution, resulting in the exceedance of S, Fe, Mn and other indicators in the water bodies around the mine catchment area, and a tight supply of safe domestic water in the mine catchment area [6].…”

Assessment of ecotoxicological effects of Fojo coal mine waste elutriate in aquatic species (Douro Coalfield, North Portugal)

“…The same authors, Antunes et al (2007) assessed the toxicity of sediment elutriates from artificial ponds from a uranium mine exploitation (with low pH and high concentration of PTE) using acute assays with D. magna and D. longispina (EC 50 = 96.3% and 94.7%, respectively). Gauthier-Manuel et al (2021) reported that after exposure to acid drainage from a coal mine, a growth inhibition and an emergence delay of model organism Chironomus riparius larvae were observed. On the other hand, biochemical biomarkers are frequently used to assess the effects of organisms' exposure to environmental contaminants (Lionetto et al, 2019).…”

Does Lead Have a Connection to Autism? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…It is a heavy, non-essential metal and non-threshold neurotoxicant [ 17 , 20 ]. Although Pb is naturally present in the environment, today’s considerably high Pb levels in the environment are a direct consequence of the industrial revolution and rapid urbanization [ 18 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Despite national and international efforts to reduce Pb levels in the environment, it remains one of the greatest pollutants [ 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”