Behavior of heavy metals in sulfide mine tailings and bottom sediment (Salair, Kemerovo region, Russia)

Abstract

The given work focused on solving the problem of environmental geochemistry related to investigation of element speciation, their mobility, and migration in polluted areas. The purpose was to describe quantitatively migration, distribution, and redistribution of heavy metals by the example of the old tailings (Talmovaya sands) of the Lead Zinc Concentration Plant (Salair, Kemerovo region, Russia) and technogenic bottom sediments of the Malaya Talmovaya river. Contents of elements in the sulfide tailings range in the following limits: Zn: 1,100-27,000 ppm, Cd: 1.3-240 ppm, Pb: 0.01-0.81 ppm, Cu: 220-960 ppm, As: 15-970 ppm, Fe: 19,000-76,000 ppm, and Ba: 80,000-1,00,000 ppm. Element concentrations in the river sediment are proportional to the element contents in the sulfide tailings. Element speciations in the sulfide tailings and technogenic bottom sediments were investigated by the modified sequential extraction procedure. Chemical forms of heavy metals in pore water and surface water were calculated by WATEQ4F software. Principles of heavy metal migration in the sulfide tailings and technogenic bottom deposits were established. The obtained results about element species in the sulfide tailings and sediment explain the main principles of element migration and redeposition. In the mine waste and technogenic bottom deposits, there is vertical substance transformation with formation of geochemical barriers.

Distribution of Zinc, Copper, and Iron in the Tailings Dam of an Abandoned Mine in Shimokawa, Hokkaido, Japan

“…The NH4-acetate extractant is used to determine the exchangeable elements at pH 4 to 5, and calcite is also dissolved by this extractant (Dold and Fontboté 2001). The exchangeable and carbonate fractions are separated by using the same extractant (NH4-acetate) at pH 7 and 5, respectively (Bogush and Lazareva 2011). The exchangeable fractions of Fe was negligible in all of the tailings samples while those of Zn and Cu were <0.3…”

“…The distribution and chemical species of metals in a tailings dam differ, depending on the ore minerals, tailings properties, deposit time, and local climate (Duanmu et al 2011). Several studies have shown changes in AMD generation rates (Bouzahzah et al 2014;Greenhill 2000;Hakkou et al 2008;Lengke et al 2010;Modabberi et al 2013;Morin and Hutt 1998;Schafer 2000) and the leaching behaviors of contaminants from mine sites over time (Bogush and Lazareva 2011;Lee et al 2005;Wang et al 2017;Zhang et al 2016). However, the factors and processes controlling AMD generation and distribution of potentially toxic elements in tailings dams are not fully understood.…”

Speciation, Fate and Transport, and Ecological Risks of Cu, Pb, and Zn in Tailings from Huogeqi Copper Mine, Inner Mongolia, China

“…The relationship between metals in tailings and the surrounding environment and properties of tailings/soil/water have also been widely explored [17,18]. The chemical speciation of metals is also a good indicator for assessing their potential mobility, availability, and toxicity [19,20].…”

Trace Metal Determinations Using Voltammetric (DPV-HMDE) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (F-AAS and ET-AAS) in Bottom Sediment, Cod, Herring, and Cormorant Tissue Samples

“…The most commonly used technique has been ICP with different detectors: MS [1,2,[6][7][8], AES [3,9,10], and OES [11]. Moreover, XRF techniques with different modification were also used, as these methods can be applied directly with solid samples [5,[12][13][14][15]. One publication described the INAA method for determining elements in bottom sediment [16], and five used the AAS method [4,14,[17][18][19].…”

“…Moreover, XRF techniques with different modification were also used, as these methods can be applied directly with solid samples [5,[12][13][14][15]. One publication described the INAA method for determining elements in bottom sediment [16], and five used the AAS method [4,14,[17][18][19]. To our knowledge, there have been only two publications in recent years that have applied electrochemical methods for element determination in bottom sediments [20,21].…”