Revegetation of metalliferous wastes and land after metal mining

Hester, R. E.; Harrison, R. M.; Johnson, M. S.; Cooke, J. A.; Stevenson, J. K. W.

doi:10.1039/9781847551467-00031

Cited by 44 publications

(39 citation statements)

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“…Tailings formed during the processing of the mineral ore are frequently stored in steep stock piles where they are prone to erosion (Henriques and Fernandes 1991), thus becoming a potential source of pollution to the surrounding environment. Such residues are frequently dispersed by atmospheric emissions, mechanical dispersion or water-leaching from waste deposits (Johnson et al 1994;Adriano 2001) and are likely to contaminate soils, ground waters, surface waters and stream sediments of the surrounding area. In this context, one of the worst scenarios can occur if the dispersed residues reach agricultural or urban soils and expose humans to heavy metals either directly by suspended dust in air, or indirectly, by transfer into the food chain (Torres and Johnson 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemistry and environmental threats of soils surrounding an abandoned mercury mine

Bori

Vallès

Navarro

et al. 2016

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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The closure of mercury mining areas is generally associated with a release of Hg and other metals into the environment due to the abandonment of mining wastes. Because of their potential toxic properties, the mobilization of particulate and soluble metal species is of major concern. In the present study, the environmental risks posed by soils surrounding an abandoned mercury mining area in Valle del Azogue (Almeria, Spain) are assessed through the determination of physical-chemical parameters, the quantification of metal concentrations, and the application of aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicity bioassays. Chemical analysis of soil samples revealed concentrations of Hg, As, Ba, Pb, Sb, and Zn above international intervention values. Results from terrestrial tests showed detrimental effects in all studied organisms (Eisenia foetida, Folsomia candida, and different plant species) and revealed the avoidance response of earthworms as the most sensitive endpoint. Surprisingly, the most toxic samples were not the ones with higher metal contents but the ones presenting higher electrical conductivity. Aquatic ecotoxicity tests with Vibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Daphnia magna, and Danio rerio were in accordance with terrestrial tests, confirming the need to couple environmental chemistry with ecotoxicological tools for the proper assessment of metal-contaminated sites. In view of the results, a remediative intervention of the studied area is recommendedPostprint (author's final draft

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemistry and environmental threats of soils surrounding an abandoned mercury mine

Bori

Vallès

Navarro

et al. 2016

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…Nutrient deficiency is common in mine spoils (Smith and Bradshaw, 1979;Pichtel et al, 1994;Shu, 1997), making plant establishment difficult. Organic matter not only acts as a reservoir of essential macro-nutrients, but also provides a food resource for invertebrates and microorganisms that support the decay process and thus help nutrient recycling (Johnson et al, 1994). Low-organic matter may lead to leaching of nutrients, especially when water infiltration is rapid.…”

Section: General Properties Of Tailings and Soilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, different mine wastes have different constraints for revegetation; the chemical composition can vary vertically and laterally in the same tailings pond (Shu, 1997). In order to successfully reclaim mine tailings, it is essential to assess the physical, chemical, and biological factors pertaining to mine wastes, in order to gain a full understanding of constraints and opportunities (Johnson et al, 1994). Day and Ludeke (1979) also indicated that since most mineral wastes are very low in plant nutrients, careful attention must be given to their correct fertilization prior to planting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chemical and physical techniques are available for dust control and stabilization against water erosion, but the long-term objective of waste rehabilitation can only be realistically achieved by the use of vegetation as a basis for landscaping, stabilization and pollution control (Bradshaw and Johnson, 1992;Freedman, 1995). Chemosphere 47 (2002) [1103][1104][1105][1106][1107][1108][1109][1110][1111] However, vegetation establishment on mine tailings is always difficult (Ernst, 1988;Johnson et al, 1994). In addition to the high level of acidity, Pb/Zn mine tailings may also contain toxic concentrations of metals, such as Pb, Zn and Cd, low levels of major plant nutrients, poor physical structure, and excess salinity (Ernst, 1988;Bradshaw and Johnson, 1992;Shu, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of major constraints to revegetation of lead/zinc mine tailings using bioassay techniques

Shu²,

Zhang³

et al. 2002

Chemosphere

191

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The residues from the extraction of lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) ores of most Pb/Zn mines are permanently stored in tailings ponds, which require revegetation to reduce their environmental impact. This can only be done if the main constraints on plant establishment are evaluated. This can readily be done by field and greenhouse studies.To test this, the properties of different tailings from Lechang Pb/Zn mine located at the north of Guangdong Province in southern China have been studied. Physical and chemical properties including concentrations of metals (Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu) in the tailings and soils collected from different sites have been measured. The results showed that tailings contain low nitrogen (0.016-0.075%), low-organic matter (0.58-1.78%), high salt (3.55-13.85 dS/m), and high total and diethylene-tetramine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable metal concentrations (total: 1019-1642 lg g À1 Pb, 3078-6773 lg g À1 Zn, 8-23 lg g À1 Cd, and 85-192 lg g À1 Cu; DTPA-extractable: 59-178 lg g À1 Pb, 21-200 lg g À1 Zn, 0.30-1.5 lg g À1 Cd, and 4.3-12 lg g À1 Cu). Aqueous extracts of tailings/soils (10%, 20% and 30%, w/v) from different sites were prepared for testing their effects on seed germination and root elongation of a vegetable crop Brassica chinensis and a grass species Cynodon dactylon. It was found that root elongation provided a better evaluation of toxicity than seed germination. The ranking of toxicity using root elongation was: high-sulfur tailings > tailing dam > sparsely vegetated tailings > densely vegetated tailings > mountain soil for both plants. This order was consistent with DTPA-extractable Pb contents in the tailings and soils. B. chinensis seedlings were then grown in the mixtures of different proportions of tailings and farm soil for 4 weeks, and the results (dry weights of seedlings) were in line with the root elongation test. All these demonstrated that heavy metal toxicity, especially available Pb, low content of nutrient, and poor physical structure were major constraints on plant establishment and colonization on the Pb/Zn mine tailings. Ó

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“…Approaches to revegetation may be categorized as ameliorative or adaptive (Tordoff et al, 2000). Both aim to sustain vegetation, though differ in their methodology in improving the growth substrate (Johnson et al, 1994). The ameliorative approach to revegetation attempts to achieve optimum conditions for plant growth by improving the physical and chemical nature of derelict land.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth of selected plant species in biosolids-amended mine tailings

Alcantara

Doronila

Nicolas

et al. 2015

Minerals Engineering

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Each plant species exhibited differential responses in terms of germination, seedling quality, leaf area, specific leaf area, root and shoot biomass, and percentage dry matter partitioning to the roots. Both the Indian mustard and carrot grew successfully in the biosolidsmine tailings substrate combinations while white lupin, sugar beet, cassava, and potato failed to grow in most of the substrate combinations. The most suitable biosolids-mine tailings combination was determined to be 75% biosolids -25% mine tailings, wherein most of the abovementioned growth parameters did not differ significantly from those of the plants grown in the control potting mix.

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Revegetation of metalliferous wastes and land after metal mining

Cited by 44 publications

References 0 publications

Geochemistry and environmental threats of soils surrounding an abandoned mercury mine

Geochemistry and environmental threats of soils surrounding an abandoned mercury mine

Evaluation of major constraints to revegetation of lead/zinc mine tailings using bioassay techniques

Growth of selected plant species in biosolids-amended mine tailings

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