The evolution of a mining lake - From acidity to natural neutralization

Sienkiewicz, Elwira; Gąsiorowski, Michał

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.088

Cited by 47 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Acidophilus diatoms decreased in frequency or disappeared, and the domination of alkaliphilus taxa such as Discostella spp. was observed (Sienkiewicz and Gąsiorowski 2016). At this time, the DI-pH varied between 6.5 and 7.3.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…The values of DI-pH for the sediments of TR-31 were nearly constant and ranged between 6.96 and 7.16; i.e., the changes were within the error of the method. The fluctuations of the water pH in TR-33 were larger, and the values of DI-pH varied between 4.55 and 7.27 (Sienkiewicz and Gąsiorowski 2016). The lowest DI-pH values were observed in the 1970s, whereas the current value is the highest.…”

Section: Diatom Analysis Of Tr-31mentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Very acidic water with high concentrations of trace metals can caused deformation of the valve's morphology and structure (Cooper et al 2003). For more than 100 years (i.e., from the beginning of lake's existence to the 1980s), the water in TR-33 retained toxic properties that limited the development of phytoplankton and zooplankton (Sienkiewicz and Gąsiorowski 2016). During this period, excluding DAZ 1 and the lower part of DAZ 2a, the DI-pH had the lowest values of approximately 4.5 (DAZ 2b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The organic matter in the studied lakes had different sources. However, we can assume that the lignite deposit was in the bedrock of TR-33 due to the high C/N ratios (approximately 90) in the deep layers of the core (Sienkiewicz and Gąsiorowski 2016). The presence of lignite significantly increases the C/N ratio of soil (Zikeli et al 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In many post-mining areas around the world, the inactive excavations that remained after the mines closed became lakes (Harrison et al 2003;Moser and Weisse 2011;Sienkiewicz and Gąsiorowski 2016). Over time, the excavations have become filled by rain and groundwater.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Natural evolution of artificial lakes formed in lignite excavations based on diatom, geochemical and isotopic data

Sienkiewicz

Gąsiorowski

2019

J Paleolimnol

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TR-31 and TR-33 are post-mining lakes located within the Łuk Mu_ zakowa Geopark (western Poland). They were created after the end of lignite exploitation in the second half of the nineteenth century. Although they are located in neighbouring excavations and currently have neutral pH levels, they developed differently. Based on the diatom communities, elemental analyses and isotopic data, TR-33 experienced a natural neutralization process from an acidic state to nearly neutral due to the presence of lignite residuum at the bottom of the excavation. Pyrite is common in lignite deposits and gangue, and its oxidation causes acidity in aquatic ecosystems. The primordial state of the acidic water in TR-33 was confirmed by the development of diatoms belonging to the Eunotia genus, which can tolerate acidic environments. The excavation in TR-31 was filled by rain and groundwater, and the pH of the water was neutral or nearly neutral from the beginning of lake's existence. This is indicated by the diatom assemblages during the initial phase of lake formation and the reconstruction of the water pH. The relatively low values of the C/N ratio in the deep layers of the core indicate the lack of lignite deposits at the bottom of TR-31.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Section: Diatom Analysis Of Tr-31mentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Natural evolution of artificial lakes formed in lignite excavations based on diatom, geochemical and isotopic data

Sienkiewicz

Gąsiorowski

2019

J Paleolimnol

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Sulphate supergene minerals: An intuitive indicator for deep deposit in plateau regions

Zhao

2021

Geological Journal

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The world‐class Rongna Cu(Au) deposit, located in the Duolong mining district, is the first epithermal‐porphyry deposit along the Bangong–Nujiang metallogenic belt. The acidic spring developed in the centre of the Rongna Deposit and its basin has a high amount of heavy metals. Therefore, metal elements (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Cr and Hg), pH, SO42− of the Rongna River and the composition of its supergene minerals are studied to discuss the environmental influence and provide a theoretical basis for the comprehensive utilization and environmental management of the Rongna Deposit. The result shows that there are eight kinds of supergene minerals: natrojarosite, hexahydrite, tamarugite, anhydrite, pickeringite, bloedite, gypsum and naujakasite, among which, naujakasite is discovered for the first time in China. The material sources of these sulphate minerals and acidic water are from the sulphate in the ores that experience the leaching process and oxidation. The spring is severely acidified, whose pH values are 2.70–3.08, the single pollution index of Cr, Cd, Pb, Hg and As are less than 1, but the index of Cu and Zn exceed the Class III National Water Standard by about twice, showing a mild pollution, its comprehensive pollution index values 0.8 ~ (<2.5), showing good quality. The pH of Rongna River water values are 7.70–7.92, the single pollution index is less than 1, indicating no pollution, and the comprehensive pollution index is less than 0.8, indicating good quality. However, considering the vulnerable ecological environment in Tibet, the acidic spring still needs manual intervention. An open‐air reservoir can be built upstream of the acidic spring, and the pollutants can precipitate by natural evaporation and then be recycled.

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Closing pit lakes as aquatic ecosystems: Risk, reality, and future uses

Lund

Blanchette

2023

WIREs Water

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Mine pit lakes are formed when open‐cut pits flood with water, and these lakes occur by the thousands on every inhabited continent. The remediation and closure of pit lakes is a pressing issue for sustainable development and provision of freshwater ecosystem services. While pit lakes can be spectacular examples of recreation and renewal, pit lakes may be better known for their poor water qualities and risks to communities and the environment. Often the public wants to simply “fill the pits in” to restore a terrestrial landscape, but this is not always possible. Therefore, planning for remediation and future uses is likely to provide the best outcome. Poor water quality is not necessarily a barrier to future use, although it may limit the number of uses. Short‐term future uses tend to require commercial viability, active infrastructure investment, and maintenance, and should transition to complementary long‐term uses that promote biodiversity. Long‐term future uses require relatively less ongoing maintenance beyond the initial investment and adhere to the principles that pit lakes should be safe, sustainable, and non‐polluting in perpetuity. Pit lakes will eventually develop “ecosystem values,” and the time to do so depends on the nature of the intervention and the values ascribed by the community. Where possible, closing pit lakes as sustainable ecosystems is the most realistic goal that permits a variety of future uses that is likely to see pit lakes valued by future generations. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Planning Water Human Water > Value of Water Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented

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The evolution of a mining lake - From acidity to natural neutralization

Cited by 47 publications

References 31 publications

Natural evolution of artificial lakes formed in lignite excavations based on diatom, geochemical and isotopic data

Natural evolution of artificial lakes formed in lignite excavations based on diatom, geochemical and isotopic data

Sulphate supergene minerals: An intuitive indicator for deep deposit in plateau regions

Closing pit lakes as aquatic ecosystems: Risk, reality, and future uses

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