Environmental geochemistry of the derelict Webbs Consols mine,New South Wales,Australia

Small-scale mining and mineral processing at the Webbs Consols polymetallic PbZnAg deposit in northern New South Wales, Australia has caused a significant environmental impact on streams, soils and vegetation. Unconfined waste rock dumps and tailings dams are the source of the problems. The partly oxidised sulphidic mine wastes contain abundant sulphides (arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena) and oxidation products (scorodite, anglesite, smectite, Fe-oxyhydroxides), and possess extreme As and Pb (wt% levels) and elevated Ag, Cd, Cu, Sb and Zn values. Contemporary sulphide oxidation, hardpan formation, crystallisation of mineral efflorescences and acid mine drainage generation occur within the waste repositories. Acid seepages (pH 1.9–6.0) from waste dumps, tailings dams and mine workings display extreme As, Pb and Zn and elevated Cd, Cu and Sb contents. Drainage from the area is by the strongly contaminated Webbs Consols Creek and although this stream joins and is diluted by the much larger Severn River, contamination of water and stream sediments in the latter is evident for 1–5 km, and 12 km respectively, downstream of the mine site. The pronounced contamination of local and regional soils and sediments, despite the relatively small scale of the former operation, is due to the high metal tenor of abandoned waste material and the scarcity of neutralising minerals. Any rehabilitation plan of the site should include the relocation of waste materials to higher ground and capping, with only partial neutralisation of the waste to pH 4–5 in order to limit potential dissolution of scorodite and mobilisation of As into seepages and stream waters.     

Acid mine drainage and acid rock drainage processes in the environment of Herrerías Mine (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Huelva-Spain) and impact on the Andevalo Dam

The present work describes the process of acid water discharge into the Andévalo Dam (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Huelva-Spain) starting from the interpretation of rainfall data and chemical analyses regarding pH, conductivity, metal and sulphate content in water, from a time series corresponding to the sampling of two confluent channels that discharge water into the referred dam. Statistical data treatment allows us to conclude the existence of acid mine drainage processes in the Chorrito Stream, which are translated into very low pH values and high sulphate and metal concentrations in the water coming from Herrerías Mine. On the other hand, the Higuereta Stream shows, for the same parameters, much lower values that can be interpreted as the channel response to acid rock drainage processes in its drainage basin induced by the rocky outcrops of the Iberian Pyrite Belt.     

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of acid mine drainage and water pollution at Makum Coalfield,India

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the severe environmental problems that coal mines are facing. Generation of AMD in the northeastern part of India due to the coal mining activities has long been reported. However detailed geochemical characterization of AMD and its impact on water quality of various creeks, river and groundwater in the area has never been reported. Coal and coal measure rocks in the study area show finely disseminated pyrite crystals. Secondary solid phases, resulted due to oxidation of pyrite, occur on the surface of coal, and are mainly consisting of hydrated sulphate complexes of Fe and Mg (copiapite group of minerals). The direct mine discharges are highly acidic (up to pH 2.3) to alkaline (up to pH 7.6) in nature with high concentration of SO₄²⁻. Acidic discharges are highly enriched with Fe, Al, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd, while Cr, Cu, Zn and Co are below their maximum permissible limit in most mine discharges. Creeks that carrying the direct mine discharges are highly contaminated; whereas major rivers are not much impacted by AMD. Ground water close to the collieries and AMD affected creeks are highly contaminated by Mn, Fe and Pb. Through geochemical modeling, it is inferred that jarosite is stable at pH less than 2.5, schwertmannite at pH less than 4.5, ferrihydrite above 5.8 and goethite is stable over wide range of pH, from highly acidic to alkaline condition.     

Environmental impact and remediation of acid mine drainage: a management problem

 Work carried out at the abandoned copper (Cu) and sulphur (S) mine at Avoca (south east Ireland) has shown acid mine drainage (AMD) to be a multi-factor pollutant. It affects aquatic ecosystems by a number of direct and indirect pathways. Major impact areas are rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters, although AMD affects different aquatic ecosystems in different ways. Due to its complexity, the impact of AMD is difficult to quantify and predict, especially in riverine systems. Pollutional effects of AMD are complex but can be categorized as (a) metal toxicity, (b) sedimentation processes, (c) acidity, and (d) salinization. Remediation of such impacts requires a systems management approach which is outlined. A number of working procedures which have been developed to characterise AMD sites, to produce surface water quality management plans, and to remediate mine sites and AMD are all discussed. Received: 16 January 1996 · Accepted: 5 March 1996     

Sampling riverine sediments impacted by acid mine drainage: problems and solutions

 Sampling acid mine drainage (AMD) or natural acid rock drainage (ARD)-impacted sediments is complex, requiring appropriate field sampling techniques to ensure representative samples that are both repeatable and reproducible. The important factors affecting sampling of riverine sediments are examined. These include sample site location, field observations, representative sampling, sample collection techniques, and sample preservation. A recommended sampling and processing protocol is presented for AMD- and ARD-impacted riverine sediments, which includes sediment sampling, Fe hydroxide floc sampling, chemical analysis, interstitial (pore) water collection, sediment elutriates, sediment fractionation, and physical analysis. The importance of bioassay testing is discussed, as is quality assurance and assessment approaches to define sediment quality criteria. Received: 18 September 1995 · Accepted: 23 October 1995     

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of acid mine drainage in the vicinity of an abandoned mine, Daduk Creek, Korea

Acid mine drainage discharged from the abandoned Daduk mine towards the Daduk creek has a pH of 3.3, and concentrations of Al, Mn, Fe, Zn and SO₄ of 18, 41, 45, 38 and 1940 mg/L, respectively. In particular, As concentration in acid mine drainage is 1000 μg/L. Removing order of metal ions normalized by SO₄ concentration downstream from discharge point is Fe > As > Al > Cu > Zn > Mn > Cd > Pb. In the Daduk creek, Fe and As are the most rapidly depleted downstream from acid mine drainage because As adsorbs, coprecipitates and forms compounds with ferric oxyhydroxide. From the results of geochemical modeling using the Phreeq C program, goethite (FeOOH) is oversaturated, and schwertmannite (Fe₈O₈(OH)_4.5(SO₄)_1.75) is the most stable solid phase at low pH in the Daduk creek. Yellowish red (orange ochre) precipitates that occurred in the study area are probably composed of goethite or schwertmannite.     

Geochemical characterization of karst groundwater in the cradle of humankind world heritage site,South Africa

The karst of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site plays a major role in the assimilation or carrying of acid mine drainage, sewage effluent return flow and agricultural run-off. Infiltration of contaminated water has altered the chemical composition of the natural waters of the karst system. A multivariate statistical method in combination with conventional geochemical and spatial analysis was applied on groundwater and surface water quality samples to determine the spatial extent of hydrochemical impacts from different anthropogenic sources. The application of hierarchical cluster analysis of the major ions (148 samples) recognised three distinct hydrochemical regimes. Cluster 1 is moderately mineralized, especially with regard to chloride, nitrate and sulphate, cluster 2 has a low mineralization with all elements well within the recommended drinking water limits of South Africa and cluster 3 represents highly mineralized samples taken in the vicinity of decanting mineshafts. The cluster solution is confirmed by a simple mixing model, indicating varying contributions of three identified end members (acid mine drainage, treated sewage effluents and pristine dolomitic groundwater) to the groundwater quality in the catchment. The combination of statistical, geochemical and spatial methods in conjunction with end-member mixing analysis provides a reliable method to understand the processes responsible for the groundwater quality variations and to assist in the identification of anthropogenic impacts.     

Renovation of a failed constructed wetland treating acid mine drainage

 Acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandoned underground mines significantly impairs water quality in the Jones Branch watershed in McCreary Co., Kentucky, USA. A 1022-m² surface-flow wetland was constructed in 1989 to reduce the AMD effects, however, the system failed after six months due to insufficient utilization of the treatment area, inadequate alkalinity production and metal overloading. In an attempt to improve treatment efficiencies, a renovation project was designed incorporating two anoxic limestone drains (ALDs) and a series of anaerobic subsurface drains that promote vertical flow of mine water through a successive alkalinity producing system (SAPS) of limestone beds overlain by organic compost. Analytical results from the 19-month post-renovation period are very encouraging. Mean iron concentrations have decreased from 787 to 39 mg l^–1, pH increased from 3.38 to 6.46 and acidity has been reduced from 2244 to 199 mg l^–1 (CaCO₃ equivalent). Mass removal rates averaged 98% for Al, 95% for Fe, 94% for acidity, 55% for sulfate and 49% for Mn during the study period. The results indicate that increased alkalinity production from limestone dissolution and longer residence time have contributed to sufficient buffering and metal retention. The combination of ALDs and SAPS technologies used in the renovation and the sequence in which they were implemented within the wetland system proved to be an adequate and very promising design for the treatment of this and other sources of high metal load AMD. Received: 29 June 1998 · Accepted: 15 September 1998     

Iron isotopes in acid mine waters and iron-rich solids from the Tinto–Odiel Basin (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Southwest Spain)

The isotopic composition of Fe was determined in water, Fe-oxides and sulfides from the Tinto and Odiel Basins (South West Spain). As a consequence of sulfide oxidation in mine tailings both rivers are acidic (1.45 < pH < 3.85) and display high concentrations of dissolved Fe (up to 420 mmol l^− 1) and sulphates (up to 1190 mmol l^− 1).The δ⁵⁶Fe of pyrite-rich samples from the Rio Tinto and from the Tharsis mine ranged from − 0.56 ± 0.08‰ to + 0.25 ± 0.1‰. δ⁵⁶Fe values for Fe-oxides precipitates that currently form in the riverbed varied from − 1.98 ± 0.10‰ to 1.57 ± 0.08‰. Comparatively narrower ranges of values (− 0.18 ± 0.08‰ and + 0.21 ± 0.14‰) were observed in their fossil analogues from the Pliocene–Pleistocene and in samples from the Gossan (the oxidized layer that formed through exposure to oxygen of the massive sulfide deposits) (− 0.36 ± 0.12‰ to 0.82 ± 0.07‰). In water, δ⁵⁶Fe values ranged from − 1.76 ± 0.10‰ to + 0.43 ± 0.05‰.At the source of the Tinto River, fractionation between aqueous Fe(III) and pyrite from the tailings was less than would be expected from a simple pyrite oxidation process. Similarly, the isotopic composition of Gossan oxides and that of pyrite was different from what would be expected from pyrite oxidation. In rivers, the precipitation of Fe-oxides (mainly jarosite and schwertmannite and lesser amounts of goethite) from water containing mainly (more than 99%) Fe(III) with concentrations up to 372 mmol l^− 1 causes variable fractionation between the solid and the aqueous phase (− 0.98‰ < Δ⁵⁶Fe_{solid–water} < 2.25‰). The significant magnitude of the positive fractionation factor observed in several Fe(III) dominated water may be related to the precipitation of Fe(III) sulphates containing phases.     

吉林省非金属矿资源的分布及合理开发

本文座非金属矿的成矿地质环境简述了非金属矿产与岩浆建造，沉积建造，变质建筑及其亚建造的生成关系。     

Cyanobacterial mineralisation of posnjakite (Cu4(SO4)(OH)6·H2O) in Cu-rich acid mine drainage at Yanqul,northern Oman

This is the first detailed account of the copper sulfate posnjakite (Cu₄(SO₄)(OH)₆·H₂O) coating cm-long filaments of a microbial consortium of four cyanobacteria and Herminiimonas arsenicoxydans. It was first observed on immersed plant leaves and stalks in a quarry sump of the abandoned Yanqul gold mine in the northern region of Oman; rock surfaces in the immediate vicinity show no immediate evidence of posnjakite. However, a thin unstructured layer without filaments but also containing the brightly coloured turquoise posnjakite covers ferruginous muds in the sump. Although copper is a potent bactericide, the microbes seem to survive even at the extreme heavy metal concentrations that commonly develop in the sump during the dry season (Cu²⁺ ≈ 2300 ppm; Zn²⁺ = 750 ppm; Fe²⁺ ≈ 120 ppm; Ni²⁺ = 37 ppm; Cr_total = 2.5 ppm; Cl⁻ = 8250 ppm; and SO₄²⁻ = 12,250 ppm; pH ∼2.6), thus leading to the precipitation of posnjakite over a large range of physicochemical conditions. Upon exposure to the prevailing arid climate, dehydration and carbonation quickly replace posnjakite with brochantite (Cu₄(SO₄)(OH)₆) and malachite (Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂). To characterise and understand the geochemical conditions in which posnjakite precipitates from undersaturated fluids (according to our thermodynamic modelling of the dominant elements), waters from rainy and dry periods were analysed together with various precipitates and compared with the observed field occurrences. The findings imply that posnjakite should not form in the examined environment through purely inorganic mechanisms and its origin must, therefore, be linked to the encountered microbial activities.     

A pilot-scale field experiment for the microbial neutralization of a holomictic acidic pit lake

A strategy to neutralize acidic pit lakes was tested in an upscaling process using field mesocosms of 26 to ca. 4500 m³ volume in the acidic pit Mining Lake 111 in Germany. After addition of the substrates Carbokalk and straw a neutral sediment layer formed, in which microbial sulfate and iron reduction as well as sulfide precipitation occurred. The net rate of neutralization was limited by the precipitation of iron sulfides rather than by microbial reactions. Oxidation of H₂S by ferric iron in the anoxic sediment lowered the net sulfate reduction rate. Seasonal fluctuations of iron sulfides in the sediment showed that the reaction products were not necessarily stable. The long-term success of the approach depends on the net partition of the precipitated iron-(mono-/di-) sulfide that is permanently buried in the anoxic sediment. It could be shown by field experiments that the long-term success of the neutralization depends on the spatial scale and duration of the experiments. Volumes from 26 to 4500 m³, exposition times from 4 months to 5 years, and increasingly thick coverings of the sediments with straw, from zero to 40 cm, were used. Net neutralization rates decreased from 41 meq m^− 2 d^− 1 in laboratory microcosms to a mean rate of 2.3 meq m^− 2 d^− 1 in the 4500 m³ field experiment. The results show that the success of the microbial treatment of acid pit lakes lastly depends on the limnological conditions in the lake that cannot be simulated by upscaling of simple laboratory experiments.     

Geochemical modeling of coal mine drainage, Summit County, Ohio

 Geochemical modeling was used to investigate downstream changes in coal mine drainage at Silver Creek Metro-park, Summit County, Ohio. A simple mixing model identified the components that are undergoing conservative transport (Cl^–, PO₄ ^3–, Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Na⁺) and those undergoing reactive transport (DO, HCO₃ ^–, SO₄ ^2–, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Si). Fe²⁺ is removed by precipitation of amorphous iron-hydroxide. Mn²⁺ are removed along with Fe²⁺ by adsorption onto surfaces of iron-hydroxides. DO increases downstream due to absorption from the atmosphere. The HCO₃ ^– concentration increases downstream as a result of oxidation of organic material. The rate of Fe²⁺ removal from the mine drainage was estimated from the linear relationship between Fe⁺² concentration and downstream distance to be 0.126 mg/s. Results of this study can be used to improve the design of aerobic wetlands used to treat acid mine drainage. Received: 4 June 1996 · Accepted: 17 September 1996     

Supergene processes on ore deposits—a source of heavy metals

The study of supergene processes (i.e., secondary processes running in ore deposits and driven by thermodynamic nonequilibrium between ore-and rock-forming minerals and natural waters, gasses, etc.) is important in order to understand the migration of heavy metals from ore into their adjacent surroundings. The contamination of the local environment can be characterized by the composition of pore waters. The Pb-Zn-Cu ore deposits of Zlaté Hory (Czech Republic) have been chosen for a detailed study of pore solutions. A simple model has been created to describe the evolution of supergene processes in the ore deposits. This model is based on the determination of chemical composition of pore solutions. The dilution of pore solutions of such mineral deposits results in acid mine drainage. Pore solutions can have, during specific stages of their evolution, relatively high concentrations of Cu (0.09 mol/kg), Zn (0.1 mol/kg), SO₄ (0.8 mol/kg) and an extremely low pH (1.38). The supergene alteration of pyrite is the most important process determining the character of pore water. This reaction causes significant acidification and is a leading source of acid mine drainage. The leached zone originates from the interaction of pyrite and limonite. Increased concentrations of heavy metals and sulfates occur in pore waters. The dynamic composition of pore waters within ore deposits undergoing the supergene process can be used to distinguish: (1) three main zoneslimonite, transition, and primary zone and (2) two areas—an area with the highest intensity of weathering processes and an area of weathering initiation. In these areas the rate of sulfide oxidation is higher as a result of low pH. From the study of these zones and areas we can further our knowledge of ore body, pore solution, acid mine drainage, and contamination of the local environment.