As and S speciation in a submarine sulfide mine tailings deposit and its environmental significance: The study case of Portmán Bay (SE Spain)

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in elemental speciation

“…The resulting mine tailings deposit completely infilled Portman's Bay and extended seawards on the continental shelf, bearing high levels of metals including As. Data obtained from various sources including SR-XAS and XRF core scanner have been reported by Baza-Varas et al 68 and revealed the presence of arsenopyrite (FeAsS), scorodite (FeAsO 4 ·2H 2 O), orpiment (As 2 S 3 ) and realgar (AsS) in the submarine extension of the mine tailings deposit. In addition to arsenopyrite weathering and scorodite formation, the presence of realgar and orpiment was discussed in the paper, considering both potential sourcing from the exploited ores and in situ precipitation from a combination of inorganic and biologically mediated geochemical processes.…”