Characterization and speciation of mercury-bearing mine wastes using X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Geological and anthropogenic factors influencing mercury speciation in mine wastes: an EXAFS spectroscopy study

“…This identification of the relevant Hg species present and the proportions at which they are present in the sample represents the formal, EXAFS-determined Hg speciation of the sample. Application of the EXAFS technique to determine Hg speciation in calibrated mixtures of model Hg compounds (8) and a separate comparison of results from EXAFS spectroscopy and sequential chemical extractions on a selected suite of Hgbearing samples (9) further validated the use of EXAFS spectroscopy for determining Hg speciation in complex samples and better defined its limitations, where fit components should be considered accurate to ±25% of their stated value and fit components comprising less than 10% of a fit should be viewed with caution.…”

Synthesis of current data for Hg in areas of geologic resource extraction contamination and aquatic systems in China

“…The process of Hg-retorting always leads to the accumulation of highly water-soluble secondary Hg phase forms in calcines (Kim et al, 2000). Though MMHg concentrations are much lower compared to those found at other Hg mining areas in the world, such as the McDermitt calcines in Nevada, USA (Gray et al, 2002) and the Almadén calcines in Spain (Gray et al, 2004), the abnormally high concentrations of inorganic Hg may suggest that the calcines act as significant Hg contamination sources to the surrounding ecosystems.…”

Mining Activities and Associated Environmental Impacts in Arid Climates: A Literature Review

“…For example, Hg has been released from historical mill and mine operations to surface waters of the Truckee River and Steamboat Creek systems in Northern Nevada (Bonzongo et al, 1996;Chen et al, 2006). Total Hg and CH 3 Hg + in sediments along these river systems have been studied to determine the distribution in relation to precipitation and aeolian transport (Stamenkovic et al, 2004;Kim et al, 2000;Jonasson & Boyle, 1972). If levels of Hg in a river system do not decrease with distance in channel sediments then this suggests that a constant source of Hg is being mobilized (Stamenkovic et al, 2004).…”

“…Research into Hg speciation in the California Coast Range was undertaken to better understand its mobility in mine waste and how solubility relates to speciation (Kim et al, 2000;Mastrine et al, 1999). However, studies have suggested that Hg and with other anions (i.e.…”