Evaluation of water quality in surface water and shallow groundwater: a case study of a rare earth mining area in southern Jiangxi Province, China

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of surface water and shallow groundwater near a rare earth mining area in southern Jiangxi Province, China. Water samples from paddy fields, ponds, streams, wells, and springs were collected and analyzed. The results showed that water bodies were characterized by low pH and high concentrations of total nitrogen (total N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4 (+)-N), manganese (Mn), and rare earth elements (REEs), which was likely due to residual chemicals in the soil after mining activity. A comparison with the surface water standard (State Environmental Protection Administration & General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China GB3838, 2002) and drinking water sanitary standard (Ministry of Health & National Standardization Management Committee of China GB5749, 2006) of China revealed that 88 % of pond and stream water samples investigated were unsuitable for agricultural use and aquaculture water supply, and 50 % of well and spring water samples were unsuitable for drinking water. Moreover, significant cerium (Ce) negative and heavy REEs enrichment was observed after the data were normalized to the Post-Archean Australian Shales (PAAS). Principal component analysis indicated that the mining activity had a more significant impact on local water quality than terrace field farming and poultry breeding activities. Moreover, greater risk of water pollution and adverse effects on local residents' health was observed with closer proximity to mining sites. Overall, these findings indicate that effective measures to prevent contamination of surrounding water bodies from the effects of mining activity are needed.

Responses of Anammox Granular Sludge to Long-Term Rare Earth Element Feeding: Lanthanum as a Case

“…Ion-adsorption rare earth deposits, as a primary type of rare earth elements (REEs, see Nomenclatures) reserves, can be readily exchanged by ammonium via an in-situ leaching process [1]. The use of a large amount of ammonium-containing eluent led to excessive ammonium (NH 4 + ), nitrite (NO 2 − ), and nitrate (NO 3 − ) released to the watershed nearby [2]. Several cases of aqueous ammonium exceeding 150 mg L −1 and nitrate of 90-468 mg L −1 were documented in neighboring areas to REEs mines practiced with in situ leaching [3,4].…”

“…In fact, the REEs have become the dominant metallic pollutant in the waters in proximity to many REEs mining areas [6]. Reportedly, the contents of REEs in streams close to REEs mines were even above 20 mg L −1 due to a poor recovery rate of REEs from leachate [2,12]. At such high concentrations, REEs could affect the growth, transformation, and gene expression of many types of microorganisms [13,14].…”

Method for calculating the groundwater inflow into pit when mining the placer deposits by dredger

“…The authors provide a list of technological schemes that can be used in the development of placer deposits. However, when selecting mining equipment for placer deposits, the authors proposed to use a criterion for water availability on the surface of the deposit [20,21]. Only in this case they recommend the use of hydromechanical equipment.…”

Study on the Physicochemical and Chemical Parameters of Drinking and Surface Waters from Mine Area at Village Bov, Balkan Mountain, Bulgaria

“…Many similar studies [11][12][13][14][15][16] in which the element concentration, mainly of heavy metals are examined, it have, but the authors cannot find studies in which the hydrological regime to be taken into account.…”