Geochemistry of surface waters around four hard-rock lithium deposits in Central Europe

Toupal, Jonas; Vann, David R.; Zhu, Chen; Gieré, Reto

doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2021.106937

Cited by 12 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Water samples are collected for a variety of studies related to hydrogeochemistry, marine geochemistry, mineral exploration, and the environment [60,61]. Although fresh and saline water are analyzed in different ways, the sample collection protocols are similar for both except for the fact that suspended particles are either filtered (<0.45 µm) or unfiltered depending on the type of investigation.…”

Section: Water Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Data Quality in Geochemical Elemental and Isotopic Analysis

Balaram

Satyanarayanan

2022

Minerals

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Appropriate sampling, sample preparation, choosing the right analytical instrument, analytical methodology, and adopting proper data generation protocols are essential for generating data of the required quality for both basic and applied geochemical research studies. During the last decade, instrumental advancements, in particular further developments in ICP-MS, such as the use of tandem ICP-MS, high-resolution mass spectrometry to resolve several interferences, and the use of the second path with a collision/reaction cell in multi-collector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS) to effectively resolve interferences, have brought in remarkable improvements in accuracy and precision in both elemental and isotopic analyses. The availability of a number of well-characterized geological certified reference samples having both elemental and isotopic data-enabled matrix-matching calibrations and contributed to the quality and traceability of the geochemical data in several cases. There have been some developments in the sample dissolution methods also. A range of quality issues related to sampling, packaging and transport, powdering, dissolution, the application of suitable instrumental analytical techniques, calibration methods, accuracy, and precision are addressed which are helpful in geochemical studies.

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Section: Water Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Data Quality in Geochemical Elemental and Isotopic Analysis

Balaram

Satyanarayanan

2022

Minerals

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“…Open pit mining is usually employed to exploit a near-surface deposit or one that has a low stripping ratio. However, this exploration method has raised concerns about its possible environmental implications, with many people questioning whether mining activities have serious environmental impacts due to the leaching of minerals (Toupal et al, 2022). In nature, soils and rocks undergo changes that take place over thousands of years.…”

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confidence: 99%

Laboratory weathering studies to evaluate the water quality impact of a lithium mining in Portugal

Antão,

Rodrigues,

Rodrigues

et al. 2023

Preprint

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In recent decades, the increasing demand for energy and raw materials in modern societies has led to a significant increase in mining exploration. However, this has also sparked the emergence of movements against mining exploration all over the world, particularly in Europe. During the operation of open pit mines, materials are deposited on the surface and subjected to weathering processes. These processes can create an environmental impact by causing the migration of chemical elements from soils to waters. Given the importance of the theme of water and soil contamination nowadays, it is important to verify the potential environmental impact resulting from open pit mine exploration. Laboratory tests were used to simulate weather conditions due to leaching of soils in a lithiniferous feldspar mine located in the centre of Portugal. Soil samples, resulting from the activity of the C57 mine (Guarda, Portugal) were collected and determined its granulometry. Water samples (surface and underground) were also collected in the area to allow a characterization of the existing waters upstream and downstream of the mining operation. To simulate the soil leaching process, the Soxhlet extractor method was utilized, and spectroscopic methods were used to determine the alkali and alkaline earth metals, as well as the transition and post-transition metals. Upon comparison with the results obtained for surface and groundwater, the findings suggest that there are notable concentrations of certain elements in the weathering solution, throughout the 3,000-hour duration of the laboratory test. This indicates that, for certain chemical elements, particularly aluminium and chromium, there may be some adverse effects on water quality.

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Laboratory weathering studies to evaluate the water quality impact of a lithium mining in Portugal

Antão,

Rodrigues,

Rodrigues

et al. 2024

Environ Earth Sci

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Lithium mining driven by the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries, has environmental consequences linked to soil and water pollution. Nevertheless, research on the environmental impacts of lithium extraction still needs to be improved, highlighting the imperative for additional research. The article addresses the potential impact of the C57 lithiniferous feldspar mine on water quality, specifically focusing on surface, groundwater and spring water samples collected at the mining site and surrounding area in Gonçalo (Guarda, Portugal). The objective is to evaluate the environmental consequences of mining activities, with particular emphasis on mineral leaching. This study aims to evaluate the water quality around the C57 mine and the potential environmental impacts of mining operations. Water samples were collected from different sources, such as surface, underground, and spring waters, and chemical analyses were carried out to determine concentrations of different parameters, which were later compared with national and international reference guidelines. In addition to analysing the water samples, weathering tests were carried out using the Soxhlet extractor method to simulate the leaching of minerals over a shorter period (about 125 days). The concentrations of the analysed elements by atomic absorption spectroscopy (Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the weathering solutions were generally low and decreased throughout the testing period, with significant concentrations of aluminium and chromium exceed Canadian environmental quality guidelines for surface waters. The detected lithium concentrations are quite different, ranging from 8.7 to 19.8 μg/L in surface waters, from 6.9 to 74.1 μg/L in groundwater, and from 25.6 to 35.4 μg/L in spring waters, but are all below the US EPA (2021) recommendations threshold of 0.7 mg/L. Based on the findings, the article concludes that there is currently no clear evidence to indicate the environmental impact of mining activities on water quality in the analysed samples. However, weathering tests suggest potential long-term implications regarding the leaching of specific chemical elements, particularly aluminium and chromium.

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Geochemistry of surface waters around four hard-rock lithium deposits in Central Europe

Cited by 12 publications

References 53 publications

Data Quality in Geochemical Elemental and Isotopic Analysis

Data Quality in Geochemical Elemental and Isotopic Analysis

Laboratory weathering studies to evaluate the water quality impact of a lithium mining in Portugal

Laboratory weathering studies to evaluate the water quality impact of a lithium mining in Portugal

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