Abstract:The impact of past mining activities on the quality of groundwater and surface water has been investigated in the mining district of La Carolina (southern Spain, province of Jaén), a region characterised by the presence of mineralisations of Pb-Ag, Cu and Fe sulphides and Ba sulphates. The chemistry of waters from flooded galleries, shafts and drainage adits has been compared with that of surface waters in the same area. Generally, waters present neutral pH, since carbonates neutralise the acidity produced by … Show more
“…It is not possible to identify clear links between the degree of groundwater transformation caused by mining activity and concentrations of these elements. Elevated concentrations of iron manganese, nickel, arsenic, and other metals in both groundwater and surface water in the areas of Zn-Pb ore mining are reported in numerous studies (e.g., Cidu et al 2001 ; Aykol et al 2003 ; Sainz et al 2004 ; Lee et al 2005 ; Hidalgo et al 2010 ; Sracek et al 2012 ; Bauerek et al 2013 ). Fig.…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 95%
“…It could be observed that TDS values significantly increased to a few or several grams per liter, while the hydro-chemical type had changed from Ca-Mg-HCO 3 to Ca-Mg-SO 4 and Mg-Ca-SO 4 to Mg-SO 4 . It is a typical phenomenon, commonly occurring in such conditions (Hermann and Neumann-Mahlkau 1985 ; Lee et al 2001 ; Cidu et al 2007 ; Hidalgo et al 2010 ).…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Infiltrating water contained elements present in sulfides of iron, zinc, and lead as well. The concentration of the latter depended on their mobility and solubility of secondary minerals of these microelements in the geochemical environment reach in carbonate rocks (Hermann and Neumann-Mahlkau 1985 ; Hidalgo et al 2010 ; Pavoni et al 2018 ). Therefore, the highest concentrations were found for zinc (up to 69.8 mg/L) and iron (up to 40.7 mg/L).…”
The extensive mining of Zn-Pb ores in the Olkusz region resulted in significant changes of both water table level and chemical composition of water in all aquifers in the area. This was caused by intensive dewatering of mining excavations and development of a thick aeration zone reaching 150 m in a central part of the area. That created favorable conditions for oxidation of metal sulfides occurring in the ore-bearing dolomites (Middle Triassic) and started the process of forming readily soluble hydroxysulphates which then migrated to lower aquifers, including the Permian. As a result of those processes, various metals and other elements toxic to the water environment appeared in leaks observed in mine galleries. Changes in concentrations of selected elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ba, Ni, Co, As, Cr, Hg, Tl, Ag, Cd, B) in mine waters over the period of the last nearly 50 years were described. Water samples were collected from exploratory boreholes, piezometers, and wells located in investigated area inflows and seepages occurring in shafts and drifts excavated in Permian conglomerates. Mean concentrations of metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg, Tl) and other toxic elements were surprisingly low; Pb, 3.94 μg/L; Cd, 0.2 μg/L; Cr, up to 2.26 μg/L; Hg, 0.25 μg/L; Tl, 3.59 μg/L; and As, 6.31 μg/L. However, the observed concentrations varied significantly over time, reaching respectively up to 190 μg Pb/L, 60 μg Cd/L, 15.6 μg Cr/L, 2.67 μg Hg/L, 81.3 μg Tl/L, and 155 μg As/L.
“…It is not possible to identify clear links between the degree of groundwater transformation caused by mining activity and concentrations of these elements. Elevated concentrations of iron manganese, nickel, arsenic, and other metals in both groundwater and surface water in the areas of Zn-Pb ore mining are reported in numerous studies (e.g., Cidu et al 2001 ; Aykol et al 2003 ; Sainz et al 2004 ; Lee et al 2005 ; Hidalgo et al 2010 ; Sracek et al 2012 ; Bauerek et al 2013 ). Fig.…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 95%
“…It could be observed that TDS values significantly increased to a few or several grams per liter, while the hydro-chemical type had changed from Ca-Mg-HCO 3 to Ca-Mg-SO 4 and Mg-Ca-SO 4 to Mg-SO 4 . It is a typical phenomenon, commonly occurring in such conditions (Hermann and Neumann-Mahlkau 1985 ; Lee et al 2001 ; Cidu et al 2007 ; Hidalgo et al 2010 ).…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Infiltrating water contained elements present in sulfides of iron, zinc, and lead as well. The concentration of the latter depended on their mobility and solubility of secondary minerals of these microelements in the geochemical environment reach in carbonate rocks (Hermann and Neumann-Mahlkau 1985 ; Hidalgo et al 2010 ; Pavoni et al 2018 ). Therefore, the highest concentrations were found for zinc (up to 69.8 mg/L) and iron (up to 40.7 mg/L).…”
The extensive mining of Zn-Pb ores in the Olkusz region resulted in significant changes of both water table level and chemical composition of water in all aquifers in the area. This was caused by intensive dewatering of mining excavations and development of a thick aeration zone reaching 150 m in a central part of the area. That created favorable conditions for oxidation of metal sulfides occurring in the ore-bearing dolomites (Middle Triassic) and started the process of forming readily soluble hydroxysulphates which then migrated to lower aquifers, including the Permian. As a result of those processes, various metals and other elements toxic to the water environment appeared in leaks observed in mine galleries. Changes in concentrations of selected elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ba, Ni, Co, As, Cr, Hg, Tl, Ag, Cd, B) in mine waters over the period of the last nearly 50 years were described. Water samples were collected from exploratory boreholes, piezometers, and wells located in investigated area inflows and seepages occurring in shafts and drifts excavated in Permian conglomerates. Mean concentrations of metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg, Tl) and other toxic elements were surprisingly low; Pb, 3.94 μg/L; Cd, 0.2 μg/L; Cr, up to 2.26 μg/L; Hg, 0.25 μg/L; Tl, 3.59 μg/L; and As, 6.31 μg/L. However, the observed concentrations varied significantly over time, reaching respectively up to 190 μg Pb/L, 60 μg Cd/L, 15.6 μg Cr/L, 2.67 μg Hg/L, 81.3 μg Tl/L, and 155 μg As/L.
“…Both human activity and the wind are important contributors to the transport of the metals on suspended particles originating in soil and dust, from open mining pits and/or mine tailings, further away from the mining area (18). Climate conditions also, play a role in the transfer of metals from the deposits zone in the mining areas to the soil in the surroundings, as does the carbonate content of the geologic substrate in the deposits zone, which can influence the acid pH created by the sulfide oxidation processes, thus influencing the mobilization of metals (2,19). Other elements that might affect the metal contamination extent into the residential areas near the mining sites, are the geochemical particularities and the degree of tailings mineralization (20).…”
AbstractHard-rock mining for metals, such as gold, silver, copper, zinc, iron and others, is recognized to have a significant impact on the environmental media, soil and water, in particular. Toxic contaminants released from mine waste to surface water and groundwater is the primary concern, but human exposure to soil contaminants either directly, via inhalation of airborne dust particles, or indirectly, via food chain (ingestion of animal products and/or vegetables grown in contaminated areas), is also, significant. In this research, we analyzed data collected in 2007, as part of a larger environmental study performed in the Rosia Montana area in Transylvania, to provide the Romanian governmental authorities with data on the levels of metal contamination in environmental media from this historical mining area. The data were also considered in policy decision to address mining-related environmental concerns in the area. We examined soil and water data collected from residential areas near the mining sites to determine relationships among metals analyzed in these different environmental media, using the correlation procedure in the SAS statistical software. Results for residential soil and water analysis indicate that the average values for arsenic (As) (85 mg/kg), cadmium (Cd) (3.2 mg/kg), mercury (Hg) (2.3 mg/kg) and lead (Pb) (92 mg/kg) exceeded the Romanian regulatory exposure levels [the intervention thresholds for residential soil in case of As (25 mg/kg) and Hg (2 mg/kg), and the alert thresholds in case of Pb (50 mg/kg) and Cd (3 mg/kg)]. Average metal concentrations in drinking water did not exceed the maximum contaminant level (MCL) imposed by the Romanian legislation, but high metal concentrations were found in surface water from Rosia creek, downstream from the former mining area.
“…These brackish waters gave rise to the formation of precipitates and salt crusts on the surrounding soils, mainly constituted by Ca-Na sulfates and carbonates, together with Na arsenates [36]. Downstream, the water (Ch-3 and Ch-6) was predominantly of the Ca bicarbonate type, with low mineralisation, similar to that of other channels in this mining district [9,57,58]. However, the water in the headwater reach of the creek (Ch-1, Figure 6) was of the Na bicarbonate type, clearly reflecting the mixing between weakly mineralised natural water and the leachates from the smelter.…”
The abandoned mining district of Linares (South Spain) is marked with waste from the mining and the processing of metal ores that pose an environmental hazard to watercourses. A combined analysis of waste, sediments and water was carried out to analyse the impact of a smelter on Baños Creek. The composition of the facility waste was determined using X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The total contents of the metal(loid)s in the waters and sediments of the watercourse were analysed, and sequential metal(loid) extraction of solid samples was carried out. The facility wastes consisted mainly of secondary minerals, such as natropharmacosiderite and spertiniite, as well as rare metal salts, such as mopungite and NaPb2(CO3)2(OH). The leachates generated by these wastes were highly alkaline, with a pH of 10 and a total dissolved solids concentration of approximately 9 g L−1. This Na-bicarbonate-type water had an As concentration above 200 mg L−1 and elevated levels of Pb, Sb and Zn (5029 µg L−1, 841 µg L−1 and 525 µg L−1, respectively). This highly contaminated lixiviate had a significant effect on the chemical quality of the waters and the bioavailability of metal(loid)s in the creek sediments, especially in the headwaters. In this zone, the As, Pb, Sb and Zn concentrations in the most mobile fraction of the sediments reached 1035 mg kg−1, 261 mg kg−1, 45 mg kg−1 and 30 mg kg−1, respectively. By comparison, smelter slag and mining waste have a much lower impact on the waters and the mobile fraction of the sediments, while significantly increasing the total concentration of these potentially toxic elements in creek sediments.
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