Particle-size dependence on metal(loid) distributions in mine wastes: Implications for water contamination and human exposure

Kim, C.S.; Wilson, Ken; Rytuba, James J.

doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.01.007

Cited by 39 publications

(28 citation statements)

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“…Arsenic strongly shows and iron generally shows an inverse relationship between particle size and concentration; as discussed in an earlier companion Table 1 for a description of the particle size ranges corresponding to each size fraction. 11 this trend is consistent with the elements occurring in a relatively insoluble phase(s) that persists during the chemical weathering and breakdown of material relative to the other matrix phases present. If the element-bearing phase(s) additionally exhibits a low mineralogical hardness, physical weathering processes can further concentrate that element into progressively finer grain size fractions, as has been postulated for mercury in mine wastes.…”

Section: ■ Results and Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…11 and the μXRF maps from this study confirm that the size fractions consist primarily of particles in their expected size ranges and not of multiparticle aggregates or particles considerably smaller than the size range, which might result from inadequate sieving.…”

Section: ■ Results and Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…This trend was rarely observed among many samples investigated, but may be indicative of the presence of two separate phases with opposing concentration trends; i.e., one phase may display an inverse relationship, while the other may display a direct relationship between particle size and element concentration. 11 Among all three samples, however, the correlation between arsenic and iron is very strong (r ranges from 0.901 to 0.987), further supporting chemical association(s) between the two.…”

Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

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(Micro)spectroscopic Analyses of Particle Size Dependence on Arsenic Distribution and Speciation in Mine Wastes

Kim

Chi²,

Miller³

et al. 2013

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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The chemical speciation and distribution of potentially toxic metal(loid)s in mine wastes is critical to assessing the risks posed by these wastes and predicting the potential bioavailability of the metal(loid)s present. Of additional potential importance is the role of particle size in the fate, transport, and toxicity of contaminated mining materials. Spectroscopic analyses of size-separated mine tailings and adjacent background samples from the Randsburg Historic Mining District, California were conducted to quantify the speciation and distribution of arsenic (As) as a function of particle size. Micro-X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) mapping of separate size fractions was used to identify multiple populations of particles with different As:Fe ratios, indicating a variety of distinct arsenic-bearing species. Bulk extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy identified phases including arseniosiderite, Ca2Fe3(3+)(AsO4)3O3·3H2O, and As(V) sorbed to iron hydroxides (ferrihydrite, goethite), confirming a strong statistical correlation between arsenic and iron observed in both μXRF studies and bulk chemical analyses. Differences in As speciation between the mine tailings and background samples also suggest that weathering of crystalline As-bearing phases in tailings leads to sorption of dissolved arsenic to iron hydroxides in nontailings background material.

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Section: ■ Results and Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: ■ Results and Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

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(Micro)spectroscopic Analyses of Particle Size Dependence on Arsenic Distribution and Speciation in Mine Wastes

Kim

Chi²,

Miller³

et al. 2013

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…En la actualidad, es alarmante el incremento de la explotación minera, ya que esta hace uso de grandes cantidades de agua para el procesamiento de los minerales, lo cual genera efluentes cargados en metales y sólidos, influyendo negativamente en el sano desarrollo de las comunidades aledañas a estos procesos (Kim et al, 2011;Ji et al, 2013). Las enfermedades diarreicas son la segunda mayor causa de muerte de niños menores de 5 años, ocasionando alrededor de 1.5 millones de muertes de infantes cada año.…”

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Tratamiento Fisicoquímico de las Aguas Residuales Generadas en el Proceso de Beneficio de Arcillas y Alternativas de Uso de los Lodos Generados en el Proceso

et al. 2014

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“…Mining operations associated with an opencut coal mining operation in India, for example, generate 9.4 t of dust per day [16]. Active and abandoned mine tailings, mine sites and processing facilities also represent important sources of dust [17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

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confidence: 99%

Health Effects Associated with Inhalation of Airborne Arsenic Arising from Mining Operations

et al. 2014

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Arsenic in dust and aerosol generated by mining, mineral processing and metallurgical extraction industries, is a serious threat to human populations throughout the world. Major sources of contamination include smelting operations, coal combustion, hard rock mining, as well as their associated waste products, including fly ash, mine wastes and tailings. The number of uncontained arsenic-rich mine waste sites throughout the world is of growing concern, as is the number of people at risk of exposure. Inhalation exposures to arsenic-bearing dusts and aerosol, in both occupational and environmental settings, have been definitively linked to increased systemic uptake, as well as carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health outcomes. It is therefore becoming increasingly important to identify human populations and sensitive sub-populations at risk of exposure, and to better understand the modes of action for pulmonary arsenic toxicity and carcinogenesis. In this paper we explore the contribution of smelting, coal combustion, hard rock mining and their associated waste products to atmospheric arsenic. We also report on the current understanding of the health effects of inhaled arsenic, citing results from various toxicological, biomedical and epidemiological studies. This review is particularly aimed at OPEN ACCESSGeosciences 2014, 4 129 those researchers engaged in the distinct, but complementary areas of arsenic research within the multidisciplinary field of medical geology.Arsenic is the 20th most abundant element in the earth's crust and may be released into the atmosphere as a result of natural processes and anthropogenic activities [1]. Environmental arsenic is released via chemical and physical weathering processes, biological activity and volcanic emissions, while anthropogenic sources include mining, metal smelting and burning of coal. Annual global arsenic emissions are estimated to be 24,000 t [2], with around 60% originating from copper smelting and coal combustion alone [3]. In some urban and highly industrialized areas, less than 2% of the atmospheric arsenic inputs originate from natural sources [3].Emissions of arsenic-bearing particulate matter (PM) are of particular concern for human populations living in proximity to an emission source. Arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds are classified as Group 1 carcinogens and are associated with cancers of the lung, bladder, kidney, skin, liver and prostate [2]. It should be noted that within the general population, inhalation is only considered a minor exposure pathway for inorganic arsenic compounds, and ingestion is considered the primary exposure pathway [2]. However, populations living in the vicinity of an arsenic emission source have an increased risk of additional exposure through inhalation of arsenic-contaminated particulates [4][5][6][7][8][9].Despite their substantial contribution to global atmospheric arsenic species, mining operations play an understudied role in the generation of contaminated dust and aerosols [10]. To identify some of the emerging ...

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Particle-size dependence on metal(loid) distributions in mine wastes: Implications for water contamination and human exposure

Cited by 39 publications

References 26 publications

(Micro)spectroscopic Analyses of Particle Size Dependence on Arsenic Distribution and Speciation in Mine Wastes

(Micro)spectroscopic Analyses of Particle Size Dependence on Arsenic Distribution and Speciation in Mine Wastes

Tratamiento Fisicoquímico de las Aguas Residuales Generadas en el Proceso de Beneficio de Arcillas y Alternativas de Uso de los Lodos Generados en el Proceso

Health Effects Associated with Inhalation of Airborne Arsenic Arising from Mining Operations

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