Water–Rock Interaction and Geochemical Processes in Surface Waters Influenced by Tailings Impoundments: Impact and Threats to the Ecosystems and Human Health in Rural Communities (Panasqueira Mine, Central Portugal)

Candeias, Carla; Ávila, Paula Freire; Silva, Eduardo Ferreira da; Ferreira, Adelaide; Durães, Nuno; Teixeira, João Paulo

doi:10.1007/s11270-014-2255-8

Cited by 36 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…The chemical forms of heavy metals in soils directly influence their bioavailability and toxicity (Violante et al 2010;Candeias et al 2015). Trace metals can be transported in the secondary geological environment by different chemical mechanisms (Akai and Anawar 2013;Candeias et al 2015 in organic compounds or metallic oxyhydroxides, for which chemical changes are required before they are released and (c) in the crystal structure of some minerals, where they are generally unavailable for the ecosystems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Trace metals can be transported in the secondary geological environment by different chemical mechanisms (Akai and Anawar 2013;Candeias et al 2015 in organic compounds or metallic oxyhydroxides, for which chemical changes are required before they are released and (c) in the crystal structure of some minerals, where they are generally unavailable for the ecosystems. Iron and Mn oxyhydroxides can be important skins of heavy metals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of metal pollution in a former mining area in the NW Tunisia: spatial distribution and fraction of Cd, Pb and Zn in soil

Othmani

Souissi²,

Durães

et al. 2015

Environ Monit Assess

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This study aims to evaluate the impact of the former mining Touiref district (NW Tunisia) on the spatial distribution of metal contamination. In order to characterize the metal content of the tailings and to assess how far the soils from the district could be impacted by metals, a sampling campaign was conducted. According to the spatial distribution concentration maps of potential toxic elements (PTE), the highest concentrations occur near the flotation tailings and in mining facilities and decrease abruptly with distance. These results confirm that wind is the main agent capable of dispersing metals in a W-E direction, with concentrations exceeding the standards of soil quality for Cd, Pb and Zn over several hundred metres away from the source, facilitated by the small-size fraction and low cohesion of tailings particles. Chemical fractionation showed that Pb and Cd were mainly associated with the acid-soluble fraction (carbonates) and Fe-(oxy) hydroxides, while Zn was mainly associated with Fe-(oxy) hydroxides but also with sulphides. Thus, the immobilization of metals in solution may be favoured by the alkaline conditions, promoted by carbonates dissolution. However, being carbonate important-bearing phases of Cd and Pb (but also for Zn), the dissolution facility of these minerals may enhance the release of metals, particularly far away from the mine where the physicochemical conditions can be different. Also, the metal uptake by plants in these alkaline conditions may be favoured, especially if secondary phases with high sorption ability are reduced at this site. A remediation plan to this area is needed, with particularly attention in the confinement of the tailings.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of metal pollution in a former mining area in the NW Tunisia: spatial distribution and fraction of Cd, Pb and Zn in soil

Othmani

Souissi²,

Durães

et al. 2015

Environ Monit Assess

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“…The relationship between metals in tailings and the surrounding environment and properties of tailings/soil/water have also been widely explored [17,18]. The chemical speciation of metals is also a good indicator for assessing their potential mobility, availability, and toxicity [19,20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speciation, Fate and Transport, and Ecological Risks of Cu, Pb, and Zn in Tailings from Huogeqi Copper Mine, Inner Mongolia, China

Chen

Lü

et al. 2018

Journal of Chemistry

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Tailings collected from the tailing reservoir at Huogeqi Copper Mine, located in Inner Mongolia, China, were used in a leachate study to evaluate the acid potential, neutralization potential, and possibility for producing acid mine drainage (AMD) from the site. The speciation of Cu, Pb, and Zn contained in the tailings was also determined during the leachate study to further access the potential migration abilities of these metals. The results showed that the tailings did not produce significant AMD as the pH of the leachate ranged from 7 to 9 and decreased with time. The Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations were high, ranging from 439.1 to 4527 mg/kg in the tailings and from 0.162 to 7.964 mg/L in the leachate, respectively. Concentrations of metals in the leachate and tailings were positively correlated. Over 60% of the Cu in the tailing samples existed in an oxidizable form. Most of the Pb also existed in its oxidized form, as did the silicate and Zn. Metals usually have higher mobility in their exchangeable and oxidizable forms and as such represent a higher potential risk to the environment. Results of risk assessment code also revealed that metals in tailings exerted medium to high risks to the environment.

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“…Within mining affected areas, tailings formed from mine spoil accumulation are considered to be the 'worst case scenarios', being one of the most important sources of contamination [3,4]. Mine tailings usually present very unfavourable conditions for plant growth (such as high level of TEs, acidic pH, elevated salinity, low content in organic matter (OM) and nutrients, poor structure, etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), and their surfaces are highly exposed to wind erosion, water run-off and leaching [5]. This potential spread of contamination is especially relevant in tailings derived from metal sulphides minerals, where oxidation or hydrolysis processes produce acidic sulphate-rich drainage containing high concentrations of dissolved and available metals [5,4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alleviation of environmental risks associated with severely contaminated mine tailings using amendments: Modeling of trace element speciation, solubility, and plant accumulation

Pardo

Bes²,

Bernal³

et al. 2016

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Tailings are considered one of the most relevant sources of contamination associated with mining activities. Phytostabilization of mine spoils may need the application of the adequate combination of amendments to facilitate plant establishment and reduce their environmental impact. Two pot experiments were set up to assess the capability of 2 inorganic materials (calcium carbonate and a red mud derivate, ViroBind ), alone or in combination with organic amendments, for the stabilization of highly acidic trace element-contaminated mine tailings using Atriplex halimus. The effects of the treatments on tailings and porewater physico-chemical properties and trace-element accumulation by the plants, as well as the processes governing trace elements speciation and solubility in soil solution and their bioavailability were modeled. The application of the amendments increased tailings pH and decreased (>99%) trace elements solubility in porewater, but also changed the speciation of soluble Cd, Cu, and Pb. All the treatments made A. halimus growth in the tailings possible; organic amendments increased plant biomass and nutritional status, and reduced trace-element accumulation in the plants. Tailings amendments modified trace-element speciation in porewater (favoring the formation of chlorides and/or organo-metallic forms) and their solubility and plant uptake, which were found to be mainly governed by tailing/porewater pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon content, as well as soluble/available trace-element concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2874-2884. © 2016 SETAC.

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Water–Rock Interaction and Geochemical Processes in Surface Waters Influenced by Tailings Impoundments: Impact and Threats to the Ecosystems and Human Health in Rural Communities (Panasqueira Mine, Central Portugal)

Cited by 36 publications

References 72 publications

Assessment of metal pollution in a former mining area in the NW Tunisia: spatial distribution and fraction of Cd, Pb and Zn in soil

Assessment of metal pollution in a former mining area in the NW Tunisia: spatial distribution and fraction of Cd, Pb and Zn in soil

Speciation, Fate and Transport, and Ecological Risks of Cu, Pb, and Zn in Tailings from Huogeqi Copper Mine, Inner Mongolia, China

Alleviation of environmental risks associated with severely contaminated mine tailings using amendments: Modeling of trace element speciation, solubility, and plant accumulation

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