δ34S and δ18O of sulfates and Zn/Cd ratios reveal the cause of soil and groundwater contamination in metalliferous mining areas

Kim, Duk-Min; Oh, Youn Soo; Lee, Jin-Soo

doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.106437

Cited by 20 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Coal mining activities have become another factor in the increased sulfate load in groundwater. The potential sources of SO 4 2− in coal mining areas include natural sources, such as the dissolution of gypsum, oxidation of sulfides (pyrite) and atmospheric precipitation [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], and anthropogenic sources, such as discharges of domestic and industrial wastewaters, the use of agricultural fertilizers, and coal mining activities [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Increases in the SO 4 2− concentrations of mining-affected ecosystems can have negative environmental impacts, including acidification and the release of heavy metals and methyl mercury into aquatic systems [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracing Sulfate Source and Transformation in the Groundwater of the Linhuan Coal Mining Area, Huaibei Coalfield, China

Cheng

Jiang

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Mining activities cause surface sulfate enrichment, which has negative impacts on human health and ecosystems. These high concentrations of sulfate may enter groundwater through the unsaturated zone (UZ), threatening groundwater quality. Therefore, we combined hydrochemical and dual isotopic analyses of sulfate in surface water, soil water and groundwater with evaluations of the UZ to identify the groundwater sulfate source and transformation in the coal mining area. Soil profile samples were collected near gangue heaps (UZ−1, UZ−2) and the mean sulfate concentrations of the UZ−1 profile and UZ−2 profile were 35.4 mg/L and 69.63 mg/L, respectively. The shallow groundwater sulfate was mainly from dissolution of evaporite, sulfide oxidation and sewage. Different sulfate contaminated areas showed different characteristics of sulfate sources. The sulfate source to groundwater near the coal gangue heaps was sulfide oxidation. The groundwater sulfate near the gangue heaps and industrial park compound contamination area was mainly derived from industrial and domestic sewage and sulfide oxidation. In addition, the role of bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) in the groundwater was not obvious. This research result is of great significance for promoting the safe mining of coal resources and sustainable utilization of groundwater in the Huaibei coal mining area and other coal mining areas in China.

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