Effects of Manganese Mining on Water Quality in the Caucasus Mountains, Republic of Georgia

One of the world’s richest manganese (Mn) deposits and largest Mn mining areas lies in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, near the city of Chiatura in the Republic of Georgia. This study was an initial evaluation of the effects of Mn mining on water quality in the Chiatura region. Seven river and stream locations (three on the Kvirila River and four on tributaries), five untreated drinking water supplies (four springs and one groundwater well), and one untreated industrial wastewater discharge (Mn processing) were sampled and analyzed for field indicator parameters, anions, cations, and metals. Five river bed sediment sites (co-located with river water sites) were also sampled and analyzed for metals. Three of the public water supplies were contaminated by coliform bacteria, and concentrations of dissolved Mn, Fe, and Ni exceeded Georgian drinking water criteria in the groundwater supply well. The Kvirila River had very high concentrations of total Mn and Fe relative to an upstream location, especially downstream of the industrial discharges. Several tributaries also had elevated concentrations due to nonpoint source pollution from mine waste near the streams. Mn and Fe loads in the Kvirila River and tributaries were primarily in the particulate form. The river bed sediments at all five sampled river sites contained elevated metal concentrations. Mn and Ni, in particular, were very high in the Kvirila River near the discharges compared to background soil levels. Although Mn and Fe oxide solids in sediment can increase adsorption and attenuation of other metals from the water column, the contaminated sediments can also serve as a long-term residual source of metal contamination of river water, with potentially significant adverse ecological and human health effects.     

多介质环境重金属污染调查评价——以某典型铅冶炼地块为例

以湖北某典型铅冶炼地块为研究对象,对地块内土壤、地下水、废水、地表水、废渣、建筑物等多介质环境进行污染调查,通过地质勘察、样品采集与分析等手段揭示了该地块多介质环境重金属污染的空间分布与污染成因。结果表明,研究地块表层土壤样品Cd和Pb酸浸出浓度超标,表层土壤具有危险废物特性。土壤铅污染主要集中在表层,最大超标深度为1 m, Cd相对于Pb更容易向土壤下层运移,最大超标深度为6.5 m,深层土壤超标区域主要集中在水渣堆场、除尘区、地下烟道区;地下水Cd的点位超标率为50%;沟渠积水和水池废水中Cd含量超《污水综合排放标准》(GB 8978—1996)第一类污染物最高容许排放浓度;除尘区建筑地坪、烟道壁、烟道灰和部分遗留废渣Cd或Pb的酸浸出液超标。该地块内Cd随地表径流迁移至周边环境,可能造成土壤和地表水二次污染,具有较大的环境风险。     

Pollution of Water and Stream Sediments Associated with the Vale De Abrutiga Uranium Mine,Central Portugal

Abstract.   The Vale de Abrutiga uranium deposit, located in Central Portugal near the Aguieira dam reservoir, was surface mined. Low-grade ore and waste rock were deposited on permeable ground, close to the mine, and were not revegetated. A lake has formed in the open pit. Surface waters draining the mine site are acidic, have high conductivity, and high concentrations of U, SO42-, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ra, Cu, Th, and Pb. The groundwater and the water from the reservoir cannot be used for human consumption or irrigation. The sampled waters show higher contaminant concentrations in winter than in summer. Stream sediments have high geoaccumulation indices for U, Fe, Ag, Zn, Cr, Co, and Pb. In general, sediments bordering the dam reservoir have higher metal contents in winter than in summer.     

Factors Controlling the Migration of Tailings-Derived Arsenic: A Case Study at the Yara Siilinjärvi Site

The behaviour of arsenic (As) derived from tailings was investigated at the Yara Siilinjärvi apatite mine and industrial site in eastern Finland. The study assessed factors influencing the migration and fate of As and compared the anthropogenic As load to the natural geogenic background. Environmental risks related to As were assessed by examining the As concentrations in humus, glacial till, aquatic sediments, groundwater, and surface water. The occurrence and fractionation of As and the presence of secondary precipitates and geochemical transformations in the tailings and in the ambient soil and sediment were evaluated by selective extraction. The water-derived emissions were evaluated by field measurements, hydrogeochemical analysis, and modelling. Results indicate elevated environmental risks due to dust and seepage emissions from the tailings since the concentrations and mobility of As and other potentially harmful elements (PHEs) such as Co, Ni, and Zn were elevated relative to the geogenic background. These elements were mainly associated with Fe (oxy)hydroxides in the soil and their mobility was closely linked to Fe biogeochemistry. Additionally, although the concentrations of As and PHEs were high in the tailings pond and seepage water, they decreased in ambient groundwater and surface water, indicating Fe (oxy)hydroxide stability. This was supported by hydrogeochemical modelling, which indicated precipitation of Fe oxides and hydroxides. According to speciation modelling, As was present mainly as toxic trivalent arsenious acid (H₃AsO₃) in groundwater and as the less toxic pentavalent As acid (H₂AsO₄ ^? and HAsO₄ ^2?) in surface water.     

雅安某废弃铅锌矿及周边区域土壤和地下水环境风险分析

为探究某废弃铅锌矿山及周边区域土壤和地下水的环境风险。以矿山历史开采区内及周边土壤、矿山上下游地下水中的砷、汞、镍、镉、铬、铜、铅、锌重金属为研究对象,采用单因子污染指数法及潜在生态风险评价等方法对重金属含量进行评价。结果表明,土壤受到明显污染,砷、镉、铅、锌污染较严重,主要超标原因可能为矿山开采过程中历史上环境措施不到位,且区域本底值较高。地下水含量未超标。废弃矿山生态风险存在,建议废弃矿山应尽快进行治理修复,地下水应做好长期监测。为废弃矿山后续的治理修复提供理论依据。     

某焦化生产场地典型污染物的垂向分布特征

在西南某焦化场地采集了18个土壤剖面样和1个表层样,利用GC-MS等对土壤中的总氰化物、重金属、总石油烃和多环芳烃进行了定量分析,并研究了其在0~1 m深土壤剖面中的垂向分布特征。结果表明：① 在预计可能存在污染的推焦线路附近,焦油回收点、机械化澄清槽和硫铵、粗苯生产设施附近以及焦油车间沥青传送带附近土壤中,污染物均有超标;② 与对照点G20的土壤背景值相比,该焦化厂区域表层土壤中总氰化物、重金属、总石油烃和PAHs均有检出,且超过A级检测标准,说明焦化厂表层土壤已受到污染;③ 该焦化厂生产中废水、废气及废渣的长期渗漏、沉降和淋溶造成了0.5~1.0 m土壤的污染;④ 该焦化厂区域的土壤中总氰化物、总石油烃、总PAHs和苯并\[a\]芘的污染较严重,且部分样点底层（1.0 m）土壤中的浓度较高,说明在深层土壤可能存在更严重的污染。因此该区域土地在重新开发规划其他用途时,需要考虑土壤修复的深度以及地下水的修复。     

Contemporary sources and levels of heavy metal contamination in urban soil of Broken Hill,Australia after ad hoc land remediation

This study used GIS-based and multivariate statistical approach to identify sources of Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in urban soil surrounding a large Pb-Zn-Ag orebody. The results show that Mn-Pb-Zn-rich dust originating from the orebody and associated mining works has acted as an important contaminating source of topsoil metals. In contrast, Cr and Ni appear to be sourced naturally from weathering of parent materials. The calculation of contamination indices reflects a high level of Pb and Zn contamination in topsoil near the orebody and a moderate level of Mn contamination, while topsoil contamination with Cr and Ni is negligible.     

峰峰矿区主要矿山环境地质问题及防治对策

峰峰矿区矿产资源丰富,长期的大规模开采产生了一系列的矿山环境地质问题。通过野外调查和统计分析等手段,对峰峰矿区开采引发的主要环境地质问题进行详细分析。结果表明：矿区地面塌陷、地裂缝和崩塌等地质灾害较为严重。并分析了矿区开采引起的地质生态效应,发现矿区存在占用土地资源,开采沉陷破坏土地结构、农田积水,含水层破坏、水土污染等环境地质问题。在此基础上,提出了矿区开采引起的地质灾害防治对策和加强矿区地质生态环境综合治理的建议。     

排土场溶水对地下水污染的分析

为掌握排土场溶水对地下水污染规律,以辽宁省阜新市海州露天矿为研究区域,建立了对流-弥散模型,通过计算机模拟,预测了排土场淋溶水中污染物质浓度的时空变化规律,规律表明,在研究时限内研究区域地下水污染情况明显.     

Heavy Metal Pollution Assessment in Surface Water Bodies and its Suitability for Irrigation around the Neyevli Lignite Mines and Associated Industrial Complex, Tamil Nadu, India

Opencast lignite mines, pit-head thermal power plants, and other associated industries in the Neyveli mining and industrial complex generate huge quantities of solid and liquid wastes that are contaminated with heavy metals. Some of these are toxic or carcinogenic at sufficient concentrations. Copper, Zn, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cd, Cr, Co, Pb, and Hg concentrations in surface water in the study area are from 2 to 1200 times higher than average concentrations in river water worldwide. Heavy metal contamination in the natural reservoirs (Peria, Kolakudi, Walaza, and Perumal Ponds, and the Paravannar River) is mainly due to the discharge of untreated mine water, fly-ash pond water, and effluents from associated industries. These waters have long been used for bathing, washing, animal watering, etc. Untreated mine and industrial waste water, and natural reservoir water have been used by nearby villagers for irrigation for the last four decades, which may have led to deterioration of soils, surface water, and groundwater. Heavy metal analyses of mine water, fly-ash pond and industrial effluents and the natural reservoirs reveals that Co, Cr, and Hg are above the recommended irrigation water quality standards in 17%, 75%, and 100% of the samples, respectively. Most samples were within the permissible limits for Mn, Ni, and Fe, while Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu were within the limits in all samples. At elevated concentrations, toxic metals like Cr, Co, and Hg can accumulate in soils and enter the food chain, leading to serious health hazards and threatening the long-term sustainability of the local ecosystem.     

The Sustainability of Irrigation with Gypsiferous Mine Water and Implications for the Mining Industry in South Africa

The sustainability of irrigation with gypsiferous mine water and different irrigation management practices was evaluated using a milti-disciplinary approach, where crop response was investigated along with the impact on soil and groundwater resources. Field trials carried out at two mines (Landau and Kleinkopje Colliery, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa) indicated that a wide range of species can be cropped for commercial purposes under irrigation with this water. Chemical analyses of groundwater underlying irrigated areas indicated that contamination of groundwater did not occur after three years. The results of a glasshouse trial indicated that the inclusion of NH₄ ⁺ for N-fertilization in a NO₃ ⁻-NH₄ ⁺ ratio of 2:1 to 1:1 is advantageous to root and top growth of wheat. According to simulations run with the Soil Water Balance (SWB) model and the CLIMGEN weather data generator, soil chemical and physical properties will not be irreparably damaged after thirty years of irrigation. Perennial pastures, irrigated at high frequency, provided the highest net farm income and water utilization.     

Metal Loadings and Alkaline Mine Drainage from Active and Abandoned Mines in the Ivo River Basin Area of Southeastern Nigeria

Discharges from 11 active and abandoned mines were investigated in the Lokpaukwu-Ishiagu mining areas of Nigeria. The discharges had very high concentrations of TDS, hardness, chloride, calcium, conductivity, turbidity, and unacceptable levels of some metals. A conservative estimate is that nearly 33 million L of untreated circumneutral-alkaline drainage and effluents find their way into the Ivo River watershed annually, including about 710,000 kg of dissolved solids and 586 kg of potentially toxic metals. These discharges exceed national (FEPA) and international (EU, WHO, and USEPA) permissible standards for domestic water use and discharge into aquatic sources, and national groundwater protection standards for permitted concentrations of toxic substances in industrial effluents. Our study also revealed that wetlands that serve as sinks for this mine drainage become sources of continuous polluted recharge to both surface and groundwater. We recommend that a task force be established to investigate the environmental operations of mining companies in Nigeria, that mine sites be closely monitored by state agencies, and that host communities receive environmental education.     

铜矿尾矿库重金属释放规律及其对地下水的污染风险

金属矿山的尾矿库、排土场由于含有大量的重金属,在长期的风化、淋溶作用下缓慢释放,从而污染土壤与地下水。本文对江西某铜矿排土场、尾矿库、疏干井排水口淤泥进行了取样测试。浸出毒性判别结果表明排土场土壤、尾矿砂及淤泥为不具有浸出毒性的危险废物,但浸出液浓度超过《地下水质量标准》中III类水标准,尤其是铜、铅、镉元素超标严重,对地下水环境构成威胁。重金属释放实验显示,随时间增加重金属释放量也增加,酸性降水条件下重金属释放量明显高于中性条件。因此,为避免土壤及地下水受到污染,应采取控制与修复措施。     

The Chemistry of Waters Associated with Metal Mining in Macedonia

Abstract  Pollution from current and past mining is a significant problem in several parts of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Water from six different mining areas in Macedonia was analysed to assess the effects of metalliferous mining activities. Drainage sediments at all locations show evidence of physical and chemical contamination; water compositions, however, were more variable. Low pH water associated with mining has led to the dissolution of minerals and the mobilization of metals from the ores and the host rocks. Only Sb was noted to exhibit enhanced mobility in higher pH waters. The Zletevo Pb-Zn mine discharges low pH water that has high levels of several metals, including Al, Zn, Cd, and Fe; sediment concentrations are grossly elevated for several km downstream. Toranica and Sasa Pb-Zn mines exhibit similar sediment contamination of Pb, Zn, Cd, and other ore-related metals. However, concentrations of metals in waters are far lower at both of these mines, due to less pyrite in the ore and the buffering of the acid waters by carbonate host lithologies. At the Buchim copper mine, waters are both acidic and high in dissolved solids; Cu concentrations exceed 100 mg/L. Krstov Dol and Alshar are small, disused As-Sb mines that discharge waters that exceed potable values for some contaminants (e. g. As), but this may be related to the mineralization of the bedrock rather than the mines. In general, metal concentrations decreased downstream from the source due to dilution from other rivers and coprecipitation of metals on other mineral phases (e. g. Fe-, Al- and Mn-oxides, and hydroxides).     

Oxidation of pyrite and arsenopyrite in sulphidic spoils in Lavrion

This paper aims to present the aspects of oxidation of pyrite and arsenopyrite in the sulphidic spoils in Lavrion and to assess the environmental impact of this process. Sulphidic spoils, under the combined action of atmospheric oxygen, water and bacteria are oxidised and toxic elements are released and migrate to surrounding areas contributing to widespread soil contamination and severe deterioration in the quality of surface and underground waters. The critical factors which control the generation of acidic waters are availability of oxygen and water, temperature, bacterial activity and rate of oxygen diffusion through the pores in the upper zones of spoils. Special emphasis will be given in the oxidation of sulphidic spoils at Lavrion, Greece, where the generation of acidic waters causes widespread contamination. This study is focused in the first part on the preferential oxidation of arsenopyrite. Flotation products containing pyrite and arsenopyrite were subjected to bacterial leaching tests at 3% w/v pulp density and the degrees of oxidation were calculated and compared to with previous experimental studies. These results provided the basis to assess the behaviour of the above minerals in waste stockpiles. Moreover, and in order to assess the oxidation and precipitation mechanisms, several samples were collected up to a depth of 20 cm from the surface from the same spoils profile, where successive layers of oxidation products were present and characterised chemically and mineralogically. The above information is critically evaluated for the determination of the environmental impact of the oxidation of sulphide phases in spoils.     

基于高分二号卫星影像高潜水位煤矿区沉陷地土壤含水量监测

高潜水位地区煤炭开采破坏导致地表沉陷出现积水和斜坡,沉陷内土壤含水量会分布不均匀,影响农作物的生长,从而严重影响矿区居民的生产和生活。因此大范围快速、精确监测高潜水位地区煤矿开采区的土壤含水量具有重要现实意义。卫星遥感技术可以快速、准确、高效监测矿区土壤含水量。通过遥感手段对高潜水位采煤塌陷地土壤含水量进行监测,探求出一个比较方便、快速、合理监测高潜水位采煤塌陷地土壤含水量分布状况方法,为矿区环境影响评价、农作物估产、破坏等级评价、耕地损害补偿与土地复垦方案的编制提供参考依据。借鉴土壤含水量遥感监测经验,通过野外实地采集土壤样本并测量土壤光谱数据,在室内测量土壤含水量,分析实测地面光谱数据与土壤含水量的变化关系,结合实测的土壤含水量与光谱特征数据,对土壤含水量与实测水体光谱进行相关性分析,得到土壤含水量光谱数据敏感波段范围。结合高分二号卫星影像谱段数据特点,将实测光谱波长按照波段范围划分为与高分二号卫星影像谱段对应的4个波段,即450~520,520~590,630~690,770~890 nm,再取各个波段范围反射率的平均值与土壤含水量光谱反射率进行相关性分析,寻求高分二号卫星影像监测土壤含水量最敏感的波段数据,在确定遥感探测敏感波段的基础上,建立了土壤含水量与光谱反射率的遥感反演模型,即:S曲线模型、逆函数模型,基于预处理的高分二号卫星影像进行沉陷区地土壤含水量遥感反演,从而得到高潜水位采煤塌陷地土壤含水量的空间分布情况。研究结果表明不同土壤含水量的光谱特征基本相似,实测地面光谱数据与土壤含水量的变化关系为土壤光谱反射率随着波长的增长而增大,呈正相关关系;土壤含水量与高分二号卫星影像数据B3波段的反射率具有显著的负相关关系,可将B3波段作为监测土壤含水量最敏感的波段;通过对S曲线模型、逆函数模型进行分析与检验,S曲线模型比逆函数模型更接近实测值;基于高分二号遥感影像,利用S曲线模型进行遥感反演,可以迅速得到高潜水位采煤塌陷地土壤含水量空间等级分布图。     

Effect of groundwater table on the formation of acid sulphate soils

Acid sulphate soils are formed when pyrite within a soil layer is oxidised, generating sulphuric acid. The oxidation of pyrite often results in yellow mottles of jarosite. The pH levels in greatly affected areas are often less than 4.0, and the associated environmental impacts include fish kills, retarded growth of crops and changes in water chemistry. Certain regions of acid sulphate soils along the South Coast of NSW are of much concem, because of limited land available for food production and cash crops. This study quantifies the effect of changes of the groundwater table on the acidity of the coastal flood plain in Berry, located on the Illawarra coastline, New South Wales. Based on several boreholes and drain sites, the existence of jarosite was verified, characterising the study area as a potential acid-sulphate soil region. The field investigation of the study area included the monitoring of groundwater and drain water quality, including the pH and aluminium levels. The study shows convincingly that the increase in groundwater level is effective in preventing adverse pH and aluminium levels.     

Environmental occurrence and impacts of arsenic at gold mining sites in the western United States

Arsenic is a common element in the natural environment and is frequently a significant component in gold deposits of the western United States. Such deposits contain various forms of arsenic: arsenides, sulfides, and sulfosalts. Upon weathering such minerals routinely lower the pH of nearby waters, mobilizing arsenic and other metals. Arsenic may also be mobilized in aqueous environments where cyanide has been used to leach gold ores, resulting in high water pH. Incorrect construction of monitoring wells can result in contamination by cement/grout, which may raise pH causing arsenic concentrations to appear inordinately elevated. Concentrations of arsenic toxic to humans and aquatic life have resulted from mining activities in some instances. Hence, regulatory agencies in the U.S. are requiring gold mining companies to comply with very restrictive arsenic standards. The authors of this paper have been involved on many mining projects, mostly in the Western United States, where elevated arsenic content impacted the development of mineral deposits, or created a potential for environmental problems. Several case histories of the pre-mining arsenic content in surface and ground water on gold mining projects throughout western United States and Alaska are presented. The technical aspects of an elevated arsenic content in surface and ground water, mined areas, and waste disposals are discussed. Potential for arsenic contamination of water resources during and after gold mining operations with cyanide heap leach or other gold recovery methods are also presented. Several recommendations for mine operations of how to deal with the problem of elevated arsenic content in pyritic environments are offered.     

Assessment of Soil and Water Contamination at the Tab-Simco Coal Mine: A Case Study

In 1996, the Tab-Simco site, an abandoned coal mine 10 km southeast of Carbondale, Illinois, was listed as one of the most highly contaminated AMD sites in the mid-continent region. A suite of impacted soil and water samples were collected from various locations to characterize the current extent of AMD pollution, following standard U.S. EPA protocols. The mean pH of soil and water samples were found to be 2.69 and 2.07, respectively. The mean sulfur content of the soil samples was 0.5 %. The AMD-impacted soils contained high concentrations of Fe, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, and As. The AMD also contained high concentrations of Fe, As, Zn, Pb, Cr, Al, Cd, Cu, and Ni, as well as \({\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - }\), all of which were significantly above their U.S. EPA permissible limits for surface water.     

长沙市固体废弃物处理场水文地质及环境效应评价

为了解垃圾填埋场周边地下水环境污染状况,以长沙市固体废弃物处理场周边土壤、地下水及下游水库水质为研究对象,对研究区进行采样分析,采用单因子污染指数法和内梅罗污染综合指数法对该垃圾填埋场周边环境重金属含量特征进行分析与风险评价。结果表明:As、Cr(Ⅵ)、Ni、Pb、Zn、Cu重金属是填埋场周边环境中的主要污染物,区域采样点及下游水库中重金属含量均值低于地下水质量标准Ⅲ类,填埋场区污染状况良好;Cr(Ⅵ)含量在ZK1与R1样品中均高于地下水质量标准Ⅲ类,是填埋场周边地下水的主要风险污染物;ZK1~ZK4中土壤重金属元素以Pb、Cr(Ⅵ)富集为主,其达中度污染程度,应引起重视。