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Zhang T, Wu Z, Ge L, Shang J, Huang Y, Liu Y, Huang L. Acidithiobacillus species mediated mineral weathering promotes lead immobilization in ferric-silica microstructures at sulfidic tailings. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 358:124492. [PMID: 38960117 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Immobilization and stabilization of heavy metals (HMs) in sulfidic and metallic tailings are critical to long-term pollution control and sustainable ecological rehabilitation. This study aims to unravel immobilization mechanisms of Pb (Ⅱ) in the neoformed hardpan structure resulting from Acidithiobacillus spp. accelerated bioweathering of sulfides in the presence of silicates. It was found that the bioweathered mineral composite exhibited an elevated Pb (Ⅱ) adsorption capacity compared to that of natural weathered mineral composite. A suit of microspectroscopic techniques such as synchrotron-based X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) indicated that secondary Fe-bearing minerals, functional groups, and surface properties in the neoformed hardpan were key factors contributing to Pb (Ⅱ) adsorption and immobilization in ferric-silica microstructures. The underlying mechanisms might involve surface adsorption-complexation, dissolution-precipitation, electrostatic attraction, and ion exchange. Microbial communities within the muscovite groups undergoing bioweathering processes demonstrated distinctive survival strategies and community composition under the prevailing geochemical conditions. This proof of concept regarding Pb (Ⅱ) immobilization in microbial transformed mineral composite would provide the basis for scaling up trials for developing field-feasible methodology to management HMs pollution in sulfidic and metallic tailings in near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingrui Zhang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Zeqi Wu
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Liqiang Ge
- National Research Center for Geoanalysis, Beijing, 100037, PR China
| | - Jianying Shang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Yuanfang Huang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Yunjia Liu
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China; Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
| | - Longbin Huang
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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Liu Y, Wu Z, Zhang T, Zhao J, Shen C, Tang H, Shang J, Huang Y, Huang L. Acidithiobacillus species drive the formation of ferric-silica cemented microstructure: Insights into early hardpan development for mine site rehabilitation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169163. [PMID: 38072279 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023]
Abstract
Hardpan-based profiles naturally formed under semi-arid climatic conditions have substantial potential in rehabilitating sulfidic tailings, resulting from their aggregation microstructure regulated by Fe-Si cements. Nevertheless, eco-engineered approaches for accelerating the formation of complex cementation structure remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate the microbial functions of extremophiles on mineral dissolution, oxidation, and aggregation (cementation) through a microcosm experiment containing pyrites and polysilicates, of which are dominant components in typical sulfidic tailings. Microspectroscopic analysis revealed that pyrite was rapidly dissolved and massive microbial corrosion pits were displayed on pyrite surfaces. Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy demonstrated that approximately 30 % pyrites were oxidized to jarosite-like (ca. 14 %) and ferrihydrite-like minerals (ca. 16 %) in talc group, leading to the formation of secondary Fe precipitates. The Si ions co-dissolved from polysilicates may be embedded into secondary Fe precipitates, while these clustered Fe-Si precipitates displayed distinct morphology (e.g., "circular" shaped in the talc group, "fine-grained" shaped in the chlorite group, and "donut" shaped in the muscovite group). Moreover, the precipitates could join together and act as cementing agents aggregating mineral particles together, forming macroaggregates in talc and chlorite groups. The present findings revealed critical microbial functions on accelerating mineral dissolution, oxidation, and aggregation of pyrite and various silicates, which provided the eco-engineered feasibility of hardpan-based technology for mine site rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjia Liu
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China; Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zeqi Wu
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Tingrui Zhang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Jiachen Zhao
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Chongyang Shen
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Huaizhi Tang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Jianying Shang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Yuanfang Huang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China.
| | - Longbin Huang
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Chen T, Wen X, Zhou J, Lu Z, Li X, Yan B. A critical review on the migration and transformation processes of heavy metal contamination in lead-zinc tailings of China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 338:122667. [PMID: 37783414 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The health risks of lead-zinc (Pb-Zn) tailings from heavy metal (HMs) contamination have been gaining increasing public concern. The dispersal of HMs from tailings poses a substantial threat to ecosystems. Therefore, studying the mechanisms of migration and transformation of HMs in Pb-Zn tailings has significant ecological and environmental significance. Initially, this study encapsulated the distribution and contamination status of Pb-Zn tailings in China. Subsequently, we comprehensively scrutinized the mechanisms governing the migration and transformation of HMs in the Pb-Zn tailings from a geochemical perspective. This examination reveals the intricate interplay between various biotic and abiotic constituents, including environmental factors (EFs), characteristic minerals, organic flotation reagents (OFRs), and microorganisms within Pb-Zn tailings interact through a series of physical, chemical, and biological processes, leading to the formation of complexes, chelates, and aggregates involving HMs and OFRs. These interactions ultimately influence the migration and transformation of HMs. Finally, we provide an overview of contaminant migration prediction and ecological remediation in Pb-Zn tailings. In this systematic review, we identify several forthcoming research imperatives and methodologies. Specifically, understanding the dynamic mechanisms underlying the migration and transformation of HMs is challenging. These challenges encompass an exploration of the weathering processes of characteristic minerals and their interactions with HMs, the complex interplay between HMs and OFRs in Pb-Zn tailings, the effects of microbial community succession during the storage and remediation of Pb-Zn tailings, and the importance of utilizing process-based models in predicting the fate of HMs, and the potential for microbial remediation of tailings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Xiaocui Wen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xueying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Bo Yan
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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Sapkota B, Verbuyst B, Bain J, Ptacek C, Blowes D, Al T. Geochemical and mineralogical investigation of cemented crusts in the tailings cover at Long Lake Gold Mine, Sudbury, Canada. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 451:131192. [PMID: 36921421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In mine tailings, precipitation of secondary minerals may cement the tailings material and form cemented crusts or hardpans. Hardpans typically form beneath the surface of reactive tailings. However, at the former Long Lake Gold Mine near Sudbury, Ontario, cemented crusts formed in a clean sand cover above the tailings. We applied mineralogical and geochemical techniques to investigate the formation of these cemented crusts. Representative samples were collected from the sand cover and vertical cores from the underlying tailings. Elevated concentrations of arsenic (As), iron (Fe), and sulfur (S) in the sand cover indicate the upward transport of sulfide-mineral oxidation products. The shallow porewater of the tailings is acidic (pH 4 - 6) and contains elevated concentrations of As (up to 346 mg/L), Fe (up to 1844 mg/L), and SO4 (up to 12,000 mg/L). Mineralogical observations indicate that primary sulfide minerals in the near-surface tailings display moderate to strong oxidation, and secondary Fe-arsenate and jarosite minerals are formed both in the near-surface tailings and the sand cover. Upward migration of sulfide-mineral oxidation products leads to the formation of cemented crusts, which with continuing erosion, represent a long-term source of pollution to the surrounding environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birendra Sapkota
- University of Ottawa, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 150 Louis-Pasteur Private, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Brent Verbuyst
- University of Waterloo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 200 University Avenue West, N2L 3G1 Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Jeff Bain
- University of Waterloo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 200 University Avenue West, N2L 3G1 Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Carol Ptacek
- University of Waterloo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 200 University Avenue West, N2L 3G1 Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - David Blowes
- University of Waterloo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 200 University Avenue West, N2L 3G1 Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Tom Al
- University of Ottawa, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 150 Louis-Pasteur Private, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Chen T, Wen XC, Zhang LJ, Tu SC, Zhang JH, Sun RN, Yan B. The geochemical and mineralogical controls on the release characteristics of potentially toxic elements from lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120328. [PMID: 36202267 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Large quantities of lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings were deposited at tailings impoundments without proper management, which have posed considerable risks to the local ecosystem and residents in mining areas worldwide. Therefore, the geochemical behaviors of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in tailings were in-depth investigated in this study by a coupled use of batch kinetic tests, statistical analysis and mineralogical characterization. The results indicated that among these studied PTEs, Cd concentration fluctuated within a wide range of 0.83-6.91 mg/kg, and showed the highest spatial heterogeneity. The mean Cd concentrations generally increased with depth. Cd were mainly partitioned in the exchangeable and carbonate fractions. The release potential of PTEs from tailings was ranged as: Cd > Mn > Zn > Pb > As, Cd > Pb > Zn > Mn > As and Cd > Pb > Mn > Zn > As, respectively, under the assumed environmental scenarios, i.e. acid rain, vegetation restoration, human gastrointestinal digestion. The results from mineralogical characterization indicated that quartz, sericite, calcite and pyrite were typical minerals, cumulatively accounting for over 80% of the tailings. Sulfides (arsenopyrite, galena, and sphalerite), carbonates (calcite, dolomite, cerussite and kutnahorite), oxides (limonite) were identified as the most relevant PTEs-bearing phases, which significantly contributed to PTEs release from tailings. A combined result of statistical, geochemical and mineralogical approaches would be provided valuable information for the alteration characteristics and contaminant release of Pb/Zn mine tailings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Cui Wen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Li-Juan Zhang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shu-Cheng Tu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jun-Hao Zhang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ruo-Nan Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, 77005, USA
| | - Bo Yan
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Nguyen TAH, Liu Y, Wu S, Huang L. Unravelling in-situ hardpan properties and functions in capping sulfidic Cu-Pb-Zn tailings and forming a duplex soil system cover. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 425:127943. [PMID: 34894505 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Developing alternative approaches to cap and rehabilitate the large areas of tailings landscapes is critical for sustainable development of mining industry. This study revealed the potential of an in-situ hardpan-based duplex soil system as an un-conventional approach to rehabilitate sulfidic Cu-Pb-Zn tailings. Under a shallow silicious soil cover, a massive and consistent hardpan horizon had been formed in-situ at the surface layer of tailings across the trial area, which physically separated root zones (i.e., silica soil cover) from the un-weathered tailings underneath, prevented capillary enrichment of acidity and soluble solutes into the root zones, and sustained native plant growth for more than a decade. Precipitation of Si-rich ferric complexes were attributed to the stabilisation/solidification of the sulfidic tailing. The hardpan layer possesses a highly compacted texture, a low-percolating pore network, and extreme resistance to water movement in the hardpan horizon. Further, the hardpans directly interfacing with plant roots in the soil cover were geochemically stabilised and attenuated, with very low levels of soluble metal(loid)s and a circumneutral pH condition. This case study would serve as a good incentive to develop bio-chemical engineering methodology building on current knowledge for achieving sustainable rehabilitation of sulfidic and metallic tailings in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan A H Nguyen
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia.
| | - Yunjia Liu
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Songlin Wu
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Longbin Huang
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia.
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Francischini DS, Arruda MA. When a picture is worth a thousand words: Molecular and elemental imaging applied to environmental analysis – A review. Microchem J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2021.106526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Liu Y, Wu S, Southam G, Chan TS, Lu YR, Paterson DJ, Huang L. Bioaugmentation with Acidithiobacillus species accelerates mineral weathering and formation of secondary mineral cements for hardpan development in sulfidic Pb-Zn tailings. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 411:124988. [PMID: 33472156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The development of hardpan caps has great potential in rehabilitating sulfidic and metallic tailings, which may be accelerated by using exogenous Acidithiobacillus species. The present study aims to establish a bioaugmentation process with exogenous Acidithiobacillus species for accelerating the weathering of sulfidic minerals and formation of secondary mineral gels as precursors for hardpan structure development in a microcosm experiment. Exogenous Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans (ATCC 19377) and A. ferrooxidans (DSM 14882) were inoculated in a sulfidic Pb-Zn tailing containing negligible indigenous Acidithiobacillus species for accelerating the weathering of pyrite and metal sulfides. Microspectroscopic analysis revealed that the weathering of pyrite and biotite-like minerals was rapidly accelerated by exogenous Acidithiobacillus species, leading to the formation of secondary jarosite-like mineral gels and cemented profile in the tailings. Meanwhile, approximately 28% Zn liberated from Zn-rich minerals undergoing weathering was observed to be re-immobilized by Fe-rich secondary minerals such as jarosite-like mineral. Moreover, Pb-bearing minerals mostly remained undissolved, but approximately 30% Pb was immobilized by secondary Fe-rich minerals. The present findings revealed the critical role of exogenous Acidithiobacillus species in accelerating the precursory process of mineral weathering and secondary mineral formation for hardpan structure development in sulfidic Pb-Zn tailings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjia Liu
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Songlin Wu
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Gordon Southam
- School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Ting-Shan Chan
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Centre, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 30078, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Rui Lu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Centre, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 30078, Taiwan
| | | | - Longbin Huang
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
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