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He Y, Luo Y, Wei C, Long L, Wang C, Wu Y. Effects of dissolved organic matter derived from cow manure on heavy metal(loid)s and bacterial community dynamics in mercury-thallium mining waste slag. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:5857-5877. [PMID: 37178440 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01607-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Organic amendments in aided phytostabilization of waste slag containing high levels of heavy metal (loid)s (HMs) are an important way to control the release of HMs in situ. However, the effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) derived from organic amendments on HMs and microbial community dynamics in waste slag are still unclear. Here, the effect of DOM derived from organic amendments (cow manure) on the geochemical behaviour of HMs and the bacterial community dynamics in mercury (Hg)-thallium (Tl) mining waste slag were investigated. The results showed that the Hg-Tl mining waste slag without the addition of DOM continuously decreased the pH and increased the EC, Eh, SO42-, Hg, and Tl levels in the leachate with increasing incubation time. The addition of DOM significantly increased the pH, EC, SO42-, and arsenic (As) levels but decreased the Eh, Hg, and Tl levels. The addition of DOM significantly increased the diversity and richness of the bacterial community. The dominant bacterial phyla (Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Acidobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, and Bacteroidota) and genera (Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Delftia, Sphingomonas, and Enterobacter) were changed in association with increases in DOM content and incubation time. The DOM components in the leachate were humic-like substances (C1 and C2), and the DOC content and maximum fluorescence intensity (FMax) values of C1 and C2 in the leachate decreased and first increased and then decreased with increasing incubation time. The correlations between HMs and DOM and the bacterial community showed that the geochemical behaviours of HMs in Hg-Tl mining waste slag were directly influenced by DOM-mediated properties and indirectly influenced by DOM regulation of bacterial community changes. Overall, these results indicated that DOM properties associated with bacterial community changes increased As mobilization but decreased Hg and Tl mobilization from Hg-Tl mining waste slag.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu He
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Youfa Luo
- Key Laboratory of Kast Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
- Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
- Guizhou Hostile Environment Ecological Restoration Technology Engineering Research Centre, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Chaoxiao Wei
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Licui Long
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Chi Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yonggui Wu
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Guizhou Hostile Environment Ecological Restoration Technology Engineering Research Centre, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
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Current Trends in Metal Biomining with a Focus on Genomics Aspects and Attention to Arsenopyrite Leaching-A Review. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11010186. [PMID: 36677478 PMCID: PMC9864737 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The presented review is based on scientific microbiological articles and patents in the field of biomining valuable metals. The main attention is paid to publications of the last two decades, which illustrate some shifts in objects of interest and modern trends both in general and applied microbiology. The review demonstrates that microbial bioleaching continues to develop actively, despite various problems in its industrial application. The previous classic trends in the microbial bioleaching persist and remain unchanged, including (i) the search for and selection of new effective species and strains and (ii) technical optimization of the bioleaching process. Moreover, new trends were formed during the last decades with an emphasis on the phylogeny of leaching microbiota and on genomes of the leaching microorganisms. This area of genomics provides new, interesting information and forms a basis for the subsequent construction of new leaching strains. For example, this review mentions some changed strains with increased resistance to toxic compounds. Additionally, the review considers some problems of bioleaching valuable metals from toxic arsenopyrite.
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Wu X, Zeng L, Wu S, Qing J, Li Q, Cao Z, Wang M, Zhang G, Guan W. Eco-friendly extraction of arsenic and tungsten from hazardous tungsten residue waste by pressure oxidation leaching in alkaline solutions: Mechanism and kinetic model. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 325:116586. [PMID: 36419310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tungsten residue waste (TRW), considered an environmental burden due to high content and excessive leaching toxicity of arsenic (As), are also secondary tungsten (W) resources. A novel method for simultaneous extraction of arsenic and tungsten from TRW via alkaline pressure oxidative leaching was proposed. The results show that As in the TRW mainly exists in the form of As coprecipitated with Mn(Ⅱ) oxides and FeAsS. In addition, As coprecipitated with Mn(Ⅱ) oxides and W are encapsulated in Fe, Mn oxides. The structure of Fe, Mn oxides with dense surface can be destroyed and the chemically stable arsenopyrite can be efficiently oxidized by oxygen in alkaline solutions. The leaching efficiency of As and S reached 97% and 99% at 80 min, respectively, while that of W reached 82% at 10 min. The leaching rate of As and S is controlled by diffusion with the apparent activation energies of 16.67 kJ/mol and 15.66 kJ/mol, respectively. Compared with TRW, the leaching toxicity of As in the leach residue decreased from 10.2 mg/L to only 0.071 mg/L. The new process suggests new possibilities for removal and recovery of As and W from TRW that will contribute to circular economy and environmental protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinsheng Wu
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Metallurgical Separation Science and Engineering of Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Refractory Non-ferrous Metals Resources, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
| | - Li Zeng
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Metallurgical Separation Science and Engineering of Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Refractory Non-ferrous Metals Resources, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
| | - Shengxi Wu
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Metallurgical Separation Science and Engineering of Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Refractory Non-ferrous Metals Resources, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
| | - Jialin Qing
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Metallurgical Separation Science and Engineering of Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Refractory Non-ferrous Metals Resources, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
| | - Qinggang Li
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Metallurgical Separation Science and Engineering of Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Refractory Non-ferrous Metals Resources, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
| | - Zuoying Cao
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Metallurgical Separation Science and Engineering of Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Refractory Non-ferrous Metals Resources, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Metallurgical Separation Science and Engineering of Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Refractory Non-ferrous Metals Resources, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
| | - Guiqing Zhang
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Metallurgical Separation Science and Engineering of Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Refractory Non-ferrous Metals Resources, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China.
| | - Wenjuan Guan
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Metallurgical Separation Science and Engineering of Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Refractory Non-ferrous Metals Resources, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China.
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Cen L, Cheng H, Liu Q, Wang S, Wang X. Arsenic release from arsenopyrite weathering in acid mine drainage: Kinetics, transformation, and effect of biochar. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 170:107558. [PMID: 36202015 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Arsenopyrite (FeAsS) oxidative dissolution provides an important source for the occurrence of high arsenic in acid mine drainage (AMD). Biochar is a potent material that can dramatically sequestrate an array of heavy metals in water. However, little is known about the role of biochar on the fate of As from arsenopyrite in AMD. This study investigates the effects of biochar concentrations, AMD acidities, and temperatures on the release of As from arsenopyrite in a simulated AMD over a range of environmentally relevant conditions. Results show that biochar inhibits As release and further acidification without changing the arsenopyrite weathering mechanism. Arsenopyrite is first oxidized to Fe(II), As(III) and S0 and ultimately oxidized to Fe(III), As(V) and SO42-, respectively. Higher concentration, temperature or higher acidity promotes the arsenic release rate. Electrochemical studies showed that biochar inhibited As release and acidification for reduced the charge transfer resistance at the double layer and film resistance at the passivation layer, which was mainly attributed to Fe(III) ions in AMD being adsorbed, oxidized, and As complexed to biochar-Fe-As(V). This study reveals the release mechanism of As from arsenopyrite weathering in AMD and suggests the applicability of biochar in mitigating arsenic pollution and further acidification in sulfide mineral mine drainage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Cen
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Hongguang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Qingyou Liu
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Shuai Wang
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Xi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
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5
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Wu X, Qin J, Zhang G, Wu S, Zeng L, Li J, Li Q, Cao Z, Wang M, Guan W. A feasible strategy for deep arsenic removal and efficient tungsten recovery from hazardous tungsten residue waste with the concept of weathering process strengthening. Sep Purif Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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6
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Kuang J, Qi S, Shi C, Qu C. Supergene geochemistry of arsenic and activation mechanism of eucalyptus to arsenic source. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:4017-4029. [PMID: 34812976 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01155-y] [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: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) migration and transformation in the supergene environment and eucalyptus planting have essential effects on ecology or even human health, respectively. However, the combined environmental impact of As migration and transformation and eucalyptus planting has not been studied. Here we report a case of soil As contamination caused by eucalyptus planting and address the fate of As in Longmen county, Guangdong Province, China. We found high As content in weathered arsenopyrite bearing granite or granite-derived soil, where a large area of eucalyptus is planted. The release of organic acids from eucalyptus roots promoted the electrochemical reaction of arsenopyrite to produce AsO33-. In the subsequent supergene migration process, As species change from arsenite to arsenate with the addition of oxygen and the effect of clay minerals, last with As infiltration, precipitation, and enrichment, forming the As contamination in soil. The whole process reveals the activation process of eucalyptus to the As source (arsenopyrite), the migration and transformation process of As in the supergene environment, and the formation mechanism of soil As contamination. This finding provides a new perspective of soil As contamination around arsenopyrite bearing granite of the Nanling area with eucalyptus planting and proposes that the negative effects of Nanling eucalyptus planting may be greater than expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shihua Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Changhe Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Chengkai Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
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7
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Huang Z, Zhang S, Wang H, Liu R, Cheng C, Shuai S, Hu Y, Zeng Y, Yu X, He G, Fu W, Burov VE, Poilov VZ. Recovery of wolframite from tungsten mine tailings by the combination of shaking table and flotation with a novel "crab" structure sebacoyl hydroxamic acid. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 317:115372. [PMID: 35617862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tailings ponds for gangue mineral storage are widely recognized as a dangerous source of toxic minerals and heavy metal-bearing solution. Therefore, recovering valuable minerals and critical elements from tailings is an important means to protect the environment in an economic way. Wolframite tailings usually contain a considerable amount of tungsten resources, but the presence of high content of kaolinite sludge makes it very difficult to recycle wolframite. Herein, a novel sebacoyl hydroxamic acid (SHA) was synthesized and introduced as a novel wolframite collector to effectively utilize wolframite tailings, and its collection performance was compared with that of benzohydroxamic acid (BHA). Micro-flotation tests showed that SHA could still obtain 80% wolframite recovery in the presence of kaolinite slimes. Bench-scale flotation tests indicated that SHA can effectively recover wolframite concentrate with 55.64% WO3 grade and 75.28% WO3 recovery from wolframite tailings by the combined shaking table-flotation process. Polarized light microscope observations showed that SHA could promote the formation of hydrophobic agglomerates of wolframite particles. These results show that SHA can be used as an efficient collector for disposing of wolframite tailings, and provide an important reference for the development of efficient and comprehensive utilization of tailings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Huang
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Mining Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 34100, China.
| | - Shiyong Zhang
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Mining Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 34100, China
| | - Hongling Wang
- Guangdong Institute of Resources Comprehensive Utilization, Guangzhou, 510650, China
| | - Rukuan Liu
- Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha, Hunan, 410004, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Mining Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 34100, China
| | - Shuyi Shuai
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Mining Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 34100, China
| | - Yajing Hu
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Mining Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 34100, China
| | - Yuhui Zeng
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Mining Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 34100, China
| | - Xinyang Yu
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Mining Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 34100, China
| | - Guichun He
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Mining Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 34100, China
| | - Weng Fu
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Vladimir E Burov
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Perm, 614990, Russia
| | - Vladimir Z Poilov
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Perm, 614990, Russia.
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Hong J, Liu L, Zhang Z, Xia X, Yang L, Ning Z, Liu C, Qiu G. Sulfate-accelerated photochemical oxidation of arsenopyrite in acidic systems under oxic conditions: Formation and function of schwertmannite. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 433:128716. [PMID: 35358816 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128716] [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: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The weathering of arsenopyrite is closely related to the generation of acid mine drainage (AMD) and arsenic (As) pollution. Solar radiation can accelerate arsenopyrite oxidation, but little is known about the further effect of SO42- on the photochemical process. Here, the photooxidation of arsenopyrite was investigated in the presence of SO42- in simulated AMD environments, and the effects of SO42- concentration, pH and dissolved oxygen on arsenopyrite oxidation were studied as well. SO42- could accelerate the photooxidation of arsenopyrite and As(III) through complexation between nascent schwertmannite and As(III). Fe(II) released from arsenopyrite was oxidized to form schwertmannite in the presence of SO42-, and the photooxidation of arsenopyrite occurred through the ligand-to-metal charge-transfer process in schwertmannite-As(III) complex along with the formation of reactive oxygen species in the presence of O2. The photooxidation rate of arsenopyrite first rose and then fell with increasing SO42- concentration. In the pH range of 2.0-4.0, the photooxidation rate of arsenopyrite progressively increased in the presence of SO42-. This study reveals how SO42- promotes the photooxidation of arsenopyrite and As release in the AMD environment, and improves the understanding of the transformation and migration of As in mining areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Hong
- Key Laboratory of Fertilization from Agricultural Wastes, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection and Soil Fertilizer, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China; College of Resources and Environment, Interdisciplinary Sciences Institute, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lihu Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Interdisciplinary Sciences Institute, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ziwei Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Interdisciplinary Sciences Institute, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiange Xia
- Key Laboratory of Fertilization from Agricultural Wastes, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection and Soil Fertilizer, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Li Yang
- Key Laboratory of Fertilization from Agricultural Wastes, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection and Soil Fertilizer, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zengping Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Chengshuai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Guohong Qiu
- College of Resources and Environment, Interdisciplinary Sciences Institute, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, China.
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Hong J, Liu L, Ning Z, Liu C, Qiu G. Synergistic oxidation of dissolved As(III) and arsenopyrite in the presence of oxygen: Formation and function of reactive oxygen species. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 202:117416. [PMID: 34284121 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
As an important source of arsenic (As) pollution in mine drainage, arsenopyrite undergoes redox and adsorption reactions with dissolved As, which further affects the fate of As in natural waters. This study investigated the interactions between dissolved As(III) and arsenopyrite and the factors influencing the geochemical behavior of As, including initial As(III) concentration, dissolved oxygen and pH. The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH•) generated from the interaction between Fe(II) on arsenopyrite surface and oxygen were found to facilitate the rapid oxidation of As(III), and the production of As(V) in the reaction system increased with increasing initial As(III) concentration. An increase of pH from 3.0 to 7.0 led to a gradual decrease in the oxidation rate of As(III). At pH 3.0, the presence of As(III) accelerated the oxidation rate of arsenopyrite; while at pH 5.0 and 7.0, As(III) inhibited the oxidative dissolution of arsenopyrite. This work reveals the potential environmental process of the interaction between dissolved As(III) and arsenopyrite, and provides important implications for the prevention and control of As(III) pollution in mine drainage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Hong
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtse River), State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Lihu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtse River), State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Zengping Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550081, China
| | - Chengshuai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550081, China
| | - Guohong Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtse River), State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
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10
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Abstract
The increasing use of tungsten in the production of green energy in the aerospace and military industries, and in many other hi-tech applications, may increase the content of this element in soil. This overview examines some aspects of the behavior of tungsten in soil, such as the importance of characteristics of soils in relation to bioavailability processes, the chemical approaches to evaluate tungsten mobility in the soil environment and the importance of adsorption and desorption processes. Tungsten behavior depends on soil properties of which the most important is soil pH, which determines the solubility and polymerization of tungstate ions and the characteristics of the adsorbing soil surfaces. During the adsorption and desorption of tungsten, iron, and aluminum oxides, and hydroxides play a key role as they are the most important adsorbing surfaces for tungsten. The behavior of tungsten compounds in the soil determines the transfer of this element in plants and therefore in the food chain. Despite the growing importance of tungsten in everyday life, environmental regulations concerning soil do not take this element into consideration. The purpose of this review is also to provide some basic information that could be useful when considering tungsten in environmental legislation.
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Wang S, Zheng K, Li H, Feng X, Wang L, Liu Q. Arsenopyrite weathering in acidic water: Humic acid affection and arsenic transformation. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 194:116917. [PMID: 33609907 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.116917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Arsenopyrite is a common metal sulfide mineral and weathers readily in the open environment, releases As, and pollutes the surrounding environment. Humic acid (HA) is ubiquitous in soils, sediments and waters, and contains various functional groups and complex with arsenic, iron and other metal ions that affect the weathering behavior of arsenopyrite. Because As, iron, and HA are redox-active compounds, electrochemical techniques, including polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV), were used to fundamentally investigate the weathering process and mechanism of arsenopyrite over a wide range of environmental relevant conditions. Polarization curves showed higher HA concentrations (0-1000 mg•L-1), higher temperatures (5-35°C) or acidities (pH 1.0-7.0) promoted arsenopyrite weathering; there was a linear relationship between the corrosion current density (icorr), temperature (T) and acidity (pH): icorr = -3691.2/T + 13.942 and icorr = -0.2445pH + 2.2125, respectively. Arsenopyrite weathering readily occurred in the presence of HA as confirmed by its activation energy of 24.1 kJ•mol-1, and EIS measurements confirmed that the kinetics were controlled by surface reaction as confirmed by decreased double layer resistance. CV and surface characterization (FTIR and XPS) showed that arsenopyrite initially oxidized to S0, As(III) and Fe2+, then S0 and Fe2+ were ultimately converted into SO42- and Fe3+, while As(III) oxidized to As(V). Furthermore, the carboxyl (-COOH) and phenolic (-OH) of HA could bind with As(III)/(V) and Fe3+ via a ligand exchange mechanism forming As(III)/(V)-HA and As(III)/(V)-Fe-HA complexes that hinders the formation of FeAsO4 and decreases the bioavailability of As. Findings gained from this study are valuable for the understanding of the fate and transport of As in acidic conditions, and have powerful implications for the remediation and management of As-bearing sites affected by mining activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Kai Zheng
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Heping Li
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xiaonan Feng
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Luying Wang
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Qingyou Liu
- Key Laboratory of High-temperature and High-pressure Study of the Earth's Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
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12
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Abstract
The European Commission (EC) maintains the consideration of tungsten as a critical raw material for the European industry, being the comminution stage of tungsten-bearing minerals an essential step in the tungsten concentration process. Comminution operations involve approximately 3–4% of worldwide energy consumption; therefore, grinding optimization should be a priority. In this study, the grinding behavior of tungsten ore from Barruecopardo Mine (Salamanca, Spain) is analyzed. A protocol based on Austin’s methodology and PBM is developed in order to study the influence of operational and geometallurgical variables on grinding kinetics. In addition to the kinetic parameters, the breakage probability (Si) and breakage function (Bij) is determined. The selection function was formulated for the Barruecopardo Mine with respect to the mill speed.
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Hammond CM, Root RA, Maier RM, Chorover J. Arsenic and iron speciation and mobilization during phytostabilization of pyritic mine tailings. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA 2020; 286:306-323. [PMID: 33071297 PMCID: PMC7556726 DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Particulate and dissolved metal(loid) release from mine tailings is of concern in (semi-) arid environments where tailings can remain barren of vegetation for decades and, therefore, become highly susceptible to dispersion by wind and water. Erosive weathering of metalliferous tailings can lead to arsenic contamination of adjacent ecosystems and increased risk to public health. Management via phytostabilization with the establishment of a vegetative cap using organic amendments to enhance plant growth has been employed to reduce both physical erosion and leaching. However, prior research suggests that addition of organic matter into the oxic weathering zone of sulfide tailings has the potential to promote the mobilization of arsenate. Therefore, the objective of the current work was to assess the impacts of phytostabilization on the molecular-scale mechanisms controlling arsenic speciation and lability. These impacts, which remain poorly understood, limit our ability to mitigate environmental and human health risks. Here we report on subsurface biogeochemical transformations of arsenic and iron from a three-year phytostabilization field study conducted at a Superfund site in Arizona, USA. Legacy pyritic tailings at this site contain up to 3 g kg-1 arsenic originating from arsenopyrite that has undergone oxidation to form arsenate-ferrihydrite complexes in the top 1 m. Tailings were amended in the top 20 cm with 100, 150, or 200 g kg-1 (300-600 T ha-1) of composted organic matter and seeded with native halotolerant plant species. Treatments and an unamended control received irrigation of 360 ± 30 mm y-1 in addition to 250 ± 160 mm y-1 of precipitation. Cores to 1 m depth were collected annually for three years and sectioned into 20 cm increments for analysis by synchrotron iron and arsenic X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) coupled with quantitative wet chemical and mass balance methods. Results revealed that > 80% of arsenic exists in ammonium oxalate-extractable and non-extractable phases, including dominantly ferrihydrite and jarosite. Arsenic release during arsenopyrite oxidation resulted in both downward translocation and As(V) attenuation by stable Fe(III)(oxyhydr)oxide and Fe(III) (hydroxy)sulfate minerals over time, highlighting the need for sampling at multiple depths and time points for accurate interpretation of arsenic speciation, lability, and translocation in weathering profiles. Less than 1% of total arsenic was highly-labile, i.e. water-extractable, from all treatments, depths, and years, and more than 99% of arsenate released by arsenopyrite weathering was attenuated by association with secondary minerals. Although downward translocation of both arsenic and iron was detected during phytostabilization by temporal enrichment analysis, a similar trend was measured for the uncomposted control, indicating that organic amendment associated with phytostabilization practices did not significantly increase arsenic mobilization over non-amended controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corin M. Hammond
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Robert A. Root
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Raina M. Maier
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Jon Chorover
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
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14
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Souza Neto HFD, Pereira WVDS, Dias YN, Souza ESD, Teixeira RA, Lima MWD, Ramos SJ, Amarante CBD, Fernandes AR. Environmental and human health risks of arsenic in gold mining areas in the eastern Amazon. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114969. [PMID: 32559696 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of arsenic (As) levels in gold (Au) mining areas in the Amazon is critical for determining environmental risks and the health of the local population, mainly because this region has the largest mineral potential in Brazil and one of the largest in the world. The objective of this study was to assess the environmental and human health risks of As in tailings from Au exploration in the eastern Amazon. Samples were collected from soils and tailings from different exploration forms from 25 points, and the total concentration, pollution indexes and human health risk were determined. Concentrations of As were very high in all exploration areas, especially in tailings, whose maximum value reached 10,000 mg kg-1, far above the investigation value established by the Brazilian National Council of the Environment, characterizing a polluted area with high environmental risk. Exposure based on the daily intake of As demonstrated a high health risk for children and adults, whose non-carcinogenic risk indexes of 17.8, extremely above the acceptable limit (1.0) established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. High levels of As in reactive fractions in underground, cyanidation, and colluvium mining areas, as well as extremely high gastric and intestinal bioaccessibility were found, suggesting that high levels may be absorbed by the local population. The results show that the study area is highly polluted through Au mining activities, putting the environment and population health at risk, and that there is an urgent need for intervention by the environmental control agencies for remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Silvio Junio Ramos
- Vale Institute of Technology - Sustainable Development, Belém, PA, Brazil
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15
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Park I, Tabelin CB, Seno K, Jeon S, Inano H, Ito M, Hiroyoshi N. Carrier-microencapsulation of arsenopyrite using Al-catecholate complex: nature of oxidation products, effects on anodic and cathodic reactions, and coating stability under simulated weathering conditions. Heliyon 2020; 6:e03189. [PMID: 31956714 PMCID: PMC6961215 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mining activities often generate large amounts of sulfide-rich wastes containing arsenopyrite (FeAsS), which when dissolved releases toxic arsenic (As) and generates acid mine drainage (AMD) that are both disastrous to the environment. To suppress arsenopyrite dissolution, a technique that selectively coats sulfide minerals with a protective layer of Al-oxyhydroxide called Al-based carrier-microencapsulation (CME) was developed. Although a previous study of the authors showed that Al-based CME could significantly limit arsenopyrite dissolution, nature of the coating formed on arsenopyrite, including its electrochemical properties, is still not well understood. Moreover, stability of the coating once exposed to weathering conditions remains unclear. Better understanding of these important issues would greatly improve Al-based CME especially in its application to real mine wastes. In this study, nature of the coating formed by Al-based CME was investigated using SEM-EDX, DRIFTS and XPS while the electrochemical properties of the coating were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Meanwhile, stability of the coating was elucidated using consecutive batch leaching experiments and weathering cell tests. SEM-EDX, DRIFTS and XPS results indicate that the protective coating formed on arsenopyrite by Al-based CME was mainly composed of bayerite (α-Al(OH)3), gibbsite (γ-Al(OH)3), and boehmite (γ-AlO(OH)). These Al-based coatings, which have insulating properties, made arsenopyrite less electrochemically active. The coatings also limited the extent of both the anodic and cathodic half-cell reactions of arsenopyrite oxidation that suppressed As release and acid generation. Weathering cell tests indicated that the oxidation of CME-treated arsenopyrite was effectively limited until about 15 days but after this, it started to gradually progress with time due to the increasing acidity of the system where Al-based coatings became unstable. Nonetheless, CME-treated arsenopyrite was less oxidized based on the released amounts of Fe, As and S suppressed by 80, 60 and 70%, respectively, compared with the one treated with control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilhwan Park
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
- Corresponding author.
| | - Carlito Baltazar Tabelin
- School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Kensuke Seno
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Sanghee Jeon
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Inano
- Hokkaido Research Organization Industrial Research Institute, Sapporo, 060-0819, Japan
| | - Mayumi Ito
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Naoki Hiroyoshi
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
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16
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Murciego A, Álvarez-Ayuso E, Aldana-Martínez SC, Sanz-Arranz A, Medina-García J, Rull-Pérez F, Villar-Alonso P. Characterization of secondary products in arsenopyrite-bearing mine wastes: influence of cementation on arsenic attenuation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 373:425-436. [PMID: 30939425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.03.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The secondary products of an arsenopyrite-bearing mine waste dump were characterized in order to ascertain their mineralogical, chemical and environmental features and to appraise their role in the abatement of As in the environment. To this purpose, representative surface samples of weathered sulfides (including cemented phases) and hardpan samples were collected and studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), polarized light microscopy, electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), micro-Raman spectroscopy and digestion, extraction and leaching methods. Scorodite, amorphous ferric arsenates (AFA), elemental sulfur, hydronium jarosite, goethite, hematite and hydrous ferric oxides were the secondary products identified in the mine wastes. The hardpan was mainly constituted by gangue minerals, including sulfides (arsenopyrite and pyrite/marcasite) with different weathering degrees, cemented by cracked yellow phases corresponding to AFA with Fe/As molar ratios of 1.14-1.85 and elemental sulfur. These cracked compounds were also the binding agent in the other cemented phases. Hydronium jarosite and Fe (oxyhydr)oxides were enriched in As, showing values of 0.19-3.98 and 0.81-7.49 wt.% As2O5, respectively. The As leachability and lability from hardpan and cemented phases were not decreased as compared to those from the other weathered phases not showing cementation in the mine waste dump.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Murciego
- Department of Geology, Salamanca University, Plza. de los Caídos s/n, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - E Álvarez-Ayuso
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry, IRNASA (CSIC), C/ Cordel de Merinas 40-52, 37008, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - S C Aldana-Martínez
- Department of Geology, Salamanca University, Plza. de los Caídos s/n, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - A Sanz-Arranz
- Unidad Asociada UVa-CSIC-Centro de Astrobiología, C/ Francisco Valles 8, Boecillo, Spain
| | - J Medina-García
- Unidad Asociada UVa-CSIC-Centro de Astrobiología, C/ Francisco Valles 8, Boecillo, Spain
| | - F Rull-Pérez
- Unidad Asociada UVa-CSIC-Centro de Astrobiología, C/ Francisco Valles 8, Boecillo, Spain
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17
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Park I, Tabelin CB, Magaribuchi K, Seno K, Ito M, Hiroyoshi N. Suppression of the release of arsenic from arsenopyrite by carrier-microencapsulation using Ti-catechol complex. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2018; 344:322-332. [PMID: 29080485 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Arsenopyrite is the most common arsenic-bearing sulfide mineral in nature, and its weathering contributes to acid mine drainage (AMD) formation and the release of toxic arsenic (As). To mitigate this problem, carrier-microencapsulation (CME) using titanium (Ti)-catechol complex (i.e., Ti-based CME) was investigated to passivate arsenopyrite by forming a protective coating. Ti4+ ion dissolved in sulfuric acid and catechol were used to successfully synthesize Ti(IV) tris-catecholate complex, [Ti(Cat)3]2-, which was stable in the pH range of 5-12. Electrochemical studies on the redox properties of this complex indicate that its oxidative decomposition was a one-step, irreversible process. The leaching of As from arsenopyrite was suppressed by CME treatment using the synthesized Ti-catechol complex. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) indicate that this suppression was primarily due to the formation of an anatase (β-TiO2)-containing coating. Based on these results, a detailed 4-step mechanism to explain the decomposition of [Ti(Cat)3]2- and formation of TiO2 coating in Ti-based CME is proposed: (1) adsorption, (2) partial oxidation-intermediate formation, (3) non electrochemical dissociation, and (4) hydrolysis-precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilhwan Park
- Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Resources Recycling, Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | - Carlito Baltazar Tabelin
- Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Resources Recycling, Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Kagehiro Magaribuchi
- Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Resources Recycling, Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Kensuke Seno
- Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Resources Recycling, Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Mayumi Ito
- Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Resources Recycling, Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Naoki Hiroyoshi
- Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Resources Recycling, Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Japan
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18
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Assawincharoenkij T, Hauzenberger C, Ettinger K, Sutthirat C. Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of waste rocks from a gold mine in northeastern Thailand: application for environmental impact protection. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:3488-3500. [PMID: 29159434 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0731-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Waste rocks from gold mining in northeastern Thailand are classified as sandstone, siltstone, gossan, skarn, skarn-sulfide, massive sulfide, diorite, and limestone/marble. Among these rocks, skarn-sulfide and massive sulfide rocks have the potential to generate acid mine drainage (AMD) because they contain significant amounts of sulfide minerals, i.e., pyrrhotite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, and chalcopyrite. Moreover, both sulfide rocks present high contents of As and Cu, which are caused by the occurrence of arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite, respectively. Another main concern is gossan contents, which are composed of goethite, hydrous ferric oxide (HFO), quartz, gypsum, and oxidized pyroxene. X-ray maps using electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) indicate distribution of some toxic elements in Fe-oxyhydroxide minerals in the gossan waste rock. Arsenic (up to 1.37 wt.%) and copper (up to 0.60 wt.%) are found in goethite, HFO, and along the oxidized rim of pyroxene. Therefore, the gossan rock appears to be a source of As, Cu, and Mn. As a result, massive sulfide, skarn-sulfide, and gossan have the potential to cause environmental impacts, particularly AMD and toxic element contamination. Consequently, the massive sulfide and skarn-sulfide waste rocks should be protected from oxygen and water to avoid an oxidizing environment, whereas the gossan waste rocks should be protected from the formation of AMD to prevent heavy metal contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christoph Hauzenberger
- NAWI Graz Geocenter, Petrology and Geochemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Karl Ettinger
- NAWI Graz Geocenter, Petrology and Geochemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Chakkaphan Sutthirat
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
- Research Program of Toxic Substance Management in the Mining Industry, Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management, Environmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
- Research Unit of Site Remediation on Metals Management from Industry and Mining (Site Rem), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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19
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Kloprogge JT, Wood BJ. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic and Raman microscopic investigation of the variscite group minerals: Variscite, strengite, scorodite and mansfieldite. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2017; 185:163-172. [PMID: 28570987 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2017.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Several structurally related AsO4 and PO4 minerals, were studied with Raman microscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). XPS revealed only Fe, As and O for scorodite. The Fe 2p, As 3d, and O 1s indicated one position for Fe2+, while 2 different environments for O and As were observed. The O 1s at 530.3eV and the As 3d 5/2 at 43.7eV belonged to AsO4, while minor bands for O 1s at 531.3eV and As 3d 5/2 at 44.8eV were due to AsO4 groups exposed on the surface possibly forming OH-groups. Mansfieldite showed, besides Al, As and O, a trace of Co. The PO4 equivalent of mansfieldite is variscite. The change in crystal structure replacing As with P resulted in an increase in the binding energy (BE) of the Al 2p by 2.9eV. The substitution of Fe3+ for Al3+ in the structure of strengite resulted in a Fe 2p at 710.8eV. An increase in the Fe 2p BE of 4.8eV was found between mansfieldite and strengite. The scorodite Raman OH-stretching region showed a sharp band at 3513cm-1 and a broad band around 3082cm-1. The spectrum of mansfieldite was like that of scorodite with a sharp band at 3536cm-1 and broader maxima at 3100cm-1 and 2888cm-1. Substituting Al in the arsenate structure instead of Fe resulted in a shift of the metal-OH-stretching mode by 23cm-1 towards higher wavenumbers due to a slightly longer H-bonding in mansfieldite compared to scorodite. The intense band for scorodite at 805cm-1 was ascribed to the symmetric stretching mode of the AsO4. The medium intensity bands at 890, 869, and 830cm-1 were ascribed to the internal modes. A significant shift towards higher wavenumbers was observed for mansfieldite. The strengite Raman spectrum in the 900-1150cm-1 shows a strong band at 981cm-1 accompanied by a series of less intense bands. The 981cm-1 band was assigned to the PO4 symmetric stretching mode, while the weak band at 1116cm-1 was the corresponding antisymmetric stretching mode. The remaining bands at 1009, 1023 and 1035cm-1 were assigned to υ1(A1) internal modes in analogy to the interpretation of the AsO4 bands for scorodite and mansfieldite. The variscite spectrum showed a shift towards higher wavenumbers in comparison to the strengite spectrum with the strongest band observed at 1030cm-1 and was assigned to the symmetric stretching mode of the PO4, while the corresponding antisymmetric stretching mode was observed at 1080cm-1. Due to the band splitting component bands were observed at 1059, 1046, 1013 and 940cm-1. The AsO4 symmetric bending modes for scorodite were observed at 381 and 337cm-1, while corresponding antisymmetric bending modes occurred at 424, 449 and 484cm-1. Comparison with other arsenate and phosphate minerals showed that both XPS and Raman spectroscopy are fast and non-destructive techniques to identify these minerals based on their differences in chemistry and the arsenate/phosphate vibrational modes due to changes in the symmetry and the unique fingerprint region of the lattice modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Theo Kloprogge
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines.
| | - Barry J Wood
- Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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20
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Wang S, Ma X, Zhang G, Jia Y, Hatada K. New Insight into the Local Structure of Hydrous Ferric Arsenate Using Full-Potential Multiple Scattering Analysis, Density Functional Theory Calculations, and Vibrational Spectroscopy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:12114-12121. [PMID: 27771951 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b02703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Hydrous ferric arsenate (HFA) is an important arsenic-bearing precipitate in the mining-impacted environment and hydrometallurgical tailings. However, there is no agreement on its local atomic structure. The local structure of HFA was reprobed by employing a full-potential multiple scattering (FPMS) analysis, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and vibrational spectroscopy. The FPMS simulations indicated that the coordination number of the As-Fe, Fe-As, or both in HFA was approximately two. The DFT calculations constructed a structure of HFA with the formula of Fe(HAsO4)x(H2AsO4)1-x(OH)y·zH2O. The presence of protonated arsenate in HFA was also evidenced by vibrational spectroscopy. The As and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra of HFA were accurately reproduced by FPMS simulations using the chain structure, which was also a reasonable model for extended X-Ray absorption fine structure fitting. The FPMS refinements indicated that the interatomic Fe-Fe distance was approximately 5.2 Å, consistent with that obtained by Mikutta et al. (Environ. Sci. Technol. 2013, 47 (7), 3122-3131) using wavelet analysis. All of the results suggested that HFA was more likely to occur as a chain with AsO4 tetrahedra and FeO6 octahedra connecting alternately in an isolated bidentate-type fashion. This finding is of significance for understanding the fate of arsenic and the formation of ferric arsenate minerals in an acidic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaofeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Guoqing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yongfeng Jia
- Institute of Environmental Protection, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology , Shenyang 110142, China
| | - Keisuke Hatada
- Département Matériaux Nanosciences, Institut de Physique de Rennes , UMR UR1-CNRS 6251, Université de Rennes 1, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France
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21
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Lara RH, Velázquez LJ, Vazquez-Arenas J, Mallet M, Dossot M, Labastida I, Sosa-Rodríguez FS, Espinosa-Cristóbal LF, Escobedo-Bretado MA, Cruz R. Arsenopyrite weathering under conditions of simulated calcareous soil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:3681-3706. [PMID: 26498805 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5560-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Mining activities release arsenopyrite into calcareous soils where it undergoes weathering generating toxic compounds. The research evaluates the environmental impacts of these processes under semi-alkaline carbonated conditions. Electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, EIS), spectroscopic (Raman, XPS), and microscopic (SEM, AFM, TEM) techniques are combined along with chemical analyses of leachates collected from simulated arsenopyrite weathering to comprehensively examine the interfacial mechanisms. Early oxidation stages enhance mineral reactivity through the formation of surface sulfur phases (e.g., S n (2-)/S(0)) with semiconductor properties, leading to oscillatory mineral reactivity. Subsequent steps entail the generation of intermediate siderite (FeCO3)-like, followed by the formation of low-compact mass sub-micro ferric oxyhydroxides (α, γ-FeOOH) with adsorbed arsenic (mainly As(III), and lower amounts of As(V)). In addition, weathering reactions can be influenced by accessible arsenic resulting in the formation of a symplesite (Fe3(AsO4)3)-like compound which is dependent on the amount of accessible arsenic in the system. It is proposed that arsenic release occurs via diffusion across secondary α, γ-FeOOH structures during arsenopyrite weathering. We suggest weathering mechanisms of arsenopyrite in calcareous soil and environmental implications based on experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- René H Lara
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Av. Veterinaria S/N, Circuito Universitario, Col. Valle del Sur, 34120, Durango, Mexico.
| | - Leticia J Velázquez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Av. Veterinaria S/N, Circuito Universitario, Col. Valle del Sur, 34120, Durango, Mexico
| | - Jorge Vazquez-Arenas
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Iztapalapa, México, DF, 09340, Mexico
| | - Martine Mallet
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement (LCPME), UMR 7564 CNRS-Université de Lorraine, 405 rue de Vandœuvre, F-54600, Villers-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Manuel Dossot
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement (LCPME), UMR 7564 CNRS-Université de Lorraine, 405 rue de Vandœuvre, F-54600, Villers-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Israel Labastida
- Departamento de Energía, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Azcapotzalco, Av. San Pablo 180, Azcapotzalco, México, DF, 02200, Mexico
| | - Fabiola S Sosa-Rodríguez
- Crecimiento Económico y Medio Ambiente, Departamento Economía, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Azcapotzalco, Av. San Pablo 180, Azcapotzalco, México, DF, 02200, Mexico
| | - León F Espinosa-Cristóbal
- Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, ICB, Av. Benjamín Franklin 4650, Zona PRONAF, 32315, Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico
| | - Miguel A Escobedo-Bretado
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Av. Veterinaria S/N, Circuito Universitario, Col. Valle del Sur, 34120, Durango, Mexico
| | - Roel Cruz
- Instituto de Metalurgia, Facultad de Ingeniería, UASLP, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2a. Sección, 78210, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
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22
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Ono FB, Tappero R, Sparks D, Guilherme LRG. Investigation of arsenic species in tailings and windblown dust from a gold mining area. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:638-647. [PMID: 26330325 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5304-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Research has shown the presence of high levels of arsenic (up to 2666 mg As kg(-1)) in tailings from a gold mining area of Brazil. This is an important point of attention, generating concerns about impacts on human health. Yet, a recent study showed that As bioaccessibility in the same area was very low (<4.4%). Thus, determination of the direct solid-phase speciation of As in the mine tailings and windblown dust is needed to explain this low bioaccessibility. Mine samples were collected from four subareas and windblown dust from eight sites. Synchrotron-based bulk-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (bulk-XANES) spectroscopy, micro-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (μ-XANES), and μ-X-ray fluorescence (μ-SXRF) spectroscopy were applied to determine As speciation. Bulk-XANES spectra indicated that As occurs as the As(V) oxidation state. Micro-XANES and μ-SXRF analyses revealed that As was also present as arsenopyrite (FeAsS) and its weathering products, but mostly it was As(V) as poorly crystalline ferric arsenate. This supports the findings of low bioaccessible As and highlights the importance of Fe oxides in immobilizing As in the terrestrial environment. All air particulate samples exhibited As-rich particles (up to 313 mg As kg(-1)). The air particulates exhibited solid-phase As species very similar to those found in the mine samples, which indicates that As in the windblown dust is not easily available.
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Affiliation(s)
- F B Ono
- Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras, CP 3037, Campus UFLA, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - R Tappero
- Photon Sciences, Beamline X27A, National Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - D Sparks
- University of Delaware, Delaware Environmental Institute, Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Lab, Suite 250a, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - L R G Guilherme
- Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras, CP 3037, Campus UFLA, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
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23
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Ma Y, Qin Y, Zheng B, Zhang L, Zhao Y. Arsenic release from the abiotic oxidation of arsenopyrite under the impact of waterborne H2O2: a SEM and XPS study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:1381-1390. [PMID: 26362642 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5166-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Our previous study has proven that waterborne hydrogen peroxide can affect the arsenic releasing process from arsenopyrite powder, but little is known about the change of morphology and element constitutes on arsenopyrite surface. In this study, a simulated experiment was conducted to examine the effects of hydrogen peroxide (at a concentration range of 5-50 μM) on the abiotic oxidation of arsenopyrite cubes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the changes of microstructure morphology and elemental species on arsenopyrite surface. The results showed that micromolar level of H2O2 accelerated the release of arsenic and iron but passivated the sulfur release from arsenopyrite surfaces. As(III) oxidation in solution was enhanced at the early part of the experiment, but the release of As(III) was facilitated at the latter part. As(V) concentrations in solution increased along with the elevated H2O2 dosage level. The SEM images showed different surface microstructure on the surface of CK and all the treatments. EDS results showed that the ratios of S/Fe, Fe/As, and S/As in bulk arsenopyrite revealed evident increasing trend along with the increase of H2O2 dosage level. As the result of surface leaching, the XPS results did not show significant trend, while it suggests that H2O2 accelerated the formation of Fe-As oxidized layer on the arsenopyrite surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinqqun Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Environment, Water Research Institute, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Yanwen Qin
- National Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Environment, Water Research Institute, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Binghui Zheng
- National Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Environment, Water Research Institute, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Environment, Water Research Institute, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Yanmin Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Environment, Water Research Institute, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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24
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Gallego JR, Esquinas N, Rodríguez-Valdés E, Menéndez-Aguado JM, Sierra C. Comprehensive waste characterization and organic pollution co-occurrence in a Hg and As mining and metallurgy brownfield. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2015; 300:561-571. [PMID: 26253236 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The abandonment of Hg-As mining and metallurgy sites, together with long-term weathering, can dramatically degrade the environment. In this work it is exemplified the complex legacy of contamination that afflicts Hg-As brownfields through the detailed study of a paradigmatic site. Firstly, an in-depth study of the former industrial process was performed to identify sources of different types of waste. Subsequently, the composition and reactivity of As- and Hg-rich wastes (calcines, As-rich soot, stupp, and flue dust) was analyzed by means of multielemental analysis, mineralogical characterization (X-ray diffraction, electronic, and optical microscopy, microbrobe), chemical speciation, and sequential extractions. As-rich soot in the form of arsenolite, a relatively mobile by-product of the pyrometallurgical process, and stupp, a residue originated in the former condensing system, were determined to be the main risk at the site. In addition, the screening of organic pollution was also aimed, as shown by the outcome of benzo(a) pyrene and other PAHs, and by the identification of unexpected Hg organo-compounds (phenylmercury propionate). The approach followed unravels evidence from waste from the mining and metallurgy industry that may be present in other similar sites, and identifies unexpected contaminants overlooked by conventional analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Gallego
- Environmental Technology, Biotechnology and Geochemistry Group, C/Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Asturias, Spain.
| | - N Esquinas
- Environmental Technology, Biotechnology and Geochemistry Group, C/Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Asturias, Spain
| | - E Rodríguez-Valdés
- Environmental Technology, Biotechnology and Geochemistry Group, C/Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Asturias, Spain
| | - J M Menéndez-Aguado
- Environmental Technology, Biotechnology and Geochemistry Group, C/Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Asturias, Spain
| | - C Sierra
- Environmental Technology, Biotechnology and Geochemistry Group, C/Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Asturias, Spain; Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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25
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Filippi M, Drahota P, Machovič V, Böhmová V, Mihaljevič M. Arsenic mineralogy and mobility in the arsenic-rich historical mine waste dump. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 536:713-728. [PMID: 26254072 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A more than 250 year-old mine dump was studied to document the products of long-term arsenopyrite oxidation under natural conditions in a coarse-grained mine waste dump and to evaluate the environmental hazards associated with this material. Using complementary mineralogical and chemical approaches (SEM/EDS/WDS, XRD, micro-Raman spectroscopy, pore water analysis, chemical extraction techniques and thermodynamic PHREEQC-2 modeling), we documented the mineralogical/geochemical characteristics of the dumped arsenopyrite-rich material and environmental stability of the newly formed secondary minerals. A distinct mineralogical zonation was found (listed based on the distance from the decomposed arsenopyrite): scorodite (locally associated with native sulfur pseudomorphs) plus amorphous ferric arsenate (AFA/pitticite), kaňkite, As-bearing ferric (hydr)oxides and jarosite. Ferric arsenates and ferric (hydr)oxides were found to dissolve and again precipitate from downward migrating As-rich solutions cementing rock fragments. Acidic pore water (pH3.8) has elevated concentrations of As with an average value of about 2.9 mg L(-1). Aqueous As is highly correlated with pH (R2=0.97, p<0.001) indicating that incongruent dissolution of ferric arsenates controls dissolved As well as the pH of the percolating waste solution. Arsenic released from the dissolution of ferric arsenates into the pore water is, however, trapped by latter and lower-down precipitating jarosite and especially ferric (hydr)oxides. The efficiency of As sequestration by ferric (hydr)oxides in the waste dump and underlying soil has been found to be very effective, suggesting limited environmental impact of the mine waste dump on the surrounding soil ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Filippi
- Institute of Geology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Rozvojová 269, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Drahota
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Machovič
- Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vlasta Böhmová
- Institute of Geology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Rozvojová 269, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic
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26
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Kwon MJ, Yang JS, Lee S, Lee G, Ham B, Boyanov MI, Kemner KM, O'Loughlin EJ. Geochemical characteristics and microbial community composition in toxic metal-rich sediments contaminated with Au-Ag mine tailings. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2015; 296:147-157. [PMID: 25917692 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The effects of extreme geochemical conditions on microbial community composition were investigated for two distinct sets of sediment samples collected near weathered mine tailings. One set (SCH) showed extraordinary geochemical characteristics: As (6.7-11.5%), Pb (1.5-2.1%), Zn (0.1-0.2%), and pH (3.1-3.5). The other set (SCL) had As (0.3-1.2%), Pb (0.02-0.22%), and Zn (0.01-0.02%) at pH 2.5-3.1. The bacterial communities in SCL were clearly different from those in SCH, suggesting that extreme geochemical conditions affected microbial community distribution even on a small spatial scale. The clones identified in SCL were closely related to acidophilic bacteria in the taxa Acidobacterium (18%), Acidomicrobineae (14%), and Leptospirillum (10%). Most clones in SCH were closely related to Methylobacterium (79%) and Ralstonia (19%), both well-known metal-resistant bacteria. Although total As was extremely high, over 95% was in the form of scorodite (FeAsO4·2H2O). Acid-extractable As was only ∼118 and ∼14 mg kg(-1) in SCH and SCL, respectively, below the level known to be toxic to bacteria. Meanwhile, acid-extractable Pb and Zn in SCH were above toxic concentrations. Because As was present in an oxidized, stable form, release of Pb and/or Zn (or a combination of toxic metals in the sediment) from the sediment likely accounts for the differences in microbial community structure. The results also suggest that care should be taken when investigating mine tailings, because large differences in chemical/biological properties can occur over small spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Jae Kwon
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung, South Korea.
| | - Jung-Seok Yang
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung, South Korea.
| | - Seunghak Lee
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Baknoon Ham
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung, South Korea
| | - Maxim I Boyanov
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA; Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Kenneth M Kemner
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA
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27
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Neil CW, Yang YJ, Schupp D, Jun YS. Water chemistry impacts on arsenic mobilization from arsenopyrite dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation: implications for managed aquifer recharge. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:4395-4405. [PMID: 24621369 DOI: 10.1021/es405119q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is a water reuse technique with the potential to meet growing water demands. However, MAR sites have encountered arsenic mobilization resulting from recharge operations. To combat this challenge, it is imperative to identify the mechanisms of arsenic mobilization during MAR. In this bench-scale study, arsenic mobilization from arsenopyrite (FeAsS) was characterized for conditions relevant to MAR operations. Experimentally determined activation energies for arsenic mobilization from FeAsS under aerobic conditions were 36.9 ± 2.3 kJ/mol for 10 mM sodium chloride, 40.8 ± 3.5 kJ/mol for 10 mM sodium nitrate, and 43.6 ± 5.0 kJ/mol for secondary effluent from a wastewater treatment plant. Interestingly, the sodium chloride system showed higher arsenic mobilization under aerobic conditions. In addition, secondary mineral precipitation varied among systems and further affected arsenic mobilization. For example, the wastewater system inhibited precipitation, while in the sodium chloride system, faster phase transformation of iron(III) (hydr)oxide precipitates was observed, resulting in hematite formation after 7 days. The phase transformation to hematite will result in less available surface area for arsenic attenuation. These new observations and activation energies can be useful to develop improved reactive transport models for the fate of arsenic during MAR, and develop strategies to minimize arsenic release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea W Neil
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University , St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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28
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Mandaliev PN, Mikutta C, Barmettler K, Kotsev T, Kretzschmar R. Arsenic species formed from arsenopyrite weathering along a contamination gradient in Circumneutral river floodplain soils. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 48:208-217. [PMID: 24283255 DOI: 10.1021/es403210y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic is a toxic trace element, which commonly occurs as contaminant in riverine floodplains and associated wetlands affected by mining and ore processing. In this study, we investigated the solid-phase speciation of As in river floodplain soils characterized by circumneutral pH (5.7-7.1) and As concentrations of up to 40.3 g/kg caused by former mining of arsenopyrite-rich ores. Soil samples collected in the floodplain of Ogosta River (Bulgaria) were size-fractionated and subsequently analyzed using a combination of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and selective chemical extraction of poorly crystalline mineral phases. Arsenic and Fe were found to be spatially correlated and both elements were strongly enriched in the fine soil particle size fractions (<2 μm and 2-50 μm). Between 14 and 82% of the total As was citrate-ascorbate extractable. Molar As/Fe ratios were as high as 0.34 in the bulk soil extracts and increased up to 0.48 in extracts of the fine particle size fractions. Arsenic K-edge XAS spectra showed the predominance of As(V) and were well fitted with a reference spectrum of As(V) adsorbed to ferrihydrite. Whereas no As(III) was detected, considerable amounts of As(-I) were present and identified as arsenopyrite originating from the mining waste. Iron K-edge XAS revealed that in addition to As(V) adsorbed to ferrihydrite, X-ray amorphous As(V)-rich hydrous ferric oxides ("As-HFO") with a reduced number of corner-sharing FeO6 octahedra relative to ferrihydrite were the dominating secondary As species in the soils. The extremely high concentrations of As in the fine particle size fractions (up to 214 g/kg) and its association with poorly crystalline Fe(III) oxyhydroxides and As-HFO phases suggest a high As mobilization potential under both oxic and anoxic conditions, as well as a high bioaccessibility of As upon ingestion, dermal contact, or inhalation by humans or animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petar N Mandaliev
- Soil Chemistry Group, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich , CHN, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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29
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Mikutta C, Mandaliev PN, Kretzschmar R. New clues to the local atomic structure of short-range ordered ferric arsenate from extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:3122-3131. [PMID: 23413827 DOI: 10.1021/es3051795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Short-range ordered ferric arsenate (FeAsO4 · xH2O) is a secondary As precipitate frequently encountered in acid mine waste environments. Two distinct structural models have recently been proposed for this phase. The first model is based on the structure of scorodite (FeAsO4 · 2H2O) where isolated FeO6 octahedra share corners with four adjacent arsenate (AsO4) tetrahedra in a three-dimensional framework (framework model). The second model consists of single chains of corner-sharing FeO6 octahedra being bridged by AsO4 bound in a monodentate binuclear (2)C complex (chain model). In order to rigorously test the accuracy of both structural models, we synthesized ferric arsenates and analyzed their local (<6 Å) structure by As and Fe K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. We found that both As and Fe K-edge EXAFS spectra were most compatible with isolated FeO6 octahedra being bridged by AsO4 tetrahedra (RFe-As = 3.33 ± 0.01 Å). Our shell-fit results further indicated a lack of evidence for single corner-sharing FeO6 linkages in ferric arsenate. Wavelet-transform analyses of the Fe K-edge EXAFS spectra of ferric arsenates complemented by shell fitting confirmed Fe atoms at an average distance of ∼5.3 Å, consistent with crystallographic data of scorodite and in disagreement with the chain model. A scorodite-type local structure of short-range ordered ferric arsenates provides a plausible explanation for their rapid transformation into scorodite in acid mining environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Mikutta
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Otones V, Álvarez-Ayuso E, García-Sánchez A, Santa Regina I, Murciego A. Arsenic distribution in soils and plants of an arsenic impacted former mining area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2011; 159:2637-2647. [PMID: 21700372 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2011] [Revised: 05/03/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A mining area affected by the abandoned exploitation of an arsenical tungsten deposit was studied in order to assess its arsenic pollution level and the feasibility of native plants for being used in phytoremediation approaches. Soil and plant samples were collected at different distances from the polluting sources and analysed for their As content and distribution. Critical soil total concentrations of As were found, with values in the range 70-5330 mg kg(-1) in the uppermost layer. The plant community develops As tolerance by exclusion strategies. Of the plant species growing in the most polluted site, the shrubs Salix atrocinerea Brot. and Genista scorpius (L.) DC. exhibit the lowest bioaccumulation factor (BF) values for their aerial parts, suggesting their suitability to be used with revegetation purposes. The species Scirpus holoschoenus L. highlights for its important potential to stabilise As at root level, accumulating As contents up to 3164 mg kg(-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- V Otones
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry, IRNASA, CSIC, Apdo 257, 37071 Salamanca, Spain
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