Incongruent weathering of Cd and Zn from mine tailings
Authors: Kossoff, D.; Hudson-Edwards, K.A.; Dubbin, W.E.; Alfredsson, M.
Source: Mineralogical Magazine, Volume 72, Number 1, February 2008 , pp. 81-84(4)
Publisher: Mineralogical Society
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Abstract:
Weathering of discharged mine tailings contaminates streams, rivers and floodplains with toxic metals on a vast scale. The magnitude of the problem depends on input tailings mineralogy, storage and dispersal, and climatic conditions. To better understand the mechanisms of long-term tailings weathering, a leaching column study was established, incorporating tailings and soil from Potosí, Bolivia, with the aim of modelling a 25 year field period. The Zn/Cd molar ratio of the tailings leachate water, initially 738 for the unaltered tailings, is highly variable over 15 model years of leaching, particularly in the mixed tailings-soil columns. Columns with soil have ratios as high as 2563, while pure tailings columns reach ratios of <376. We employ complementary techniques, involving atomistic computational modelling, leachate analysis and mineralogical characterization, to elucidate the mechanisms governing these incongruent Cd and Zn weathering dynamics.Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.81
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