Τίτλος:
Supergene alteration, environmental impact and laboratory scale acid water treatment of cyprus-type ore deposits: Case study of mathiatis and sha abandoned mines
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
Waste-rock dumps and the water quality of pit-lakes formed at abandoned mines of pyrite-rich ore deposits are of considerable environmental concern around the world. The Mathiatis and Sha mines provide typical examples of abandoned mines where Cyprus-type Cu-pyrite ore was exploited. Supergene alteration of the sulphide ore and the mine waste leads to the formation of efflorescence and generation of acid mine drainage filling the pit-lakes. Sulphate concentrations range from 4600 to 4850 mg/l and from 35 900 to 38 500 mg/l for the Mathiatis and Sha mines, respectively. Concentrations of heavy metals exceed the established regulatory limits in water. A preliminary assessment of the mine waste at the Mathiatis mine indicated that it cannot be characterized as inert material according to current European legislation, posing an environmental threat as a source of acid mine drainage (AMD). The identified Mg, Ca and Fe(II)-Fe(III) efflorescence mineral phases retain temporarily trace metals near the mine waste and the open pit-lake shore. Neutralization experiments on the acidic waters of the epilimnion indicated local limestone is not sufficient for full remediation. However, it could be used as a low-cost pretreatment method for AMD. The study expands the international database of AMD affected areas and provides the basis for future remediation efforts. © 2019 The Author(s).
Συγγραφείς:
Galanopoulos, E.
Skarpelis, N.
Argyraki, A.
Περιοδικό:
Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis
Εκδότης:
Geological Society of London
Λέξεις-κλειδιά:
Clay alteration; Deposits; Drainage; Drying; Efflorescence; Environmental impact; Heavy metals; Lakes; Laws and legislation; Lime; Open pit mining; Ore treatment; Pyrites; Sulfur compounds; Surface chemistry; Trace elements; Water quality; Water treatment, Acid waters; Environmental concerns; Environmental threats; International database; Pit lakes; Preliminary assessment; Sulphate concentrations; Supergene alterations, Abandoned mines, abandoned mine; acid water; concentration (composition); environmental impact; mine waste; mineral alteration; ore deposit; remediation; supergene process; water treatment
DOI:
10.1144/geochem2018-070
