ǂThe ǂenvironmental impact of historical Pb-Zn mining waste deposits in Slovenia

Miloš Miler (Author), Špela Bavec (Author), Mateja Gosar (Author)

Abstract

Mining waste deposits (MWDs) represent significant and constant pollution source for the environment worldwide, thus it is very important to identify and diminish their environmental impacts. The aim of this study was to determine long-term environmental impacts and their temporal variations of MWDs in Pb–Zn mining districts in Slovenia and assess stability of potentially harmful element (PHE)-bearing phases in stream water. The results showed that investigated MWDs are important source of PHEs in stream sediments and that PHEs mostly occur as fine-grained and liberated PHE-bearing ore minerals. MWDs have generally stronger impact on sediments of smaller streams draining MWDs and main streams close to their confluences, however, fine-grained PHE-bearing material is transported along major watercourses over long distances causing regional pollution. Main ore minerals are mostly soluble in stream water. However, measured PHE leaching potential of MWDs is negligible. PHE levels in stream waters are thus low, demonstrating that drainage of MWDs predominantly contributes to PHE pollution in solid particulate form. Possible long-term remediation solution that would reduce environmental impact is recovery of metals from fine grain size fractions of MWDs, which could become an effective practice in sustainable management of historical MWDs. However, further studies of MWDs’ secondary resource potential, processing technology and evaluation of environmental aspects of extraction are needed.

Keywords

rudarski odpadki;težke kovine;onesnaženje okolja;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2022
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	GeoZS - Geological Survey of Slovenia
Publisher:	Elsevier
UDC:	504.5
COBISS:	99235331
ISSN:	0301-4797
Views:	199
Downloads:	102
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Type (COBISS):	Not categorized
Pages:	18 str.
Issue:	ǂvol. ǂ308
Chronology:	2022
DOI:	10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114580
ID:	14665538