Abstract
The variations of As(V)/As(III) ratio, with respect to metal contents and pH in groundwater of a major lead-zinc mine in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District, Idaho were studied. A wide range of arsenic concentrations and As(V)/As(III) ratios were observed in the groundwaters collected from this mine. Samples with high As(V)/As(III) ratios were generally acidic (pH <3) and contained elevated metal levels. Seasonal variations of the arsenic species ratio were found to correlate positively with metal contents in water and were attributed to changing in redox environments and leaching of metals by groundwaters. Arsenic is less soluble in mine waters with pH >3, and its chemical behavior appears to be controlled by iron hydroxide precipitate. In comparison with Eh measurement by a platinum electrode, the As(V)/As(III) ratio seems to be a more sensitive indicator for evaluating redox status of a groundwater system. Arsenic species in surface waters collected from the Coeur d'Alene River were also measured for comparison.
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