Abstract
Column leaching test was applied for oxide and non-oxide tailings in the Arctic area. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, pe: potential ecolotric, conductivity, TDS: Total dissolved solids, SO42−, salinity, Ni, Co, Zn and Mn) were measured to identified the effect of oxidized degree on heavy metals leaching from tailings. Results showed that oxidized tailings contained higher levels of Co and Ni, and their leachate was highly mineralized and less loaded with heavy metals. Non-oxidized tailings are easy to oxidation and vulcanization to generate acid drainage, weathering play more important role in oxidized tailings. Higher acid generation led to leachate having a low pH level, while strong weathering led to high levels of salinity in leachate. Acid generation and weathering controlled the release of Ni, Co, Zn, and Mn from tailings. Acid generation promotes Co and Ni release and weathering promote Mn release. Strong acid and highly salinity accelerated Co and Ni release from oxidized tailings. The source of Zn changed its origin between oxidized tailings and non-oxidized tailings leachate, with both acid mine drainage generation and weathering playing an important role in its release. Non-oxidized tailings take more sulfide that is easy to generate acid, oxidized tailing have more oxide material that lead to high minerals. Keep tailings from vulcanization and oxidation is a good way to prevent heavy metals leaching from tailings.
Highlights
Mining activity produces large volumes of tailings [1]
The source of Zn changed its origin between oxidized tailings and non-oxidized tailings leachate, with both acid mine drainage generation and weathering playing an important role in its release
Keep tailings from vulcanization and oxidation is a good way to prevent heavy metals leaching from tailings
Summary
Mining activity produces large volumes of tailings [1]. Tailings are the waste produced after the extraction of the targeted metal from the ore; through crushing and milling, particles are obtained that consist of one mineral and minerals are separated by their physical or surface characteristics [2]. Heavy metals are possibly released from the tailings into the soil and water by weathering and acid drainage [6]. Investigating the potential for heavy metal leaching from different tailings is important to access the risk of tailings. We examined the leaching behavior of Ni, Zn, Co and Mn in oxidized tailings and non-oxidized tailings under steady temperature (10oC) and precipitant (120 mm/month) to investigate Ni, Zn, Co and Mn leaching behavior during experimental column leaching in oxidized and non-oxidized mine tailings In this context, the main objectives of this were applying bench-scale column leaching tests to evaluate the environmental risk of heavy metals leaching from tailings at different redox conditions, and to investigate their influence on heavymetal leaching from different tailings
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