Abstract
Surface coal mining processes may increase the dissolved Mo concentrations in overburden (mine spoils) and in nearby soils. Spoil and soil samples were subjected to solubility studies for determining potential solid phases controlling the dissolved Mo. Additionally, native soil samples were included in the study for comparison. Ion activity products (IAPs) were calculated from the total elemental concentrations of aqueous extracts and compared with solubility products ( K sps) of Mo solid phases. Effects of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on metal ion complexation were also evaluated. The pH of aqueous extracts ranged from 7.14 to 8.31. DOC in aqueous extracts varied from 17.3 to 58.7 mg/l. Molybdenum concentrations in aqueous extracts ranged between 11.5 and 35.6 μg/l for spoils, 13.5 and 20.0 μg/l for soils near mine site and 14.5 and 29.6 μg/l for native soils. Initially, IAPs suggested varying degrees of supersaturation with respect to wulfenite (PbMoO 4). However, when DOC-Pb 2+ complexes were considered, the IAPs indicated a close approach to saturation with respect to PbMoO 4. Furthermore, the IAPs suggested a high degree of undersaturation with respect to powellite (CaMoO 4) and ferrimolybdite (FeMoO 4). Results in this study suggest the dissolved Mo concentrations in mine spoils and soils that are near coal mine may be controlled by PbMoO 4 solid phase.
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