Abstract
Mercury (Hg) speciation and mobility were determined in calcines and waste rocks collected from 9 Hg mines in China. Total Hg (THg) concentrations in the mine wastes varied widely in different Hg mines (with a range of 0.369 to 2,620 mg kg(-1)). Cinnabar is the dominant form of Hg in the mine wastes. However, Hg(2+) and Hg(0) concentrations in the calcines were significantly higher than these in the waste rocks, which suggested the retorting can produce large amounts of by-product Hg compounds. The THg and Hg(0) concentrations in certain mine wastes exceeded soil guidelines recommended by US Environmental Protection Agency; while total soluble Hg concentrations of leachates in certain mine wastes exceeded National Surface Water Quality Standard of China. Mine wastes are important Hg pollution sources to the aquatic ecosystem and atmosphere.
Highlights
Mercury mines are considered as hot spots of Hg pollution
Mine wastes calcines were formed through retorting of cinnabar ores at high temperature, which are considered as significant sources of mercury (Hg) contamination to the local environment
To better understand the role of mine waste in Hg geochemical cycle in Hg mining areas, Hg speciation and mobility were evaluated in mine waste calcines and waste rocks from 9 Hg mines in China
Summary
Mercury mines are considered as hot spots of Hg pollution. During the processing of Hg ores, secondary Hg phases form and accumulate in mine waste calcines, which are more soluble than cinnabar and can cause a greater extent of Hg contamination to the surrounding environment. Mine wastes are considered as significant sources of Hg contamination to the surrounding aquatic ecosystems. China is rich in Hg mineral resources and most Hg mines are distributed in southwestern China. The long history of mining activities have produced large amount of mine wastes in the Hg mining area, which have not been properly treated. This study was designed to: (1) evaluate Hg speciation in the mine waste from different Hg mines in China; and (2) simulate the mobilization of Hg by runoff under the environmental conditions
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