Abstract
A suite of sulfate minerals from the Monte Arsiccio mine (Apuan Alps, Northern Tuscany, Italy), previously identified by using both X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy, was studied through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), in order to determine their trace-element content. Several elements (Tl, Rb, As, Sb, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cr) were found above the detection limits. Among them, some are important from an environmental perspective and may reach relatively high concentrations (e.g., Tl = 1370–2988 μg/g; As = 505–1680 μg/g). Thus, these sulfates may act as transient sinks for some of these potentially toxic elements, as well as for sulfate ions and acidity. Indeed, dissolution experiments revealed the ability of these secondary minerals to produce a significant pH decrease of the solutions, as well as the release of Fe, Al, and K as major ions. This work discusses the relation between the budget of trace elements and the crystal chemistry of sulfate minerals and provides new insights about the environmental role played by the sulfate dissolution in controlling the quality of water in acid mine drainage systems.
Highlights
Italy), previously identified by using both X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy, was studied through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), in order to determine their trace-element content
The weathering of pyrite (FeS2 ), the most abundant and widespread sulfide mineral on the Earth’s surface, is the dominant, yet very complex, process causing the acidification of natural waters and the release of many potentially toxic elements (PTEs) into the aqueous medium (e.g., [1,2])
The key role played by secondary minerals in acid mine drainage (AMD) systems is well-known [1,2,5]
Summary
± iron oxide orebodies located located in in the the southern southernsector sectorof ofthe the. These orebodies orebodiesform formaadiscontinuous discontinuous mineralized belt of ~10 a ApuanAlps. The Monte Arsiccio mine exploited the economically most important pyrite ± baryte. The main exploited orebody at the Monte Arsiccio mine was represented by a lensshaped body, having a size of 120 m × 90 m × 80 m [21]. Arsiccio allowed the identification of more than one hundred mineral species [22]. An additional brief description of the sampled outcrop, as well as the sulfate associations observed at the Monte Arsiccio mine, are given below.
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