Trace element mobility in mine waters from granitic pegmatite U–Th–REE deposits, Bancroft area, Ontario

Abstract

Small, low-grade, granitic pegmatite U–Th–REE deposits are found throughout the Grenville geological province of eastern Canada. Groundwater quality at historical mining properties in the Bancroft area was investigated in order to better understand the mobility of trace elements that may pose health risks if there is renewed development of this class of mineral deposit. Groundwater samples were obtained from diamond drill holes, flowing adits and flooded mine shafts. Uranium occurs almost entirely in the dissolved (<0.45 μm) phase and is found at concentrations reaching 2579 μg/L. The Canadian maximum acceptable concentration for U in drinking water (0.02 mg/L) was exceeded in 70% of samples. Regulatory limits for 226Ra (0.5 Bq/L) and for 210Pb (0.2 Bq/L) were generally exceeded in these samples as well. Speciation modeling indicates that over 98% of dissolved U is in the form of highly mobile uranyl-Ca–carbonate complexes known to inhibit U adsorption. Uranium concentrations in groundwater appear to be correlated with the uranothorite content of the deposits rather than with their U grade. Uranothorite may be more soluble than uraninite, the other ore mineral, because of its non-ideal composition and metamict structure. Thorium, released concomitantly with U during the dissolution of uranothorite and thorian uraninite, exhibits median and maximum total concentrations of only 0.1 and 11 μg/L, respectively. Mass balance and stoichiometric considerations indicate that almost all Th is immobilized very close to its source. The sums of total light REE (La–Gd) concentrations have median and maximum values of 6 and 117 μg/L, respectively. The sums of total heavy REE (Tb–Lu) concentrations have median and maximum values of 0.8 and 21 μg/L, respectively. Light REE are derived mainly from the dissolution of metamict allanite whereas the sources of heavy REE are widely dispersed among accessory minerals. Fractionation patterns of REE in the dissolved phase are flat or concave, with negative Ce anomalies associated with more oxic groundwaters. The data suggest preferential LREE and HREE complexation with organic and carbonate ligands in the dissolved phase, respectively. Fractionation patterns in the suspended particulate phase exhibit decreasing enrichment with atomic number from La to Gd and a flat profile from Tb to Lu. This is explained by preferential sorption of LREE and uniform sorption of HREE. Manganese particulates are the most likely sorbents. Potential health risks from Th or REE in mine waters are unlikely due to the very low mobility of these elements. Uranium, on the other hand, exhibits high mobility in shallow, oxic groundwaters and drainage from some mine adits may require mitigation.