Vicinity Of Mining Sites Research Articles

Investigation, Determination, and Analysis of Dominant Vegetation in Mining Areas

During the mining process, a large amount of untreated and unusable land, namely mining wastelands, is generated. Ecological remediation in mining areas aims to rehabilitate polluted mining wasteland, thus enabling the reuse of land resources. Phytoremediation technology can effectively restore pollution in mining areas, with the prerequisite of identifying suitable tolerant or dominant plant species, which are typically found in the vicinity of mining sites with a long history of exploitation. This study conducted field surveys and collected samples, followed by laboratory analyses to explore the dominant plant species in the vanadium-titanium mining area of Zhujiabaobao, Panzhihua. Field surveys revealed a low coverage of wild vegetation due to the fragile ecological environment, primarily consisting of low, medium, and high-coverage vegetation types. Based on a comprehensive analysis of 13 dominant plant species in terms of their quantity, quality, morphological characteristics, and potential value, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rumex hastatus, and Dodonaea viscosa were identified as the three most suitable species for ecological remediation in this mining area.

Evaluation of potentially toxic elements in soils developed on limestone and lead-zinc mine sites in parts of southeastern Nigeria

The present study investigated the distribution of elements and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil profiles in the southeastern region of Nigeria, where unrefined and primitive mining practices are common. Soil samples were collected from mine and non-mine sites in Ameka and Nkalagu and analyzed for total elemental concentration using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). The results showed that the Ameka mine-affected soils were heavily polluted, while the Ameka non-mine-affected soils were moderately polluted. The Nkalagu mine and non-mine-affected soils were also moderately polluted. The potential ecological risk (PER) was high in the Ameka mine-affected site due to elevated As, Cu, and Pb levels, while the Ameka non-mine-affected site had a low PER. The enrichment factor (EF) values indicated more enrichment of PTEs in the mine-affected sites compared to the non-mine-affected sites. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) showed moderate to extreme contamination in the Ameka mine-affected site with Cu, Zn, As, and Pb. In contrast, the Nkalagu mine-affected site had considerably lower contamination. The regression model showed that site characteristics alone were insufficient to explain elements and PTEs distribution, emphasizing the importance of considering soil properties in understanding their spatial patterns. The study highlights the higher concentrations of As, Cu, and Pb in the mine-affected sites compared to the non-mine areas and recommends remediation strategies for these elements and PTEs, especially in the vicinity of mine sites. Further laboratory analysis is recommended to understand the mobility of PTEs with depth for better remediation approaches.

Минимизация риска загрязнения селитебных зон пылью при открытой добыче руд

The sphere of activity of the mining and metallurgical complex of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly included populated areas and agricultural objects. An air dusting zone with a radius of tens of kilometers was formed around openpit mining pits. During explosions in quarries, dust clouds are formed, from which fine mobile dust is dispersed. Therefore, the regions of the Kursk magnetic anomaly are characterized by the accumulation of chemical elements, including hazard classes 1–2. The dustiness factor in ecosystems complicates the living conditions of the population, which experiences the chemical effect of natural leaching of ore mining and processing products. Disturbance in the balance of the pro-oxidant-antioxidant system can cause a variety of diseases. A radical measure to prevent disease is to reduce the volume of mobile dust during ore mining in quarries. The parameters of rock destruction by explosion depend on the crushing energy intensity, above which the action of the charges goes into the ejection zone with the formation of mobile dust. Increasing the height of the ledge reduces the energy intensity of the explosion (by reducing the consumption of explosives) and the release of mobile dust. Both convective and diffusion processes occur in a dust cloud. Quarry emissions contain metals that form toxic compounds that cause soil degradation. The reaction of living matter to the effects of pollutants is predictable, which can be the basis for regulating the state of the environment. Improving the living conditions of the biota and population in the vicinity of mining sites can be achieved by adjusting the ore mining technology. To reduce the yield of mobile dust, a combined scheme of explosive ore breaking with differentiation of the process of destruction of the base of the ledge and the main mass is recommended.

Determination of radiation hazard indices (Annual Gonadal Dose Equivalent) in water samples in the vicinity of mining site in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

The gross alpha and beta radionuclide activity of source of water from mining site in Minna, Niger state has been carried out. Eleven water samples were collected from the farming, residential/commercial, and industrial zones in the community and were analyzed using the protean instrument corporation (PIC) MPC 2000DP, single channel proportional counters. Annual Gonadal Dose Equivalent (AGDE) was determined. AGDE α and β 20.254399/3.088977mSv/y. This shows that the calculated values of alpha in BHL3 are above the accepted value for ICRP. Moreover, the calculated values of beta in BHL1 are above the accepted value for ICRP. It can be observed that all the remaining values for alpha and beta are below the ICRP values of 0.5Bq/L for alpha and 1Bq/L for beta.

Spatial distribution and source identification of heavy metals in a typical Pb/Zn smelter in an arid area of northwest China

Heavy-metal pollution has become a serious problem in the vicinity of mining sites. In this study, we investigated the pollution degree and spatial distribution of heavy metals and determined their sources in soil near a typical Pb/Zn smelter in an arid area of northwest China. The pollution degree, spatial distribution and source identification of heavy metals were evaluated and analyzed by the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), ArcGIS-based kriging interpolation models and multivariate statistical techniques. The results showed that the average concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu were higher than their background contents of Shaanxi Province. The results of chemical speciation fractions show that the non-residual fraction (Acid soluble + Reducible + Oxidizable) of Pb, Zn and Cd were greater than the residual fractions of the same elements, while the results of Cr, Cu and Mn were just contrary. The Igeo values demonstrated that the issue of soils contaminated by Pb, Zn and Cd in this area is very serious, where Cd pollution was the most significant. The EF values decrease in the following order: Cd > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr, and indicating Cd was extremely severe enrichment. The spatial distribution indicated that Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu mainly originated from smelting activities, which were heavily accumulated in topsoils and decreased with increasing soil depth in the profile distribution. The indexes of Igeo and EF showed that Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu were the most important contaminants, which had the same sources, deriving from anthropogenic metal smelting activities. These results can serve as a basis for designing effective strategies to prevent, control and reduce further heavy-metal contamination of the soils. Meanwhile, the relevant study methods, study hypotheses and methodologies may provide certain reference significance for the study of soil pollution from similar heavy metals.

Heavy metals in slag affect inorganic N dynamics and soil bacterial community structure and function

Heavy metal contamination of soil in the vicinity of mining sites is a serious environmental problem around the world when mining residue (slag) is dispersed as dust. We conducted an incubation experiment to investigate the effect of a slag containing high levels of Pb and Zn (62.2 and 33.6 g kg−1 slag as PbO and ZnO, respectively, sampled from a site formerly used as a lead and zinc mine) on the nitrogen cycle when mixed with soil (0–0.048 g slag g−1 soil). The nitrogen cycle provides many life supporting-functions. To assess the quality of the soil in terms of the nitrogen cycle we focused on the dynamics of nitrate and ammonium, and bacterial community structure and functions within the soil. After two weeks of pre-incubation, 15N-labeled urea (500 mg N kg−1) was added to the soil. Changes in soil pH, the concentration and 15N ratio of nitrate (NO3−-N) and ammonium, and bacterial relative abundance and community structure were measured. Results indicated that increasing the ratio of slag to soil had a stronger negative effect on nitrification than ammonification, as suggested by slower nitrate accumulation rates as the slag:soil ratio increased. In the treatment with the highest amount of slag, the concentration of NO3−-N was 50% of that in the controls at the end of the incubation. Regarding the bacterial community, Firmicutes had a positive and Planctomycetes a negative correlation with increasing slag concentration. Bacterial community functional analysis showed the proportion of bacterial DNA sequences related to nitrogen metabolism was depressed with increasing slag, from 0.68 to 0.65. We concluded that the slag impacted the soil bacterial community structure, and consequently influenced nitrogen dynamics. This study could form the basis of further investigation into the resistance of the nitrogen cycle to contamination in relation to soil bacterial community.

Evaluation of an innovative approach based on prototype engineered wetland to control and manage boron (B) mine effluent pollution.

A major environmental problem associated with boron (B) mining in many parts of the world is B pollution, which can become a point source of B mine effluent pollution to aquatic habitats. In this study, a cost-effective, environment-friendly, and sustainable prototype engineered wetland was evaluated and tested to prevent B mine effluent from spilling into adjoining waterways in the largest B reserve in the world. According to the results, average B concentrations in mine effluent significantly decreased from 17.5 to 5.7mgl(-1) after passing through the prototype with a hydraulic retention time of 14days. The results of the present experiment, in which different doses of B had been introduced into the prototype, also demonstrated that Typha latifolia (selected as donor species in the prototype) showed a good resistance to alterations against B mine effluent loading rates. Moreover, we found that soil enzymes activities gradually decreased with increasing B dosages during the experiment. Boron mass balance model further showed that 60% of total B was stored in the filtration media, and only 7% of B was removed by plant uptake. Consequently, we suggested that application of the prototype in the vicinity of mining site may potentially become an innovative model and integral part of the overall landscape plan of B mine reserve areas worldwide. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Characterization of soil heavy metal contamination and potential health risk in metropolitan region of northern China

Soil in metropolitan region suffers great contamination risk due to the rapid urbanization especially in developing countries. Beijing and Tianjin, together with their surrounding regions, form a mega-metropolitan region in northern China. To assess the soil environmental quality, a total of 458 surface soil samples were collected from this area. Concentrations of Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Cd, and Hg were analyzed and compared to the Chinese environmental quality standards for soil. Multivariate analysis was carried out to identify the possible sources and Geographic Information Systems techniques were applied to visualize the spatial data. It was found that the primary inputs of As were due to pedogenic sources, whereas Hg was mainly of anthropogenic source. Other elements including Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd were from both lithogenic and anthropogenic origins. Health risk assessment based on the maximum heavy metal concentration indicated that As derived from sewage irrigation area can result in carcinogenic lifetime risk due to ingestion and/or dermal contact of soil. The potential non-carcinogenic risk for children is significant for Pb and the cumulative effect of multiple metals is of concern for children in the vicinity of mining site. The results increased our knowledge for understanding natural and anthropogenic sources as well as health risk for metals in metropolitan soil.

A Review of Methods for Optimizing Surface and Groundwater Monitoring Programs at Mine Sites

Monitoring of surface and groundwater quality in the vicinity of mine sites is typically required to demonstrate lack of impact by mining activities. The monitoring programs, often instigated as part of the mine permitting process, can continue indefinitely. In addition to being costly, the accumulated data may be difficult to interpret. Several defensible techniques, based on statistical and geochemical principles, are available to optimize monitoring programs so that equivalent or better data are collected at reduced cost. Application of these techniques requires clear definition of the monitoring requirements and goals, evaluation of accumulated data, and optimization of the monitoring network. Elements of the network available for optimization include spatial distribution of sampling points, sampling frequency, and analytical parameters. Surface and groundwater monitoring programs at two sites were evaluated to optimize sampling programs. Considerations for defining monitoring requirements and goals included removal of redundancy from sampling and clarify sampling results to enhance cost-effective monitoring. Data, often consisting of several thousand entries and spanning up to thirty years, were evaluated using parametric and nonparametric techniques to determine whether statistically dissimilar groups could be defined. Lack of dissimilar groups was used to reduce the number of sample locations. Geochemical relations and indicator parametersmore » were considered when evaluating reduction of analytes. Optimization of the monitoring networks has resulted in reductions by 30% or more of groundwater and surface water monitoring points, as well as decreased monitoring frequency and analytes. Evaluations have also resulted in changing analytical techniques to fit monitoring goals.« less