Open Access BASE2019

Mineralogical attenuation processes associated with the evolution of acid mine drainage in sulfide-rich mine wastes

Valente, Teresa Maria Fernandes; Gomes, Patricia; Braga, Maria Amália Castro Sequeira; Pamplona, J; Antunes, Isabel Margarida Horta Ribeiro; Ríos Reyes, Carlos Alberto; Moreno, Filipa

Open Access

Abstract

The geochemical evolution of acid mine drainage results in secondary minerals that play a key role in the environmental behavior of the mine wastes. The present work is focused on these newly formed minerals at the Penedono waste dump, characterized by fine-grained tails with pyrite and arsenopyrite. Mineralogical study led to an inventory of secondary phases, comprising soluble sulfates, scorodite, and oxyhydroxysulfates. In addition, there is amorphous Fe, As rich-nanoprecipitates. Jarosite and scorodite are abundant minerals, acting as cement for encrusting tails in Fe and As-rich hardpans. These hard structures are relatively insoluble, retaining toxic elements, thereby contributing to natural attenuation of mining contamination associated with the sulphide wastes. ; European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, based on COMPETE 2020 - project ICT (UID/GEO/04683/2013) with reference POCI-01-0145- FEDER-007690 and project Nano-MINENV number ...

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