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Incongruent weathering of Cd and Zn from mine tailings

Kossoff, David, Hudson-Edwards, Karen A., Dubbin, W.E., Alfredsson, Maria (2008) Incongruent weathering of Cd and Zn from mine tailings. Mineralogical Magazine, 72 (1). pp. 81-84. ISSN 0026-461X. (doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.81) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:14708)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.81

Abstract

Weathering of discharged mine tailings contaminates streams, rivers and floodplains with toxic metals on a vast scale. The magnitude of the problem depends on input tailings mineralogy, storage and dispersal, and climatic conditions. To better understand the mechanisms of long-term tailings weathering, a leaching column study was established, incorporating tailings and soil from Potosi, Bolivia, with the aim of modelling a 25 year field period. The Zn/Cd molar ratio of the tailings leachate water, initially 738 for the unaltered tailings, is highly variable over 15 model years of leaching, particularly in the mixed tailings-soil columns. Columns with soil have ratios as high as 2563, while pure tailings columns reach ratios of <376. We employ complementary techniques, involving atomistic computational modelling, leachate analysis and mineralogical characterization, to elucidate the mechanisms governing these incongruent Cd and Zn weathering dynamics.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.81
Additional information: Proceedings Paper ( 8th International Symposium on the Geochemistry of the Earths Surface (GES-8) London, ENGLAND, AUG 18-22, 2008)
Subjects: Q Science > QE Geology
T Technology > TN Mining engineering. Metallurgy
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Louise Dorman
Date Deposited: 18 Apr 2009 10:41 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:53 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/14708 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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