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http://dx.doi.org/10.5467/JKESS.2016.37.4.211

A Study on Chemical Compositions of Sediment and Surface Water in Nakdong River for Tracing Contaminants from Mining Activities  

Kim, Jiyun (Department of Science Education, Ewha Womans University)
Choi, Uikyu (Mine Reclamation Corp.)
Baek, Seung-Han (Mine Reclamation Corp.)
Choi, Hye-Bin (Department of Science Education, Ewha Womans University)
Lee, Jeonghoon (Department of Science Education, Ewha Womans University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korean earth science society / v.37, no.4, 2016 , pp. 211-217 More about this Journal
Abstract
There have been found mine tailings, wastes, and mining drainage scattered in the area of Nakdong River due to the improper maintenance of the abandoned mines. These contaminants can flow into rivers during the heavy rain periods in summer. Along the study area beginning Seokpo-myeon, Bonghwa-gun of Gyeongsangbuk-do untill Dosan-myeon, Andong-si, there are one hundred five mines including sixty metalliferous mines and forty-five nonmetal mines, which can adversely affect the adjacent rivers. To verify the contamination, we collected sediments, seepage water and surface water for a year both in rainy season and dry season. This study found that sediments, containing high concentrations of heavy metals caused by mining activities, are dispersed throughout the entire river basin (68 sample points with pollution index, based on the concentration of trace element, (PI) >10 among the total of 101 samples). The results of river water analysis indicated the increased concentrations of arsenic and cadmium at branches from Seungbu, Sambo, Okbang and Janggun mine, which concerns that the river water may be contaminated by mining drainage and tailing sediments. However, it is difficult to sort out the exact sources of contamination in sediments and waters only by using the chemical compositions. Thus the control of mining pollution is challenging. To prevent water from being contaminated by mining activities, we should be able to divide inflow rates from each origin of the mines. Therefore, there should be a continued study about how to trace the source of contaminants from mining activities by analyzing stable isotopes.
Keywords
Nakdong river; tailing sediments; tracing contaminants; mining activities;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
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