• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.217-226
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• 1993

Stream sediment samples were collected in the vicinity of the Sambo Pb-Zn-barite mine in order to investigate dispersion patterns and pollution levels of heavy metals, and to find out their mode of occurrences. Those samples were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn by using partial extraction and sequential extraction methods. Stream sediments of this studied area has been contaminated severely by Pb, Zn, and Cd. Dispersion patterns of heavy metals in those sediments are different according to their pollution source and sampling distance from the mine. The stream sediment pH is generally neutral in control area, and is slightly acidic in the lower part of tailing dam. The main pollution source of stream sediments was confirmed as tailing and mine drainage. Their pollution level depends mainly on inflowed water and distance from the mine. The tolerance index ranges from -0.9 to 0.7. The mode of occurrances of heavy metals in polluted stream sediment are identified as Fe-Mn oxides, organic bounded and carbonate-bounded compound which show high potential of bioavailablity.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2004

Tailings and contaminated soils from Cheongyang mine and Seobo mine have been analysed by ICP-AES from 5-step sequential extraction method of multielement determination on extraction solutions at each step. As and Co within tailings and contaminated soils from Cheongyang mine and Seobo mine are mainly in the residual phase. In case of Cd, Cu and Zn, the most dominant fraction for tailings of Cheongyang mine is the oxidizable phase, while tailings of Seobo mine is dominated by the residual phase. In contaminated soils from Seobo mine, the predominant fraction for Cd, Cu and Zn is the Fe-Mn oxide phase. The exchangeable fraction of Pb in tailings from Cheongyang mine and Seobo mine is relatively high compared with those of other metals; whereas Pb fraction in contaminated soils from Seobo mine is largely associated with the residual fraction.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 1996

In order to investigate the extent and degree of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contamination affected by mining activities of the Dalsung Cu~W mine, sampling of stream sediments and waters has been undertaken up to 1.5 km downstream from the mine at 50~150 meter intervals. Analysis of the samples was carried out using ICP-AES for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Physical and chemical properties of sediments (pH, organic matter contents, cation exchange capacity) and waters (pH, Eh and temperature) were also measured. The properties of the sediment samples were characterized by low pH (3.0~5.5), low organic matter contents (2~5%) and a moderate degree of cation exchange capacity (7~15 meq/100 g) with a high proportion of sand fraction. The pH values of water samples ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 and the Eh levels were in the range of 350~530 mV. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the sediments averaged 3.2 mg/kg, 1,390 mg/kg, 451 mg/kg and 262 mg/kg with the range of 0.6~11.4 mg/kg, 15~3,800 mg/kg, 14~1,330 mg/kg and 63~1,060 mg/kg, respectively. Significant levels of the heavy metals were also found in the water samples with the range of $10{\sim}170{\mu}gCd/l$, $300{\sim}41,600{\mu}gCu/l$, $10{\sim}80{\mu}gPb/l$ and $700{\sim}15,400{\mu}gZn/l$. These elevated concentrations in the sediments and waters may be caused by the weathering of mine waste materials and their high solubilities under acidic and/or oxidizing conditions. Although metal concentrations in the samples decrease with the distance from the mine, heavy metal contamination of sediments and waters were also found at the 1.5 km downstream due to the mobile conditions of the heavy metals, with particular reference to Cd and Zn in stream waters.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.461-470
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• 2001

The Shihung mine was restored in the early 90's after abandonment for 20 yews since 1973. Although disposed mine tailings were removed and the site was replaced by an incineration plant, still some residual mine tailings remain in the places including the old mine tailing ditposal area and the adjacent agricultural area. These residual mine tailings are prone to impose an adverse impact on the soil and groundwater and needs investigation for the potential contamination. Mine tailing samples were collected from the old tailing disposal area and the iii paddy. The porewater from the mine tailing were extracted and analysed to investigate chemical changes along the reaction path. Batch leaching tests were also carried out in the laboratory to find any supporting evidence found in the field analysis. Evidence of elemental leaching was confirmed both by the mine tailing and the porewater chemistry in them. The element concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn in the porewater exceed the standard for drinking water of Korean government and US EPA. Leaching of heavy metals from the mine tailing seem to be responsible for the contamination. In batch leaching test. heavy metals were either continuous1y released or declined rapidly. Combining the information with porewater variation with depths and the geochemical meodeling results, most of elements are controlled by dissolution and/or precipitation processes, with some solubility controlling solid phases (Cu, Pb, Fe and Zn). Batch leaching test conducted at fixed pH 4 showed much higher releases for the heavy metals up to 400 times (Zn) and this area is becoming more vulnerable to soil and groundwater pollution as precipitation pH shifts to acidic condition.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.316-322
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• 2006

Objective of this research was to assess the release characteristics of metals from the mine tailing to base the prediction of metal load potential from tailing to soils. Water-soluble concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn released from mine tailing after 2 hrs were 2.31, 129.38, 17.17, and 287.53 mg/kg, respectively, as compared to 1.6, 128, 108, and 142 mg/kg that were extractable by 0.1 M HCl. Kinetics of metal releases followed the power function model significantly indicating that more of water soluble fractions of those metals released at the initial short time, followed by a slow increase. Concentrations of metals released from tailing by water and 0.1 M HCl were in the orders of Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. The breakthrough curve from the column experiment showed that concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Zn reached at highest after one pore volume, but that of Pb reached highest after five pore volumes when 0.1 M HCl was used as eluent. The release rate of Cd from mine tailing was the fastest but Pb was the slowest. The cumulative mass of metal released by 0.1 M HCl was in the order of Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd after nine pore volume elution.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.871-878
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• 2006

Batch experiments were performed to evaluate the applicability of soil washing for heavy metal contaminated soils at Nacdong and Hamchang abandoned mines. The texture of the Nacdong soil was sandy loam. Nacdong abandoned mine soil was almost neutral (pH=6.5). Contaminations of As, Cd, Pb and Zn for Nacdong mine soils were 12,900 mg/kg, 29 mg/kg, 696 mg/kg and 276 mg/kg, respectively. Hamchang abandoned mine soils were acidic (pH=2.6) and the soil texture was loam. The contaminations of As, Cd, Pb and Zn for Hamchang abandoned mine soils were 6,410 mg/kg, 291 mg/kg, 1,300 mg/kg and 1,110 mg/kg, respectively. For the Nacdong abandoned mine soils, oxalic acid was found to be the most effective soil washing extracter for As and Pb while citric acid was the most effective extracter for Cd. For the Hamchang abandoned mine soils, oxalic acid showed the highest extraction efficiencies for As and Pb, whilst citric acid presented the best soil washing efficiencie for Cd. Oxalic acid and EDTA were found to be the most effective soil washing extracter for the Hamchang abandoned mine contaminated soils.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 1999

The objectives of this study are to investigate soil contamination in the vicinity of abandoned Au-Ag mine and to apply a remediation technique of liming to tailings. In the study area of the Imcheon Au-Ag mine, soils were sampled in and around the mine the analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry extracted by both 0.1N HCl and aqua regia. Elevated levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations extracted by 0.1N HCl were found in soils taken from tailings site. These high contents directly influenced metal concentrations in soils taken in the vicinity of the site. This is mainly due to clastic movement by wind and effluent of mine waste water. In addition, relatively enriched concentrations of the metals were found in soils extrated by aqua regia due to strong decomposition of the samples compared with 0.1N HCl extration. According to the statistical approach, metal concentrations in soils by 0.1N HCl had a positive correlation with those by aqua regia extraction. Mine waste waters and stream waters were also sampled around the mine in spring and summer and analyzed by AAS for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, and by Ion Chromatography for anions. Like soils developed over tailings, significant levels of metals and sulphates were found in the mine waste waters ranging of 0.2~0.3, 0.5~2.0, 0.2~2.8, 30~50 and 1,240~4,700 mg/l of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and $SO_4^{2-}$, respectively. These elevated levels influenced in the stream waters in the vicinity of the tailings site. In seasonal variation of metal and anion contents, relatively high levels were found in waters sampled on summer due to leaching the metals and anions from tailings by rain. This study also examined the possibility of lime treatment for remediation of acid mine tailings and assumed to be 46 tones of pulverized lime for neutralization of the tailings.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.465-472
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• 1993

The heavy metal contents are more abundant in stream waters, paddy soils and rice plants in the vicinity of abandoned mines compared to the surrounding areas in the Kyungpook province. However, these contents tend to decrease with distance from mines, and show some variation under different geological and geochemical environments. The Sin-stream waters have high contents of Cu=4.9 ppm, Pb=0.1 ppm, Zn=3.5 ppm and other heavy metals (Ni, Co, Cd) at Dalsung abandoned mine and low contents of Cu=0.4 ppm, Pb=0.1 ppm, Zn=0.1 ppm and other metals= 0.002 ppm in the surrounding area. The high contents decrease in the downstream in the area of calcareous sedimentary rocks. The paddy soils have high contents of approximately Cu=51 ppm, Pb=83 ppm, Zn=211 ppm, and Cd=11.3 ppm in the vicinity of Gunwi abandoned mine but low contents of Cu=4.5 ppm, Pb=2.9 ppm, Zn=60 ppm and Cd=0.4 ppm in the surrounding area. The Dadeog abandoned mine also shows similar trends to Gunwi mine. The contents of heavy metals of rice plants are high in the roots but trends to decrease through stem+leaf and become low in brown rices.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.82-90
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• 2019

Meeting the regulations based on the short-term leaching tests may not necessarily assure the environmental and human health safety of reusing mine wastes. This study investigated heavy metal leachability of four metal mine waste samples (e.g., Z, Y, H, and M) and human health risk of reusing them as construction materials. The heavy metal leachability did not depend on the total heavy metal contents. For example, the Z sample contained greater amounts of As and Fe than Zn, but the leachates contained only Zn at a detectable level. This can be attributed to the crystalline structure and heavy metal fractions of the mine wastes. The leaching test results suggested that the four mine waste samples are potentially reusable. But the Z and M samples reused in industrial areas imposed carcinogenic risks. This was largely attributed to As that is exposed via dermal contact. The Y and H samples reused in residential areas imposed carcinogenic risk. The major exposure route was the ingestion of crops grown on the mine wastes and Cr was the major concern. The two-stage assessment involving leaching tests and risk assessment can be used to promote safe reuse of mine wastes.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.51-57
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to research the mineralogical characteristics and removal of heavy metals of tailings from Gum-poong mine. From the result of mineralogical analysis, there are several sulphide minerals such as chalcocite, aresenopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite and galena. Cd and Zn have a good positive correlation from the statistical relation between Cd and other heavy metals(Cu, Pb, Zn). Residual heavy metals(As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) from the Gum-poong tailings were removed under the warning criteria from the result of froth flotation with K.A.X.(Potassium Amyl Xanthate) and Aerofloat 211.