Water, sediment and agricultural soil contamination from an ion-adsorption rare earth mining area.
Chemosphere
; 216: 75-83, 2019 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30359919
ABSTRACT
Due to their specific properties, ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites may be a threat for adjacent environments. This work was undertaken to assess whether former mining operations on ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites have a significant impact on water bodies and soils of the surrounding environments. Tailing soil materials, stream waters and sediments, and farmland soils were collected from one of the largest ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites worldwide (Southern China). Total concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), Fe, Al, etc., and pH were measured. Results revealed high concentrations of REEs in tailing soils (392â¯mgâ¯kg-1), stream waters (4460⯵gâ¯L-1), sediments (462â¯mgâ¯kg-1) and farmland soils (928â¯mgâ¯kg-1) in comparison with control sites. In the tailing profiles, light REEs (LREEs) were preferentially leached compared to middle REEs (MREEs) and heavy REEs (HREEs). Anomalies in tailings and stream water indicated strong soil weathering (Eu) and leaching activities (Ce) within the tailings. The MREE enriched pattern in stream water was more related to water parameters such as Al and Fe oxides, and ligands, than to the source of REEs. Anomalies also indicated that REEs contamination in the farmland soils was mainly originated from the stream water contaminated by the leaching from the tailings. In conclusion, a heavy REEs pollution was recorded in the surrounding environment of ion-adsorption rare earth mine. REEs fractionation, Ce and Eu anomalies provided an insight to the understanding of REEs leaching and soil weathering processes, and REEs environmental fate in rare earth mining area.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Contexto em Saúde:
2_ODS3
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Monitoramento Ambiental
/
Metais Terras Raras
/
Mineração
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Chemosphere
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article