Trace elements in water, sediments, porewater, and biota polluted by tailings from an abandoned gold mine in British Columbia, Canada

doi:10.1016/0375-6742(94)00028-A

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

Volume 52, Issues 1–2, January 1995, Pages 25-34

https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6742(94)00028-A Get rights and content

Abstract

The concentrations of major and trace elements in different environmental compartments (e.g., water, suspended and bottom sediments, sediment porewater, and biota) of Jack of Clubs Lake (JCL), Wells, British Columbia (Canada), were determined to assess the biogeochemical effects of abandoned gold mine tailings on the aquatic ecosystem of JCL in the Fraser River drainage basin. Arsenic and Pb were transported from the tailings to the lake, where they accumulated in bottom sediments in concentrations up to 1104 and 281 μ/g, respectively. Although the benthic community in the lake was only partially affected, there was evidence that the tailings inhibited a variety of microbial activities in the lake sediments. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cu and Pb in invertebrates collected from streams flowing through mine tailings, and from vegetation growing on the tailings, suggest a potential for contamination of the food chain of the surrounding ecosystems.

References (30)

J.M. Azcue et al.
Arsenic forms in mine-polluted sediments of Moira Lake, Ontario
Environ. Int.
(1993)
A. Davis et al.
Distribution of metals between water and entrained sediments in streams impacted by acid mine discharge, Clear Creek, Colorado, USA
Appl. Geochem.
(1991)
D. Liu et al.
A field method for determining the chemical and biological activity of sediments
Water Res.
(1981)
A. Mudroch et al.
Distribution of metals in different size fractions of sediment from Niagara River
J. Great Lakes Res.
(1986)
B.W. Smee et al.
Analysis of fluoride, chloride, nitrate and sulphate in natural waters using chromalography
J. Gcochem. Explor.
(1978)
D.G. Adriano
Trace Elements in the Terrestrial Environment
(1986)
K.I. Andrews
A Preliminary Investigation of Public Health and Environmental Impacts of Abandoned Mine Tailings at Wells, B.C. Williams Lake
(1989)
J.M. Azcue et al.
Metal concentration in the vegetation of an abandoned mine in Wells, B.C. (Canada)
J.M. Azcue et al.
Effects of abandoned gold mine tailings on the arsenic concentrations in water and sediments of Jack of Clubs Lake, British Columbia
Environ. Technol.
(1994)
M.R. Becklane et al.
The predictors of emphysema in South African gold miners
Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.
(1987)

J.M. Besser et al.

Bioavailability and toxicity of metals leached from lead-mine tailings to aquatic invertebrates

Environ. Toxicol. Chem.

(1987)

R.L. Cowie et al.

Pulmonary tuberculosis in South African gold miners

Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.

(1989)

C. Finch et al.

Curr. Res. Newfoundland Dep. Mines Energy

(1992)

D.M. Galbraith

Reclamation assessment — Wells tailings

(1991)

G.B. Halverson et al.

Treatment of and recovery from effluent at Giant Yellowknife Mines Limited

Water Pollul. Res. J. Can.

(1987)

Cited by (55)

Activation and utilization of tailings as CO<inf>2</inf> mineralization feedstock and supplementary cementitious materials: a critical review
2023, Materials Today Sustainability
Activation and utilization of mine tailings as feedstock for CO₂ mineralization and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) have attracted great interest in the mining and concrete industries. In this work, a state-of-the-art review on the two utilization strategies and associated activation and pre-treatment methods was provided, aiming at promoting the reuse and reprocessing of mine tailings at a commercial scale. Based on the chemical, mineralogical, and physical characteristics, principles for screening available mine tailings as CO₂ mineralization feedstock and SCMs were reviewed and discussed first. Then, basic activation methods were highlighted to improve the reactivity of mine tailings as CO₂ mineralization feedstock and SCMs, including thermal, mechanical, and chemical activation. The mechanisms behind each activation method were elaborated, and the energy consumption and optimization of activation treatment were also evaluated. Besides, carbonation conditions affecting the carbonation efficiency of mine tailings were reviewed systematically. In addition, the influence of the utilization of the activated mine tailings as CO₂ mineralization feedstock and SCMs on the extraction of trace elements was also examined, and key knowledge gaps were identified and discussed. The critical review concluded that after integrated thermal and mechanical activation, silica-rich mine tailings with kaolinite and a high content of Al₂O₃ + Fe₂O₃ + SiO₂ (over 80%, by mass) could have a high potential as SCMs. Activated (ultramafic) mine tailings with high Mg/Si and Mg/Fe ratios (of more than 1.5) were susceptible to CO₂ mineralization. Overall, the optimal thermal and mechanical activation conditions for pre-treatment of mine tailings as CO₂ mineralization feedstock and SCMs were found to be approximately the same, which might facilitate the up-scaled utilization and activation.
Physical and chemical characterization of sediments from an Andean river exposed to mining and agricultural activities: The Moquegua River, Peru
2022, International Journal of Sediment Research
Citation Excerpt :
A similar situation could also occur in Moquegua; since both plants are found on the banks of the Moquegua River. On the other hand, arsenic is always found in areas where Cu mining companies operate (Ashley & Lottermoser, 1999; Azcue et al., 1995; Azcue & Nriagu, 1995; Bissen & Frimmel, 2003; Cancès et al., 2008; Davis et al., 1992; Foster et al., 1998; Hudson et al., 1997; Nesbitt & Muir, 1998; Ondrus et al., 1997; Paktunc et al., 2004; Utsunomiya et al., 2003; Williams et al., 1996) and Moquegua is not an exception. In this work, arsenic and arsenic forming alarsite (AlAsO4) and arsenolite (As2O3) has been found in samples from many study sites in the lower drainage basin and the headwaters of the Torata River, above the Cuajone mine.
This study presents an analysis of sediments in an Andean river impacted by both natural conditions and anthropogenic activities. Fifty samples were collected from selected sites throughout the Moquegua River drainage basin, and Tambo River headwaters at Pasto Grande, in Peru, and analysed with X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Si, Ca, Al, Fe, and O, common constituents of soils, were dominant, along with K, N, and P. The latter originating as primary macronutrients or chemical residuals from fertilizers used in agriculture. Higher concentrations of macronutrients and organic components were found in agricultural and urban areas, respectively. Arsenic minerals were also detected, which occur naturally, but possibly at levels augmented by anthropogenic activity. The application of cluster analysis revealed clustering between arsenic, arsenolite, and potassium but no significant geospatial correlation between sample sites in the drainage basin.
Lead contamination from gold mining in Yellowknife Bay (Northwest Territories), reconstructed using stable lead isotopes
2020, Environmental Pollution
Citation Excerpt :
Mining-derived Pb was deposited at the north end of the bay from atmospheric deposition, solid tailings or effluent flowing down Baker Creek, and a small fraction of this pollution then likely moved slowly southward over time by sediment migration. We measured sediment Pb concentration gradients comparable to those reported for lakes near Canadian gold mines but well below the reported values for sediment in tailing ponds for the same mines (Mudroch et al., 1989; Azcue et al., 1995; Wong et al., 1999). The maximum mining-derived Pb flux reported in this study (63 mg m−2 yr−1) was comparable to the maximum recorded Pb fluxes from lakes located between 6 and 36 km from copper smelter of the Rouyn-Noranda mining area (27–58 mg m−2 yr−1) (Couillard et al., 2008; Gallon et al., 2006).
The contributions of contaminant sources are difficult to resolve in the sediment record using concentration gradients and flux reconstruction alone. In this study, we demonstrate that source partitioning using lead isotopes provide complementary and unique information to concentration gradients to evaluate point-source releases, transport, and recovery of metal mining pollution in the environment. We analyzed eight sediment cores, collected within 24 km of two gold mines, for Pb stable isotopes, Pb concentration, and sediment chronology. Stable Pb isotope ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) of mining ore were different from those of background (pre-disturbance) sediment, allowing the use of a quantitative mixing model. As previously reported for some Arctic lakes, Pb isotope ratios indicated negligible aerosol inputs to sediment from regional or long-range pollution sources, possibly related to low annual precipitation. Maximum recorded Pb flux at each site reached up to 63 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹ in the period corresponding to early years of mining when pollution mitigation measures were at a minimum (1950s–1960s). The maximum contribution of mining-derived Pb to these fluxes declined with distance from the mines from 92 ± 8% to 8 ± 4% at the farthest site. Mining-derived Pb was still present at the sediment surface within 9 km of Giant Mine more than ten years after mine closure (5–26 km, 95% confidence interval) and model estimates suggest it could be present for another ∼50–100 years. These results highlight the persistence of Pb pollution in freshwater sediment and the usefulness of Pb stable isotopes to quantify spatial and temporal trends of contamination from mining pollution, particularly as concentrations approach background.
Arsenic and antimony in water and wastewater: Overview of removal techniques with special reference to latest advances in adsorption
2015, Journal of Environmental Management
Citation Excerpt :
Arsenic concentrations in lake waters are usually close to or lower than those found in river water (Smedley and Kinniburgh, 2002). Baseline concentrations are typically bellow 1 μg/L or near 1–2 μg/L (Azcue et al., 1994, 1995; Azcue and Nriagu, 1995; Ikem and Egilla, 2008; Mannio et al., 1995; Reuther, 1992), but values in the range 1–157 μg/L have been reported in lakes of different countries, as for example Lake Mohawk (USA), two lakes of China and in south east part of Sindh, Pakistan (Arain et al., 2009; Barringer et al., 2011). The antimony distribution in natural waters has received much less attention than arsenic.
Arsenic and antimony are metalloids, naturally present in the environment but also introduced by human activities. Both elements are toxic and carcinogenic, and their removal from water is of unquestionable importance. The present article begins with an overview of As and Sb chemistry, distribution and toxicity, which are relevant aspects to understand and develop remediation techniques. A brief review of the recent results in analytical methods for speciation and quantification was also provided. The most common As and Sb removal techniques (coagulation/flocculation, oxidation, membrane processes, electrochemical methods and phyto and bioremediation) are presented with discussion of their advantages, drawbacks and the main recent achievements. Literature review on adsorption and biosorption were focused in detail. Considering especially the case of developing countries or rural communities, but also the finite energy resources that over the world are still dependent, recent research have focused especially readily available low-cost adsorbents, as minerals, wastes and biosorbents. Many of these alternative sorbents have been presenting promising results and can be even superior when compared to the commercial ones. Sorption capacities were accurately compiled for As(III,V) and Sb(III,V) species in order to provide to the reader an easy but detailed comparison. Some aspects related to experimental conditions, comparison criteria, lack of research studies, economic aspects and adsorption mechanisms were critically discussed.
Individual and cumulative effects of agriculture, forestry and metal mining activities on the metal and phosphorus content of fluvial fine-grained sediment; Quesnel River Basin, British Columbia, Canada
2014, Science of the Total Environment
Citation Excerpt :
In some cases, average values for impacted sites are significantly (p < 0.05) greater than reference sites, for example: (i) Mn for agricultural sites; (ii) As, Hg, P and Se for mining sites; and (iii) Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn for forestry sites. Both As and Se are by-products of the Cu and Ag mining processes (Azcue et al., 1995; Korte and Coulston, 1998; Luoma and Rainbow, 2008), which likely explains their elevated levels. In the case of forestry practices, Cu-rich local geology may have been disturbed and transported during forestry practices resulting in elevated levels for that land use (Hassan et al., 2005).
The impact of agriculture, forestry and metal mining on the quality of fine-grained sediment (< 63 μm) was investigated in the Quesnel River Basin (QRB) (~ 11,500 km²) in British Columbia, Canada. Samples of fine-grained sediment were collected monthly during the snow-free season in 2008 using time-integrated samplers at replicate sites representative of agriculture, forestry and mining activities in the basin (i.e. “impacted” sites). Samples were also collected from replicate reference sites and also from the main stem of the Quesnel River at the downstream confluence with the Fraser River. Generally, metal(loid) and phosphorus (P) concentrations for “impacted” sites were greater than for reference sites. Furthermore, concentrations of copper (forestry and mining sites), manganese (agriculture and forestry sites) and selenium (agriculture, forestry and mining sites) exceeded upper sediment quality guideline (SQG) thresholds. These results suggest that agriculture, forestry and metal mining activities are having an influence on the concentrations of sediment-associated metal(loid)s and P in the Quesnel basin.
Metal(loid) and P concentrations of sediment collected from the downstream site were not significantly greater than values for the reference sites, and were typically lower than the values for the impacted sites. This suggests that the cumulative effects of agriculture, forestry and mining activities in the QRB are presently not having a measureable effect at the river basin-scale. The lack of a cumulative effect at the basin-scale is thought to reflect: (i) the relatively recent occurrence of land use disturbances in this basin; (ii) the dominance of sediment contributions from natural forest and agriculture; and (iii) the potential for storage of contaminants on floodplains and other storage elements between the locations of disturbance activities and the downstream sampling site, which may be attenuating the disturbance signal.
Arsenic and Selenium
2013, Treatise on Geochemistry: Second Edition
This chapter outlines the main effects of arsenic and selenium on human and animal health, their abundance and distribution in the environment, sampling and analysis, and the main factors controlling their speciation and cycling. Such information should help identify aquifers, water resources and soils at risk from high concentrations of arsenic and selenium, and areas of selenium deficiency. Human activity has had, and is likely to continue to have, a major role in releasing arsenic and selenium from the geosphere and in perturbing the natural distribution of these and other elements over the Earth's surface.

View all citing articles on Scopus

View full text

Trace elements in water, sediments, porewater, and biota polluted by tailings from an abandoned gold mine in British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

Environ. Int.

Appl. Geochem.

Water Res.

J. Great Lakes Res.

J. Gcochem. Explor.

Trace Elements in the Terrestrial Environment

A Preliminary Investigation of Public Health and Environmental Impacts of Abandoned Mine Tailings at Wells, B.C. Williams Lake

Metal concentration in the vegetation of an abandoned mine in Wells, B.C. (Canada)

Effects of abandoned gold mine tailings on the arsenic concentrations in water and sediments of Jack of Clubs Lake, British Columbia

Environ. Technol.

The predictors of emphysema in South African gold miners

Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.

Bioavailability and toxicity of metals leached from lead-mine tailings to aquatic invertebrates

Environ. Toxicol. Chem.

Pulmonary tuberculosis in South African gold miners

Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.

Curr. Res. Newfoundland Dep. Mines Energy

Reclamation assessment — Wells tailings

Treatment of and recovery from effluent at Giant Yellowknife Mines Limited

Water Pollul. Res. J. Can.